Eugene

Eugene (population 173,000 in 2019) is a city in Oregon at the southern end of the Willamette Valley near the confluence of the Mckenzie and Willamette rivers. It is best known for being the home of the University of Oregon.

Understand

Citizens of Eugene are environmentally aware people who love their coffee and their microbrews. Residents range from arch-conservative Republicans to militant anarchists. 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 band the Grateful Dead, and author Ken Kesey, a U of O grad, lived in nearby Springfield, leading some to see this city as a "hippie Mecca".

Along with neighboring Springfield and surrounding towns, Eugene forms part of the Eugene-Springfield Metropolitan Area.

Saturday Market has been continuously in operation since 1970, rain or shine and claims to be the oldest open-air market of its type in the United States.

Visitor information

Get in

By plane

Additional domestic & international connections are made in Chicago O'Hare, Portland, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Salt Lake City depending on the airlines you choose.

There is no public transportation (Lane Transit District (LTD) buses) to/from the airport, so you'll have to hire a cab, shuttle, or rent a car. The nearest public transit available is the 95-Junction City bus line which has a stop 2 mi (3.2 km) from the terminal at the intersection of Airport Rd. and Highway 99.

Portland International Airport (PDX IATA), is the next closest airport with commercial service, located 122 mi (196 km) north. It is common for travelers to fly into Portland at a more competitive airfare and rent a car to drive to Eugene. If you do not plan to rent a car, Groome Transportation offers regularly scheduled shuttles from Portland International Airport into town (See By bus in the below).

By train
See also: Rail travel in the United States

Travel time by destination and route:

From Interstate 5 (I-5) Eugene and Springfield are accessed from exits #189 ("30th Ave South Eugene") through #196 ("Randy Pape Beltline SR-569 Eugene-Springfield") along I-5. To get to downtown Eugene from the north, exit at #194 and go west on Interstate 105 or go east on SR-126 to Springfield from the same exit. From the south, downtown can be reached via Franklin Blvd (Hwy 99) at Exit #192. There are five exits along I-5 to reach Eugene and Springfield.
OR-Hwy 126 passes through Eugene as W 11th/10th Ave and through Springfield as Main St/'A' St. A bypass highway of OR Hwy 126 bypasses around Springfield in the north from Main & Pioneer Pkwy east of Springfield, becomes I-105 west of the I-5 junction at Exit #194 and continues into W 7th & Jefferson west of downtown Eugene as Interstate 105.
  • Florence, OR (via Hwy 126 for 61 mi (98 km)): 1 hour
  • Bend, OR (via Hwy 126 for 130 mi (210 km)): 3-4 hours
  • Boise, ID (via I-84, US 20, and Hwy 126 for 446 miles (718 km))ː 7.5-8 hours
OR-Hwy 99 goes from I-5 at Exit 192 and passes along the north side of the University of Oregon as Franklin Blvd, across downtown as 6th / 7th Ave and continues northwest as "Hwy 99" to Junction City 14.5 mi (23.3 km) where it splits between & . Going south SR-99 goes along I-5 to Exit #188 ("SR-58 Oakridge Klamath Falls"), through Goshen as Franklin Blvd and runs parallel along I-5 as a separate road for 18 mi (29 km) through Creswell and Cottage Grove and merges back into I-5 at Exit #170 in Veatch.
    • Corvallis, OR (via SR-99 & 99W for 43 mi (69 km)): 55 minutes

By bus

Intercity buses stop in front of the University of Oregon School of Law, across street from Hayward Field, at 1515 Agate St and/or the Amtrak Station on 433 Willamette St. Some may have additional bus stops in other parts of the city to or in Springfield. Check schedules and tickets:

