"BEND - ADRENALIN CENTER FOR OREGON" a Bend Travel Page by mtncorg

Bend has changed immensely in the last two decades. Over 55000 call Bend 'home' today. The city got its start as a smll townsite on a railway in the the early years of the 20th Century. Its pleasant site along the Deschutes River and proximity to grand outdoor activities, especially the World Class skiing found at nearby Mt Bachelor, has led many to fall in love with the area, either to retire, live or have a second home here. The small downtown, along with areas immediately south and west of the middle core and the gorgeous riverside Drake Park - named for the City's founder and not for the many male ducks seen swimming in the river along the Park banks - provide glimpses at an earlier Bend. Real estate and house building seems to be the number one industry as subdivisions morph and swell the city. Though downtown remains the hub for restaurants and shops, other developments have arisen to vie for attention in the Old Mill area south of downtown and small mall projects to the east along US 97. The number two industry - which directly leads to the number one - is tourism. Countless hotels, motels, vacation home rentals, restaurants, outdoor and ski shops all are found here. Even with a large number of hotel rooms, the city fills up on summer and winter weekends. The atmosphere is young here with so much to do outside. Nothing like skiing on Mt Bachelor; climbing one of the Three Sisters; fishing on the Deschutes; hiking in the Lava Beds or horseback riding over in Tumalo finished off with a cold beer from Bend's own Deschutes Brewery!