Bend has been dubbed the outdoor playground of the West for a thousand good reasons, but there’s more to this magical place than outdoorsy fun.

Sure, you might spend an afternoon dipping your kayak paddle in the crystal clear waters of the Deschutes River or plunging through pristine fields of fresh powder on your snowshoes. But how you feel when you do that—and as your smile lingers in the days that follow—that’s the Bend spirit.

It’s the smell of sagebrush after a high desert rainstorm. It’s the tickle of sunshine on your bare shoulders as you sip a frosty craft beer on an outdoor patio. It’s the taste of fresh carrots plucked from a basket at the Bend Farmers Market. It’s the sound of your kids’ laughter as they twirl as they dance to a concert at Les Schwab Amphitheater.