Things to Do in & Around
Junction City, Oregon
Cascades Raptor Center
541-485-1320 | 32275 Fox Hollow Rd
Cascades Raptor Center is a nature center and wildlife hospital. Visitors enjoy a large collection of resident raptors – nearly 40 birds of prey, native to the Pacific Northwest – in large outdoor aviaries. A small collection of natural history exhibits are visible in the Visitor’s Center. The Raptor Center is open to the public year-round. Educational programs are available onsite and offsite for students of all ages. Though the vast majority of visitors are admitted for self-guided tours, in depth personal tours are available with prior notification.
Willamette River Bike Trail
Also known as the Ruth Bascom Riverbank Path System, the Willamette River Bike Trail is a collection of interconnected multi-use paved paths running along the Willamette River. The 12 mile (19.3 km) path system connects the two cities of Eugene and Springfield and is heavily used by locals. It is not uncommon to see cyclists and runners out on the paths. Following the river’s edge, the path system weaves through open spaces, parks and has five pedestrian/bicycle bridges proving scenic loops with varying distances. The path system has 4 main trail sections which are the North Bank Path, South Bank Path, East Bank Path and West Bank Path. The two most popular sections are the North Bank and South Bank sections. The North Bank Path passes through Alton Baker Park and winds directly alongside the river and through a riverbank forest. The South Bank Path connects to the University of Oregon and leads towards Skinner Butte Park and the Owen Rose Gardens.
William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge
541-757-7236
Located in the Willamette Valley, William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge provides essential habitat for native wildlife and plants. With habitats ranging from wetlands to upland oak savanna, the refuge is a hotspot for a diverse array of birdlife, mammals and plants. William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge provides numerous recreation opportunities to thousands of visitors every year. People enjoy viewing the diverse wildlife and picturesque vistas, whether on a determined hike, leisurely walk, or just driving through. Regulation of recreation activities allow for public enjoyment of the refuge while still protecting the wildlife and habitats.
Autzen Stadium
541-346-4461 | 2700 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
Autzen Stadium is an outdoor football stadium located north of the University of Oregon campus. It is the home field of the Oregon Ducks of the Pac-12 Conference. Opened 53 years ago in 1967, the stadium has undergone several expansions. Currently, the stadium has 54,000 seats and over 30 luxury boxes to enjoy a great game day experience in one of the loudest collegiate stadiums in the country. The stadiums has a rich history and has even starred in the movie National Lampoon's Animal House.
University of Oregon
541-346-1000 | 1585 E 13th Ave
Nestled in the lush Willamette Valley, with an easy drive to both the Pacific Ocean and the Cascade Mountains, the University of Oregon is renowned for its research prowess and commitment to teaching. The University of Oregon is one of just two schools in the Pacific Northwest selected for membership in the prestigious Association of American Universities, a consortium of 62 leading public and private research institutions in the United States and Canada.
Eugene Saturday Market
The Eugene Saturday Market is an outdoor craft market in Eugene, Oregon. It is the oldest weekly open-air crafts market in the United States. It has a festival atmosphere that includes live performers as well as art and crafts displays and sales -- and food booths and other local vendors. Between 3,000 and 5,000 people visit the market every Saturday.
Owen Rose Garden
541-682-4800 | 300 N Jefferson St
Nestled next to the Willamette River near the Washington Jefferson Street bridge is the eight and a half-acre park known as Owen Rose Garden. In 1951, George E. Owen, a former Eugene city councilor and lumberman, donated five acres with his house to the city. It was the first parcel in a series that now forms the section of riverfront park stretching from the Ferry Street Bridge to the Greenway bike bridge near Valley River Center. Shortly after Owen's donation of property, the Eugene Rose Society donated the original 750 rose bushes. This original collection has expanded into a panorama of more than 4,500 roses of over 400 varieties.
Hendricks Park
541-682-4800 | Summit Ave & Skyline Blvd
Hendricks Park is Eugene's oldest city park. Its 80 acres includes a world-renowned rhododendron garden and a native plant garden. Laced with paths and the northern terminus of the 12-mile Ridgeline Trail, the park is a haven for hikers, birders, and others who enjoy retreating to the tranquility of nature. Without leaving the city, visitors can walk among 200 year-old Douglas fir trees, ferns, and wildflowers such as trilliums and irises, and over 6,000 varieties of rhododendrons and other ornamental plants.
