In my formative years, I never really paid much attention to or understood the importance of family tradition. My mind was too wrapped up in things like school, sports, and other activities to really contemplate the essential nature of things like this. It wasn’t until later in adulthood that carrying on certain activities contributed to a deeper understanding of what it means to be a family. One of the things that my family did every year when I was a child was going to the Sunriver Resort. More often than not, it was because either one of my siblings or I was playing in a sports tournament down there. My dad still laughs about it today because there were some years when he stayed down there multiple times due to various events with us. He even heartily brings up the time in Sunriver when the actor Kevin Costner was staying at the resort while we were there. Sunriver Resort is a great place to take your family on an accessible vacation getaway or maybe even as a way to create your own family tradition.
The wonderful Sunriver Resort is located in Central Oregon, just a few miles from Bend. My wife and I half-jokingly say that Sunriver is the perfect place to disappear from the daily grind of work, school, and chores. I think that one of the best things about this place is what they don’t have. This resort is not an amusement park. There are no tacky carnival games and no tourist trap activities. Instead, what Sunriver Resort offers is a place to connect, a place to relax, and a place to explore. I spoke with the marketing team for Sunriver, and they brought up some amazing aspects of this resort. They have activities year-round, including horseback riding, kayaking, pickleball, golfing, and snowshoeing, to name a few. It is a place built for both adventure and relaxation amid the backdrop of the Oregon wilderness. Multiple indoor and outdoor pools, a lazy river, and fantastic water slides exist. Top-notch restaurants and a world-class spa deliver a quiet luxury that completes this sophisticated place that does not take itself too seriously.
The activities offered at Sunriver are unmatched. One of them is that they have their very own observatory, sponsored by NASA. Here, you can look through massive telescopes to see into the deepest galaxies of space. If you don’t have your own bicycle, there is the Bike Barn where you can rent one. Sunriver has seemingly endless miles of paved trails throughout the entire resort for you and your family to walk or bike through. Earlier, I mentioned their spa, and if you are thinking of going, let me be the one to tell you that you should. One of the best things this spa offers is its Reconnect Package in the Oasis Room. It is an uninterrupted 30-minute water soak mixed with clove, cinnamon, cognac, and berries to share with your spouse. So, while the kids are off doing their own activities, mom and dad can take advantage of such things. Sunriver also offers various horse-centered packages such as sleigh rides, horseback riding, and a wrangler immersion camp for anyone wanting to learn from real cowboys.
Sunriver Resort offers a range of places to stay, but almost all of them are various single-standing homes and large condominiums. Through their website, you can set your price range, which begins at only $99 per night, and the dates you would like to stay. All of the houses are fully furnished and professionally cleaned. Many of the homes have a wide range of beds, from twin to king sizes. Bunk beds are also in many of the bedrooms, which makes things much easier for those with kids. I do have to say that every time I stay at one of these places in Sunriver, I immediately feel right at home. Most homes also come with a barbecue grill, and every house has a fully functional kitchen. The convenience in each of these homes is outstanding on all accounts.
There are many restaurants in Sunriver, too. One is Sunriver Brewing, an easygoing, family-friendly restaurant that offers classic pub food. Another spot is the Lodge Kitchen, which serves breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. As a self-proclaimed steak aficionado, I encourage you to check out this place. Some of their options include a Wagyu Hanger steak from Snake River Farms, Salmon served with Whipped Parsnips, and a spiced Poached Pear with cinnamon and orange. I won’t go into detail about their brunch menu because then I will have to get in my car and immediately drive down there just for that. As a kid, I enjoyed going to Sunriver every year because of all the activities offered and spending time with friends. Looking back as an adult, I see that it was a family tradition in the making, and now it is a tradition I carry on with my own family. Every year, I take my family to Sunriver Resort, and I am reminded of the great times I had there as a child and the current memories I am making for my own family. I highly recommend vacationing in Sunriver Resort, and who knows, maybe you’ll even run into Kevin Costner there.
Alex is a devoted husband and father born and raised in Portland, Oregon. He is a professional artist, author, and advisor for both Yale and Harvard University’s arts departments. His book, ‘Selling Leonardo: The Art World’s Greatest Scandal’ is available wherever books are sold.