  • 🌍 Flixbus (Operated by MTR Western & Greyhound), (bus stop-UO Hayward Field) 1515 Agate St (bus will board on eastside of Agate Street (northbound) in the loading zone in front of the University of Oregon School of Law; stop is marked by a FlixBus sign). Service from Bellingham to Eugene through Everett, Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, Portland and Corvallis. Additional stops are at the Amtrak station and at the Greyhound bus stop (131 E 5th). Check tickets and schedules. (updated Nov 2019)
  • Greyhound, (bus stop) 131 E 5th (Greyhound stops at the Eugene, OR location on 5th Avenue. No Greyhound buses stop at the Eugene Train Station..), toll-free: +1-800-231-2222. Greyhound travels primarily on Interstate 5 between Portland and Sacramento via Salem, Corvallis, Eugene, Roseburg, Grants Pass, Medford, Weed, Redding, Chico, Red Bluff, Oroville and/or Marysville. Passengers transfer to other buses in Seattle, Sacramento or Portland to continue to additional destinations. The old bus stations/stops on 10th & Pearl in downtown Eugene and next to the Springfield LTD Station (355 'A' St) are closed. Prices vary depending on your destination. 
  • Groome Transportation (formerly Hut and Oregon Express Shuttle), (bus stop) UO School of Law @ 1515 Agate, toll-free: +1-877-693-3785. To/from Portland International Airport (PDX) via Corvallis, Albany, Salem, and Woodburn (via I-5) on one route and to Corvallis via Eugene Airport (EUG), on Hwy 99W, one another route. (updated Sep 2019)
  • 🌍 Oregon Point (Operated by MTR Western), (bus stops) Amtrak Station @ 433 Willamette Station and Hayward Field @ 1515 Agate St, ☏ +1 541-484-4100. Tickets can also be purchased from Amtrak or Greyhound. 
  • Pacific Crest Bus Lines, (bus stops) Amtrak Station at 433 Willamette and Greyhound Station at 355 S 'A' St in Springfield, ☏ +1 541-923-1732. Connects Bend to Eugene, Florence and Coos Bay. Passengers connect to Eastern Point (across eastern Oregon to Ontario) in Bend. (updated Mar 2019)

Get around

By bike

Eugene has an excellent system of bike routes, and has bike friendly streets, and its bike paths allow you to ride along rivers, mountain trails and through covered bridges.

By bus
  • 🌍 Lane Transit District (LTD), 3500 E 17th Ave., toll-free: +1-800-735-2900. Buses tend to run every half-hour. Extended LTD bus routes run east and west into more rural sections of Lane County. There is also a bus rapid transit (BRT) line, known as EmX. $1.75 one-way or $3.50 for an all-day pass. (updated Jan 2023)

By taxi
  • Eugene Hybrid Taxi Cabs, ☏ +1 541-357-TAXI (8294). All hybrid fleet. Rate schedule: flag drop $3, per mile $2. Accepts Visa, MasterCard, & American Express. (updated Jan 2023)
  • Oregon Taxi, ☏ +1 541-434-TAXI (8294). You will need to schedule a pickup unless arriving at the airport. Rate schedule: Flag drop, $4.75, Per mile, $2.25. Accepts Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. (updated Jan 2023)
  • Zipcar. Zipcar is available near the university. (updated Jan 2023)

