Most students may have left the University of Oregon when spring term ended, but that doesn’t mean campus is empty.
Sports and music camps, IntroDUCKtion student orientation, conferences and educational programs bring an influx of visitors to Eugene during the summer. Often these guests find they have some extra time to fill.
Whether one has a spare hour or an extra day — or is lucky enough to have a free weekend —interesting experiences can be found on the UO campus and beyond that are sure to entertain. Following are some crowd favorites:
In a Couple of Hours
Take the game day walk or bike ride to Autzen Stadium
Head over the Frohnmayer Bridge and through the forest for the traditional game day trek to Autzen Stadium. Cross Franklin Boulevard at Agate Street and head down Riverfront Parkway.
If you want to keep going, check out Alton Baker Park and Pre’s Trail.
Enjoy art and history museums
Located on campus, the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art features extensive art galleries and collections on loan.
The Museum of Natural and Cultural History curates rotating exhibits with ethnographic and archaeological fossils and other specimens.
Learn from campus displays
Many campus buildings have repositories that are open to the public. Cascade and Columbia halls have mineral collections and other geological-related displays.
For travel guides, maps and international publications, check out the Mills International Center in the Erb Memorial Union.
Stroll through Hendricks Park
Eugene’s oldest city park, Hendricks is about a mile southeast of campus. It features a native plant garden, a 200-year-old Douglas fir forest and abundant walking trails.
Sample international dining
From Italian to Chinese, Thai to Indian, and Mediterranean to Mexican, a variety of restaurants surround campus in almost every direction.
In a Day
Hike Spencer Butte or Mount Pisgah
A moderate hike up Spencer Butte reveals beautiful vistas over Eugene, Springfield and surrounding forests. Mount Pisgah’s 209-acre arboretum has a variety of trails, a water garden, wildflower meadows and views galore.
Visit Fifth Street Public Market
Eugene’s Fifth Street Public Market is a beautiful, semi-outdoor plaza. Try a variety of cuisines from poke bowls and ramen to burgers and charcuterie boards, or check out retail stores stocked with Northwest goods.
Enjoy live music and other performances
Venues for music and shows include the Hult Center for the Performing Arts, WOW Hall, and the Historic McDonald Theatre.
Over a Weekend
Wander the downtown markets
The Lane County Farmers Market joins forces with the Eugene Saturday Market to offer locally grown produce, crafts, music and food trucks every Saturday, April through November.
Located at Eighth Avenue and Oak Street downtown, it’s truly “Eugene” and operates rain or shine.
Sample the local beverage scene
Eugene and Lane County have an abundance of locally owned breweries, coffee roasters, distilleries, tea houses and wineries.
Head for the hills
Explore great hiking in Oregon’s old-growth forests. Salt Creek Falls and Tamolitch Blue Pool are two favorites with great rewards for an easy hike. Both are about an hour’s drive east of Eugene.
Cruise to the coast
An hour-long scenic drive takes you to the Oregon Coast, where you can check out sea lions and lighthouses, eat fresh clam chowder and marvel at the crashing waves.