Visitor's Information for Eugene

Although Eugene, with more than 100,000 residents, is the second-largest city in Oregon, tie-dyed T-shirts are more common than silk ties on downtown streets. This laid-back character is due in large part to the presence of the University of Oregon, the state's liberal arts university. On the university's tree-shaded 250-acre campus you'll find an art museum, a natural-history museum, and a science museum. Adding to the city's diverse cultural scene is the grandiose, glass-gabled Hult Center for the Performing Arts.Eugene has for years been home to liberal-minded folks who adopted alternative lifestyles. At the Saturday Market, a weekly outdoor craft market, you can see the works of many of these colorful and creative spirits.Throw in a couple of beautiful riverfront parks with miles of bike paths, numerous excellent restaurants, brewpubs, nearby wineries, and proximity to both mountains and coast, and you have a great base for exploring a good chunk of the state.
It's local lore that much of the obscure town of Springfield of The Simpson's is based on Eugene's history (Springfield is a neighboring town and Simpson's creator Matt Groening went to The University of Oregon). As such, the name Eugene Skinner rings a few bells, most notably as the founder of Eugene in 1852. The Willamette Valley had been occupied by the Kalapuyan Native Americans before Skinner and his pioneer friends arrived. In the winter of 1852, flooding inundated the city, which was then moved to higher ground where it sits today. It was incorporated as a city in 1864. The formation of the University of Oregon in 1872 is perhaps the second most important historical event, with a major influence on the city as a cultural and educational center.
Eugene's principal industries in its early years were agriculture, milling, and transportation, including a steady steamship trade between Eugene and Portland from the late 1850s until 1871. By the end of the Civil War, Eugene, at 1,200 people, had become highly industrialized--the site of sawmills, shingle mills, planing mills, and box factories, mining, excelsior production from local cottonwood and balm trees, agriculture (mostly wheat and some fruit), creameries, canneries, and flour mills. Eugene maintained a livable environment for its residents, despite its fast growth. The city was noted in the 40s for its parklike appearance--comfortable, well-kept homes were set in landscapred lawns and shade trees lined the streets. Eugene's population grew steadily through the first half of the 20th century, despite a slowdown in the timber industry starting in the mid-80s.
With a metropolitan population of 300,000, Eugene is the 4th largest market in the Pacific Northwest. Eugene is now home to lumber and wood-products industries, a growing vineyard and wine industry, and is becoming an increasingly important hub for Oregon high tech businesses and industries.

Culture
Eugene is the hub of Oregon's second largest metropolitan area, but you would never guess it. Eugene residents take pride in their laid-back attitude, their unassuming air, their persistence in wearing Birkenstocks to the Farmer's Market during the day and to one of McMenamin's  Brew Pubs at night. But there are also plenty of Eugenians who dress up to go to the symphony or other events at the Hult Center for the Performing Arts, then head out for a nice glass of wine downtown. Eugene caters to everyone and takes this gracious attitude seriously.
There is a lot to love about this town; named one of the most bike- and pedestrian-friendly towns in America. Eugene is all about exercise and the outdoors. You'll find a zoo of rock climbers, yogi enthusiasts, fisherman, kayakers, mountain bikers, and especially runners.  Eugene is known affectionately as "Track Town" because the founder of Nike went to the University of Oregon and several world class track events have been held here. Eugene's flair and uniqueness is where this outdoor culture meets a bustling small city. With something for everyone, Eugenians can kayak or hike by day and see excellent theater and music by night. Its love of the arts and outdoors makes this town calm, interesting, exciting, laid back, and most of all, up and coming.
You can also (technically) ski and surf on the same day from Eugene, as the Pacific Ocean is one hour west and the Cascades Mountain Range is one hour east of town. Although the weather may not allow you to actually surf and ski on the same day, both drives are worth it for their beauty alone.
The influence of the University of Oregon on the Eugene scene is profound. With 25,000 enrolled students at the U of O, and tens of thousands more attending the local community college and private universities, Eugene is definitely a "college town". This large student population makes Eugene diverse, creative, colorful and energetic. There is always something happening in town, whether a free student concert at the newly expanded School of Music, an MFA exhibit at the Art Department, or one of the many science and law conferences held here. The presence of so many students and faculty in a relatively small town keeps Eugene interesting and fun.
If you're planning on visiting Eugene, know in advance that hotel rooms are relatively scarce for a city of its size.  It does have a rather large Hilton, a Residence Inn and other smaller hotels and several charming B&Bs.  On the Willamette River (which runs right through town) is the Valley River Inn.  Many of its rooms have truly wonderful views of the river and associated wildlife.  The Inn's restaurant is also one of Eugene's finest and has a 180 degree panoramic views of the river. 

Weather & When to Go
With an average yearly temperature of 54 degrees, Eugene appears to have the perfect climate. And for the most part, this is true. But visiting in the winter can test even the toughtest. Rain season is late october through late May. Expect anything from a persistent drizzle to a frog-strangling winter storm, and when it lets up, a gray mist. If you're visiting for Eugene's arts and culture scene in the winter, bring an umbrella (though you'll see most locals bearing it unprotected). If you're interested in the outdoor day trips around Eugene, perhaps spring is the best season. Rivers are full with mountain run off, wildflowers cover surrounding hills, and rain is less likely. Summers are warm and dry, with mountian thunderstorms in the hottest months (July and August). The rain makes for green all year long on the western side of the mountains, so you can always expect spectacular views.  The ocean (closest at Florence, about an hour west on 2-lane Hwy 126) is  too cold to swim in year-round, so bring a wetsuit (and sunscreen in the summer), and always expect wind. The elements work on all levels in this part of the country, but this is what makes it one of the most lush, gorgeous, inspiring, and awe-inducing destinations.

Getting Around
Bring your walking shoes. And if you plan on looking even more like a local, make them running shoes. Eugene has been named as one the nation's most bike- and pedestrian-friendly towns, and it lives up to this title. The city center and campus areas are practically on top of each other, which makes walking between and around the two hardly a chore. Furthermore, if the weather's good, consider taking a long stroll or bike ride around the city's famed paths on the Willamette River.
The city is almost laid out in a strict grid pattern, with many one-way streets that can make driving frustrating (bring a decent map). The downtown is clustered between 5th and 11th streets and Jefferson and Patterson streets. Just south and east of the downtown, the central campus of University of Oregon is between Kincaid and Agate streets and Frankin Blvd. (which turns into Broadway) and 18th Street. 6th and 7th streets are important east-west streets (and both one ways); Jefferson, Pearl, Patterson, High, Hilyard, and Agate streets provide convenient north-south routes about town. Streets north of the downtown area often dead end or lead you to unexpected parks (like Skinner's Butte); the area south of the campus is strictly a grid and with some of the towns oldest and picturesque homes (one of which was the Animal House). Don't be afraid to wander; Eugene loves its walkers and runners, and you'll fit right in with your squishy shoes.


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