See
  • 🌍 University of Oregon, ☏ +1 541-346-1000. (updated Dec 2019)
    • Oregon Ducks. The teams representing the University of Oregon, competing in the Pac-12 Conference, are Eugene's most famous contribution to the sports world. Ducks sports have benefited enormously from the financial support of Phil Knight, UO alum and now-retired head of Oregon-based sports equipment giant Nike. The highest-profile Oregon team is the football team, which rose to become a perennial national contender in the early 2000s and also infamous for its highly colorful and variable uniforms. Oregon also has an extremely rich tradition in track and field, with Hayward Field known for its enthusiastic fans; the city has become known as "Track Town USA" because of this. Hayward Field was rebuilt in a project that was completed in 2021; the new stadium, expandable to 30,000, it hosted the 2022 World Championships in Athletics (delayed from the originally planned 2021 schedule by COVID-19). The main sporting venues (including Hayward Field) are all on campus. The football stadium, Autzen Stadium, is famous as one of the loudest and most intimidating venues in American sports. The basketball teams have played at Matthew Knight Arena (nicknamed "Matt Arena"; named for Phil's son, who died in a scuba diving accident) since 2011. Ducks baseball plays at PK Park (not named for Knight), which is shared with the minor-league professional Eugene Emeralds. 
    • 🌍 Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, 1430 Johnson Ln, ☏ +1 541-346-3027. Th-Su 11AM-5PM, W 11AM-8PM. At the University of Oregon. Free on Wednesdays between 5PM and 8PM. $5/adult, $3/senior, children free. (updated Aug 2019)
    • 🌍 Museum of Natural and Cultural History, 1680 E 15th Ave, ☏ +1 541-346-3024. Tu-Su 11AM-5PM. At the University of Oregon. $5/adult, $3/concession, $10/adult. (updated Aug 2019)
    • 🌍 Pioneer Statue, 1098 E 13th (between Johnson, Fenton and Friendly Halls). Many claim "The Simpsons" statue of Jebediah Springfield is based on the bronze pioneer statue on the University of Oregon campus. Installed in 1919 by Alexander Phimister Proctor, it depicts a trapper carrying a rifle. (updated Dec 2019)
  • 🌍 Eugene Emeralds Baseball, PK Park, 2760 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. Minor League Baseball team with games during the summer. 
  • 🌍 Eugene Generals Hockey, Lane Events Center and Fairgrounds - Ice Rink 796 W. 13th Avenue, ☏ +1 541-682-3615. Minor league hockey team with games from October to February. 
  • 🌍 Hayward Field. 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. University of Oregon. It hosted the 2022 World Championships in Athletics. 
  • First or Last Friday Artwalk. Popular art walk in downtown with all the local galleries participating. Free
  • 🌍 Pre's Rock, 16xx Skyline Blvd (alongside Skyline Blvd approx 150 ft (45 m) from Birch Rd). A memorial to Olympic runner and local legend, Steve Prefontaine, at the site of his fatal car crash. The Prefontaine Classic, is held annually in Eugene in his honor. 
  • 🌍 Maude Kerns Art Center, 1910 E 15th Ave (Fairmount Neighborhood), ☏ +1 541-345-1571, . A non-profit art gallery housed in a historic church building built in 1895. Known for its annual Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) exhibit in October. 
  • 🌍 Cascades Raptor Center, 33275 Fox Hollow Rd (southside of Hult City Park), ☏ +1 541-485-1320. Tu-M 10AM-6PM. The Cascades Raptor Center is a nature center and wildlife hospital that specializes in raptor rehabilitation. (updated Aug 2018)
  • 🌍 Wayne Morse Family Farm, 95 Crest Dr, ☏ +1 541-682-5380. The Wayne Morse Family Farm, a City of Eugene park, was the home of Oregon's long-time United States Senator, Wayne Morse. The 27-acre (110,000 m²) home used to be a working farm called Edgewood Farm. Owned by the Morse family, it includes the Morse home, a natural wooded area, and an open meadow. Formerly named Morse Ranch, the park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. (updated Mar 2019)
  • 🌍 Oregon Air and Space Museum, 90377 Boeing Dr, ☏ +1 541-461-1101, . W-Sa noon-4PM. Adults $7, seniors (62 & over) $6, youth (6-17) $3. (updated Dec 2019)

Do
  • Oregon Wine Tours. Sunshine Limo Service and Wine Tours: Local tour operator, specializing in Willamette Valley wine tours. A safe way to enjoy wine tasting in comfort and style. 
  • 🌍 Eugene Skydivers, Hobby Field - Creswell OR (take I-5 to exit #182 (Creswell); turn east at the stop sign; take the first left (Emerald Parkway); take the first left away from the supermarket (Melton Road); follow that road to the very end — about 1 mi (1.6 km); look for the signs reading Eugene Skydivers), toll-free: +1-866-461-DIVE (3483). A local skydiving company with classes for all experience levels, from beginners to professionals, about 10 miles (16 km) south of downtown Eugene. $17-200. 
  • 🌍 John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts, 868 High St, ☏ +1 541-434-7000 (tickets), +1 541-687-6526 (office), . (updated Sep 2019)
  • New Zone Gallery, 110 E 11th Ave (corner 11th and Oak), ☏ +1 541-683-0759. Daily noon-6PM. The New Zone Gallery, a non-profit cooperative gallery, features an eclectic mix of styles, techniques and media, created by its 70 artist members. Monthly/bi-monthly changing shows. It has a gift shop. free. (updated May 2022)

