Trip Ideas

Cottage Grove Area Waterfalls

The must-see highlights of the Cottage Grove area aren't only the covered bridges and the wineries, they're also the several waterfalls. I took two trips to visit most of them; each trip including three different waterfalls. To make the trips shorter, you can hike to just one or two at a time…

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Guide to Eugene's Tasty Mushroom Scene

One of the local food thrills of the Pacific Northwest is mushroom foraging. The damp, rich soil around Eugene from the Willamette Valley and up into the Cascade Mountains is aptly suited for mushrooms, so much so that this area is known as a year-round mushrooming destination and a home to the…

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Road Trip: Willamette Valley

Explore the Willamette Valley AVA's south wine country with its uncrowded serenity, bountiful boutique wineries and natural beauty. Take three leisurely days to road trip the scenic countryside around Eugene, encompassing gentle rolling hills, grassy valleys, lush wetlands and coniferous forests. In…

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Best Waffles in Eugene

We don't need to "waffle" about waffles — we love them! So much that the U.S. even has a national Waffle Day proclaimed on August 24. This was established to commemorate the anniversary of the first waffle iron patent. Before we dive into the best places to get waffles in Eugene, here's a little…

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Splash Around Safely - Tips for Water Fun

Playing in the water can be the best part of summer — and Oregon's got plenty of the wet stuff! From lake shores to shady creeks, there are wonderful inviting places to cool off and feel good. But it's not fun if somebody gets hurt. So please take care of yourself and those around you with a few…

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Four Ways to Explore Oregon's Sand Dunes

Towering mountains of sand cover a 40-mile (64.37 km) swath along the Pacific Ocean, intriguing coastal visitors with a seemingly impenetrable mystery. The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, North America's largest coastal dunes, stretches from Florence to the south, and encapsulate a unique…

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Spectacular Summer Waterfalls

Summer brings the promise of endless days spent in some of the most beautiful outdoor places in the Eugene, Cascades & Coast region of Oregon. Waterfall hikes are one of our favorite ways to celebrate the return of summer! Here’s our list of the best waterfalls for road trippers, history enthusiasts…

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World Class Wine Tour

Indulge your senses exploring Oregon's wine country on a two-day tour of some very special boutique wineries along Territorial Highway. Taste the region's lauded Pinot Noir wine, enjoy an abundance of farm-to-table gourmet offerings and soak up the beauty and quiet of the Willamette Valley. For…

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Highway 58 Road Trip To Crater Lake

This a delightful scenic drive to Crater Lake, with plenty of unique and memorable adventures along the way. From Eugene follow Highway 58 (Hwy 58) along the Willamette River and through Oakridge. This road trip is approximately 140 miles (225.31 km). Enter Crater Lake National Park at the north or…

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Explore Our Communities

Whale Watching at Sea Lion Caves
: Melanie Ryan Griffin

Visit the Eugene, Cascades & Coast Visitor Center in downtown Eugene. Find information on things to do and see in Lane County, purchase park passes and locally-made gifts and souvenirs, and…