Out and About in Central Oregon
Looking for ways to fill an extra day in beautiful Central Oregon? Here are some suggestions – the favorites from our locals:
Start with delicious baked goods and coffee:
Sisters Coffee Company - 273 W, Hood Ave., Sisters
Popular coffeehouse in the heart of Sisters. Known for good coffee,
convenient location, great people watching and ample outdoor seating. They serve delicious baked goods and a few sandwiches also.
Fika Sisters Coffeehouse - 201 E. Sun Ranch Dr., Sisters
Local favorite for coffee and pastries. Quieter with less bustle than Sisters Coffee, but off the beaten path. Indoor wall décor by Lisa Congdon, daughter of Gerrie.
Sisters Bakery - 251 E. Cascade Ave., Sisters
Long time destination for doughnuts, breads and pies, often with a line out the door. Craving a Maple Bar or Apple Fritter?
Angeline’s - 121 W Main Ave, Sisters
Funky café for yummy baked goods and lunch fare, including many gluten free and vegan options.
Sparrow Bakery - 2748 NW Crossing Dr #110, Bend or 50 SE Scott St, Bend
Excellent well-known bakery in Bend with 2 locations
Later in the day when you are ready for lunch or dinner:
Open Door – 303 W Hood Ave, Sisters
Beautiful location in the back of Clearwater Gallery with ample outdoor patio seating. Open Door serves upscale salads and entrees in a lovely setting. Take out available.
Chops Bistro - 370 E. Cascade Ave., Sisters
Fine dining in the heart of Sisters. Very nice selection, wonderful presentation and delicious desserts too.
Sisters Depot – 250 W Cascade Ave, Sisters
Under the new management by 503 Uncorked in Sherwood. Now serving a selection of salads, sandwiches and flatbreads. They offer an excellent vegetarian and gluten-free menu. Take out available.
June’s Asian Kitchen – 291 East Cascade Ave, Sisters
Longtime local favorite serving an assortment of Asian influenced dishes. Good vegetarian options. Please note that this restaurant is take out only.
Sisters Smokehouse – 110 S Spruce Street, Sisters
Starting as a butcher shop, the Smokehouse has expanded to serving hearty sandwiches mid-day. Perfect if you are looking for an “old-school” bologna sandwich. Take out available.
If dining in Bend -
The options are too many to list. However, you may choose to review a recent poll of the city’s best. Here’s the link: https://www.bendsource.com/bend/food/BestOf?category=2388580&year=2021
Shopping anyone? Sisters has many unique shops perfect to browse. Here are some selected choices:
Stitchin’ Post - 311 W. Cascade St. Sisters
The ultimate shop for quilters, knitters and those in search of that perfect item for your table. This wonderful store also is home to the Twigs Gallery
celebrating regional fiber art. Not to be missed!
Paulina Springs Books - 252 W. Hood Ave., Sisters
Independent bookstores are rare. This gem celebrates the wonderful read with a good selection and knowledgeable staff. Also, with an excellent children’s department.
Marigold and True – 351 W Hood Ave., Sisters
Home for the creations of local artist Kelly Rae. She also shares a well
curated collection of personal and home accessories.
Bedouin - 143 E. Hood Ave., Sisters
Local longtime favorite for unique women’s clothing, Bedouin now offers men’s clothing and carefully selected home accessories. Make sure to give yourself plenty of time…treasures are everywhere.
Beacham’s Clock Shop – 300 W Hood Ave., Sisters
A local treasure for 40+ years. Even if a clock is not on your shopping list, take a moment and step in. This collection of locally handcrafted clocks is remarkable.
Ear Expressions – 221 W Cascade, Suite B 514, Sisters
Sweet jewelry boutique with many locally crafted items.
And, of course, we are all inspired by art. Why not make time to visit one of the many local galleries. As listed on your studio tour information, many of the galleries in Sisters are featuring fiber art.
ART GALLERIES – SISTERS, OREGON
Galleries will feature local SAQA fiber artists work, please thank the owners for their participation and interest in our work. Maps will be available at the conference.