Performing arts
  • 🌍 Oregon Contemporary Theatre, 194 W Broadway (W Broadway & Charnelton St), ☏ +1 541-465-1506. Formerly the Lord Leebrick Theatre Company. Community theater with a diverse schedule. See website for current shows and times. $8-30. 
  • 🌍 Actors Cabaret of Eugene (ACE), 996 Willamette St (Willamette St & W 10th Ave), ☏ +1 541-683-4368. Office hours Tu-Sa 11AM-3PM. Local dinner theater in downtown. See website for current shows and times. $16-40. 
  • 🌍 Bijou Arts Cinema, 492 E 13th Ave. A unique, two-screen arts cinema housed in a cool old church/mortuary. Shows indie movies. A second location, the Bijou Metro, has opened downtown on Broadway. 
  • 🌍 Cuthbert Amphitheater (in Alton Baker Park). An outdoor music venue in Alton Baker Park that gets some pretty big shows. Since it's outdoors, you can hear just fine throughout the park. During most shows, the real party is in the park in front of and around the amphitheater. 
  • 🌍 Hult Center for the Performing Arts, West 7th Avenue & Willamette St, toll-free: +1-800-735-2900. Large performing arts center. 
  • 🌍 WOW Hall, 291 W 8th Ave, ☏ +1 541-687-2746. Small concert hall featuring alternative performances. Ask about work trade opportunities between 3PM and 6PM Monday through Friday--maybe you'll get to see the show for free! 

Outdoors

Eugene is a great city for outdoors enthusiasts and cyclists. There are many well-maintained hiking trails, and there are bike lanes on most major roads.

  • 🌍 Spencer Butte. A large hill south of downtown. Head south on Willamette St about 1.5 mi (2.4 km) past the post office. The trail head is easy to miss but is on the top of a crest in the road on the left hand side. There is a large parking lot with signs and restrooms. Trail to the summit is about 2 mi (3.2 km) each way with about 700 ft (210 m) of climbing. Trail is well marked until about 1⁄4 mi (0.40 km) from the summit which requires a small amount of rock scrambling. 
  • 🌍 Skinner Butte Park. Skinner Butte is located adjacent to downtown (to the north), and offers hiking paths that lead to the summit (though you can also drive to the top in a car) where a tree-free view of the city and surrounding mountains can be seen. The area of the park between the butte and the Willamette River has more traditional park amenities like a playground and meeting space. If the weather is nice, people will often climb the exposed basalt cliffs on the west side of the butte (with the proper training and gear, of course!). The butte was the original site of city founder Eugene Skinner's cabin and the park is named in his honor. (updated May 2022)
  • Ridgeline trail. Extensive set of hiking trails south of town. To find them, head south on Willamette St., 1 mi (1.6 km) south of the post office, and shortly after 52nd street make a left at the trail head parking lot. 
  • Running trails. Eugene has several bark trails specifically for running. 
    • Amazon Trail. 1 mi (1.6 km) long, and near South Eugene High School. 
    • Rexius Trail, Amazon Parkway, just south of Amazon Trail. 3.5 mi (5.6 km) long. 
    • Pre's Trail, Alton Baker Park (just north of downtown off of Coburg Rd). 4 mi (6.4 km) long. (updated Jul 2021)
  • Ruth Bascom Riverbank Path System (easily accessible from either side of the river from many surface streets, parking readily available at Skinner Butte Park or Alton Baker park). Eugene has more pedestrian bridges across the Willamette River than those that allow auto traffic, and all of them can be accessed via the Bascom path system. Renting a bicycle (see Get Around) and riding along the river is an excellent way to spend a pleasant afternoon and tour the city's waterfront. (updated May 2022)
  • Disc golf. There is a 18-hole course in Alton Baker Park and a smaller, (often crowded) 9-hole course at Westmoreland Park in West Eugene. 
  • Skate. There are many skate parks throughout the city. 
    • 🌍 WJ Skatepark + Urban Plaza, Washington Jefferson Pk (between Washington & Jefferson St @ 1st Ave under I-105), ☏ +1-541-682-4800. 6AM–1AM daily. The largest covered skate park in the country. Free. (updated Jul 2021)

