Day trips from Eugene,Oregon
Jun 9th, 2002 | 07:47 AM
#1
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Day trips from Eugene,Oregon
My husband and I will be travelling to Eugene,Oregon and would like to have any suggestions on things to do and see,and places to eat. We are visiting our 23 yr. old son who is a vegetarian. Take that into account. Also, where to stay in Eugene-maybe an Inn?
Jun 11th, 2002 | 01:09 PM
#3
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Florence is a nice day trip - about an hour. A fun coastal town. There are some great sand dunes and you can rent ATV's if that sounds fun. Take or rent a kite.
Portland is doable in a day trip - probably 1.5 hrs. There is tons to do up there - Japanese Garden, Chinese Garden, Rose Garden, Art Museum, Saturday Market, walk along the river....
McKenzie River - just drive along the highway and stop where it looks fun. Beautiful but expect the water to be cold! Belknap Springs is beautiful - wonderful gardens and hot springs pool. You can pay a daily fee ($3 I think) and enjoy them all day. Take a picnic.
Clear Lake - where the McKenzie comes from - a beautiful lake and very clear (duh) you can still see trees standing under the lake. VERY cold so no swimming, but there is a trail around the lake (not short) and you can rent rowboats. Clear Lake and Belknap could be a one day trip. I come from the north to those places so I don't know times but I would guess about an hour outside Eugene...
South there is Ashland, not a day trip but there are great Shakespeare plays down there. Wild Life Safari, a large game park with all kinds of animals roaming free and you drive through and get to see them. WLS is in Winston probably less than an hour south.
Newport is another town on the coast that I really enjoy, has a wonderful aquarium and great beaches. I think less than an hour north of Florence. In a long day you could do a loop from Eugene to Florence, to Newport to Corvallis down I-5 to Eugene. The drive along Hwy 101 is beautiful, stop lots to look and admire. You could stay a night in Newport too to have more time.
In Eugene itself, I enjoy the 5th Street Public Market. Hendricks Park on the hills is pretty, unfortunately you will probably miss the rhodies but it is still pretty, a view of Eugene. While I don't do malls on vacation there is a fairly nice one - Valley River. There are wonderful bike paths if you find a place to rent bikes or just walk.
Eating..... Mona Leeza is Italian, Brooks Brothers BBQ (I think that is the name) though it might not be great for vegetarian. In Corvallis 45 minutes north, there is a totally vegetarian restaurant, Nearly Normals. I don't know very many restaurants down there so I can't be of much assistance.
Let me know if you have more questions.
Portland is doable in a day trip - probably 1.5 hrs. There is tons to do up there - Japanese Garden, Chinese Garden, Rose Garden, Art Museum, Saturday Market, walk along the river....
McKenzie River - just drive along the highway and stop where it looks fun. Beautiful but expect the water to be cold! Belknap Springs is beautiful - wonderful gardens and hot springs pool. You can pay a daily fee ($3 I think) and enjoy them all day. Take a picnic.
Clear Lake - where the McKenzie comes from - a beautiful lake and very clear (duh) you can still see trees standing under the lake. VERY cold so no swimming, but there is a trail around the lake (not short) and you can rent rowboats. Clear Lake and Belknap could be a one day trip. I come from the north to those places so I don't know times but I would guess about an hour outside Eugene...
South there is Ashland, not a day trip but there are great Shakespeare plays down there. Wild Life Safari, a large game park with all kinds of animals roaming free and you drive through and get to see them. WLS is in Winston probably less than an hour south.
Newport is another town on the coast that I really enjoy, has a wonderful aquarium and great beaches. I think less than an hour north of Florence. In a long day you could do a loop from Eugene to Florence, to Newport to Corvallis down I-5 to Eugene. The drive along Hwy 101 is beautiful, stop lots to look and admire. You could stay a night in Newport too to have more time.
In Eugene itself, I enjoy the 5th Street Public Market. Hendricks Park on the hills is pretty, unfortunately you will probably miss the rhodies but it is still pretty, a view of Eugene. While I don't do malls on vacation there is a fairly nice one - Valley River. There are wonderful bike paths if you find a place to rent bikes or just walk.
Eating..... Mona Leeza is Italian, Brooks Brothers BBQ (I think that is the name) though it might not be great for vegetarian. In Corvallis 45 minutes north, there is a totally vegetarian restaurant, Nearly Normals. I don't know very many restaurants down there so I can't be of much assistance.
Let me know if you have more questions.
