Blockbuster
Time Needed: half-day
Experience Type: American icon, historic landmark
The last remaining Blockbuster on Earth, located in Bend, Oregon, is a living time capsule of 1990s pop culture. Still a fully operating rental store, it blends nostalgia with community spirit, offering a heartfelt reminder of movie nights, rewinding tapes, and simpler pre-streaming days.
MUST-DO CHECKLIST
- Rent a Movie for the Night – Relive the 1990s by renting a DVD or VHS, then grab a Papa Murphy’s pizza next door for the full throwback.
- Take a Photo with the Iconic Sign – Snap a selfie under the classic blue-and-yellow Blockbuster sign before stepping inside this one-of-a-kind pop culture landmark.
- Browse the Movie Memorabilia – See vintage posters, a wall of VHS cases, and props donated by actor Russell Crowe—perfect for movie buffs and nostalgia lovers.
- Buy Exclusive Blockbuster Merchandise – Shop for retro t-shirts, hats, mugs, and souvenirs made locally in Bend. Each purchase helps keep the world’s last Blockbuster alive.
- Watch The Last Blockbuster – Stream or buy the 2020 documentary to learn how this small-town video store outlasted thousands and became a global phenomenon.
Recommended Reading: The Last Late Fee: The Rise and Fall of Blockbuster Video examines how the once-dominant video empire unraveled, not just from streaming, but from internal missteps and overexpansion. It’s an intriguing look at Blockbuster’s rise and collapse.
Photo Credit: Travel Oregon