Redmond Oregon is a medium sized town in Central Oregon that has a lot of charm and is definitely worth a visit!
Although Redmond is often overlooked in favor of Bend (the largest town in Central Oregon), it has its own draws like excellent restaurants, a pleasant downtown, nice parks, and nearby natural areas.
In this article, you’ll learn about all these fun things to do in Redmond Oregon from people who live here! We moved to Redmond in 2022 and are excited to share our favorite parts with you.
Let’s jump right into everything Redmond Oregon has to offer!
Overview of Redmond Oregon
Redmond is town of about 35,000 in Central Oregon 25 minutes north of Bend. Like all of Central Oregon towns, it has grown a lot over the last 20 years and given its current state, we think Redmond has a lot to offer visitors!
Redmond Oregon has a relaxed vibe and a perfect balance between fun things to do and crowds.
There are lots of great restaurants and shops within a super walkable downtown area. In addition, we love the handful of food truck lots, breweries, and bars in Redmond.
On top of that, it’s super easy to get outside of Redmond and explore some of the best natural areas in Oregon and beyond.
Let’s go into more detail about all this fun stuff Redmond has to offer!
Redmond Oregon Map
Use this interactive map to explore things to do in Redmond Oregon.
Best Things to do Redmond Oregon
In this section, we provide an overview of the things to do in Redmond Oregon. Click any of the links in this section to learn more later in this article.
Eating and Drinking in Redmond
Redmond has plenty of restaurants, breweries, food truck lots, and bars to savor. When we want to go out to eat or drink, there are always so many great options!
| Location | Category | Description |
| Wild Ride Brewing | Brewery and food trucks | Large outdoor patio. Local’s nights on wednesdays. |
| General Duffy’s Waterhole | Bar and food truck lot | Indoor and outdoor seating. Often live music. Lots of food trucks. |
| Blacksmith Public House | Bar and food truck lot | Indoor and outdoor seating. Often live music. Lots of food trucks. |
| Diego’s Spirited Kitchen | Sit down restaurant | High quality Mexican food. |
| Carnival Mexican Grill | Sit down restaurant | High quality Mexican food. |
| One Street Down Cafe | Sit down restaurant | Excellent breakfast and brunch. |
| Initiative Brewing | Brewery and restaurant | Indoor and outdoor seating. Good beer and food. |
| Terra Kitchen | Restaurant | High quality, plant focused menu. |
Learn more about all eating and drinking options in Redmond.
Hikes Near Redmond
There are a variety of natural areas close to Redmond that are worthwhile, including the world-famous Smith Rock State Park. Look for more options? Check out other hikes in Central Oregon.
| Smith Rock State Park | Must-see, impressive rock formations, expansive views and variety of trails. Gets crowded during summer weekends. 15 minutes from Redmond |
| Eagle Crest River Walk | Pleasant riverside walk along the Deschutes River. 15 minutes from Redmond |
| Crooked River Canyon | Dramatic canyon with an easy out and back trail, 20 minutes from Redmond |
| Cline Falls State Park | Easy trail, beautiful waterfall views. Rarely crowded, gets hot and dusty in the summer. 10 minutes from Redmond |
Things to do Around Town
Although not the biggest town in Central Oregon, Redmond is fun! Aside from the breweries and restaurants in Redmond, there are lots of fun things to do around town (for the whole family).
We love walking around downtown, grabbing a coffee (we love Junction Roastery), exploring the shops (there’s lots of good thrift stores in Redmond), or hanging at a park (check out the Dry Canyon). Any of these activities are a great way to spend a morning in Redmond.
After lunch, hop in the car and explore the Redmond Caves just a five-minute drive from downtown. This is a fun way to spend an hour or two exploring this immersive subterranean lava tube.
There are also two movie theaters and of course the variety of great Redmond restaurants and breweries.
Learn more about things to do around town.
Where to Stay in Redmond
There are several options for places to stay in Redmond Oregon. In the table below, we list several options for Redmond Oregon hotels and resorts near Redmond Oregon.
| Location | Type | Description |
| SCP Hotel | Hotel | A modern and hip hotel in the center of downtown. An excellent restaurant and rooftop patio. |
| Best Western Plus Rama Inn | Hotel | 3 star hotel |
| Comfort Suites Redmond Airport | Hotel | 3 star hotel |
| Juniper Reserve | Resort | Upscale resort with golf, dining, swimming, and more. |
| Eagle Crest Resort | Resort | Resort with golf, dining and swimming. |
| Smith Rock Resort | Resort | Yurts nearby golf and hiking next to a dramatic canyon. |
Eating and Drinking in Redmond
Redmond has lots of casual food and sit-down dining options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There are also no shortage of breweries, taphouses, and bars that serve as local gathering spots.
