Venture out in Central Oregon, a Pacific Northwest destination where outdoor escapades, craft cuisine, and an art-loving spirit will feed your snow-seeking soul. Seek out unforgettable spots tucked around some of Oregon’s most spectacular sights. Make a plan to venture out at VisitCentralOregon.com
With their spirited embrace of the outdoors, appealing four-season climate, acclaimed craft beer and artisan food scene and friendly vibe, Bend and other parts of Central Oregon have emerged into one of the West’s most exciting LGBTQ+ destinations. They’re especially popular among fans of snow sports, biking, rock climbing, hiking and the outdoors. As evidenced by the countless businesses throughout the region that proudly display inclusive You Are Welcome Here stickers in their windows, this dynamic and fast-growing region is increasingly queer-welcoming. Here’s how to stay, eat and play in Central Oregon in the winter.
Bo’s Falafel Bar is a favorite hangout in the local queer community and hosts occasional drag brunches. Fuel up in the morning with a rosemary-honey bagel sandwich filled with eggs, cheese and maple bacon, or try a savory falafel bowl at lunch. Located in Bend’s stately 1917 Spheir Building, Domaine Serene Wine Lounge is a sophisticated spot for sampling this celebrated Willamette Valley-based winemaker’s ethereal pinot noirs, chardonnays and méthode champenoise sparkling wines.
One of the main host hotels during Winter PrideFest, Bend’s only Booking.com Proud Certified hotel — the festive Campfire Hotel — is a stylish boutique motor lodge with a retro-cool look, year-round outdoor pool and fire pits, karaoke nights in the lively Canteen Bar, and occasional drag shows and queer pool parties. Just up the road, Waypoint Hotel is another smartly renovated and reasonably priced property with a playful look and feel.
Surrounded by some 20,000 sweeping acres of wilderness between Bend and Redmond and featuring an outstanding golf course, beautifully appointed hotel rooms and vacation homes, and four terrific restaurants, Juniper Preserve is a wonderful place to treat yourself to a restorative getaway. The tranquil Juniper Spa offers a full menu of blissful treatments along with yoga, meditation, myofascial release and other classes to help you maintain and improve your well-being.
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