Schedule Service Here
- 2023 Blowout Inventory
- Click Here Now!
Visitors to Bend, OR, arrive expecting the dreary rain of coastal Oregon and are pleasantly surprised by all the sunshine. Bend is one of the sunniest cities in the state. Why? Central Oregon is high desert, and there’s no better place to learn about it than the High Desert Museum.
1. Hours Are Shorter in Winter, But So Are the Lines
Like many attractions near Bend, the museum is open shorter hours during the winter. When visiting from November to March, expect the museum to open at 10 AM and close at 4 PM.
However, since Bend is a huge tourist destination in the summer, the museum will be more crowded then.
2. Discounted Tickets May Be Available
Although museum entry tickets are not expensive, you may be able to score a deal. The museum knows that most folks arrive early. If you plan on visiting often, you may be able to purchase “last hour” tickets and receive 30% off. How much can you see in one hour? Enough for you to want to return the next day.
The museum also offers discounts for AAA members, retired military, college students, seniors, and children. We think that’s a great bargain!
3. Free Entry May Also Be Available
Occasionally, the museum offers a “free day”. It is usually the last Saturday of the month and is sponsored by a local business. However, as good as this sounds, we warn you that free days equal crowded days.
We recommend a brief stop on a free day to scout out your next visit. Trust us, you will enjoy your visit more on normal days.
4. Visit Often for Changing Exhibits
The museum specializes in the history and culture of the high desert. Their permanent collection features the popular Spirit of the West display which tells visitors what it was like to be a pioneer on the Oregon Trail.
Curators do an excellent job of rotating smaller exhibits as well. These changing exhibits vary from art and photography to personal essays. They all have one thing in common though: highlighting people and their achievements.
5. Both Indoor and Outdoor Exhibits Are Available
You may think this museum is only paintings and dusty artifacts, but think again. The museum sits on 135 acres and includes living exhibitions. Exhibits feature local species of wildlife and allow visitors to get up close to these awesome animals.
Many of the animals have been rehabilitated and are no longer fit to survive in the wild. Rangers are on hand to educate children of all ages about how we can better protect these species. We recommend checking out the Raptors of the Desert Sky to experience these magnificent birds flying directly overhead.
If your vehicle is having difficulty making the trek to the museum during the winter months, consider upgrading to a more rugged model. Stop by Lithia Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram today and browse our inventory of new and used vehicles. We’ve served the community for 50 years and will help you find that “just right” vehicle.
Image by Jörg Peter from Pixabay
Connect with us
