If you want a vacation that’s more than just lying around on a beach, take a turn off the beaten path to Bend, Oregon. The region lies in a high desert climate, perfect for tumbleweeds and junipers, with only about 12 inches of rain a year. All that sunshine means plenty of days to play outside — and you’ll want to play outside. All around are beautiful views of snow-capped mountains and dense evergreen forests. You’ll see runners, bikers, hikers and horseback riders along every road, taking in the views. Like other cities in the state, Bend (population 75,000) is a progressive town that prizes and protects its natural resources and emphasizes healthy and green living.

Bend sprawls in the shadow of 9,000-foot-tall Mt. Bachelor, which offers a top-notch ski resort with skiing and snowboarding on 71 runs. There are also plenty of cross-country ski trails in the area. In summer you can try whitewater rafting on the Deschutes River, fishing, rock climbing, mountain biking or golfing on one of 30 courses.

In the revitalized “old downtown,” you simply must not miss the Deschutes Brewery and Public House, with a taste-bud-boggling array of local beers like Buzzsaw Brown Ale, Cascade Ale and Bachelor Bitter. (As you might expect in the coffee-loving Pacific Northwest, there’s even a Coffee Double Black brew with Ethiopian and Sumatran coffee infused into the beer.) Kids might like the flavorful root beer too. The brewery’s food is both unusual and delicious, showcasing dishes made with ingredients native to Oregon. How about an elk burger, or apple-glazed salmon, or maybe the popular sweet-and-spicy baked mac and cheese? Whatever you do, start off with the Cascade Ale and Roasted Chile Cheese Dip, made with Oregon cheeses, Cascade Ale, jalapenos, poblanos, onions and spinach. It’s the final slice of paradise in a town that’s close to heaven.