The BLT Guidebook

Whether or not you are invested in college football, Eugene is a great place to spend a weekend! It is the second-most populated city in Oregon and is known for arts and the outdoors! Dan and I have spent three weekends in Eugene and have stopped there passing through on the way to Portland. If you haven’t already, I would check out this great mid-sized city.

Football & U of O

At the time of this posting, the Oregon Ducks are #2 in the Big Ten conference. College football is a big deal in Oregon and isn’t taken lightly. If you have never been to a college football game or one at the Autzen Stadium, I would go just for the fun experience. Even if you aren’t that into football, the vibe gets you hooked, and you’ll have a great time regardless.

The campus is also located within walking distance of downtown Eugene and fall is the perfect time to visit! The leaves are changing and the walk to the Autzen Stadium through Alton Baker Park can’t be missed!

U of O also houses two popular museums (Museum of Natural and Cultural History and Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art) and the infamous Hayward Field-where they’ve held the Olympic trials for the eighth time in 2024. I recommend walking around and checking out the history the campus has to offer.

Breweries (and Taphouses)

While Bend is known as the hot spot for an Oregon brewery destination, Eugene is right behind Bend with 20 craft breweries, including the big names like Hop Valley and Ninkasi.

Here are the breweries we’ve stopped at:

• Ninkasi Brewing
• Hop Valley Brewing
• Coldfire Brewing
• Claim 52 Brewing– I can’t remember if I’ve been here, but you can find their beer all over Oregon, so I know I’ve tried it!
• Steelhead/McKenzie Brewing
• Oakshire Public House
• Beergarden

We’ve heard good things about Falling Sky Brewing from locals, but we haven’t made it there yet. Our favorites are Oakshire Public House and Coldfire Brewing.

There is said to also be around 17 wineries in Eugene as well, but this has yet to be checked out by us!

Recreation

Breweries & Wineries- as mentioned above, there are over 20 breweries and 17 wineries in Eugene. These combined with cool atmospheres, views, and recreation would be worth your trip.

Live Music- There are an abundance of events in Eugene and the McDonald Theatre is a popular venue for live music. Bigger bands that are travelling from Portland will stop here. It’s located right in the middle of downtown, so it’s a perfect spot to end a day in Eugene.

Downtown- Anything you want, or need can be found in downtown Eugene from shopping, dining and cool hang out spots like East Broadway and The Barn Light to short walks to recreational activities.

Market District- Another place with cool shops and vibes, check out the Market District in Eugene. In my opinion, it’s even walkable from downtown!

Outdoor Recreation- If you are into it, Eugene has it! Biking, hiking, running, paddling, fishing, and a close proximity to winter activities. Within the city limits and within short drives, there are over 50 hiking trails listed on AllTrails alone.

Side trips:

Springfield, OR– less than 10 minutes away from Eugene, Springfield’s Main Street surprised us! We had a great breakfast at Cascade Biscuit Kitchen and a beer stop at Public House on our way to McKenzie Bridge, OR.

McKenzie Bridge, OR– A little under an hour from Eugene is McKenzie Bridge- a small unincorporated community and one of the last towns before the McKenzie Pass – Santiam Pass Scenic Byway to Bend. In it, we have the McKenzie River National Recreation Trail and the Obsidian Grill, a great stop for gifts, beer, and coffee!

The coast- Florence, OR is a little over an hour from Eugene. We haven’t been yet, but it’s on the list! Florence is an old harbor town known for sand dunes, seafood, and beaches.

Portland, OR– it’s a little bit of a drive, but if you have never been, Portland is less than 2 hours from Eugene. Portland is known for its foodie community, outdoor recreation, and its own “weird” pocket of cool city things to check out.

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Ever been to Eugene or the surrounding area? What cool places do you have to share?