Things to do in Eugene
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Saturday Market
For great fun and a quintessential introduction to Eugene's peculiar vitality, don't miss the Saturday Market, held each Saturday from March through November at E 8th Ave and Oak St. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas it's renamed the Holiday Market and moves indoors to the Lane Events Center at 13th Ave and Jefferson St.
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Keystone Café
Organic omelettes, vegan pancakes, tofu scrambles, salmon burgers. Get the idea?
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Hendricks Park Rhododendron Garden
Thousands of varieties of rhododendron and azalea erupt into bloom at the Hendricks Park Rhododendron Garden in the spring, along with dogwoods and daffodils, peaking in May. The garden is part of a larger park that features native trees and shrubs, and during the rest of the year it's a quiet, vernal retreat with lovely views worthy of a picnic. To get there head south on Agate St, turn left on 21st and left again on Fairmont, then right on Summit.
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Skinner Butte
A hike up wooded Skinner Butte provides a good orientation and a little exercise (drive up if you're feeling lazy). Eugene Skinner established the city's first business on the narrow strip of land along the Willamette River below, which is now Skinner Butte Park; there's a great playground for kids. And if you're a rock climber, don't miss the columnar basalt formations along the butte's lower western side (at W 1st Ave).
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Morning Glory Café
Eugene in a nutshell, or should that be a nut-roast. This sustainable place is good for breakfast, lunch and brunch and rarely will vegans have a better choice - everything on the menu is either vegan or can be made vegan. Try the biscuits, tofu sandwiches or cookies, and as the in-shop sign says 'make tea not war.'
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Red Agave
Caribbean and Latin American cuisine is featured here - consider the lamb shank with chipotle and tomatillos, or the corn masa crepes. Especially popular, however, are the chicken enchiladas topped with green mole and ancho pepper sauce. And tequila? ¡Sí señor!
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McMenamins North Bank
Gloriously located on the banks of the mighty Willamette, this relatively modest (for a McMenamins) pub-restaurant boasts some of the best views in Eugene. Grab a riverside patio table on a warm, sunny day and order their Hammerhead ale - you can't get more stylin'.
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Iraila
This small, modest eatery has made a name for itself with good Mediterranean dishes sporting a middle Eastern twist. Main dishes are excellent, but to sample more than one thing try ordering several small plates off their tapas menu. Vegan choices available.
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Alton Baker Park
Heaven for cyclists and joggers is the popular riverside Alton Baker Park, which provides access to the Ruth Bascom Riverbank Trail System, a 12-mile bikeway that flanks both sides of the Willamette. There's good downtown access via the DeFazio Bike Bridge.
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Lane County Historical Museum
Old logging tools and technology are prominent among the collection of historic artifacts preserved at the Lane County Historical Museum. One exhibit details the experiences of Oregon Trail pioneers who traversed the continent to settle in Lane County.
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Ring of Fire
- Eugene, USA
- Restaurants › Thai
Try the calamari marinated in sake and lemongrass as an appetizer, then go for a noodle, curry or stir-fried dish. Thai food dominates the menu and you dictate the spiciness. The attached Lava Lounge stays open late for hipsters sipping cocktails.
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Owens Memorial Rose Garden
Follow the path around the north side of Skinner Butte to the Owens Memorial Rose Garden, a lovely park with carefully trained climbing roses (best in June) and the country's oldest Black Tartarian cherry tree, supposedly planted in 1847.
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Ambrosia
Long bar, cozy interior, fine wine and great Italian food from the standard (spaghetti bolognese) to the more adventurous (curried pasta salad). There's weekly wine-tasting and small plate specials Monday to Friday 2:30pm to 5:30pm.
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Sam Bond's
Eugene's favorite live music venue, located in an old garage. Nightly entertainment from 16:00 on, with good organic pizza, happy hour pints, free bluegrass jams on Tuesday and nice outdoor patio for those sweltering summer nights.
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Wandering Goat
For the best macchiato in town hunt out this small artsy coffee shop next to the railroad tracks in an industrial neighborhood. They roast their own organic beans. DJs spin on Thursday night and there's live music on weekends.
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Beppe & Gianni's Trattoria
One of Eugene's most beloved restaurants and certainly its favorite Italian food. Homemade pastas are the real deal here, and the desserts excellent. Reservations only for groups of eight or more; otherwise, expect a wait.
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Steelhead Brewing Co
Classic yuppie pub with all the usual suspects on the menu, plus around a dozen homemade brews from their light Hairy Weasel Hefeweizen to a hoppy Bombay Bomber IPA to a fruity chocolate-covered cherry porter. Bottoms up.
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University of Oregon Museum of Natural History
Housed in a replica of a Native American longhouse, the University of Oregon Museum of Natural History contains the state's best display of fossils, Native American artifacts and geologic curiosities.
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Papa's Soul Food Kitchen
Line up with the locals at this outrageously popular Southern-food spot, which grills up awesome fried catfish and seafood gumbo. The best part is the live blues music, which keeps the joint open late on weekends.
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Science Factory
Families with young kids can visit the Science Factory children's museum. Hands-on exhibits, a kids' construction zone and a live iguana are among the highlights; weekend planetarium shows cost extra.
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Café Zenon
Going on 25 years, this flashy restaurant cooks up French-inspired main dishes, but it's the appetizers, salads and desserts that have folks coming back for more. Noteworthy breakfasts as well.
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5th St Public Market
The 5th St Public Market is an old mill that now anchors several dozen restaurants, cafés and boutiques around a pretty courtyard. Performers occasionally entertain here.
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Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art
The renowned Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art offers a rotating permanent collection of world-class art, from Korean scrolls to Rembrandt paintings.
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Jo Federigo's
Walk into a restaurant above and jazz venue below. Local bands play on weekdays and visiting bands jam on weekends.
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Newman's Fish 'n Chips
Fish market offering Eugene's best fish 'n chips (around US$6 to around US$8). Limited counter seating.
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