There are many kid friendly attractions in and around Bend, Oregon, making it a perfect place to take a family vacation. From skiing and snowshoeing to children’s museums and playgrounds, Bend has a little bit of everything. Here is a list of some of our favorites to help you plan your next family vacation in Bend!
4 Kid Friendly Attractions in Bend, Oregon
1. In the winter it is unacceptable to not go skiing if you are in Bend, unless of course you just can’t. Why?Because Mt. Bachelor is just a short drive from Bend and home to 88 runs to accommodate the novice, intermediate, advanced and expert ski enthusiasts. It even has a magic carpet and bunny hill making this an ultra kid friendly place to ski.
2. If you are a non skier consider a 90 minute guided snowshoeing tour of the Deschutes National Forest instead. It’s easy to snowshoe and anyone 8 years or older can do it. This kid friendly activity is free through the US Forest Service up on Mt. Bachelor. During your tour you will learn about winter ecology at Mt. Bachelor and the geology of Central Oregon, the Deschutes National Forest watershed, and the plants and animals found throughout the area. You will need to wear snow boots and other warm winter clothing. These tours start at 10 AM on Saturdays. You check-in 10-15 minutes prior to time of tour at the USFS snowshoe hut just outside the Guest Services building in West Village at Mt. Bachelor ski resort.
3. A fantastic indoor family-friendly activity near bend is the High Desert Museum, a one-of-a kind museum that reveals the nature of things in the West’s high desert through artful exhibits, alluring animals, engaging programs and meaningful history. We felt completely immersed into the history as we walked through some of the exhibits.
4. Last but not least is ice skating in nearby Sunriver. The Sunriver ice rink is open from mid-November through the end of March and is an exciting activity for vacationers and locals alike. If ice-skating is not your forte, the rink offers a viewing room with a cozy fireplace so you can watch your friends and family skate to their hearts’ content. This is a fairly cheap family activity!
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