Should we visit Eugene, OR for 2 or 3 wks this June?
 

We've been offered a three week home exchange in Eugene, Oregon this June. We spent two weeks in Portland last summer and loved it.

Is Eugene a smaller Portland?

We're not big outdoors people, though we don't mind the occasional hike, but are more concerned with urban amenities.

We are also very leisured travelers and can spend a day doing very little, browsing a museum, having a meal or just wandering an interesting neighborhood. Given that we move slowly, will we enjoy Eugene or will two or three weeks be too much? We found two weeks in Portland perfect.

Thanks in advance, Annetti

Yes, Eugene is smaller. It's a college town, not too far from the coast and wine country so it could be a jumping off point for side trips. Whether it'll be too long for you is hard to say.

Eugene is a smaller city and all the college students will be gone in June. If you loved outdoor acivities, I'd say two weeks would be perfect. As you don't, I'd even wonder about two weeks.

"<i>Is Eugene a smaller Portland?</i>"

Smaller - yes; nice - yes; a smaller 'Portland' -- nope.

"<i>If you loved outdoor acivities, I'd say two weeks would be perfect. As you don't, I'd even wonder about two weeks.</i>" or even just a few days.

Probably two long as the town does not have that much to offer.

We live in the Portland area and have quite a bit of family in Eugene. It is a good area to do day trips, but I think 2 weeks might still be pushing it. In early June is the Prefontaine Classic, which runners flock to. The new Matthew Knight Arena has been pulling in some amazing events, so you might check and see what will be there during your potential dates. Day trips would include the coast, Silver Falls State Park,Sahalie Falls, and wineries. The bulk of the wineries are NW of town, although there are a couple right in the Eugene area. But even with the ones further up, you can easily do a day trip with those if you start fairly early. From Eugene to Portland, it is less than 2 hours, so you can always come up here for things too. Hope some of this helps, and I am sure that Sunbum will pop in as she lives down there:)

As an outpost to explore Oregon, it would be fine.

Thanks, everyone. I need to have my husband read through this thread and get his thoughts. Right now, I am thinking this might not be a good idea. Perhaps, someone else will change my mind? We do love Oregon. :)

Off and on during my life I lived a total of 11 years in Eugene. If you get hay fever at all, I'd suggest taking your meds 2 weeks before you go there.

Gardens, etc, will be lovely in June but it is the hay fever capital of the country.

One area adjacent to Eugene which has not been mentioned is the gorgeous McKenzie River. If you can afford it, spend a day letting a guide give you a ride down the river in a wooden drift boat.

There are lots of bike paths if you wanted to rent bikes. Some of the paths go along the Willamette River.

If you're into a big restaurant/cultural/shopping scene, there's not a lot. I used to take the extremely boring, flat drive up I-5 to shop in Portland.

Are you driving your own vehicle through this 2-3 weeks?
Where are you going after your home exchange?
Think about coming over the McKenzie Pass to the Sisters-Bend-Sunriver area for several nights.
Crater Lake is about 175 miles from Eugene via the south entrance. The north entrance will not be open before July 1.
Plan on at least 1 day trip to the coast. Eugene to Florence, south to Reedsport and east on 38. About 4 miles east of Reedsport on 38 are 2 viewing areas where you may see Roosevelt Elk.
The public transit system in Eugene is nowhere near as good as Portland.

Thanks, everyone. My husband and I just went over all the replies. You all have been very helpful. I think we will forgo Eugene as a two or three week destination.