Spring break in Bend: Easy adventures for every kind of kid

Trying to decide what to do for spring break with the family? It doesn’t have to feel like its own sport. Consider Bend. Chances are this playful, friendly mountain town is well within easy road-tripping distance, meaning it’s easy to spend more time together for less. Whether you’re adventuring with teens who want big days in the mountains or traveling with little ones who thrive on plenty of gentle playtime, spring break in Bend lets you reset and recharge, together. Add in great food, awesome landscapes, and a community that reinvests your visitor dollars into the places we all love to explore together, and you’ll see why families pick Bend time and time again.

Here are two guides tailored to your crew.

Plan a spring break the teens will remember.

Tiny travelers, big memories.

Confession time. It’s only been since my daughter started high school that my wife and I became, you know, Spring Break Planners. If you knew us, you’d know how unbelievable that sounds. When kiddo was young we’d toss some gear in the car and go, figuring it out on the way. Now? We want those trips to feel—special. Our daughter will be leaving the nest soon, which means we’re down to exactly two spring breaks. No more winging it. I hate to admit it but time’s too precious. 

Despite our relatively new-found planning powers, the recipe for a great family spring break is pretty easy. These days, in this economy, we’re all about sticking closer to home to maximize our time on the ground and stretch our budget. That gives us a lot of freedom because Bend is awesome in spring. Ski. Bike. Hike. Ice skate. It’s basically like having four-seasons in one—minus floating the river, though our daughter is such a polar bear she could do that, too—all within a 30-minute drive. But of all the places you could see and all the things you could do, why choose Bend? 

Let me count the ways.

Did you know that when you stay at a hotel, vacation rental, or any other lodging property within city limits that a portion of what you pay comes right back into our community? That’s millions of dollars we’ve used to build new trails, restore riparian areas, and made river access better for everyone. Thank you! Your trip doesn’t just do good, it’s obviously fun, too, starting with the drive. Getting to Bend is a lot easier than you think and the trip will take you by some worthy stops. 

Seattle

330 miles, 6 hours, $55 in gas.
Make a pit stop: Take the US 26 route around Mt. Hood and stop at the Skyway Bar and Grill, a roadhouse in Zigzag, for Mary’s organic, barbecue smoked “yard bird.” 

Portland

165 miles, 3.25 hours, $25 in gas.
Take it up a notch: Drive the Santiam Pass route from Salem and stop to climb a giant old-growth tree in Silver Falls State Park. I did that once and it was one of the coolest things ever. Or go the Mt. Hood route and visit the Museum at Warm Springs. 

Boise

315 miles, 5.5 hours, $45 in gas.
Add hot water: One of our Visit Bend crew grew up in Boise and always breaks the trip back to see family with a soak at Crane Hot Springs, which sits almost exactly half-way. 

San Francisco

490 miles, 8 hours, $75 in gas.
Be wowed: Stop at the south rim of Crater Lake National Park for a free ranger-led snowshoe tour with snowshoes included.

Pasco, Kennewick, Richland, a.k.a, the Tri-Cities

250 miles, 4.5 hours, $40 in gas.
Eat in: Take the scenic route through Heppner and Kimberly and stop in the hamlet of Spray for pizza Ben’s Place Bar, a not-so-secret “secret bar” tucked inside a repurposed, riverside grain silo above the John Day River. 

Medford

175 miles, 3.25 hours, $30 in gas.
Be one with Homer: Wickiup Junction in La Pine has some of the best homemade donuts this side of the Cascades. You may fight over them. We do. 

*One way, based on 25mpg average, and $4 a gallon

Direct flights to Bend

Live in Denver and want to skip the I-70 madness to ski some runs? Bend has direct flights from Denver that take less time than driving to Breckenridge. You can also fly direct from San Francisco, Salt Lake City, San Diego, Seattle, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Portland.

What you know: Skiing is certainly a main attraction on a spring break getaway to Bend, with Mt. Bachelor and its 4,300-acres of lift-accessed terrain just 20 minutes out of town. What you might not know: Spring is when Bachelor really shines. Typically we’ll have upwards of 8 feet of snow on the ground, every run will be open, and the longer, sunny days bring million-mile views and silky corn snow or a mega powder dump. Either way it’s win win win. Spring is easily my favorite time to ski. Be sure to get a photo of the brood all together overlooking the Cascade Lakes from the summit. Plus:

Save on multiday tickets with an advance online purchase. Bonus: Kids 12 and under ski free.

Mt. Bachelor works with Bend-based lodging partners to offer deals. Find them here.

Rent skis at the mountain or in town to save space in the car. 

The Bloody Marys at the Rock bar in the West Village lodge are legendary. Just sayin’.

