From Wikitravel
Eugene [1] (pop. ~140,000) is a city
in Oregon at the southern end
of the Willamette Valley that is best known
for being the home of the University of Oregon.
Understand
Citizens of Eugene are environmentally aware people who love
their coffee as well as their microbrew. Residents range from
arch-conservative republicans to militant anarchists who were
responsible for the WTO riots in Seattle. However, overall the
population is typical Pacific Northwest, i.e., leaning toward a
greater degree of social responsibility, respect for nature, and
diminished consumerism. Eugene is home to the University of Oregon,
aka "The Fighting Ducks." Eugene was the second home to the
rock'n'roll band The Grateful Dead, thus the reason some people see
this place as a "hippie Mecca." Saturday Market [2] has been
continuously in operation since 1970, rain or shine and claims to
be the oldest open-air market of its type in the US.
Get in
By air
Eugene Airport (EUG), also known as
Mahlon Sweet Field, handles flights from Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Phoenix. Major carriers include United Express,
America West Express, Horizon Air and Skywest. It's a few miles out
of town, and the public bus does not service it, so you'll have to
hire a cab, shuttle, or rent a car.
By train
Amtrak serves Eugene with the Cascade service
and operate daily between Eugene, Portland, Seattle and Vancouver
B.C. These Euro-style cars are unique to the pacific northwest rail
corridor. The Coast Startlight services Eugene and other West Coast
cities on its route from Southern California to Seattle. Both
trains accommodate wheelchairs and bicycles. Trains originating
from California are notoriously unreliable, commonly several hours
late. There is a northbound train that originates in Eugene, the
"Cascades" train that is typically much more reliable.
By car
Eugene is a bit over 1 hour from Florence, the closest point on the
Pacific Coast. It is a two-hour drive south from Portland, and approximately a 5-hour
drive south from Seattle.
Traveling north from the California Bay Area takes about nine hours.
By Bus
Greyhound has a fully staffed bus station
downtown, close to the Train station and to the LTD (Lane Transit
District) local buses. Buses run north/south along I-5, and east.
Local companies working in association with Greyhound and
Amtrak run buses to coastal towns including Newport,
Florence and Coos Bay.
- Bike - Eugene has an excellent system of bike
routes
[3], bike rentals are available only a few blocks from both the
Greyhound and the Amtrak. Eugene is known nationwide for its bike
friendly streets, and its bike paths that allow you to ride along
rivers, mountain trails and through covered bridges.
- Take the Lane Transit District [4]
(LTD) bus, $1.50 one-way or $3.00 for an all-day pass. Buses tend
to run every half-hour. Extended LTD bus routes run east and west
into more rural sections of Lane County.
- Walk along 13th Street to the University.
- Go to the 5th Street Public Market.
- Go to the Saturday Market [5] and
Farmers Market: 8th and Oak every Saturday April 2
through Nov. 12, rain or shine, 10 am - 5 pm
- Go on the First [6]
or Last Friday Artwalk [7].
- See a show at the WOW Hall,
ask about work trade opportunities between 3:00 and 6:00 PM Monday
through Friday--maybe you'll get to see the show for free!
- Go to the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art [8] at the University of
Oregon.
- Go to the Museum of Natural and Cultural
History [9].
- Climb Spencer's Butte (the long way).
- Climb or drive up Skinner's Butte. If the
weather is nice go rock climbing at the basalt columns on the butte
(or at the climbing gym nearby).
- Rent bikes and bike the entire river trail. Swim and picnic
down by the Autzen foot bridge.
- Oregon Country Fair [10] (always the second
weekend in July) is the biggest "hippie" gathering. Tons of great
food, great hand made products to buy, "great" music and a lot of
"fun".
- The Eugene Celebration (2nd weekend in
September)
- Eugene offers many events for the sports fan, including
University of Oregon sports and Eugene emeralds baseball.
- Visit local area wineries and tasting rooms.
- See the Oregon Bach Festival [11], held late June
through mid-July.
- Eugene Area Parks [12] Guide to Eugene and
Springfield Area parks features all the best parks in the area with
descriptions, interactive maps, lots of images and 360 degree
panoramas.