Events

Eugene Weekly is a good source for 'what's happening' in the area.

  • 🌍 ASUO Street Fair, E 13th Ave between University and Kincaid Sts (near the south end of the UO Campus). Bi-annual student street fair kind of like Saturday market, but more student-oriented. Fall/Spring terms. Free. (updated May 2022)
  • Sasquatch Brewfest. Craft beer festival with live music (early June). 
  • Oregon Bach Festival, ☏ +1 541-346-5666. Held late June through mid-July; presented by the University of Oregon. 
  • 🌍 Oregon Country Fair, ☏ +1 541-343-4298. Second weekend in July. One of the biggest "hippie" gatherings, held in nearby Veneta. Tons of great food, great hand made products sold by local vendors, and live music to be had. (updated Sep 2019)
  • 🌍 Lane County Fair, Lane Events Center, 796 W. 13th Ave (just west of downtown), ☏ +1 541-682-4292. An annual mid-summer celebration featuring food, music and other entertainment. $6–9. (updated Sep 2019)
  • Whiteaker Block Party. August. Large, free outdoor festival in the Whiteaker neighborhood: Live music, street performances, food, drink, etc. 
  • 🌍 Scandinavian Festival, Junction City (just north of Eugene on Hwy 99). An annual Scandinavian-themed festival in nearby Junction City that has been happening for more than 50 years. August. 
  • 🌍 Mushroom Festival, Mount Pisgah Arboretum. Mushroom-themed harvest festival. October. 
  • Clayfest. October. A three-day ceramics only show and sale featuring over 60 local artists. Clay Fest draws artists from all over Oregon. This is a great opportunity buy unique handmade pieces directly from the artists who make the work. 

Learn

Buy
  • 🌍 13th Avenue (start at 13th and Pearl and walk east to 13th and Kincaid). College and artistic oriented shops. (updated May 2022)
  • 🌍 5th Street Public Market, 296 E 5th Ave (along E 5th Ave between Oak and High St). The market's original location on the block at the corner of 5th and High street was meant to be a premier destination in the city offering shops, eateries, and lodging. The market expanded across the street in 2021 adding more of each, and has also attracted independent shops and restaurants on along E 5th Ave. Most of the shops lean toward upscale, and the dining options cover a wide variety. (updated May 2022)
  • 🌍 Saturday Market, 126 E 8th St (in the park blocks at the center of downtown on E 8th St & Oak), ☏ +1 541-685-8885. Saturdays; Apr-Nov 10AM-5PM. The Saturday Market is held weekly and features locally and regionally handcrafted goods, international foods made fresh, and live entertainment. (updated May 2022)
  • 🌍 Lazar's Bazar, 57 W Broadway (along Broadway between Olive & Willamette St), ☏ +1 541-687-0139. M-F 10AM-8PM, Sa 10AM-7PM, Su noon-6PM. A Eugenian import store and head shop located in downtown. 
  • 🌍 Euphoria Chocolate Company, Oakway, ☏ +1 458 201-8750. M-Sa 10AM-8PM, Su noon-5PM. Unique local chocolate company. 
  • 🌍 Mountain Rose Herbs, 152 W. 5th Ave, ☏ +1 541 868-8420, +1 541 741-7307, toll-free: +1 800 879-3337. M-Sa 10AM-6PM, Su 10AM-5PM. Herbs, teas, essential oils, and henna, among other products. (updated May 2022)
  • 🌍 Tea Lady Teas & Everyone's Cuppa, 1502 Willamette St, ☏ +1 541 302-9778. Su M closed, Tu-Th noon-6PM, F 10AM-6PM, Sa 10AM-3PM. Tea and tisanes. 

