Every year, I take my family to Sunriver Resort, and we always stop over in the town of Sisters on the way. This community is honestly one of the best small towns I have ever been to. In fact, Sisters, Oregon, is a great place to take the family to for its own vacation. Hovering over this town are the Three Sisters Mountains, a trio of volcanic peaks in the Cascade Range. These mountains are incredibly popular for hiking and climbing, so if you and your family are of the adventurous spirit, hiking here is a thrilling option.
For mountain bikers, there is the Peterson Ridge Trail. Built in 1989, it is a combination of a single-track and connected to old forest service roads. There was a major renovation in 2008 that stretched the path to more than 20 miles and included clear signage. The main trailhead is located just around half a mile from downtown Sisters, south of the Whychus Creek Bridge.
For those not interested in mountaineering or high-speed mountain biking, but still want to see some beautiful nature, there are plenty of relaxing hikes in the area. Some worthwhile, low-key hikes are the Whychus Creek Trail and the Indian Ford Meadow Preserve.
If you need to take the kids to a fun playground, the Village Green City Park is a wonderful option. The playground itself is impressive, and there are large grassy areas for relaxing or picnicking. Not to mention, the public bathrooms are consistently kept clean, which, as a parent, is always on my mind.
An absolute must-visit is Sisters Bakery. Since 1981, they have been serving up some of the best baked goods you can get. In fact, their croissants rival the ones that I have in Paris, France. Every year, my family looks forward to ordering a big box of assorted baked goods from there.
In addition to their croissants, my personal favorites are their maple bar doughnuts and any savory scones they have to offer. You can’t go wrong with anything they’re selling. Located at 251 E Cascade Ave. Sisters, Oregon 97759, their hours are Monday through Thursday from 6:00 am to 3:00 pm, and Friday through Sunday from 6:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Sisters Coffee is another great place that we are always sure to visit. Right in the heart of town, the building is essentially a massive log cabin with a cozy vibe inside. The café has a full, delicious menu with something for the whole family. I am a black coffee drinker, and I must say, their roast is near perfection. But for those who need a little sweetness added to their black sludge, their house special offerings, such as the Songbird Latte, are extraordinary. This latte includes vanilla and cardamom syrup, a spritz of orange, and whole milk, garnished with cardamom. Their house specials are sophisticated and flavorful.
For food, Sisters Coffee has options such as their Hoodoo Burrito, Spring Avocado Toast, and much more. I would also recommend picking up a bag of their coffee to bring back home.
Some restaurants I recommend while visiting Sisters, Oregon, are the Sisters Saloon. This place serves up some fantastic options like their Prime Rib French Dip and Nana’s Chicken Pot Pie.
The High Camp Taphouse is a delicious Nepali restaurant here that is more than worth it. Serving up dishes such as Sabzi Bhat (Coconut Curry), Shapta Beef, and Momo (Tibetan Dumplings), it is a place you will never forget. They also have an excellent kids’ menu with items like their Vegetable or Chicken Fried Rice as well as Creamy Udon Noodles with Cheese.
Something really amazing about Sisters, Oregon, is that it almost feels like a time portal back to the Wild West. But what I genuinely love about this is that it’s authentic. It doesn’t feel like it is trying to be a western town; it simply is a western town. Even the buildings here are designed and presented as if you were in a movie. It is very cool and presents a natural, friendly charm to the atmosphere.
Sisters is arguably most known for its annual rodeo. Sisters Rodeo occurs during the second week of June, so for 2026, it goes from June 10th to the 14th. Known as The Biggest Little Show in the World, it brings the entertainment, the grit, and cowboy culture to center stage. This event first started in 1940 and has been a success every year. In fact, in 2009, it was named Rodeo of the Year.
Whether you have been to a ton of rodeos before or have never had the experience, this one would be a great deal of fun for the whole family. Rodeos are a really cool part of American culture, and witnessing them firsthand immerses you in it.
There is so much to see and do in the little town of Sisters, Oregon, that it makes for the perfect vacation for families with kids of all ages.
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 books, ‘Selling Leonardo: The Art World’s Greatest Scandal’ and ‘Holy Ghost: Decoding Leonardo da Vinci’s Final Painting’ are available wherever books are sold.