- Check out a show at the Hult Center for the Performing
Arts [13]
- Listen to the oldest public radio station on the West
Coast. KRVM 91.9 Real Variety in Music.
- Hayward Field. Located on the University of Oregon campus it
is one of the best-known historic track and field stadiums in the
United States. Hayward Field has hosted three Olympic Trials, and a
variety of National, NCAA, and Masters championships.
edit
- University of Oregon, [14]
- Lane Community College, [15]
- Eugene Glass School, [16]
- Lost Valley Educational Center, [17]
- Wellsprings Friends School
- At Center for Appropriate Transport learn
about sustainable transport, cargo bikes, frame building, and
bicycle repair. [18]
- Northwest Christian University
- Valley River Center, 293 Valley River Center,
[19]. It is the
biggest shopping center in the Eugene area with 2 main department
stores, Macy's and JC Penney. The mall also has a Regal Cinemas and
many smaller stores with apparel, sporting goods, books,
electronics, food and accessories.
- Gateway Mall, 3000 Gateway Street,
Springfield, [20].
Although Gateway Mall is located in Springfield, it is very close
to a lot of Eugene's student housing. This mall has not only a
Sears, a Target, Kohl's, and two movie theaters. The Cinemark 17
theater shows newer movies at regular price and the Movies 12
theater shows a little older movies for only $1.50. This is a
great/inexpensive date idea if you live in the area. There are also
a few smaller stores and beauty salons located within the
mall.
- Bruno's Chef's Kitchen, 3443 Hilyard
St. (Hidden behind the
Dairy Mart), ☎ 541-687-2433, [21]. A small, personal restaurant; Bruno changes the
menu weekly, featuring local & seasonal ingredients. This is
considered by many to be the best restaurant in Eugene, despite
it's obscure location and quaint size. $25-$30 main course. edit
- Papa's Soul Food Kitchen BBQ, 400 Blair
Blvd, ☎ 541-342-7500, [22]. Eugene's soul food restaurant, sometimes
offering live music. edit
- The Sustainable Table, Inc, 30 East
Broadway, ☎ 541-344-6948. offers a tasty menu with a strong emphasis on
sustainable and organic ingredients and procedures, in an
attractive downtown location. edit
- Cafe
Maroc, 30
East Broadway, ☎ 541-344-6948. a North African restaurant next door to the
Sustainable Table and sharing the same management. edit
- World-class desserts, including vegan options, at Sweet
Life 755 Monroe St (541-683-5696)
- Real NY Style Pizza at Mezza Luna Pizzeria 933
Pearl Street (541-684-8900) & Now Open at the new Crescent
Village off of Crescent and Shadow. Near Costco off of Coburg
RD
- Innovative gourmet vegetarian/vegan pizza available at the
Pizza Research Institute At 5th and
Blair(541-343-1307)
- Fresh and local breakfast, lunch and dinner at Eugene landmark
Cornucopia 295 W 17th Ave (541 485-2300)
- Lunch or dinner at Marche Restaurant in the
5th Street Public Market (296 E 5th, 541-342-3612)
- Have breakfast at the Keystone Cafe (395 W 5th
Ave, 342-2075), Brail's (1689 Willamette St,
541-343-1542), or Morning Glory (450 Willamette
St, 541-687-0709)
- Have lunch at one of seven Burrito Amigos
locations. Inexpensive, locally owned, the best burrito and taco
chain in the city. [23].
- Mazzi's, located in South Eugene off of East
Amazon Rd, is the best Italian food in town. Prices are reasonable
considering the foods quality, a typical dish is $12-18.
Outstanding wine selection as well.
- Drink beer at the High Street Brewery &
Cafe, 1243 High St, 345-4905.
- Drink coffee at Allann Brothers The one by
Humble Bagel or by The Jail.
- Drink martinis or single-malt Scotch at Adam’s
Place (30 E Broadway, 541-344-6948)
- Eugene City Brewery, 844 Olive St, ☎ (541) 345-4155, [24]. 12PM-10PM. Rogue
Brewery Outpost for Eugene serving both good food and Locally
brewed beer. (46.193869,-123.798473) edit
Wineries
The wineries of the Willamette Valley pride themselves in
offering a relaxing and inviting experience for guests from
downtown Eugene tasting rooms to vast countryside vineyards.
