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Eugene Attractions
The Bridges of Lane County
There are more than 50 covered bridges in Oregon. Built of wood and covered to protect them from the rain and extend their life, the covered bridges of Oregon are found primarily in the Willamette Valley, where early farmers needed safe river and stream crossings to get their crops to market. The highest concentration of covered bridges is found in Lane County, which stretches from the crest of the Cascade Range all the way to the Pacific Ocean and is home to 20 covered bridges.
You can get a map and guide to Lane County's covered bridges from the Convention & Visitors Association of Lane County Oregon, 754 Olive St., Eugene, OR 97401 (tel. 800/547-5445 or 541/484-5307; www.visitlanecounty.org).
Parks & Gardens
Alton Baker Park, on the north bank of the Willamette River, is Eugene's most popular park and offers jogging and biking trails. Across the river, Skinner Butte Park, on the north side of downtown Eugene, has more paved paths. Nearby is the Owen Rose Garden. At the Mount Pisgah Arboretum, 34901 Frank Parrish Rd. (tel. 541/747-3817; www.mountpisgaharboretum.org), south of town, you can hike 7 miles of trails through meadows and forests. There are good views along the way, but watch out for poison oak.
Set beneath towering fir trees high on a hill overlooking the city, Hendricks Park and Rhododendron Garden, 2200 Summit Ave. (tel. 541/682-5324), is one of the prettiest parks in the city, especially in the spring when the rhododendrons bloom. You'll find this park in southeast Eugene off Franklin Boulevard (U.S. 99). Take Walnut Street to Fairmount Boulevard, and then turn east on Summit Avenue. If you're crazy about rhododendrons (as so many Northwesterners are), be sure to schedule a visit to Greer Gardens, 1280 Goodpasture Island Rd. (tel. 800/548-0111 or 541/686-8266; www.greergardens.com), one of the Northwest's most celebrated nurseries.
Wine Touring
Eugene is at the southern limit of the Willamette Valley wine region, and there are half a dozen wineries within 30 miles of the city. For a good introduction to the wines of the region, stop in at Sundance Wine Cellars, 2441 Hilyard St. (tel. 800/OR-WINES [679-4637] or 541/687-9463; www.orwines.com), which claims to have the world's largest selection of Oregon wines.
11 Results
- Winery/Brewery/Distillery
Benton-Lane Winery
This winery has a big reputation in Oregon, and it is well worth searching out this off-the-beaten-path winery and tasting room. Benton-Lane focuses primarily on pinot noir and does a superb job. The wide range of prices means there's a pinot for every budget. The valley views from… - Zoo/Aquarium
Cascades Raptor Center
Whether you're an avid birder or not, this raptor rehabilitation center in the hills on the south side of town is a fascinating place to visit. There are more than 30 species of raptors on display here, ranging from diminutive pygmy owls to bald and golden eagles. For one reason or… - Winery/Brewery/Distillery
Chateau Lorane
Chateau Lorane produces a greater variety of wines than just about any other winery in the state, and many of these you won't find at other Oregon wineries. Several are also made from organic grapes. Some of the more unusual wines include huxelrebe, baco noir, and several meads. - Winery/Brewery/Distillery
High Pass Winery
This small winery was founded in 1984 by Dieter Boehm, who produces several different vineyard-designate pinot noirs. However, the winery is most noteworthy for its unusual huxelrebe and scheurebe white wines, which are made from grapes that were developed in Germany. These grapes… - Winery/Brewery/Distillery
King Estate Winery
Set in an idyllic valley southwest of Eugene, this is one of the largest and most impressive wineries in the state. The winery, part of a 1,000-acre estate, is surrounded by hundreds of acres of certified organic vineyards and features a huge, châteaulike facility. If you want to… - Winery/Brewery/Distillery
LaVelle Vineyards
Consistently good white wines (fruit forward, but not too much residual sugar) are the hallmark here. The pinot gris and Riesling are usually quite good. LaVelle also has a tasting room/wine bar/bistro in downtown Eugene at the 5th Street Public Market, 296 E. Fifth Ave. (tel.… - Winery/Brewery/Distillery
Pfeiffer Vineyards
For many years, this winery has sold grapes to King Estate Winery, which even bottles some of their pinot noir under a Pfeiffer Vineyards designation. Here at this pretty little family-run winery, you can sample what the Pfeiffers do with their own grapes. Expect to pay between $40… - Historic Site
Shelton-McMurphey-Johnson House
Built in 1888, this ornate Queen Anne Victorian home stands on the south slope of Skinner Butte on the north edge of downtown Eugene and was long referred to as the "Castle on the Hill." Tours of the beautiful old home focus on the families that lived here over the century that it… - Winery/Brewery/Distillery
Silvan Ridge Vineyards
If you like sweet wines, you'll definitely want to drop by this winery. The semi-sparkling muscat here is outstanding, the perfect summer sipper. There are also respectable merlots and cabernet sauvignons with grapes from southern Oregon, and the pinot gris can be quite good. All in… - Winery/Brewery/Distillery
Sweet Cheeks Winery
Set high on a hill across Crow Valley from Silvan Ridge winery and with an impressive, big tasting room, Sweet Cheeks is one of the area's newest wineries. Visit for award-winning white wines and reasonable prices. The twilight tastings are a very pleasant way to spend a summer… - Winery/Brewery/Distillery
Territorial Vineyards & Wine Company
This is another of Eugene's in-town wineries and has a swanky tasting room that's open 3 days a week. The winery produces pinot gris, Riesling, chardonnay, and several pinot noirs.
