Central Oregon

Discover Central Oregon with our travel guide category. Your ultimate resource for attractions, activities, and events. Let us be your go-to travel center for an unforgettable adventure in this spectacular region.

The 42 Best Oregon Mom & Pop Restaurants to Eat At in 2026

We're going a bit out on a limb here at That Oregon Life. This story began as a sort of "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives" compilation, but after a giant list of my own and a slew of recommendations from friends all over the state, we realized that wasn't going to work. "Mom & Pop" encompasses so...

This Massive Hidden Canyon in Oregon Feels Like You Have the Whole State All to Yourself

If you’ve ever driven through north-central Oregon and thought, there’s gotta be something out there, you’re right… there is. And it might just be one of the most underrated places in the entire state. Cottonwood Canyon State Park doesn’t try to grab your attention the way the Oregon Coast or the...

This Old School Springfield Joint Serves A 5-Pound Burger That Is A Cardiologist’s Worst Nightmare

Some restaurants serve burgers. Others dare you to prove something. At Giant Burger, larger than life burgers have been part of their identity for generations. This old school burger joint in Springfield, Oregon has been turning out thick, juicy patties since 1947, and while a lot has changed in...

This 80,000-Year-Old Underground Cave Is Unlike Anything Else in Oregon

There’s a moment when you reach the top of the staircase at Lava River Cave and feel the air rising from below. It’s cold, steady, and carries that faint mineral scent that tells you this isn’t just another Oregon hike. It feels like standing at the edge of something ancient. And in a way, you...

Bend Locals Say Fall Didn’t Officially Begin Until Patagonia Over Flannel Guy Walked Drake Park With Coffee

BEND, OR — Despite what the calendar claims, residents say autumn didn’t truly begin until a smug Bend man in Patagonia over flannel strutted through Drake Park this weekend, clutching a $7 latte like it was the Olympic torch of fall. Witnesses describe the moment as a defining seasonal shift....
The 42 Best Oregon Mom & Pop Restaurants to Eat At in 2026

The 42 Best Oregon Mom & Pop Restaurants to Eat At in 2026

We're going a bit out on a limb here at That Oregon Life. This story began as a sort of "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives" compilation, but after a giant list of my own and a slew of recommendations from friends all over the state, we realized that wasn't going to work....

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