Eugene, Oregon Overview

The rich Willamette Valley holds a slew of treasures, from emerald forests to endless rows of vineyards. Residents and visitors to Eugene have taken full advantage of its perfect placement in this lush paradise. Surrounding the city, natural hot springs relax soakers, vintners craft tawny creations and industry and heritage come together in attention-grabbing museums.

There is no shortage of wine touring in the area. For a scenic drive, delicious food and wine tasting try the King Estate Winery. At the Cascades Raptor Center learn about beautiful raptors where you can see stunning falcons, owls, eagles and many other birds at this non-profit sanctuary. In town take in a show at WOW Hall, or see the University of Oregon basketball team play at the brand new Matthew Knight Arena.

The University of Oregon houses two fantastic museums Opening its doors in 1933 the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art is a premier Pacific Northwest visual arts center, features engaging exhibitions, significant collections of historic and contemporary art and exciting educational programs. And the Museum of Natural and Cultural History which houses nearly 1 million ethnographic and archaeological objects and almost 100,000 fossils and biological specimens from Oregon, the Pacific Northwest, and around the world. And if visiting nearby Springfield visit the historic Springfield Museum which is housed the 1911 Oregon Power Company transformer station and features rotating exhibits as well as an excellent exhibit about the history of the area.