Spend a Weekend in Downtown Eugene
The walkable heart of this Willamette Valley city brims with new gastronomy and artistry.
Sights and Events
On the first Friday of every month, tour selected art venues in downtown Eugene with a guide or visit up to 40 spots on your own. Find smaller pieces at prices perfect for gift giving.
Hult Center for the Performing Arts
Home of the Eugene Symphony and Eugene Ballet Company, the center hosts more than 700 events every year in the heart of downtown Eugene.
Shelton McMurphey Johnson House
Eugene's grand old Victorian mansion hosts afternoon teas throughout the year, as well as monthly jazz concerts and a holiday wreath festival.
Shops
At Passionflower in Eugene, Oregon, artsy gifts come with a smile.
Live music, food booths, and a bevy of arts vendors set up downtown every Saturday from April to November. In November and December, the market moves to the Lane Events Center for a holiday-themed celebration.
This exquisite literary nook has specialized in rare and used volumes for more than four decades.
Fancy an embroidered blouse, fresh flowers, glittering gemstone pendants, or letterpress cards? Eugene's artisan wonderland has you covered.
This venture from Marché restaurant, a local favorite, will thrill foodies with its kitchenware, specialty pantry goods, imported charcuterie, and wines.
Home cooks love the plentiful tools at Provisions Market.
Eats
Start the morning right with bostock, the house specialty: brioche soaked in almond syrup and orange blossom water, baked with almond cream, and topped with sliced almonds.
The cuisine at this hidden gem shines in creative small plates. Seasonal cocktails pair beautifully with Thai-style son-in-law eggs drizzled with caramel or smoked beet salad with sweet-and-sour delicata squash.
Sips
Barn Light
The downtown outpost of this woodsy, artsy coffee-and-cocktail den encourages laptops during the day, with lattes giving way to gin and house-made tonic with a side of tater tots in the evening.
Pick up a passport at various venues, including the Downtown Eugene Visitor Center, for a guide to participating tasting rooms around town. Eight check-ins will earn you a prize and the title of Beer Fan. Visit all the rooms to become a Beer Master.
Visitors can sample releases from the house label, William Rose, or offerings from myriad smaller family vineyards in a casual, art-filled tasting room. Check the website for live music and other events, including yoga and mimosas.
This article was first published in November 2016 and updated in March 2019.