Be In The Know

Savor scenic views of the river while enjoying the paved and mostly shaded trails—bike enthusiasts of all skill levels love exploring this loop, as well as joggers, hikers, and skateboarders. There are many places to jump on and off, creating an environment of freedom and ease. Bring your furry best friends along. However, they must be kept on a leash. Some of the sights you’ll pass are Skinner Butte Park, Owen Rose Garden, and Maurie Jacob’s Park.

Mount Pisgah Arboretum has been educating nature lovers on the ecological wonders of the Southern Willamette Valley since 1973. With 209 acres of wild botanical gardens, it’s the perfect place to catch your breath and reset. Embark on one of their guided nature walks to gain a deeper understanding of the interconnected life of plants and animals. Or attend one of their annual events such as the Wildflower & Music Festival and The Mushroom Festival. Last year's events were virtual, but still wildly fun.

Visit their website for upcoming workshops and events.

To help ensure that the wild animals stay wild, the 200-some birds being treated for eventual release are not available for public viewing. However, around 60 birds that would not survive in the wild now call the center home, giving you the chance to observe and learn about these majestic creatures in their new habitat. After a day spent exploring the wonders of the wild, head back to your contemporary and cozy accommodations at The Gordon Hotel, just 15 minutes away.

Address: 32275 Fox Hollow Road, Eugene, OR 97405

Home to a lively blend of arts and culture, numerous parks and gardens, culinary offerings, and the country's top running and bicycling paths, we thought we'd share our love for the Eug with a few fun facts you probably didn't know.

1. Called "Emerald City" for its lush, dense greenery in the forests, the city is also often referred to as "Tracktown, USA", for its the only city to host three consecutive US Olympic Team Trials - Track & Field (1972, 1976, 1980) and has thus become an infamous training hub of some of the fastest athletes in the world.
2. Originally known as Blue Ribbon Sports, the first iteration of Nike was birthed right here in Eugene. The current owner, Phil Knight, originally founded the company in 1964 with his track coach at UO, Bill Bowerman. Ask anyone in town about Bowerman’s waffle iron shoemaking tactic, and they’ll be happy to tell you all about it.
3. Unbeknownst to most, Eugene is quite large. In fact, it's the second largest city in the entire state of Oregon, and the county seat of Lane County as well.
4. While Oregon's lush climate makes for great grape growth, Eugene has capitalized on its wealth of wine. In and around the city, you'll find over a dozen wineries and vineyards to sip your way around.
5. Lastly, although there is a nearby Oregon town that's named Springfield (and serves as the primary basis for the beloved cartoon city from the Simpsons), real fans of the show will pick up on the multiple landmarks and environments that were inspired by Eugene. Hint: Max's Tavern is almost a shot-for-shot copy of "Moe's" from the show.

Pendleton The sixth-generation family-owned Oregon business is well-known for its blankets and woolen fabric, which have been designed and woven in the Pacific Northwest for more than 150 years. Eugene is lucky to have its own store featuring a curated selection of home, men's and women's offerings, while the adjoining Inn at the 5th has a Pendleton-inspired suite with historical photographs from the Pendleton Woolen Mills adorning the walls, Pendleton fabrics, and of course Pendleton woolen blankets and throws. Grab a cozy Pendleton blanket for a picnic near a waterfall, and it’s about as Oregon as you can get.

Urban Lumber Co. Based in Eugene, this custom hardwood furnishings group (link to ) uses reclaimed lumber from the Pacific Northwest. At The Gordon Hotel all of the gorgeous bed headboards are made from sustainably salvaged/local city trees.

Will Leather Goods Family owned for 35 years, Will Leather Goods creates leather bags “inspired by the past, designed for the present, and built for the future.” Also originating in Eugene, their flagship store is a red railcar at the 5th Street Public Market, and it’s worth a visit for the overwhelming leather scents alone. The shop usually has cold brew or kombucha on tap, and they also offer a chance to personalize your purchase with leather stamping – something extra you won’t get from an online order.

Burley 40 years ago, Burley Founder Alan Scholz moved to Eugene in search of a cycling-friendly community. (The Burley name was inspired by his wife Beverly, a bicycle racer known as “Burley Bev.”) The couple sold handmade bike bags at Eugene’s Saturday Market, a 30-mile commute from their home. Determined to live a car-free life they needed a way to carry their bags and young daughter to the market by bike. Using parts from an old swing set, they built the first Burley trailer, and the rest is history. We love that these trailers are well-designed, local, and that they keep pups in mind too with their pet trailers and accessories.

Oregon Photographers Maybe it’s because the scenery is so diverse and majestic, but Oregon is home to some amazing photographers. Athena Delene is a full-time photographer who captures Eugene’s energy and life on her Instagram feed, highlighting the art scene in particular.

F&B Oregon is famous for its dairy (Tillamook Cheese, mmmm), but Eugene’s Coconut Bliss skips the cows in favor of dairy-free, plant-based ingredients for their pints, ice cream bars, and cookie sandwiches. If you prefer dairy, Eugene ALSO is the home of Alden’s Ice Cream, which uses strictly organic ingredients. With all the sweet, you need some salty, so there’s Cosmos Creations and their premium puffed corn with non-GMO corn and no trans fats.

Nike Eugene is obsessed with running... after all, it's where Nike took wings when former Olympian and University of Oregon Track Coach Bill Bowerman and then middle-distance runner Phil Knight forged a partnership that ignited what would become the largest sports and fitness company in the world. A new Nike flagship store will open in Eugene next door to The Gordon Hotel in the 5th Street Public Market in January of 2021. The store’s design is reminiscent of an early 20th-century warehouse building and harkens back to when the area was Eugene’s industrial center, home to manufacturers, and similar businesses. It feels very “full circle” to have the store open here, and we can’t wait to hit the trails with a new pair of locally purchased kicks.

Spencer Butte

With an elevation of 2,058 feet, expect breathtaking views of Eugene, Springfield, the Coast Range, and several Cascade peaks. Find a moment of peace amongst the rocky outcrop, which is rare in the Willamette Valley. 

Ruth Bascom Riverbank Trail System

Enjoy close to 15 miles of trails for walkers, runners, and bikers on this well-developed trail that travels through wetlands and passes Skinner’s Butte. Although very popular, it is still a wonderful trail for recreation and transportation. 

Mount Pisgah

Get an amazing workout while climbing to the top of this 1.5-mile trail. Discover your place amongst nature while acquainting yourself with the ecology of the Southern Willamette Valley. 

Scenic hikes are Eugene’s specialty—venture out to experience the natural beauty in our magnificent corner of the world.