3 Fun Things You’ll Only Find in Bend
Looking to hop off the beaten path?
Bend is known for its unparalleled access to outdoor fun and beauty – from hiking, mountain biking, paddling, and rock climbing, we’re blessed to live in a place that’s got it all.
But if you’re looking to mix things up during your festival stay, here are three not-to-be-missed spots, compliments of Bend.
The Last Blockbuster
Blockbuster Video | 211 NE Revere Ave
Welcome back to the 1990s. Maybe you saw the 2020 movie or the episode of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver that featured it?? But you probably know that Bend is home to the last fully operational Blockbuster in the world. And yes, Bendites love it. So much so that it’s common for Airbnbs and even hotels to still offer DVD players in-room, and on any given night at the store you’ll find families stocking up on rentals.
Come browse the racks for the obscure romcom from 1992 that you saw once and have always wanted to see again. Enjoy the charmingly tiny movie memorabilia display. Grab a selfie, if that’s the way you roll (don’t be shy!), and be sure to say ‘hi’ to the folks who work there – they’re some of the nicest movie-lovers you’ll ever meet.
Soak up the nostalgia. Reminisce shamelessly. And who knows, pick up some Red Vines along with your rental while you’re there.
A Paean to Pink + Green – The Flamingo Room
The Flamingo Room | 70 SW Century Drive, Suite 130
A wee slice of “vaguely equatorial” space (to quote the Bend Bulletin), The Flamingo Room is one of our personal favorites, as much for their creative mixology as for the heady eclectic green that greets you upon walking in. Do you have plant “babies”? A green thumb? Well, you’ll be right at home here among your leafy friends in this delightful spot. But even if you’re not a plant person, check it out for the singularly chill vibe – few dining spaces in central Oregon are as grounding to us as The Flamingo Room, and we think you’ll like it, too. The tasty bites and bevvies are a fabulous bonus.
Ax-Throwing in a 100 Year-Old Building? Why not!
Unofficial Logging Co. | 910 NW Harriman, Suite 100
Unofficial Logging Co. is a bar and restaurant where you create your own entertainment – by throwing hatchets. While ax-throwing has developed quite a following around the US, one thing the others don’t have is the top-notch selection of on-tap PNW-made craft beer and wine. And don’t forget the food. Gather your friends and pop in for something truly different, and tap into your sublimated heathen by learning to hit a wooden target with an ax. While throwing an axe may not be on your bucket list, it’s definitely an experience you’ll never forget.
Have you gotten your 2023 festival pass yet?!
