Eugene Travel Tips & Suggestions

Comment by Gyva...

I can't wait to move there!

Comment by Anonymous

You can't find a bad bottle of Pinot Noir in this little town called Eugene. I will return!

Comment by Anonymous

Thank you, Eugene, for being a somnolent, provincial, and boring place! I managed to get a degree in philosophy at University of Oregon, even though I have struggled with academics all my life. I don't know what I would do without the mind-enhancing experience of U of O. If Eugene had been a lively, interesting place, I never would have graduated. Eugene is the perfect college town, because the climate is oppressive, and most of the people are oblivious.

Comment by Steve

I love the bus system. For $2.50 you can get a day pass and go far. They also have a free bus between Eugene and Springfield (the EmX ).

Comment by Anonymous

How could anyone not like Eugene?

Comment by Bigfoot

I've lived in Eugene since '94 and have never seen the variety of cliques here (and I've lived on all borders up, down, and sideway with a few in-between). The hippy crap is old (I'm not just talking just the old hippies either) and if the extremists want to brag about the beauty everywhere (and it is beautiful once you're up in the trees). They need to clean-up the downtown and tell the loafers to go out east. It's a cool place, nevertheless, because of its laid-back style with people on the friendly-snobby side, but there is definitely worse out there.

Comment by liz

I've been in Eugene since 1994. And, yes, we have hippies, snobs, cliques, crazies, and the pseudo-rich, but it's like Jerry Garcia and John Waters had a love child and named it Eugene. The scenery is magnificent and there are a million amazing hiking trails and swimming spots. Yes, everything closes up early. Yes, you will be panhandled. And, yes, there are some really stinky people here. But it's the same wherever you go. I''m always happy to travel the world and see new things, but I'm always happy to come home to Eugene.

Comment by Red

Eugene rocks! I've lived here for over twenty years. Yes, there are beggers, but geez, where is the compassion people? Don't let a couple of bad apples ruin your appreciation for a wonderful town.

Comment by Anonymous

A little on the cliquey side, yet one year for grad school is hard to get settled. Ambrosia is nice. It looks good in hindsight compared to the coast -- good place for plays. It's an elderly perspective.

Comment by Anonymous

Yeah, the "what's yours is mine" hippies and beggers do get on your nerves. A great percentage of the community lives in a bubble, too -- unaware that there's another world out there. Longer duration here allows you to see it's rather provincial in Eugene. Many folks I ran into weren't as sophisticated or cultured as I would have preferred or expected, sad to say. Obvious amenities not always found anywhere else -- Eugene does have its accessible and lush nature, plus the great tracks for bicycling.

Comment by Anonymous

I moved to Eugene from Kansas in '99. It was an eye-opening experience. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves the outdoors.

Comment by Anonymous

If you are planning on moving to Eugene as a musician or are planning to move your band here do yourself a big favor and bypass Eugene. You will get nowhere as everyone here plays for free. That is if you can even get anyone to let you play. Bypass Eugene and you will never regret it.

Comment by Jay

Eugene does have beautiful scenery and it definitely is easy living here, but let me tell you something: this town is sooo anti-business and anti-cange, not to mention very racist. People here do not know how to deal with people of different ethnicities. No matter how liberal people say they are here, it's all BS, there isnothing wrong with the hippies here but the aura of negativity in Eugene just sucks, and it will always be that way.

Comment by anah

I've lived in Eugene all my life and I wouldn't have it any other way. If I started out living somewhere else, then I would probably end up living here later on in my life. My favorite things to do here are going to the Saturday Market, going to the poetry slams at Morning Glory every last thursday of the month, the county fair (which is sadly only once a year), going to shows and walking downtown and through the parks at night.

Comment by dirty dog

First off, it ain't Corvallis. It is not about urban options either. Yew-jean is that sweet spot in between. It drives partiers batty 'cause there's nowhere to drink and the clubs are minimal save a few drinkeries. Eugene's biggest strength is the outdoors. If you run or cycle this is a great place to be. Ridgeline trail goes up along spencers butte (a great day hike) and runs across Fox Hollow and over to Dillard. Great running but muddy. And of course all the famed bark chip running trails. Cycling galore. Too much to put here. But be prepared for the beggars that gets old.

Comment by Phil O. Syben

Eugene's a nice town. Yes, it reeks of patchouli and wool socks in Birkenstocks but, without that olifactory stimulii, it wouldn't BE Eugene. If you don't like hippies, you're in the wrong town.