Clearwater Gallery – 303 West Hood Ave, Sisters
Sharon Carvalho – Central Oregon SAQA member
Campbell Gallery – Sisters Art Works Building 204 W. Adams Street, Sisters
High Fiber Diet (Columbia Fiber Arts Guild, Portland Oregon)
SAQA members featured: Jo Noble, Sherri Culver, Sherrie Moomey, Marie Murphy Wolfe, Pamela Pilcher, Mary Arnold, Mary McLaughlin, Diane English, Noelle Evans, Terry Grant, Elizabeth Bamberger, Gerri Condon.
Hood Avenue Art – 357 W. Hood Ave, Sisters
Kris Lang – Central Oregon SAQA member
Twigs/Stitchin’ Post Gallery – 311 W. Cascade Ave, Sisters
Journeys Annual Show – Unhinged
SAQA members featured: Judy Beaver, Helen Brisson, Betty Gientke, June Jaeger, Donna Rice, Mary Stewig, Martha Sanders, Marion Shimoda, Jan Tetzlaff, Jean Wells
ART GALLERIES – BEND OREGON
Galleries map will be available at the conference.
Lubbesmeryer Art Studio & Gallery – Old Mill – upstairs above Tumalo Art
Tumalo Art Co. – Old Mill
Little Red Shed – Old Mill District – 421 SW Powderhouse – near Vanilla Urban Threads/Red Robin. Artist : Anna Amejko Peterson – Nomadic Woven artwork
Red Chair Gallery – 103 NW Oregon Ave. – Downtown Bend Mockingbird Gallery – 869 NW, Wall – Downtown Bend
Scalehouse – 550 NW Franklin Ave. (inside Franklin Bldg,- off Tin Pan Alley)
The Workhouse Art Gallery – (Local Art Collective) Green Bird Press Artist Susan Porteous - 50 SE Scott Street – East of downtown Bend
Layor Art + Supply – (Great Art Supplies + featured artists) 1000 NW Wall St – Downtown Bend
Need to stretch your legs or get lost in our gorgeous scenery? Here are several shorter options:
Head of the Metolius -
14 miles West of Sisters. 0.5 mile easy out and back walk on a paved trail with a beautiful overlook of the Metolius River. For more information - https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/oregon/head-of-the-metolius-river-overview
Whychus Creek Scenic Overlook -
9 miles South of Sisters. 1 mile easier loop trail offering quiet nature and mountain views. For more information - https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/oregon/wychus-creek-overlook--2?u=i
Camp Polk Meadow Preserve –
5 miles Northeast of Sisters. A 63 acre preserve offering a short easy hike on paths through the restored lands. For more information -https://www.deschuteslandtrust.org/ protected-lands/indian-ford-meadow-preserve
And if you have more time for adventure :
Explore Downtown Bend for restaurants, galleries and shopping. Located adjacent to Drake Park and Mirror Pond you can extend your stroll for lots of autumn color. https://www.visitbend.com
Shop in Bend’s The Old Mill District just south of downtown Bend. For more information https://www.oldmilldistrict.com
Visit High Desert Museum, a cultural gem set on 135 acres 28 miles SE of Sisters and 7 miles south of Bend. For more information on the current exhibits https://highdesertmuseum.org
Drive to the Dee Wright Observatory and Lava Flow. Take in the historic observatory. Then continue SW on Hwy 242 for wonderful fall color. The observatory is 15 miles West of Sisters. For more information https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/willamette/recarea/?recid=4403
Hike the Whychus Canyon Preserve: A tributary of the Deschutes River, Whychus Creek is being restored to provide critical meadow habitat. This is a 7 mile moderate trail out and back trail from rim to creek located 8 miles NE of Sisters. https://www.deschuteslandtrust.org/protected-lands/whychus-canyon-preserve
Walk the Deschutes River Loop Trail . This is an 11 mile trail along the Deschutes River, easily broken into to smaller sections, located around Bend. For information https://bendtrails.org/trail/deschutes-river-trail/
Majestic Smith Rock is worth a visit even if you do not choose to scale the cliffs. For more information https://smithrock.com/suggested-hikes
We hope you enjoy this special area. If you can’t take it all in, plan on a return visit to Sisters/Bend and Central Oregon - there is so much to do and enjoy here! Ask a local if you have questions. We are happy to share this beautiful place.