Trip Ideas

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Author
Melanie Ryan Griffin

Melanie is a University of Oregon graduate who studied Cultural Anthropology. After finishing school, she worked as a touring photojournalist writing concert and album reviews for online publications. Melanie is now the Art Director for Travel Lane County. She has lived in Eugene for more than a decade and spends nearly every weekend searching for new favorite places in the county. She has also lived in California, New Mexico, Florida, Spain and Slovakia but loves Oregon the most.

Melanie enjoys exploring the vibrant arts and culture scene in Eugene.  She also loves painting, cooking for friends, dancing, hiking and learning new things.

Cozy Cellar Season Tasting Rooms

Cellar season may be the best time to visit your favorite wineries and tasting rooms in the Willamette Valley. Head out into Oregon's wine country for an intimate experience at one of these locations. Each one has something special to love and unique varietals to taste and take home. Bennett…

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Eugene's Best Special Occasion Restaurants

An important night out deserves a dining experience beyond the typical. The restaurants on this list, with their exceptional food and elevated atmosphere, are perfect for date night or a memorable celebration. What makes Eugene's food scene so wonderful is that you can feast on creations from…

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Guide to Downtown Eugene's Nightlife

Downtown Eugene's nightlife scene is a buzz of intimate music venues, craft breweries, great dining and excellent performing arts. Downtown Eugene is adjacent to the Whiteaker neighborhood known for its craft distilleries, breweries and an artsy, counter-culture history that is visible on every…

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Best Vegan / Vegetarian Dining

If you check HappyCow before traveling anywhere, this blog is for you. If you have no idea what that is but you have vegan guests coming to Eugene, this is also for you! Here is a list of the best plant-based options in the city, written by a picky herbivore. Some of these restaurants are entirely…

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Rainy Day Things to Do

Eugene doesn't slow down in the rain. That's what keeps our hiking trails green and our rivers flowing. We know all you really need is rain boots and a hood and you can do all the things you would do on a sunny day. But when you are ready to be inside and out of the weather, try this list of…

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Best Places for a Ghost Encounter

This Halloween, or anytime you need a thrill, explore these eight haunted places from the Oregon Coast to the mountains. Ghost hunters will love visiting these spooky Eugene, Cascades & Coast locations. Just don't go alone. 1. Heceta Lighthouse Bed & Breakfast Florence, Oregon The most well-known…

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Pumpkin Patches to Visit this Fall

Celebrate Halloween with a special family adventure at one of these great local pumpkin patches. These regional farms are open for pumpkin picking and enjoying harvest season. Northern Lights Christmas Tree Farm Northern Lights Christmas Tree Farm hosts their annual Colonial Harvest Days. Along with…

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Unique Lodging in Oregon

If you're looking to step outside of the ordinary and try something new, you need a getaway to one of these unique lodging options in the Eugene, Cascades & Coast region. This list of unusual and wonderful places to stay is sure to make you rethink what a hotel can be. The Eugene Dome Eugene…

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October Beer Gardens

During crisp autumn months, sipping a local craft beer on a sunny patio with the smiling people of the community is a really special experience. Find the right beer and patio combo with this guide to the top beer gardens in Eugene. McMenamins North Bank The riverfront dining space at McMenamins…

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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…