Shopping centers
  • 🌍 Valley River Center, 293 Valley River Center. Largest 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. 
  • 🌍 Shoppes at Gateway (Gateway Mall), 3000 Gateway St (SE of Beltline Rd (Hwy 569) & I-5 junction), ☏ +1 541-747-6294. Although this mall is in Springfield, it is very close to a lot of Eugene's student housing. Stores include Target, Kohl's, and a Cinemark 17 movie theater. This is a great/inexpensive date idea if you live in the area. There are many smaller stores and beauty salons in the mall. (updated Sep 2019)
  • 🌍 Oakway Center, 2350 Oakmont Way, ☏ +1 541-485-4711. Upscale shopping center. Stores include Pottery Barn, Trader Joe's and many smaller stores and restaurants. 

Groceries
  • 🌍 The Kiva, 125 W 11th Ave (across from the downtown LTD bus station.). Natural grocery store downtown. Also has prepared sandwiches and salads as well as a large wine selection. 
  • 🌍 Red Barn Grocery, 357 Van Buren St (Whiteaker). A natural foods store in a barn. 
  • 🌍 Sundance Natural Foods, 748 E 24th Ave (South Eugene). 
  • 🌍 Sunrise Asian Market, 70 W 29th Ave (South Eugene). Eugene's largest Asian market. 
  • 🌍 Frendly Street Market, 2750 Friendly St. Organic groceries and coffee shop. (updated Jun 2022)

Eat

Budget
  • 🌍 Mezza Luna Pizzeria, 933 Pearl St. Serves lunch and dinner, real NY style pizza, with a variety of meat and vegetarian choices, plus the option to create your own pizza from a large list of toppings. $3-20. 
  • 🌍 Off The Waffle, 2540 Willamette St, ☏ +1 541-515-6926. Su-Th 7AM-7PM, F Sa 7AM-11PM. Serving authentic Liege waffles with an amazing assortment of toppings, such as bacon, cardamom, garlic, fruit, and the list goes on and on. Also serves omelettes and they have some local microbrew on tap. $3-10. 
  • 🌍 SeQuential, 86714 McVay Hwy, ☏ +1 541-736-5864. Daily 7AM-8PM. Serving fresh made sandwiches, coffee, bakery items, sweets, snacks and beer. Mini health food market and cafe with drive-through window for coffee. Omnivorous, herbivorous and diets of all kinds. $3-10. 
  • 🌍 El Super Burrito, 2566 Willamette St. Very inexpensive and locally owned. El Super Burrito is the best burrito and taco you can get for your money in the city. $3-8. 
  • 🌍 Voodoo Doughnut Tres, 20 E Broadway (On Broadway just east of Willamette St), ☏ +1 541-868-8666. 24 hours daily. A fun-but-gimmicky doughnut store chain with additional locations in Denver and Portland. Known for unusual toppings like bacon slices with maple-frosting, Capn' Crunch, and powdered Tang. Most doughnuts are $1-3. 
  • 🌍 El Super Taco, 126 & Bailey Hill Rd, ☏ +1 541-344-8198. Daily 9AM-9PM. Great Mexican food on a budget. (updated Jun 2022)

Mid-range
  • 🌍 Brail's, 1689 Willamette St, ☏ +1 541-343-1542. 8AM-2PM. Two locations where you can get a hearty traditional American breakfast at a reasonable price. Expect a wait for weekend brunch. Entrees $10-14. (updated May 2022)
  • 🌍 Marché Restaurant, 296 E 5th (5th Street Public Market), ☏ +1 541-342-3612. M-F 4PM-9PM, Sa-Su 10AM-2PM & 4PM-9PM. 
  • 🌍 Morning Glory, 450 Willamette St, ☏ +1 541-687-0709. Daily 7:30AM-3:30PM. Breakfast. 
  • 🌍 Sweet Life, 755 Monroe St, ☏ +1 541-683-5696. World-class desserts, including vegan options. Very popular among both locals and visitors, so expect a long line on weekend evenings. (updated May 2022)

