Orchard District - Bend, OR

The city of Bend has a long history of settlement and population, due in large part to the Pilot Butte peak in the southeast corner of the Orchard District. Visible on the horizon from miles away, the peak drew settlers and served as an important landmark in the town's early days, especially given its proximity to the Deschutes River just three miles away.

Bend officially became a city in 1904 with over 300 initial residents. The city remembers its past through several historic museums, including the Des Chutes Historic Center located 4 miles west of the Orchard District.

Five miles south, the Old Mill District houses a wide range of shops, art galleries and public exhibits dedicated to sharing and preserving the history of the town through all the seasons. Enjoy everything from free outdoor movies and summertime concerts to carriage rides and carolers in the winter months.

Nobody goes hungry in the Orchard District, including vegetarians and those with other eating limitations. In a neighborhood with 66 percent more restaurants per capita than the state of Oregon, there is something delicious for everyone.

Start with the clusters of dining options scattered thickly along Highway 20. Laughing Planet offers a full juice bar, satisfying salads and vegetarian options that everyone can enjoy. Enjoy the Latin-influenced food, and try the paleo bowl. Note that omnivores can add local and organic beef or chicken to anything on the menu.

When you want to be spoiled, get treated like family at Palmer's Cafe, the favorite local breakfast and brunch spot. People come from all over Bend to enjoy the homemade food in a warm environment with fast and kind service. Try the fluffy biscuits and gravy or eggs Benedict with thick slices of real ham. No matter what you choose, take a minute to consider sharing the sure-to-be-huge portion sizes.

Nearby, Los Jalapenos uses high-quality, locally sourced beef and offers the most authentic Mexican food in town. Compare the bell pepper breakfast burrito to the supreme quesadilla if you want to try the local favorites, and top your meal off with a fine cucumber margarita when you're feeling frisky.

At night, a peerless selection of bars and entertainment awaits just 1 mile away across Highway 97 in downtown Bend. When you're in the mood to boogie, Seven Restaurant and Nightclub has all the elements for a premiere night out, including great drinks, a full menu, karaoke, salsa dance nights on Wednesdays and club dancing on the weekends.

Alternatively, kick back in the funky, artistic interior of The Dogwood Cocktail Cabin, and experience the lavender martini or any of their herbally infused cocktails (all half off during the daily happy hour). Nearby, M & J Tavern welcomes local musicians at a popular open mic night. Settle in with good beer and a friendly night of pool, games and music.

With restaurants, parks and businesses scattered thickly throughout the Orchard District and the city of Bend, feel free to explore with just a water bottle and a pair of walking shoes. Your own two feet are a perfectly viable mode of transportation in this highly walkable area.

In addition to beautiful biking trails, a thorough network of dedicated biking lanes and bicycle-friendly roads also spread throughout Orchard District and the surrounding neighborhoods. Major biking roads include Bend Parkway, the Dallas-California Highway and Northeast Olney Avenue, and bikers are familiar sights on the city streets.

Not quite ready to bike the city streets? No problem. The Bend Area Transit fixed-route bus system offers a network of transportation to destinations within Bend's neighborhoods, while Cascades East Transit provides regional transportation between surrounding cities. Ride anywhere in your home city for $1.50, or pay $3.75 to get to a neighboring town.

In absence of Uber, the Bend Cab Company services the city with airport shuttles, standard cab services, low fares and 24 hour service. Just keep their number in your phone if you don't want to wait to hail one, and the nearest cab will pull up within minutes of your call.

You can also keep your car in this low-population-density city. The area known as the Downtown Core provides free two-hour street parking for all customers and visitors to downtown Bend, while the Centennial Parking Plaza on Oregon Avenue provides three hours of free parking as well as longer permit parking on designated levels.

Located as it is in the beautiful state of Oregon, Orchard District neighborhood has its share of refreshing natural spaces. Most notably, the Pilot Butte State Park and Scenic Viewpoint draw visitors from all over the surrounding areas. Walk, bike or drive to the top of the extinct volcano Pilot Butte to experience the best view of Bend around. On a clear day, you can see Mount Hood 92 miles away.

In the south of the neighborhood, Juniper Park offers a variety of open playing fields, tennis courts, a picnic area and a walking trail as well as proximity to the popular Juniper Fitness Center that includes a gym and large pool. Note that a small fee is associated with the use of the fitness center.

Neighborhood residents also enjoy the community garden and free off-leash dog park in Hollinshead Park near the center of Orchard District. Surrounded by open pastures and groves of orchard, a delicately restored barn offers a graceful and intimate setting for corporate retreats, parties, family gatherings and small weddings.

The Orchard District provides affordable access to the material wealth and natural beauty of Oregon, as the cost of living in the Orchard District is 22 percent lower than the cost of living in Bend and a whopping 27 percent lower than the average cost of living in Portland. A one-bedroom residence in the Orchard District rents for an average of $731.09 per month, nearly three hundred dollars less than in Portland.

Pay around $3 for a beer at a local pub (excluding happy hour specials) and $1.50 to get to city center via public transportation. Local gas prices average 3 percent higher than national prices but 7 percent lower than Oregon's average.

Neighborhood residents who feel like spending money need only decide where they would like to do so. Five miles south of Orchard District, the outdoor shopping center at Old Mill District offers a popular multitude of shops, art galleries and restaurants situated right alongside the Deschutes River. Park, walk, shop, eat and even watch a movie on a fun day out.

Closer to home, choose from a range of independent stores scattered within the neighborhood borders. Make your way through the finely maintained and unique selection of consigned furniture and home decor at Bend Upcycle, get one-of-a-kind women's clothing for any occasion at The Closet, or enjoy the fine instruments and warm, knowledgeable customer service at Sunday Guitars, where you can also register for affordable guitar lessons.

Neighborhood grocery stores include Colima Market, Albertson's, and Brunos, with a Safeway located just a little to the south. A burgeoning farmers market also takes place in downtown Bend every Wednesday from June to October. As Oregon's first farmers market to launch a Farm-to-School program, the Bend Farmers Market partners with local school districts to incorporate market products into school lunches and creates opportunities for students to learn about nutrition through farm visits, gardening and recycling programs.