Colin & Tina
Colin & Tina
Things to Do
This page is dedicated to our out-of-town guests that are unfamiliar with all the amenities that Eugene has to offer. If you're planning on staying here for more than just the day of the wedding, here are some recommendations for other things to do.
Places to eat and drink in Eugene
Japanese - Our favorite restaurant for going on dates. Great food, drinks, and a rotating "martini of the day." $$
Eugene has lots of Thai restaurants, and it's hard to go wrong with any of them. This place in the Whitaker neighborhood is a top choice. $$
Italian - Amazing, gourmet cuisine in an intimate environment. $$$
Probably the best fish & chips in the Pacific Northwest. We're serious. They also do sandwiches and po boys. Get some smoked salmon or a whole Dungeness crab to go while you're here. $$
An Oregon chain of restaurants, hotels, and theatres, they have locations in rehabilitated historic buildings all over the state. There are three in Eugene alone. The East 19th Café is near campus and has a distinctly bohemian feel. The High St. Café is more of an intimate brewpub. The North Bank restaurant is slightly more upscale with outdoor seating that overlooks a serene stretch of the Willamette River. All of them serve McMenamins famous beers. $$
This is our favorite breakfast/brunch destination, but they have a lunch and dinner menu and great drinks as well. They're also open 24 hrs. Want some chicken & waffles with a bloody Mary at 3 AM? No problem. $$
Drive through burger joint in West Eugene. Best cheap burger in a plain paper sack you'll find anywhere. $
The local staple for cakes, pastries, coffee and sweets. There are two locations. $$
With 42 taps with beers from all over the world and a row of food trucks parked in their outdoor seating area, variety is the key attribute here. $-$$
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Places to shop in Eugene
Eugene Saturday Market
Local artisans and craftspeople sell their wares in an open air market every Saturday during the summer months in the Parks blocks near downtown.
5th Street Public Market
Restaurants, tasting rooms, and boutiques on multiple stories surround a courtyard with a fountain in the middle. They all range from quaint to upscale.
Market of Choice
A local chain of grocery stores that specialize in natural and specialty products. Think Whole Foods but not owned by Jeff Bezos.
Places to explore in Eugene
Downtown Eugene
Restaurants, cafes, shops, Voodoo Donuts, Metro Cinemas, and more. The nightlife centers around the "Barmuda Triangle" of clubs and taverns in close proximity to one another.
Skinner Butte Park
Eugene Skinner settled in the area in 1846, choosing a spot near the Willamette River but on high ground after the local Kalapuya tribe warned him to build high up due to seasonal floods. The hill he built his cabin on is named after him—and the name of the city, obviously. You can drive all the way to the top of it where there's a picture perfect view of the city center and Spencer Butte looming at the other end of town. In the lower section of the park there are riverside paths, playgrounds, and a rose garden.
University of Oregon
Home of the Ducks, the U of O is a public research university with well-respected colleges of education and law, and is the largest employer in Eugene. It's also known as the "University of Nike" due to its connection to former graduate and current booster Phil Knight, the founder and chairman of Nike. If you stroll it's campus you'll likely come across a building named after a member of the Knight family. Even the "O" emblem was designed by Nike.
The Whitaker Neighborhood
A primarily working class neighborhood just northwest of downtown, "The Whit" is known for its concentration of alternative artists and leftist politics/activism. Its commercial core Blair Blvd, which has taverns, bakeries, food carts, Ninkasi Brewing Company, a Sunday farmer & artist market, and a vintage pinball & arcade that also has a bar and stage. Colin's band "/root_DIR" plays venues and house shows around here.
Downtown Springfield
Eugene may no longer be a mill town, but Springfield is still heavily attached to the wood products industry. Downtown is centered along Main Street, where there are cafes & restaurants, antique shops, a lovely riverside park, and a really cool Tiki bar. See how many Simpsons characters you can find in murals around town.
Places to explore near Eugene
Spencer Butte and the Ridgeline Trail
Situated just outside the city limits, this network of trails meanders through the woods and meadows of the South Hills. Spencer Butte has a short but steep trail to its 2,000 ft summit where there are expansive views of Eugene and the southern Willamette Valley.
No other state boasts a coastline where every inch is public land, keeping it pristine and accessible for everyone. Florence is the nearest coastal town, 60 miles west on Hwy 126. Colin's grandfather Donald Hicks used to own and operate the Beachcomber Pub in Old Town Florence. Nearby attractions include the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, Heceta Head Lighthouse, and miles of beaches to enjoy.
The Cascade Range, or Cascades, is a major mountain range of western North America, extending from southern British Columbia through Washington and Oregon to Northern California. The section nearest to Eugene is a little over an hour away, depending on which way you go. There are old growth forests, mountain lakes, hot springs, waterfalls, alpine meadows, lava fields, and snowy mountain peaks surrounded by untouched wilderness. Endless opportunities abound if you're outdoorsy. The link above is to a great hiking and guide book of the area.
Oregon's only national park features the deepest lake in the lower 48 states, set in the crater of an extinct volcano. There's a road that traverses the entire rim, a historic lodge with amazing views, a trail that leads down into the crater, and even a boat tour. A little bit further away from Eugene, it takes about 2.5 hrs to get there by car, but well worth the trip. Check weather and road conditions first. Depending on the winter snow pack the Rim Drive may not open until July some years.