Top Eugene Attractions & Activities
Do you ever feel like going back to the ’60s? Well, you can do that in Eugene. Sort of. Of course, there is more to this Northwest city than that, but it is part of what makes it so charming.
Eugene, located along the Willamette River, offers a diverse range of arts and culture, shopping and dining, entertainment, and sports. This is a one-stop superstore for fun, with real adventures right around the corner. After all, it’ has TrackTown USA, University of Oregon, a mecca for craft breweries, and a must-see for food lovers, cyclists, and counter-culture enthusiasts.
Do you wonder about the raindrop photo? Well…it rains almost the whole Winter and into the Spring, but it is usually a light rain and most locals don’t bother with umbrellas. Everything stays really green!
I lived there for 20 years and I miss it. Here are my favorite things about Eugene.
In a Nutshell
If you are a fan of organic and natural foods, you will find as you look at product labels that many of them are produced in the Eugene area. This is a bicycle-friendly community with many green areas and bike and walking paths, numerous large and small natural food stores, excellent restaurants, and a burgeoning art scene as well as a hot-bed of holistic and alternative healing.
It is the home of the University of Oregon, an excellent institution with dedicated and talented faculty, which gives it that college community/academic feel.
About an hour’s drive to the west is the Pacific Ocean and an hour to the east are the Cascade Mountains and some great winter skiing. On the way to the Cascades, you follow along the McKenzie River which offers fabulous rafting, fishing, waterfalls and hot springs.
Located in a valley between 2 mountain ranges, the climate is moderate and though it rains all winter and into the spring, camellias and magnolia trees bloom in the winter and daffodils, forsythia and other “spring” flowers start to emerge as early as February. True spring is a profusion of azaleas, rhododendrons and ginestra. The air hangs heavy with scent.
Things to See & Do
Eugene, one of Oregon’s three largest cities, has all the amenities of a large city, such as impressive museums and a bustling atmosphere. However, the cityscape is also surrounded by nature. The city is easily escapable on hiking trails or nature walks, with everything from lush parks and gardens to a bird of prey sanctuary.
5th Street Public Market
296 E 5th Ave, Eugene, OR 97401
An absolute must-see. An indoor/outdoor marketplace with a variety of shops, eating kiosks, and artist’s booths. Check out the Metropol Bakery downstairs, even if you only look in the windows. You can watch them mix up batches of heavenly cakes, breads and cookies.
Saturday Market
Another “don’t miss” to add to your agenda. You will feel like you are back in the ’60s. An open-air market with music, food, and artist booths. A Farmer’s Market is just across the street. You could hang out here for hours.
Hult Center for the Performing Arts
For a performance, or just to stop by and tour a beautiful building, visit the Hult Center.
There are 2 theatres inside and many interesting permanent works of art, including the tiles in the bathrooms. Take a tour, too, with the tour guide program which I started up many years ago. You can see the dressing rooms with their autograph walls and many other things behind the scenes. The Bach Festival, held here yearly, is very popular among classical music enthusiasts.
The Oregon Country Fair
No, its not the County fair, it is the Country Fair. Held not far outside of Eugene at the beginning of July every year, it IS the 60’s revisited. Magical, musical, fun, delicious, artistic, crazy… I’m sure you will even see someone there who is naked and painted gold or silver.
Don’t miss it. Take plenty of cash with you. You’ll want to buy crafts and eat all kinds of interesting, good-for-you food.
The Bijou Cinema
The Bijou offers very interesting films not often seen in the standard movie theater. Everything about the Bijou is different: the snacks, the decor, the pre-movie slide shows and its location in a former church.
WOW Hall
The Community Center for the Performing Arts, located in the historic WOW (“Woodmen of the World”) Hall is a nonprofit arts organization providing music, dance, performance, art and more. It is a “let it all out” kind of counter-culture, fun spot.
Where to Stay in Eugene
There are many unique places to stay in Eugene Oregon that provide a little something extra than your standard room or rental. It is a center for boutique hotels and cool stays.
