What is hearty enough to satisfy after a day on the beach? Clam chowder! What do you eat at the baseball game? Peanuts and a hot dog! Food really does make an adventure memorable. So when you plan, don't forget to include the food.

Here are some of our favorite adventures across the Eugene, Cascades & Coast region, paired with the best culinary complements to make the experience absolutely perfect. 

A group of friends sit and laugh around a beach bonfire.
: Melanie Ryan Griffin
Beach Bonfire on the North Jetty

S'mores + Camping

It's a classic -- a campfire is not complete with out the marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers. Stack up your delicious outdoor dessert at a campsite in the mountains, on a beach at the coast or around a fire pit at a winter winery. Combine with a little stargazing after the embers have died down. (Always make sure to put out your fire completely and follow local regulations on campfires.)

Building with mural of dancing foods painted on it.

Burger & Milkshake + Movies

Onscreen magic pairs perfectly with a juicy burger, fries and milkshake take-out from Mandy's in midtown Eugene. Keeping with the theme, the restaurant also features a mural outside which will remind you of concessions for a drive-in movie. 

Pick up your date night dinner at the walk-up window and then go check out what's playing around town - from the malls to the boutiques, there are some great movie theaters. Or rent a favorite movie back in the hotel room! For some nostalgia, look for locally-filmed movies like "The High Cost of Living", "Stand By Me", "Animal House", "Without Limits" or "Free Willy". 

A pink drink in a short glass and a yellow cocktail in a coupe cocktail glass.

Cocktails + The Performing Arts

Puttin' on the Ritz means fancy drinks downtown and a show in a grand performance hall. Slip into rye's swanky lounge to sip spirits paired with fine chocolates. Or use a secret password to enter the snazzy 86 speakeasy at The Gordon Hotel...then scoot over to The Jazz Station to complete the prohibition theme. Or make curtain time at the Hult Center for the Performing Arts, Eugene's most glamourous venue. The John G. Shedd Institute for the Performing Arts also presents an array of upscale talent and outstanding musical experiences.

Girls Getaway at Loloma Lodge
: Courtesy of Loloma Lodge

Comfort Food + Cozy Cabins

Take a weekend getaway on the frosty banks of the McKenzie River this winter and stay in a cozy cabin. Eat a hot and hearty meal from Takoda's — a local favorite. Order your soul-warming take-out to be enjoyed in your private cabin overlooking the water and watch for jumping fish and large birds of prey. 

Creswell Bakery
: Turell Group

Coffee + Road Trip

Sometimes all you need is a good playlist, a scenic drive and a hot cup of coffee. For a road trip designed around hitting all the best coffee shops and patisseries in the region, try the bakery road trip. Or pick from any of our popular road trips and pair it with one of the local coffee and confectionery shops such as Main Street Sweets, Noisette Pastry Kitchen or Creswell Bakery to fuel your adventure. 

Remember to check the weather and current road conditions before heading out on your journey. 

PublicHouse in Springfield
: Courtesy of WVVA

Date Night Dinner + Game

Toy stores aren't just for kids. Pick up a puzzle or a board game for date night with your partner or fun with the roomies. Make it special with an extraordinary meal from Marché or Beppe & Gianni's. And don't forget to order dessert. Don't have space for games at your home or hotel? Places like Blairally, Level Up, Round One and PLAY are arcades where the whole crew can have fun and try something they love like vintage games or immersive world games. 

Spencer Butte Winter Sunrise Hike
: Melanie Ryan Griffin

Brunch + Butte Hikes

Hit the trail early in the morning for rewarding views and fewer crowds. After an exhilarating, winter hike of Spencer Butte or another section of the Ridgeline Trail, you can be warming your toes in time for a brunch that'll hit the spot. Order a decadent mid-morning meal from Lion & Owl that you won't forget. Or stop by Jazzy Ladies for a latte and an Elvis waffle or eggs benedict. 

Salt Creek Falls Aerial by Xavier Brasseur

Hot Wings + Icy Waterfalls

Another hiking option is to head out to one of the many waterfalls in the region. Winter may be the best time to see the waterfalls since they flow stronger and fewer visitors means more solitude. Some of the waterfall canyons fill with glittering icicles as the water slowly freezes which makes for stunning photos. After such a chilly adventure, you'll need some serious heat. Pair your outing with some hot wings from Hot Mama's Wings! Pick your heat level and flavor. My favorites are the chile lime cilantro and the raspberry habanero but you can't go wrong with classic buffalo. These wings are gluten-free. If you don't eat meat, their organic tempeh wings are also great!