Sights in Oregon
-
A
Classical Chinese Gardens
The Classical Chinese Garden is a one-block haven of tranquillity, reflecting ponds and manicured greenery. Free tours are available with admission.
reviewed
-
B
Pittock Mansion
This grand and beautiful 1914 mansion was built by pioneer/entrepreneur Henry Pittock, who revitalized the Oregonian newspaper. Guided tours are available, but it's worth visiting the (free) grounds simply to have a picnic while taking in the spectacular views.
reviewed
-
C
Oregon Museum of Science & Industry
This excellent museum offers hands-on science exhibits for kids, along with other temporary exhibits. There's also an Omnimax theater, planetarium shows and a submarine tour (all separate charge). Parking is $2.
reviewed
-
D
Oregon Zoo
In summer, ride the Zoo Train from the rose gardens to this excellent zoo. There's a primate house, a 'penguinarium' and plenty of specialty exhibits. Enclosures are spacious and semi-natural, and big-name music concerts take place on the zoo's lawns in summer.
reviewed
-
E
Hoyt Arboretum
Twelve miles of trails wind through this 187-acre ridgetop garden above the zoo. It's home to over 1000 species of both native and exotic trees, and offers easy walks any time of year.
reviewed
-
Pearl District
Slightly to the northwest of downtown, the Pearl District is an old industrial quarter that has transformed its once grotty warehouses into expensive lofts, upscale boutiques and creative restaurants. On the first Thursday of every month, the zone's abundant art galleries extend their evening hours and the area turns into a fancy street party of sorts. The Jamison Square Fountain is one of its prettier urban spaces.
reviewed
-
F
Shanghai Tunnels
Running beneath Old Town's streets is this series of underground corridors through which, in the 1850s, unscrupulous people would kidnap or 'shanghai' drunken men and sell them to sea captains looking for indentured workers. Tours run Fridays and Saturdays at 6:30pm and 8pm. Book online.
reviewed
-
G
Hendricks Park Rhododendron Garden
Thousands of rhododendrons and azaleas erupt into bloom here 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 retreat with occasional 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.
reviewed
-
H
Tom McCall Waterfront Park
This popular riverside park, which lines the west bank of the Willamette River, was finished in 1978 after four years of construction. It replaced an old freeway with 2 miles of paved sidewalks and grassy spaces, attracting heaps of joggers, in-line skaters, strollers and cyclists. During the summer, the park is perfect for hosting outdoor events like the Oregon Brewers Festival. Walk over the Steel and Hawthorne bridges to the Eastbank Esplanade, making a 3-mile loop.
Salmon Street Springs Fountain, on Salmon St near the river, cycles through computer-generated patterns. On hot days, kids (and adults) take turns plunging through the jets. North of the Burnside Bridge is…
reviewed
-
I
Skinner Butte
A hike up wooded Skinner Butte, directly north of downtown, 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.
Follow the path around the north side of Skinner Butte to the Owens Memorial Rose Garden, a lovely park with picnic benches and rose bushes (best June to August), along with the country's oldest Black Tartarian cherry tree, planted around…
reviewed
Advertisement
-
J
Portland Building
This notoriously controversial 15-story building was designed by Michael Graves and catapulted the postmodern architect to celebrity status. People working inside the blocky, pastel-colored edifice, however, have had to deal with tiny windows, cramped spaces and a general user-unfriendliness. The Portland Building suffered from major design flaws that later proved very costly to fix. Not a great start for what was considered to be the world's first major postmodern structure; at least it's been made somewhat green with an eco roof installed in 2006.
Towering above the main doors of the Portland Building is Portlandia, an immense statue of the Goddess of Commerce,…
reviewed
-
Evergreen Aviation Museum
For something different, head to McMinnville's Evergreen Aviation Museum and check out Howard Hughes' Spruce Goose, the world's largest wood-framed airplane. There's also a replica of the Wright brothers' Flyer, along with an IMAX theater (movie admission separate).
reviewed
-
K
Alton Baker Park
Heaven for cyclists and joggers is this popular, 400-acre riverside 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.
reviewed
-
L
Lane County Historical Museum
Old logging tools are prominent among the collection of historic artifacts preserved at this local museum. There's also a transportation collection that includes Oregon's oldest, best-preserved running gear (undercarriage) for a covered wagon.
reviewed
-
Thomas Condon Paleontology Center
Visit the excellent Thomas Condon Paleontology Center 2 miles north of US 26 at the Sheep Rock Unit. Displays include a three-toed horse and petrified dung-beetle balls, along with many other fossils and geologic history exhibits.
reviewed
-
Velveteria
Truly unique is the Velveteria, a treasure trove full of stunning velvet paintings that will make you appreciate the art form; don't miss the 'nudes' room. It's run by a wacky couple who have been combing thrift stores and estate sales for years.
reviewed
-
M
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.
reviewed
-
N
Portland Art Museum
Just across the park, the art museum's excellent exhibits include Native American carvings, Asian and American art, and English silver. The museum also houses the Whitsell Auditorium, a first-rate theater that frequently screens rare or international films.
reviewed
-
O
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.
reviewed
-
P
Science Factory
Families with young kids can visit this children's museum, located in Alton Baker Park. Hands-on exhibits and a live iguana are among the highlights; weekend planetarium shows cost extra. Expansive lawns outside.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Q
5th Street Public Market
At E 5th Ave and Pearl St is the 5th St Public Market, an old mill that now anchors several dozen restaurants, cafés and boutique stores around a pretty central courtyard. Musicians and other performers occasionally entertain here.
For great fun and a quintessential introduction to Eugene's peculiar vitality, don't miss theSaturday Market, held each Saturday from April through mid- 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.
reviewed
-
R
Oregon Historical Society
Along the tree-shaded South Park Blocks sits the state's primary history museum, which dedicates most of its space to the story of Oregon and the pioneers who made it. There are interesting sections on Native American tribes and the travails of the Oregon Trail. Temporary exhibits furnish the downstairs space.
reviewed
-
S
World Forestry Center
Informs the public about the importance of the world's forests.
reviewed
-
T
Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art
This renowned museum offers a 13,000-piece rotating permanent collection of world-class art, with an Asian art specialty. Highlights include a 10-panel Korean folding screen and a standing Thai Buddha in gold leaf. Free admission on the first Friday of each month. Marché restaurant has an excellent café here.
reviewed
-
U
Children's Museum
Parents can also seek solace at the nearby Children's Museum, a great place to keep kids busy with interesting learning activities and exhibits.
reviewed