McMenamin's Old St. Francis Movie Theater in Bend, Oregon

Visiting or living in Bend, Oregon means that you're probably outdoors a lot. This city of 80,000 boasts some of the best outdoor recreation in the entire Pacific Northwest.

But on days when you want to kick back and enjoy a movie, your best local bet is McMenamin's Old St. Francis Movie Theater. Right in downtown Bend is a former Catholic School that has been converted into a charming hotel, restaurant, pub, brewery and bakery, private meeting and event space, a soaking pool..... and a movie theater!

But its unlike any movie theater you've probably visited! Plush couches and chairs are set up for patrons to have full restaurant service right in the theater! Order a pizza, sandwich, fries and wash it all down with a delicious pint of McMenamin's Ale while watching the film. A full bar is also available, with wine and mixed drinks.

Enjoy regular movie fare? You can still have popcorn, candy and soda, too!

Movies at the Old St. Francis Theater are second-run. You can see films that just left the Cineplex for a fraction of the cost. Its only $3 for admission for adults, and $1 for children 12 and under!

On weekends, there are usually movies appropriate for families (G or PG) showing at 1:00 and/or 3:00. PG-13 rated films are shown at the 6:00 hour. Movies that are appropriate for adults (rated R) are delayed until 8:00 or later.

During sports season, you can enjoy the large screen at the Old St. Francis Theater for all the big games - Super Bowl, Rose Bowl, NBA Championships, Major League Baseball playoffs and more.

Plan to get to the theater about 1/2 hour before your film is set to begin. There is often a long line down the hallway to the indoor kiosk at which you can purchase tickets. Cash is appreciated!

The colorful paint and inviting gardens outside McMenamin's Old St. Francis School practically usher you in from the street. Garlic and onion aromas waft past your nose hinting at the pizzas, pastas and delicious soups and sandwiches indoors.

While we primarily head to McMenamin's for its movies, many people come to stay the night when visiting Bend, Oregon. The website proudly boasts that the Old St. Francis School was named a Conde Nast's Readers' Choice Award Winner for 2009 Best Small Hotels! The property is a popular spot for local conferences and wedding receptions, as well.

Its hard to believe that the small city-block sized "campus" was once a Catholic schoolhouse in 1936. The classrooms of yester-year have been transformed into 19 inviting guestrooms and four individual rental cottages with room for 2 to 10 people. Art work and photographs adorn the hallways of the property showing the school's history and the growth of Bend, Oregon over the past century.

The relaxed atmosphere at the Old St. Francis Theater is perhaps one of my favorite aspects of the site. Each time I have friends or family come into town, we enjoy a movie at McMenamin's!

The kids like to sit in the plush chairs and order pizza while watching the show. My friends and I enjoy a glass of wine while watching a kids' movie we might otherwise wait for the rental. For our family of 4 kids, I can take the whole gang plus myself for $7 admission - that's less than the cost of a single matinee ticket at most theaters!

Maybe that's why I enjoy going to the movies at the Old St. Francis Theater so much?

Next time you visit Central Oregon, be sure to head to downtown Bend.  Even if you don't want to catch a movie, you should still walk the halls of the former St. Francis school, and leave time for a beer!