Skinner Butte Park
541-682-4800 | 248 Cheshire Ave
Skinner Butte Park is one of Eugene's oldest parks, and is rich with local history and recreational opportunities. Dedicated in 1914, Skinner Butte Park includes 100 acres of property along the Willamette River just north of downtown Eugene. It includes such noteworthy features as Skinner Butte, the Columns climbing area, RiverPlay Discovery Playground, Campbell Senior Center, Lamb Cottage, Skinner City Farm community garden, acres of lawn and meadows, hiking trails, bike paths, picnic areas, and much more.
The Simpsons Mural
500 Main St
Unveiled on August 25, 2014, this is the first mural created through a partnership between The Simpsons creator Matt Groening and any city. This mural is the product of several years of work between City officials and Matt’s staff at 20th Century Fox brainstorming a number of ideas to best celebrate Matt Groening’s Oregon roots and his connection to Springfield, Oregon. In the end, the City thought public art would be the perfect venue and Matt agreed. We hope you enjoy the mural and your visit to downtown Springfield, Oregon.
The Hult Center of Performing Arts
541-682-5000 | 1 Eugene Center
Built by the people of Eugene, the Hult Center has quite an impressive history. Since its grand opening in 1982, the Hult Center has been charming audiences and popular performers alike with its stunning architectural and acoustical features. From the towering glass Lobby, the grand 2,448-seat Silva Concert Hall with its basketweave ceiling and the intimate 496-seat Soreng Theater with its intriguing asymmetrical design the Hult Center is truly a great arts facility. The Hult Center is operated by the City of Eugene’s Cultural Services Division, as part of the City’s Library, Recreation and Cultural Services Department.
Mount Pisgah
541-747-3817 | 34901 Frank Parrish Rd
One of the shining jewels of Lane County, Mount Pisgah Arboretum is a 209-acre living tree museum. Located within Lane County's Howard Buford Recreation Area, the Arboretum lies between the Coast Fork of the Willamette River & the slopes of Mount Pisgah. The Arboretum's riverside trails, quiet paths through evergreen forests, water garden teeming with life, bright wildflower meadows, and open views across oak savannas delight all ages.
Hayward Field
541-346-1000 | 1580 E 15th Ave
Hayward Field is a historic track and field stadium located on the campus of the University of Oregon. Nearly a century in age, it has been the home of the university's track and field teams since 1921, and was the on-campus home of the varsity football team from 1919 through 1966.
Alton Baker Park
541-682-4800 | 100 Day Island Rd
Alton Baker Park, Eugene’s largest developed park, is home to dozens of recreational features and facilities serving the City of Eugene since 1959. The park is made up of two major areas: the more developed West Alton Baker Park, and the 237-acre Whilamut Natural Area. It features duck ponds, bicycle trails, a dog park and a disc golf course, and directly touches the Ferry Street Bridge across the Willamette River. Other amenities include the Cuthbert Amphitheater, a venue for outdoor musical and drama performances. The amphitheater is named for Fred Cuthbert, the park's designer.
Oregon Country Fair
541-343-4298 | 24207 OR-126
The Oregon Country Fair is an annual three-day festival offering the finest in entertainment, hand-made crafts, delectable food and information sharing. The Fair takes place in Veneta, Oregon, about 15 miles west of Eugene. It is in a wooded setting with its own water and communication systems, security team, recycling service and much, much more. It enjoys a mutually cooperative relationship with its neighbors and a solid niche in the Veneta community.
5th Street Public Market
541-484-0393 | 296 5th St
5th Street Public Market has been identified by Travel Lane County as a premier tourist attraction in Eugene, Oregon. Unique, lively, diverse, entertaining, special, vibrant, memorable are terms used by the community to describe the essence of The Market and its business. Situated in the heart of downtown Eugene, the 5th Street Public Market is the area’s premier shopping destination. This locally owned property is the cornerstone of the 5th Avenue Historic Market District, an area that boasts interesting and unique shops, fine restaurants, boutique hotels, co-working space and luxury apartments, making it the hub of Eugene’s retail shopping area in the downtown core. You will enjoy a colorful collection of unique and enchanting stores and locally owned restaurants and cafés that offer everything from boutique fashion, jewelry and décor, to specialty products, beauty treatments, and delicious food and drink.