25 Great Gift Experiences for the Holidays

1. Stretch with Goats

You've heard of the "Goat Yoga" phenomenon — finding peace with a relaxing yoga session amongst the positive and sweet vibes of goats. This may just what a loved one needs right now! In Monroe, the No Regrets Farm and Sanctuary holds goat "happy hours" and private goat yoga sessions conducted by Lainey Morse, the founder of Original Goat Yoga.

2. Give a Tasteful Gift

Discover the best culinary hot spots in Eugene! Eugene Eats Food Tours offers walking tours of neighborhood eateries and craft beverages. From food trucks to local hang-outs to award-winning establishments, expand your repertoire of Eugene's dining scene. Carefully curated by a knowledgable, local foodie; a food tour is the perfect gift for your favorite gourmand. 

3. Paint a Masterpiece

Apply paint to canvas at an art "paint and sip" experience. Art with Alejandro is a splendid gift experience in the heart of the Market District. From painting a portrait of your pet, to a themed painting class, to private sessions there are plenty of opportunities to inspire the inner artist. Or book a private event in your home with BreatheAndPaint — artist Christina Smith will set up a stress-free art session for you and your friends. In Springfield, Vino and Vango provides step by step painting instruction in group lessons or as a private event. Aspiring artists will appreciate!

4. Ride at Sunset

A horseback ride along the beach at sunset is probably on everybody's bucket list. C&M Stables makes this dream come true with comfortable and scenic trail rides. Choose from a variety of options including lead-rope corral riding for children. The horses here are loved and well-cared for, each with their own sweet story.

6. Gift a Season of Shows

Imagine tickets to every show at your favorite community theater! Cottage Theatre is rolling out a robust 2024 season with "Frankenstein". And the Very Little Theater (VLT) producing plays since the 20s, kicks off the year with "Grand Horizons". Find the right performing arts package for your recipient from the Eugene Symphony to broadway shows to comedy!

7. Golf Indoors

Winter golf? The weather's always perfect indoors at the Topgolf Swing Suite! Compete for the best sports scores while perfecting your golf swing, soccer kick, baseball pitch or dodgeball throw. The Topgolf game inside the Graduate hotel includes comfy lounge seating, bar and food service and your choice of games.

8. Take Aim at Targets

Blast the clay birdies with your best buddies. A daily membership rate is offered for those just trying it out. Sign up for shooting instruction or choose from sporting clays, skeet, trap and five stand games. If you haven't been, Creswell Clay Target Sports offers a comfortable club house adjacent the outdoor ranges —  a perfect place to relax after target practice.

9. Puzzle Your Way Out of a Room

Escape the Room Oregon offers several different scenarios from medieval quests to booby-trapped cabins. There are a variety of ways to play including private room rentals (with minimums) or joining others. Gift certificates are available!

10. Visit Sea Lions in a Cave

One of the must-do experiences of a lifetime, descend 200 feet into a cavernous marine cave to see bellowing sea lions. This family-owned attraction is also a family-favorite with cliffside walking paths, educational exhibits and a gift shop. Learn the history of the Sea Lion Caves and all about the wild Steller sea lions that inhabit it.

11. Cruise the Sand Dunes in an ATV

Intrigued by those mountains of sand? So was writer Frank Herbert when he visited Florence in the 50s. Inspired by the vast expanse of endless sands, he later wrote the science fiction book "Dune", later released as a movie. Go cruising up and over the sand mountains on a dune buggy tour or independently with an ATV rental from Ocean Breeze ATV Rental. 

12. Snowshoe to Salt Creek Falls by Moonlight

The Cascades Outdoor Center in Westfir will get you started on the right track. Based in the charming Westfir Lodge adjacent the historic Office Covered Bridge, the recreation guides can orchestrate all types of outdoor adventures and tours for you from snowshoeing along nearby trails to river rafting and mountain biking trips — seasonally-based, of course. 

13. Indulge Your Aviation Buff

Spend the day checking out amazing collections of aircraft from a MIG 17 to a Skyhawk at the Oregon Air and Space Museum. Or learn all about Oregon's aviation history in the Hall of Fame at the Oregon Aviation Historical Society (OAHS). Did you know the OAHS is restoring several famous biplanes from the 30s?

14. Fish the Famous McKenzie River

Beginners to avid anglers will benefit from personalized casting instruction. Both Home Waters Fly Fishing and Caddis Fly offer classes and/or guided fishing trips. Plus you can get expert advice on all your gear needs.

16. Spend the Night in a Tipi, Dome or Yurt

Go glamping just outside Springfield in a comfortable "bed and breakfast" tipi. Tipi Village offers a relaxing, serene setting in the forest along Mill Creek. An organic gourmet breakfast is served in the morning. Add on a reflexology or yoga package for the complete retreat experience.

The Eugene Dome offers a charming "hobbit home" experience in Oregon wine country. Escape into the solitude and peace with a getaway to this unique vacation rental.

Or check into a yurt at one of the state campgrounds for some cozy, winter camping.

17. Taste Wine During Cellar Season

Learn more about the top local wineries while enjoying cheerful chauffeured transportation. Coordinate custom tours to favorite wineries in South Willamette Wine Country. Or, stay close to downtown and visit the many urban wine bars which bring the vineyard experience to you.

18. Tour a Historic Home 

Step back into the past with a tour of the Victorian Shelton McMurphey Johnson House overlooking downtown Eugene; The Historic Mims House, one of the first Black-owned homes in the Eugene area or the former lighthouse keeper's house at Heceta Head Lighthouse on the coast. Each home has different visitation arrangements, so plan ahead. These homes often decorate for the holidays or are beautiful backdrops for special events open to the public. The Shelton McMurphey Johnson House and The Historic Mims House are preserved as museums. And the Shelton McMurphey Johnson House even offers special tours lit by candlelight during the holidays!

19. Find Urban Street Art in Unexpected Places

You've heard about the City of Eugene's 20x21 mural campaign? Discover the amazing international artworks gracing buildings throughout downtown. Keep your eyes peeled for the abundant street art from miniature murals in tucked in corners to sidewalk art that only appears when it rains. Also visit the classics like the Rosa Parks statue at the downtown Eugene bus station and the Ken Kesey statute, called the "Storyteller" gracing Kesey Square.

22. Sip Tea Together

Lovejoy's teahouse in Historic Old Town Florence is an authentic treasure trove of high quality teas. Alongside their ample tea selection, they serve tea sandwiches, scones and a variety of baked goods, soups and salads. Ask about their signature bangers and mash and Indian dinners.

23. Throw an Axe

Instead of tossing darts, imagine heaving an entire axe at your target! Try out your best logger look and wear closed-toe shoes. To throw axes you must be at least 12 years old. The Oregon Axe lounge also has a 21-and-over drink service with a two-drink maximum. Reservations for axe throwing lanes are recommended.

25. Gift a Cascade Mountains Getaway

The McKenzie River region is recovering, rebuilding and re-emerging in the aftermath of recent wildfires in 2020 and 2023 — and it's a great place for you to do the same. Treat your loved one to a stay along the river in a beautiful, cozy lodge or cabin and spend the days fishing, soaking in hot springs and walking in the woods. After a mountain getaway, you'll both feel revitalized, and your visit will also contribute to the community's recovery, so you can feel doubly good.