Comment by John

I just returned from a road trip to Eugene and I had a blast. The people are very cool. The environment is accessible and friendly. Found several spots to check out people from all backgrounds. My fav was a hole in wall spot called "Happy Times" - the hippie element is rich, the pool tables are free, and if you're out of town just strike up a conversation and you'll get free drinks and friendly chat. Also, a decent riverside bike path that goes for 20 or so miles.

Comment by Towlie

Eugene is one of prettiest towns left in Oregon. Without the hippie atmosphere, Eugene would be just another city dependent on logging, it's the hippies that make Eugene different and love it or hate it, they bring in a portion of small buisnesses.

Comment by Sabine

I've lived in Eugene for 7 years. It's a fun city, big enough to have lots to do. If you visit, check out the Weekly (www.eugeneweekly.com) to get info on what's happening, because there are lots of clubs and shows all the time. Two of my favorites are Cafe Paradiso and Cozmic Pizza. Both have live music, open mic nights, etc. I am in a group that puts on a belly dance show the third Friday of each month (www.medge.org) at Cozmic Pizza. Also, while you're here you MUST be sure to get to Sweet Life Bakery and/or Metropole at the 5th Street, and from April to November be sure to check out the Saturday Market, outdoors on the Park blocks downtown. Tons of food, entertainment, stuff to buy, and tie-dye underwear.

Comment by crazy climber dude

Eugene rocks. It's awesome. I'm a climber and outdor nut and having so many options so close is really cool. Smith Rock and the Callahans, Three Sisters, and Mt. Hood. Rock on hard Eugene.

Comment by Kirby

I'm 16, and I've lived in Eugene 15 years. Not that hippie-ish... but generally liberal. But it's pretty diverse. I've nevergone to the Eugene Celebration, but I hear it's pretty cool.

Comment by Ann from Kent, UK

Dead! Couldn't find any stores open after 5:30! And if you work till 6:00 where do you shop? Really small town feel. Nothing happening! Sad to say.

Comment by Paul

I spent an idyllic summer in Eugene, in 1998. I would have stayed if I had found work. What people are calling "hippyness" are values I cherish: respect for the Earth that supports us, and our fellow human beings. At the same time, Eugene has a strong rural conservative component, making for an interesting mix. You might see a guy in a pickup with a gun rack right next to the one in the bike lane, pulling his child in the Oregon-made Burley bike trailer. I'll see you there for the Eugene Celebration, September 18-20!

Comment by Anonymous

I came here recently as one of the last hippies left in a right wing town in California, it was like I could breathe again! It is truly impressive! Eugene rocks!!! Lots of towns and states could take lessons on how to preserve beauty from Eugene. I really hope it maintains its hippie status.

Comment by Kathryn

I defy anyone to find a prettier state than Oregon. Give me hippies any day! I would hug a tree too if I was constantly surrounded by the beauty and splendor of Oregon.

Comment by Annie

Eugene is a quaint, little, laid back university town, where you find neighborhoods of cute, pretty, rose adorned, cottage bungalow homes, many parks and surrounding mountain views from any point in the city. Eugene is quite liberal and does have a hippy element to it. Yet, there, you can also find trendy cafes and areas too. Eugene is great for nature and outdoor sports enthusiasts with its Pacific Northwest terrain and closeby Florence Beach, which is an hour away. There, you find Oregon Dunes National Park, where you see cliffs made of sand - quite an impressive sight. (By the way, Oregon's beaches are all public and appreciated for their unspoiled beauty.) And Eugene has often been voted as one of the best towns for bicyclists because it has great bike paths in most, if not all of its parks and throughout the city, making it super biker friendly. And finally, Eugene has a nice mild climate even in winter, although it has a long rainy season...But summers in Eugene are perfect...!

Comment by Bob

Yes, Eugene is DEFINITELY hippy-ish. I've lived here for about 18 years now. Also lots of extremist environmentalists (AKA tree-huggers) and beggars. Expect to be approached several times by panhandlers while anywhere near downtown. Eugene is nice and there's lots of various outdoor activities nearby as well as several small theater venues and the Hult Center for large-scale musical and theater performances.

Comment by Ducky

It is not that freaking hippy-ish!! Eugene is a great town. Go Ducks =)

Comment by Rachael

Eugene is a great city, filled with personality. The hippy-ness gets to me a little sometimes, but other than that, I have a wonderful time in Eugene.

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Eugene Travel Tips & Suggestions