Eugene is a lovely city in the US state of Oregon, located at the mouth of the Willamette River. The cityscape is adorned with exquisite landmarks ranging from historic sites to art galleries to hiking trails.
If you are planning on visiting, you may want to stay somewhere that has a fun atmosphere as well as easy access to all of the city’s major landmarks and recreational areas.
The Excelsior Inn & Cafe
A lovely place to stay right next to the university and a very good restaurant. It is located in the shopping area which has grown up next to the school.
Valley River Inn
The Valley River Inn is located on the banks of the Willamette River. Not a high-rise, this hotel is large, pleasant and right on the city’s major bike/walking path. Footbridges on the pathway connect to the other side of the river where the Rose Garden and a large greenway is located.
The Sunday morning brunch here is fabulous.
Hilton Hotel, Eugene, Oregon
The Eugene Hilton hotel is a high rise hotel located right next to the Hult Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Eugene. It is within walking distance of many nice restaurants, the 5th Street Public Market, Saturday Market and the downtown area.
If you plan to attend a performance at the Hult Center or visit during the Eugene Celebration, held in September, this would be a good place to stay.
The Campbell House Inn
The Campbell House is rated among the “Top 25 Inns in America” by American Historic Inns. This large 8 bedroom B & B is located within walking distance of the 5th Street Public Market.
Secret Garden Bed & Breakfast Inn
A top-rated B & B by Frommers, this inn is located within walking distance of the University of Oregon. With ten delightful, light-filled rooms and a unique garden, this is a very nice place to stay.
Filmed in Eugene
National Lampoon’s Animal House
Yes, the all-time great college movie with John Belushi and friends was filmed in Eugene and nearby Cottage Grove. I wish I had been there when it was happening, but I just missed it. This is a classic and you can see parts of the UO campus in Eugene and the downtown of nearby Cottage Grove in the film.
Prefontaine
If you are a fan of running, you will enjoy this film about the famous runner, Steve Prefontaine. It includes scenes about the then-track coach Bill Bowerman and his development of the Nike running shoe. Eugene has been known as the track capitol of the world. The city is full of running trails and the university has a world-class track where incredible track meets take place every year. My ex-husband produced this movie!
Where to Eat
Visitors looking for an unforgettable vacation can enjoy culinary adventures, an appreciation for local crafts, and natural wonders in the Eugene, Cascades, and Coast region of Oregon. There is a wide range of lodging options, from name-brand hotels to locally owned lodges, ranging from ocean views and river front cabins to a tipi village.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqtzNdO3uTk
For a choice of casual daytime meals and snacks try the 5th Street Market and, on the weekends in the summer, the Saturday Market. Check out the links below for more of the best.
The Keystone Cafe – 5th and Lawrence – Eugene, Oregon
The Keystone Cafe is located on the corner of 5th and Lawrence streets. This is THE “back to the 60’s” place to eat. Breakfast is the BEST! They have a great selection of healthy pancakes. It is a little bit “funky”, but a great place to eat.
Eugene Weekly’s Annual Manual: Best of Eugene Restaurants
“There’s no place like Eugene for cuisine. We’ve got upscale, we’ve got downscale, we’ve got steaks and fries, tabouleh and pies. What makes the cuisine scene in Eugene the best is so much culinary diversity.”
Here it is all tied up in a nice package. What more could I say? Check this out for the very best eateries in Eugene. It is right on. Don’t miss Cafe Zenon for desserts (meals, too!).
All Things Vegetarian
A listing of vegetarian options in Eugene, including restaurants and health food stores.
Eugene: An Interesting Place to Visit/A Great Place to Live
If you plan to visit Eugene, I know you will enjoy your stay. Immerse yourself in the laid-back lifestyle. If you go in the summer you can be assured of nice days. In the spring, it may rain a bit, but the blooming flowers are fantastic. Check out our post on the Oregon Coast, which is only an hour’s drive west, and “Insider’s Oregon” about the McKenzie River Drive, which begins in Eugene and heads east.