Eugene Shopping
You can shop for one-of-a-kind crafts at Eugene's Saturday Market (tel. 541/686-8885; www.eugenesaturdaymarket.org), which covers more than 2 downtown blocks beginning at the corner of Eighth Avenue and Oak Street. The bustling market was founded in 1970 and is something of a bastion of hippie crafts. There are also food vendors, fresh produce, and live music. The market, held April through mid-November, takes place on Saturdays from 10am to 5pm.
Other days of the week, you can explore the Market District, a 6-block area of restored buildings that houses unusual shops, galleries, restaurants, and nightclubs. The 5th Street Public Market, 296 E. Fifth Ave. (tel. 541/484-0383; www.5stmarket.com), at the corner of Fifth Avenue and High Street, is the centerpiece of the area. Also nearby is Down to Earth, 532 Olive St. (tel. 541/342-6820; www.home2garden.com), a fascinating garden-and-housewares shop housed in an old granary building.
Eugene Nightlife
With its two theaters and nonstop schedule, the Hult Center for the Performing Arts, One Eugene Center, at Seventh Avenue and Willamette Street (tel. 541/682-5746 or 682-5000 for tickets; www.hultcenter.org), is the heart and soul of this city's performing-arts scene. The center's huge glass gables are unmistakable, and every year this sparkling temple of the arts puts together a first-rate schedule of performances by the Eugene Symphony, the Eugene Ballet Company, the Eugene Opera, and other local and regional companies, as well as visiting companies and performers. During the summer, the center hosts the Oregon Bach Festival. Also be sure to see what the Shedd Institute for the Arts, 868 High St. (tel. 541/687-6526 or 541/434-7000 for tickets; www.theshedd.org), has scheduled at its Jaqua Concert Hall. Summer concerts with the likes of Jackson Browne and Crosby, Stills, and Nash are also held at the Cuthbert Amphitheater (tel. 541/762-8099; www.thecuthbert.com) in Alton Baker Park.
To find out what's happening, pick up a copy of the free Eugene Weekly, which is available at restaurants and shops around town.
Brewpubs -- You'll find plenty of microbreweries in Eugene. These include the High Street Brewery & Cafe, 1243 High St. (tel. 541/345-4905; www.mcmenamins.com), in an old house near downtown; the East 19th Street Cafe, 1485 E. 19th Ave. (tel. 541/342-4025; www.mcmenamins.com), adjacent to the university campus; Steelhead Brewing Co., 199 E. Fifth Ave. (tel. 541/686-2739; www.steelheadbrewery.com); and Eugene City Brewery, 844 Olive St. (tel. 541/345-4155; www.rogue.com), the most conveniently located pub if you're staying downtown. This last pub is operated by Rogue Brewing in Newport and offers Eugene's widest selection of house brews.
Eugene's top two rock concert venues are WOW Hall, 291 W. Eighth Ave. (tel. 541/687-2746; www.wowhall.org), the former Woodmen of the World Hall, and McDonald Theatre, 1010 Willamette St. (tel. 541/345-4442; www.mcdonaldtheatre.com), a historic downtown theater owned by the family of the late Ken Kesey, a longtime resident of the area.