As much as I love to ski, my legs still need a break after a few days. Bend is great for resting up because real people live here and we like to have fun, too. Head down to the High Desert Museum to catch Sky Hunters, a live-raptor show, or explore the ‘80s themed exhibit, Under Pressure: A Volcanic Exploration, that turns the Mount St. Helens 1980 eruption into an interactive experience. For more hands-on fun, work your way through a mystery at Puzzle Effect escape room. You can also book a session in the soaking pool at Mcmenamins Old St. Francis School or take it up a notch with a contrast therapy session at Flux, where hot and cold plunges will set you right (looking at you, tired legs!). You can catch a play with actual paid actors at Greenhouse Cabaret or just wander around the shops downtown or the Old Mill. My teen loves Soul Bella Boutique. Live music? The Volcanic Theatre Pub, the Tower Theater and the Domino Room/Midtown Ballroom all have all-ages shows. Agreeing on what counts as a good band? Good luck with that.

We’re not Portland or Paris (and we’re not complaining) but man do we have a great food scene. Want killer Korean? Yoli’s the place to be. Awesome Indian? Spiceland and Crown Curry deliver. Thai? Try the Galley, a new offshoot of Dear Mom, or go for the hotpot at Sen Thai. We have Japanese (Yokocho Izakaya) and Peruvian (Hola!) and Japanese-Peruvian (Kusshi). There’s also straight up American at Americana and the Drake as well as fancy steaks and sides at Hawkeye & Huckleberry. Want to stay in and watch Hot Dog—The Movie? Order yourselves some Chicken Shanty, one of Bend’s most popular places for Uber Eats, and try to explain those outfits. We also have 27 breweries. That’s 5.4 breweries for every day of spring break. Here’s more on Bend’s food scene.

The cross country skiers among us love the 47km of free community trails at Virginia Meissner, Swampy Lakes, and Wanoga sno-parks with warming huts scattered along the trails. Please give back and leave a donation! Even cooler? Go by the Powder House, where Olympian Dan Simoneau has painstakingly perfected the ideal base grind for Central Oregon conditions. Personally, I’d also book a nighttime snowshoe tour with Wanderlust Tours where you’ll walk through the starlit hush of snowy forest only to arrive at—surprise!—an amphitheater hand-carved in the snow with a roaring bonfire to warm up by. Expect desserts, hot chocolate, and hazelnut-espresso vodka.

Have fun, families! March and April will be here before you know it, sorta like graduation day.

Spring break road trips with young kids should be easy and joyful with the promise of big rewards, and if you’re thinking of coming to Bend, you’re well on your way to winning. Not only are we easy to get to, but once you’re here you’ll also find a town kitted out for kids with plenty of memorable ways to play inside and out. 

As a parent myself, I love March because it hits that sweet spot with soft snow on the mountains and lots of sun all around. It’s the time for first turns, another cocoa break, and hours of fun exploring trails at a little person’s pace. We have play spaces and silly porcupines and all manner of approachable adventures to try, knowing that if you forgot the snacks or Billy lost a glove it’s easy to get back to the car without feeling like you’ve blown it. 

And did you know that when you stay at a hotel, vacation rental, or other lodging property in city limits a portion of what you pay goes right back into the community to help us build new trails, improve river access, and keep Bend a sustainable place to visit? March is also one of the more affordable times to come to Bend, too. Average hotel rates hover around $118 a night then. That’ll jump to more than $150 by May. 

Here’s how to plan a trip that keeps little legs moving, faces beaming, and a whole family feeling just right.

Little car time. We’re six hours from Seattle and five from Boise. That’s about $50 in gas.

Kids ski free at Mt. Bachelor! Cruise the green runs then hit the hotel pool.

Go ice skating at the Pavillion then warm up at McMenamins Old St. Francis School with tots. 

Try cross country skiing to a warming hut for snacks and cocoa. 

Head to the High Desert Museum for otters, porcupines, and the coolest outdoor play area ever. 

Unleash your inner ninja at Free Spirit Yoga + Ninja + Play.

Whether you’re looking to get some time on the slopes together or take a stroll through a sunny spring park, Bend has it all.

Take the kids skiing

Mt. Bachelor sits about a 20 minute drive from town and is a spring break classic, especially for younger kids looking to grow their confidence on mellow green runs such as Avalanche and Marshmallow or to explore playful areas like Dilly Dally Alley and the Fairy Forest. Select Kids Après dates add crafts and music to round out a family ski day. Even better, when a parent buys a multiday ticket online, kids 12 and under ski free the same number of days.

Twirl on the ice

If you want something active without a full mountain commitment, The Pavilion hosts “Family Skate” and “With a Child Skate” sessions that are perfect for beginners and wiggly younger kids. Afterward, warm up at Sisters Coffee in the Old Mill District with rich hot chocolate and an easy break for parents and kids alike. My daughter swears it’s the best.