- Iris Vineyard: Specializes in producing small quantities of
quality, hand-crafted Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and Chardonnay. Iris
Hill has been dedicated to growing high quality fruit through
sustainable viticultural practices.
- King Estate: The 1,033 acre certified organic Estate includes
250 acres of certified vineyards, grapevine grafting and
propogation, nursery, orchards and garden. A visitor center and
market place are open to the public.
- The Oregon Wine Warehouse: Tour Oregon's wine country in
Downtown Eugene. Offering wine from over 150 Oregon wineries, wine
tasting flights, food and more. Shipping is available
nationwide.
- Oregon Wine Tours by Sunshine Limo Service and Wine Tours: http://www.sunshinelimoservice.com/winetours.html
Local tour operator specializing in Willamette Valley wine tours. A
safe way to enjoy wine tasting in comfort and style.
For more information, check out the area's Winery and
Vineyard Guide,
[25]. edit
- Courtesy Inn Eugene, 345 West 6th Ave, +1
888 259-8481, Fax: +1 541 342-6507, [26].
- Downtown Motel, 361 West 7th Avenue, [27]. inexpensive, clean motel in the middle of
downtown. edit
- The Eugene Hotel, whose large sign is a
prominent feature of Eugene's skyline, is actually a retirement
community. If you try to get a room there they will just laugh at
you.
- Eugene International Hostel, 2352 Willamette
Street, +1 541 349-0589, [28]. Vegetarian kitchen,
seasonal organic garden, dormitory style rooms, free Internet and
guest phone.(no longer open!)
- Eugene Whiteaker Hostel, 970 West Third
Avenue, +1 541 343-3335, [29].
- Phoenix Inn Suites, 850 Franklin Blvd, Tel:
+1 541 344-0001. [30].
All suite accommodations with complimentary breakfast buffet, high
speed internet, and 24 hr. business center
- University Inn & Suites - Eugene, OR,
1857 Franklin
Blvd, ☎ (541)
342-4804, [31]. Located near the University of Oregon.
edit
- Valley River Inn, 1000 Valley River Way,
Reservations: +1 800 543-8266, Phone" +1 541
743-1000, [32]. A resort-style
hotel and conference center, located along the quiet banks of the
Willamette River. Open since 1973.
- Walnut Street Co-Op, 1680 Walnut Street,
+1 541 484-1156, [www.icetree.com/walnut] Walnut St Co-Op
is a social change oriented cooperative household. The house is a
century-old duplex in the "Craftsmen" style. In addition to the
nine bedrooms, there are two kitchens, two living rooms, 4+
bathrooms, and a sunny shared office space. One garage is for
bicycles and garden storage; the other is a workshop and foosball
arena.
Get out
Eugene is two hours from the Cascade Mountains (good skiing at
Mt. Bachelor), and a little over an hour from some
of the most beautiful coastline on the Pacific shore.
- Day trip to the coast. Eat at Mo's in Florence, take a hike en route at
Kentucky Falls and hit the Hobbit trail just north
of Florence.
- The McKenzie River corridor (fly fishing,
rafting)
- Hendricks Park Rhododendron Garden
- Mt. Pisgah Arboretum
- Bike paths along the Willamette River
[33].
- Cape Perpetua Interpretive Nature Center (on
coast north of Yachats)
- McCredie Hot Springs on the right just past
mile-marker 45 on highway 58.
- Blair Lake and Meditation
Pool (Wall Creek), take highway 58 to Oakridge, left on
Union St, right on 1st, ten miles or so to a left turn on Forest
Service Road 1934. Meditation Pool is on your left after about 3/4
mile (trailhead, about 1/3 mile walk to the pool), Blair lake is
all the way at the top. Be sure to detour near the top when you see
a road going off to the left marked by a trail marker (picture of
two people hiking) for a spectacular view. Blair lake has campsites
and hiking, Meditation Pool is a warm spring.
| This is a usable article. It has
information for getting in as well as some complete entries for
restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this
article, but please plunge forward and help it grow! |