Sit Down Restaurants in Redmond
While it’s true that Redmond does not have the same diversity of cuisine of Bend, there are still plenty of great flavors to be enjoyed.
| Restaurant | Type of Food | Description |
| Carnival Mexican Grill | Mexican | High quality Mexican food. Lively interior with great service. Does get busy on weekends. |
| Diego’s Spirited Kitchen | Mexican | Traditional, high quality Mexican food with great service and large portions. |
| One Street Down Cafe | Breakfast | Cozy and class brunch spot. Indoor and outdoor seating. Can get busy. |
| Terra Kitchen | American | Mostly a plant-forward menu. Upscale plates, but not too fancy. Great for date night or a special treat. Not great for kids. Rooftop seating with a view in warmer weather. |
| Oishi | Japanese | Traditional japanese. Good sushi. Colorful and lively interior. Great for the whole family. |
| Redmond Burger Company | American | Classic burger joint. Indoor and outdoor seating. Great for the whole family. |
| Feast Food Company | American | Local farm to table fare. Creative and well-crafted dishes. Excellent cocktails. Slightly fancy, but won’t break the bank. Great for date night or special dinner with the adults. |
| Grace and Hammer | Pizza | Super tasty pizza in a resorted historic church with indoor and outdoor seating. A solid option anytime. Great for the whole family. Lots of seating, rarely fills up. |
Breweries, Bars, and Food Trucks in Redmond
In accordance with Central Oregon demand, Redmond has its fair share of places to enjoy a cold one.
| Location | Type | Description |
| Initiative Brewing | Brewery and restaurant | Solid brews with good food. Indoor and patio seating. |
| Wild Ride Brewery | Brewery with food trucks | Large brewery with huge patio and food trucks. Local’s night wednesday. Best beer prices in town. |
| General Duffy’s Waterhole | Bar/pub with food trucks | Excellent outdoor patio. Outdoor live music in summer. Lots of food trucks. |
| Blacksmith Public House | Bar/pub with food trucks | Indoor and outdoor seating. Live music indoors. Lots of food trucks. |
| Otto’s Landing | Bar/pub with food trucks | Friendly bar with pool tables and darts. Good food trucks. Lots of seating. |
| Kobold Brewing | Brewery/taphouse with food trucks | Small outdoor patio. One or two food trucks. Local brewery with good beer. |
Things to do Outdoors in and Near Redmond
Redmond is located near lots of great outdoor activities. The small size of the town makes it super easy to get outside. There are many accessible hikes, swimming holes, viewpoints, and trails of all kinds.
Hikes Near Redmond
Central Oregon has lots of great hikes. These are a few close to Redmond. Learn more about other hikes in Central Oregon and hikes near Bend.
Smith Rock State Park
Smith Rock State Park is 15 minutes northwest of Redmond and one of the most popular destinations in all of Oregon.
It is full of incredible rock formations, a variety of trails and viewpoints, and a world-renowned rock-climbing location. If you can only do one hike near Redmond, choose this one! Learn more in our full guide to Smith Rock State Park.
Eagle Crest River Walk
Eagle Crest is a golf resort and residential community just 15 minutes west of Redmond. There are several miles of nice trails open to the public right down by the Deschutes River. This is a great hike to spend anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours.
Crooked River Canyon Overlook Trail
The Crooked River Canyon Overlook Trail negotiates the steep walls of the Crooked River Canyon, but the trail itself is relatively easy. Overall, this is a great two-mile hike through a dramatic canyon with a nice river below.
These are just three hikes near Redmond, but there are lots more great hikes in Central Oregon including No Name Lake and other hikes near Bend.
Cline Falls Trail
The hike to Cline Falls is a short 1.2 mile out and back close to Redmond Oregon. Parking is free and the trail is mostly flat. In the summer the trail has very little shade and can be hot and dusty but luckily there are lots of spots to stop for a swim.
