TRAILS & TOWN

Start your day in the Old Mill District with locally roasted coffee at Sisters Coffee Company and artisan house-made pastries from M’s Bakery; both are easy, ground-level stops. While you’re there, pop into Top Hat Spice Shop to sample their spice blends with fun local names like Mt. Bachelor Seasoning Salt and Pilot Butte Butcher’s Rub before continuing on.

Stroll the paved walking path along the Deschutes River to Miller’s Landing Park, where a dry ramp leads to the water’s edge and a roller launch with a transfer bench and handrails makes it easier for paddlers using kayaks or adaptive equipment to get on the river. Watch the river surfers ride the rapids from the Colorado Avenue bridge, or linger on the lawn for a quiet moment by the water.

Head toward downtown for lunch at Jackson’s Corner, a family-owned eatery with casual, welcoming vibes and a locally focused approach to food.

From here, choose your afternoon: wind down with a shady stroll through Drake Park on the paved paths and settle in at TEAL Tea & Art Lounge, where handcrafted teas, creative art projects, and a cozy ground-floor space invite you to slow the day down—or head to Pilot Butte for sweeping Cascade views. Skip the summit hike if it’s not for you; the paved road stays open to vehicles through October, offering the same panoramic views without the climb.

Cap the evening with dinner at Lady Bird, Anthony’s, or Stacks—or, if you saved Pilot Butte for last, time your visit for a mountain sunset experience.