Head out on a family sledding adventure

If Bend gets a spring snowstorm—which happens regularly—Hollinshead Park turns into the city’s go-to sledding hill thanks to its gentle slopes and short walk back. For more reliable snow, the sledding hill at Wanoga Sno-Park is another great option, though conditions can get icy; helmets for little ones are never a bad idea. Read up on where to go and the gear you’ll need.

Try cross country skiing without the commitment

For a quieter winter outing, head to Virginia Meissner Sno-Park, where families can cross-country ski easy, groomed sections like Tangent and the Mushroom trails to reach the Meissner Shelter, a warming hut and an ideal spot for you to bust out your snacks. Mt. Bachelor’s Nordic Center also has a sled you can rent for hauling your little around on the resort’s 34 miles of trails. Gear rentals at Sunnyside are easy to find, downloadable maps are available online, and if snowy roads make you nervous, the Meissner Nordic Club runs a shuttle from the Bend Park ’n Ride to the trailhead. You won’t need a sno-park permit that way either.

Take an easy hike in some awesome parks

When you just need something close to town, Shevlin Park offers wide, mellow creekside trails perfect for short legs, snowball tosses, and wildlife sightings. On Bend’s northwest side, the new Manzanita Ridge Park delights younger kids with its giant climbable beaver sculpture, tall slide, and open play areas with big views.

Sometimes, your littles just want to have fun without chasing you around. Here are some of the things my own kid still loves as well as a complete roundup of fun things to do inside.

Giggles with otters, porcupines, and one very cool playground

The High Desert Museum about ten minutes south of town is a spring break essential, with live river otters, porcupines, and wildlife encounters that instantly hook kids and adults alike. The new Ponderosa Playscape creates a hands-on outdoor discovery zone, while Sky Hunters brings birds of prey swooping overhead in thrilling flight demos. Just down the road, the Sunriver Nature Center makes for an easy add-on stop to see owls, raptors, and beginner-friendly astronomy displays.

Bounce off the walls, literally

For pure energy burn, both Mountain Air and Trampoline Zone offer trampolines, padded obstacles, and space for kids to bounce and flip no matter what the weather does. If the family needs a warm, mellow reset, Juniper Swim & Fitness Center has indoor pools perfect for splashing and floating without a full day’s commitment.

Unleash the yoga ninja

Younger kids who love climbing and imaginative play will adore Free Spirit Yoga + Ninja + Play, where yoga classes meet a mini ninja-warrior obstacle course and a beginner climbing wall. Be sure to check the website for open play hours, which fill quickly during busy weeks.

Get artsy

For creative downtime, Two Suns Art Studio hosts family art sessions with paint, clay, and mixed materials, and Play Society provides a bright, modern indoor play space designed especially for kids five and under.

You can eat delicious, healthy meals in Bend, or you can bend the rules and have pancakes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It’s spring break! These are some of our favorites.

Breakfast

You can’t go wrong easing into the day at The Original Pancake House or Elmer’s, where giant German pancakes, crispy bacon, and kid-friendly service make breakfast smooth for everyone. Head to Bo’s for eggy bagel sandwiches and Mother’s Juice Cafe for classic strawberry, peach, banana smoothies, and more.

Lunch

For a quick midday meal, Bend Burger Company keeps things simple and satisfying with juicy burgers and fast service. At Abe Capanna’s, tables come covered in paper and crayons—a perfect distraction while families wait for thick pepperoni pan pizza and other kid-approved toppings. Great Harvest Bakery downtown does gooey grilled cheese on outstanding bread.

Dinner

That’s easy too. El Rodeo is a longtime Bend favorite for its generous Mexican plates and warm, relaxed atmosphere that welcomes families of all sizes. For a brewery option that really works for younger kids, Sunriver Brewing offers a dedicated kids’ menu and a small indoor play area, giving parents a chance to enjoy award-winning craft beer while kids stay happily entertained.

Sweets

Goody’s downtown has been a Bend favorite for decades with an old-school ice cream parlor feel. Bonta, also downtown, has all your favorite gelatos. Handel’s in south Bend makes great shakes and cones with a wide variety of flavors you can combine. For a full sugar explosion, head to Ida’s Cupcakes where you and your kids can choose from more than 100 different cupcake flavors and frosting choices daily. A friend’s 11-year-old daughter adores Boba Tea Bend for boba tea, and we all love Tomi Mart for every imaginable flavor of Hi-Chews.

Ready to plan your spring break getaway to Bend? Find your perfect place to stay and let your imagination roll. Here’s to a great time showing the kids all the fun to be had so close to home.