Splurge
  • 🌍 Rye, 444 E 3rd Ave (Right where E 3rd meets Coburg Rd.), ☏ +1 541-653-8509. Lunch Tu-F 11:30AM-2PM; dinner Tu-Sa 4-9PM. Reservations recommended for dinner. A restaurant with a speakeasy veneer serving a globally-inspired menu that uses fresh, local ingredients. Dinner: $15 starters and $30 entrees; lunch: $15-20. (updated May 2022)
  • 🌍 Bruno's Chef's Kitchen, 3443 Hilyard St (Hidden behind the Dari Mart), ☏ +1 541-687-2433. A small, personal restaurant; Bruno changes the menu weekly (found on the website), featuring local and seasonal ingredients. starters $15-20, entrees around $35. (updated May 2022)
  • 🌍 Mazzi's, 3377 E. Amazon Dr., ☏ +1 541 687-2252. M 4:30PM-8:30PM, Th 4:30PM-8:30PM, F-Sa 4:30PM-9PM, Su 4:30PM-8:30PM. Has the best Italian food in town. Prices are reasonable, considering the quality of the food; a typical dish is $12-18. Outstanding wine selection as well. 

Drink

Bars

Eugene's main bar scene is centered around Broadway and Olive St (the "barmuda triangle") in downtown. Alternatives can be found in the Whiteaker neighborhood (Blair Blvd), which is experiencing a brewery renaissance of sorts, and around the UO campus. Expect crowds every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night, especially during the school year when college students fill the streets.

  • 🌍 The Bier Stein Bottleshop and Pub, 1591 Willamette St, ☏ +1 541-485-2437. Eugene's largest beer selection, more than 1,000 bottled beers and ten beers on draft. 
  • 🌍 Luckey's Club Cigar Store, 933 Olive St (Downtown). Eugene's oldest bar and one of the oldest pool halls on the West Coast. They still have a few tables, but have transformed into one of Eugene's leading music venues with several shows a week. 
  • 🌍 Max's Tavern, 550 E 13th Ave., ☏ +1 541-349-8986. Daily Noon-Midnight. Popular little student bar, rumored to be the inspiration for Moe's Tavern in The Simpsons. Happy hour daily from 4PM to 8PM. They have darts and an outdoor patio. (updated Aug 2019)
  • 🌍 Blairally Vintage Arcade, 245 Blair Blvd (Next to Ninkasi). Combination bar/pinball arcade in Whiteaker. Great collection of pinball machines, 1980s arcade games and beer. Most Blazers games shown here. 
  • 🌍 Sam Bond's Garage, 407 Blair Blvd (Whiteaker), ☏ +1 541 431-6603. Funky neighborhood bar and music venue. Live music on weekends. 

Breweries

Eugene has a thriving brewery scene, largely in the Whiteaker neighborhood, northwest of downtown.

Coffeeshops & teahouses

Eugene has an excellent variety of coffeeshops.

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, ☏ +1 541-942-5993. Temporarily closed as of 2022; call ahead. 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. (updated May 2022)
  • 🌍 King Estate, 80854 Territorial Hwy, ☏ +1 541-942-9874. The 1,033 acres (418 hectares) certified organic Estate includes 250 acres (100 hectares) of certified vineyards, grapevine grafting and propagation, nursery, orchards and garden. A visitor center and market place are open to the public. 

