Eugene Neighborhoods

Each corner of Eugene offers something new to discover. Use this guide to start exploring some of Eugene's best neighborhoods for visitors.

Known as TrackTown, Eugene's outdoors and health-minded community has produced many great Olympic runners, fostered the creation of Nike, is home to landmark sports venues and a host of sporting events from popular marathons to multiple U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Track & Field and the first World Athletics Championships held in the U.S.

Eugene is also a robust college town with several institutions of higher learning, including Lane Community College, Bushnell University and the University of Oregon. South of UO's Hayward Field, the residential University neighborhood offers parks and several restaurants.

Duck fans cheer on local sports teams at Autzen Stadium, Matthew Knight Arena and at local sports bars pouring regional microbrews. Craft beer is cherished here, and you can get a taste of the local flavor along the Eugene Ale Trail. You will find most of the breweries clustered in the Whiteaker neighborhood and downtown Eugene's Market District.

As a culinary destination, Eugene offers an abundance of locally produced foods. From small farms and community gardens to yogurt, cheese, chocolate and coffee companies, the quality of Northwest regional dining is superb. A glass of award-winning Oregon Pinot Noir complements every meal.

Framed by rolling wine country, agricultural lands and lush green forests, Eugene offers easy access to stunning natural beauty as well as abundant outdoor adventures. Just an hour west, play on sandy beaches and explore dramatic coastal vistas. To the east, climb to the summit of the snow-capped Cascades!

The Eugene Airport is only ten minutes from downtown, and Amtrak rolls right into the city center. Hop on the Interstate-5 North to reach the state capital in under an hour or Portland in two hours. Together with neighboring Springfield, the vibrant city of Eugene provides an unparalleled quality of life affirmed and enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.

Eugene History

This region is the traditional homeland of the Kalapuya people who exist today as members of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde. They maintained this region with controlled burns that encouraged the growth of camas fields. Camas was a staple of the diet for this group. Look for the beautiful blue wildflower in open meadows throughout the valley in the spring.

The Willamette Valley gets its name from the Kalapuyan word Whilamut which means "where the river ripples and runs fast". Learn more about the language with a trip through the Whilamut Natural Area in Eugene at the Talking Stones. 

A Great City for the Arts and Outdoors

Today, as Oregon's second-most populous city in Oregon, there is so much to do! With many museums, local opera, symphony and ballet companies, and a multitude of performing arts venues including the 12,000-seat Matthew Knight Arena, the city hums with arts and culture.

Take a walking tour of Eugene's downtown center where artisans offer one-of-a-kind creations and boutiques showcase designer products. Public art includes many outdoor murals and statues. On the first Friday of the month, join in a free gallery ArtWalk. Download the Strides for Social Justice app for an exercise-focused tour of Black history in Eugene.

With a strong counter-culture heritage stemming from the 1960s and a passion for preserving our wild spaces, Eugene has a reputation for being sustainable. 

Eugene's unique and colorful persona shows up in other ways too, like at the Oregon Country Fair and the weekly Saturday Market.