Swimming Holes Near Redmond
There are two main swim spots near Redmond. Both are fairly close to town and a great way to escape the heat.
Cline Falls
Cline Falls is about 10 minutes west of Redmond and has some nice spots to take a dip in the warmer months. There are a few short trails that lead from the parking area to the waterfall itself which is impressive and worth a visit.
Steelhead Falls
Steelhead Falls is about 30 minutes northwest of Redmond and has a few nice hiking trails along the Deschutes River. The falls are powerful and there are cliff jumping spots below the falls and more relaxing areas above the falls to dip your feet.
If you’re willing to drive a bit further, don’t pass on Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway and all of the amazing lakes near Bend including the stunning Spark’s Lake.
Mountain Biking Near Redmond
There are a variety of mountain biking trails near Redmond. Although it is not our thing (we have enough outdoor hobbies) we do have friends that recommend these trails.
Cline Butte Area
Cline Butte is about 15 minutes west of Redmond and has a few different loops with varying elevation gain. The Maston Outer Loop is about 12 miles with minimal elevation and nice views of the Deschutes River. Just across the road are several ways to climb and descend Cline Butte which offers great views of the Cascade Mountains from the top.
Mount Bachelor Ski Resort
Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort is the largest skiing and snowboarding resort in Central Oregon. Of course, they also have a variety of biking trails as well as chairlift and bike rental services during the summer months. The prices can be a bit high, but a great option for treating yourself.
Smith Rock Loop
The Smith Rock Loop is a seven mile loop around the outside of Smith Rock State Park, 15 minutes drive from Redmond. Smith Rock is one of the most popular destinations in Oregon for hiking, sight-seeing, and rock climbing. That said, this loop is a nice trail for tires as well as shoes. However, you must go on a weekday to avoid the weekend crowds.
Golfing Near Redmond
While Abby and I (Logan) don’t golf ourselves, Abby’s parents are big into it. They enjoy these courses near Redmond.
Juniper Golf Course
Juniper Golf Resort is just south of Redmond and a pleasant course that is highly rated.
Eagle Crest Resort
Eagle Crest Resort is about 15 minutes west of Redmond. It is a popular course among residents of the local community and visitors.
Pronghorn Golf Course
Pronghorn Golf Course is part of Juniper Preserve, one of the nicest resorts in Central Oregon and just 30 minutes from Redmond. Complete with two golf courses, several restaurants, pools, a spa, and vacation rentals, this resort has everything you could ask for.
Other Things to do Within the Town of Redmond
So far we have talked about eating and drinking in Redmond and outdoor stuff outside of town. Now, let’s jump into the things you can do without leaving town that aren’t eating or drinking.
Walking Around Town
Redmond is a small town and has a distinct historical downtown. This area is full of restaurants and watering holes as we have mentioned earlier. There are also lots of other cute shops like a bookstore, clothing shops, and cafes.
You can (and should) easily spend an hour or two walking around the main downtown area. Centennial Park and 7th street plaza is right next to downtown and is a nice place to throw a frisbee or set up a picnic. There are fountains that kids can play in on a hot day and a tiny ice-skating rink that opens up in the winter.
The Dry Canyon and Parks
The Dry Canyon is a short walk west of downtown and is a long park that runs north to south for about 4 miles in total. This park has lots of walking, running and biking trails including a paved path the entire length.
There are a variety of fields, parks, playgrounds, as well as tennis and pickleball courts, basketball hoops and a dog park. The northern half is all natural areas and the southern half (closer to downtown) is parks.
The Redmond Caves
The Redmond Caves are a unique cave system formed by flowing lava thousands of years ago. It is within the Redmond City limits and a great way to spend an hour or two exploring this subterranean landscape.
It is free to explore. Just be sure to bring a headlamp or flashlight (and a backup), layers, and a buddy. Learn more in our full guide to the Redmond Caves.
Other Things to do in Town
Check out a movie at Redmond Cinema. Test your skills at rock climbing at the Jug Bouldering Gym (great way to tire out the kids).
Conclusion
We hope you found this information helpful when looking at things to do in Redmond Oregon. If you’re visiting Central Oregon, welcome! We are happy to have you.
We want to help you make the most of your time here. Be sure to check out our other articles about Central Oregon. You might also be interested in restaurants and breweries in Redmond.