Connect
  • 🌍 Eugene Public Library, 100 W 10th Ave (along W 10th Ave between Charnelton & Olive St, next to LTD Downtown Bus Station), ☏ +1 541-682-5450. M-Th 10AM-8PM, F-Su 10AM-6PM. The central branch of the library is located downtown, however branch libraries can be found throughout the city and are listed on the website. (updated Sep 2019)
  • 🌍 Springfield Public Library, 225 5th St (in city annex building on 5th & 'A' St), ☏ +1 541 726-3766. M Tu 10AM-8PM; W-Sa 10AM-6PM. (updated Sep 2019)
  • 🌍 University of Oregon Knight Library, Knight Library at 1501 Kincaid St (on campus main library) (E 15th Ave & Kincaid St, towards west side of campus.), ☏ +1 541-346-3053, fax: +1 541-346-3485. M-F 9AM-6PM. Oregon's biggest library, named after "Uncle Phil". The university has other libraries on campus, see the url link of this listing for their locations and hours. (updated Sep 2019)

By telephone

The area codes for Eugene and Springfield are 458 and 541. 10-digit dialing is required throughout the region, i.e., the 541- or 458- area codes must be dialed with all numbers.

By mail

Sleep

The Eugene Hotel, whose large sign is a prominent feature of Eugene's skyline, is actually a retirement community.

Budget

Mid-range

Splurge
  • 🌍 Valley River Inn, 1000 Valley River Way (end of Valley River Way, next to the Valley River Mall and north of the Willamette River from downtown), ☏ +1 541-743-1000, toll-free: +1-800-543-8266. A resort-style hotel and conference center along the quiet banks of the Willamette River. Open since 1973. 
  • 🌍 The Graduate Eugene, 66 E 6th Ave (along E 6th between Willamette & Oak St, a couple blocks down the street from the Eugene-Springfield Amtrak Station), ☏ +1 541-342-2000, . Check-in: 4 PM, check-out: 11 AM. Renovated former Hilton Hotel, themed for the University of Oregon Ducks. Amenities include a TopGolf Swing Suite. (updated Dec 2023)
  • 🌍 Comfort Suites Eugene, 3060 E 25th Ave (I-5 -take Exit 191), ☏ +1 541-343-7000. Offers daily complimentary breakfast, indoor pool and free high-speed wireless. 

Go next
  • The Central Oregon Coast and Florence are just one hour west on OR-126.
  • Bend is a 2.5-hour drive east of Eugene using OR-126 to get to US-20.
  • 🌍 Mount Pisgah Arboretum (South East of town at "LCC" exit on I5). (updated Jan 2023)

Outdoor recreational areas

If you have access to a car, there are different outdoor recreational opportunities available within an hour's drive from town.

  • 🌍 McCredie Hot Springs (on the right just past mile-marker 45 on highway 58.). (updated Jan 2023)
  • 🌍 McKenzie River (15 min - 3 hours. Take Hwy 126 east which runs along River corridor into mountains.). Various waterfalls and fishing spots abound. (updated Jan 2023)
  • 🌍 Blair Lake and Meditation Pool (Wall Creek), take highway 58 to Oakridge, left on Union St, right on 1st, 10 mi (16 km) or so to a left turn on Forest Service Road 1934. Meditation Pool is on your left after about 3⁄4 mi (1.2 km) (trailhead, about 1⁄3 mi (0.54 km) 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.
  • 🌍 Willamette Pass (69 mi (111 km) east of Eugene on Hwy 58). Popular skiing area. Summer activities include gondola rides to the summit, Mtn biking, disc golf and hiking. Shuttle service to Willamette Pass available every day they are open. Departs from Dick's Sporting Goods at the Delta Oaks Shopping Center in Eugene. Departs at 7:15AM and returns approximately at 5:45PM. (updated Jan 2023)
Routes through Eugene
Portland ← Salem ← Albany ←  N  S  → Creswell → Roseburg → Medford
Splits into and ← Junction City ←  N  S  → Creswell → Cottage Grove
Salem ← Albany ←  N  S  → merges onto in Junction City
McMinnville ← Corvallis ←  N  S  → merges onto in Junction City
Florence ← Veneta ←  W  E  → Sisters → Prineville
Portland ← Salem ← Albany ←  N  S  → END


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