Road trip to Eugene and Springfield and park the car for the weekend in the newly revitalized Market District for a resort-like experience right in the city. All your vacation needs are within walking distance, from spas and shopping to urban wine tours and unique foodie experiences in the new open-air marketplace connected to The Gordon Hotel.

Urban Wineries

The South Willamette Valley is gorgeous wine country, full to the brim with incredible vineyards. These wineries have made tasting-room homes in and around the Market District, making your tour of the South Willamette wine country focused on the wine, not the extra travel. In 5th Street Public Market you’ll find Bennett Winery, Pfeiffer Winery, and J Scott Cellars. Expand your palate and your exploration of the city and head toward the eclectic Whiteaker District a few blocks away where you will find Capitello Winery and Oregon Wine Lab. 

Eugene Ale Trail

While Eugene’s brewing and beer culture has always been strong, a shifting focus to the downtown core has made many of these brews more accessible than ever. Most notably, Alesong Brewing and Blending’s new tasting room brings their patient and artistic approach to brewing to the heart of Eugene. Other nearby spots include ColdFire Brewing Company, Manifest Beer Company and Gratitude Brewing. You can discover over 20 breweries on the Eugene Ale Trail. 

Farm-To-Table Experiences

Follow the South Willamette Valley Food Trail to discover new farm-to-table tastes served up at local eateries. Enjoy Northwest dishes created with foraged mushrooms, heritage vegetables, grass-fed meats and fish pulled out of the McKenzie River that morning. Tour the Willamette Valley to meet the farmers, talk with the vintners and pick up your favorite artisan products to take home. Find French-inspired food at Marché by 5th Street Market or head over to Morning Glory Cafe for vegetarian and vegan selections, all made with local ingredients.

Art & Culture

Take in outdoor murals created with the 20x21EUG Mural Project by local and international artists. Find a range of 20+ throughout the downtown area and springboard into exploring the myriad of art through Eugene’s urban landscape. Take a short walk through downtown on a Saturday and explore Saturday Market’s artisans and vendors alongside live music, food carts, and the farmer’s market. 

Day Trips

If you’re looking to escape city life, the spacious Central Coast is just a short trip away. Take advantage of the LinkLane bus route if you want to continue to leave your car behind. Enjoy the fresh coastal air and feel grounded with your feet in the sand. There is more than enough coastline here, so spread out and take it all in. 

Is forest renewal more your thing? Head out east from Eugene and into the Cascades to discover an expansive network of trails to get you off the beaten path. Discover lesser known waterfalls like Spirit, Moon and Pinard Falls outside of Oakridge / Westfir, then stay local with a night at the Westfir Lodge. Support the McKenzie River community, devastated by the wildfires of 2020, by joining in the recovery efforts and visiting local shops and restaurants. Be inspired by Oregon’s wild beauty and the resiliency of the forests and the people.