Spring getaway: Sunriver Resort for families

We’ve stayed at Oregon’s Sunriver Resort more than a few times, finding it to be the most convenient and kid-friendly lodging option for nearby Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort. Sunriver offers both traditional hotel rooms and home rentals throughout their sprawling property, however, during our most recent visit, we decided to try something new: the Sunriver Resort Lodge Village. The Lodge Village is … [Read more...]

Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort: winter recreation headquarters of Central Oregon

Families used to the crowds (and prices) at California ski resorts will be in heaven in Central Oregon, where Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort reigns. There are many Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort reviews for a reason! Located above Bend, Oregon (named one of our best ski towns!) along Highway 97, Mt. Bachelor now offers over 4000 skiable acres and 101 runs, with top-of-the-line amenities in multiple on-mountain … [Read more...]

Roe Outfitters review: Sunset cruise on Klamath Lake

While visiting the Klamath Basin with your family, absolutely make time for an outdoor adventure trip with Roe Outfitters. Darren Roe and his team are professionals, have been in the business for almost 30 years, and are long-time partners with the Running Y Ranch. Families can book tours directly at the resort (just look for the desk in the lobby) or call Roe Outfitters directly to book a … [Read more...]

Grown-Up Getaway: Sunriver Oregon escape

We've written about planning a winter or spring getaway to Sunriver, Oregon with your family, and about skiing at Mt. Bachelor with kids and snowshoeing with teens in the Deschutes National Forest. Sunriver is an ideal playground for outdoorsy families, located just outside of Bend in the Central Cascades, but I'll let you in on a little secret: Sunriver Resort makes for a great grown-up getaway … [Read more...]

Best snowshoe tour in Bend: Wanderlust Tours

Another day, another excellent outdoor experience with Wanderlust Tours! What makes Wanderlust the best snowshoe tour in Bend? My family and I first experienced Wanderlust during a kayak tour of the Cascade Lakes of Central Oregon, and loved our afternoon so much, we came back for a winter Cascade Mountain Snowshoe tour. Yes, Wanderlust gets our highest possible endorsement: a return … [Read more...]

Oregon Cowboy vacation: Wilson Ranches Retreat

Guest post by travel writer Sarah McCully-Posner. Wilson Ranches Retreat  is a really special place. It is an authentic, family owned, working ranch just outside of the small town of Fossil in Eastern Oregon. The ranch lies within the beautiful Butte Creek Canyon and on your drive in you not only see the cattle grazing lazily in the fields, but song birds flying above, and quail scurrying … [Read more...]

Central Oregon activities: kayaking the Cascade Lakes with Wanderlust Tours

If you're enjoying a Central Oregon vacation and wondering what to do with kids in Bend or the surrounding areas, Wanderlust Tours offers outdoor excursions that will introduce you to Oregon's Cascade Lakes and other wilderness areas while everyone has fun. Located in Bend, Wanderlust offers a full range of outdoor excursions, including cave tours, kayaking Cascade Lakes, canoeing, volcano … [Read more...]

Deschutes river rafting with Sun Country Tours

During our recent visit to Pronghorn Club, we were fortunate enough to enjoy the Big Eddy rafting trip with Bend, Oregon's Sun Country Tours. 'Short but sweet', the Big Eddy trip is only 1.5 hours long (2.5 door-to-door from Sun Country) but promises more whitewater than most families see on the average float or raft trip (at least it was more than we had seen!). Deschutes river rafting: Our … [Read more...]

The Riverhouse, Bend: a moderate hotel option

Bend Oregon is a four-season destination ideal for outdoor enthusiasts. We love to visit in winter to ski Mt. Bachelor and Hoodoo, snowshoe, and cross-country ski, and in summer to hike, mountain bike, and river raft on the Deschutes. Usually, a trip to Bend necessitates a 2-3 night stay, for which we recommend one of its top-tier resorts such as Sunriver, Black Butte Ranch, or Brasada Ranch. … [Read more...]

Black Butte Ranch: home base for Central Oregon outdoor recreation

Every time we visit Central Oregon, we discover yet another family-friendly resort. While some resorts are best for golf vacations, and others ski or luxury vacations, Black Butte Ranch just may come out on top for all-around outdoor recreation amid family-friendly conveniences. Located just outside Sisters, Oregon (approximately 40 minutes from Bend), Black Butte Ranch is comprised primary of … [Read more...]