Eugene Travel Guide

Although Eugene, with more than 100,000 residents, is the second-largest city in Oregon, tie-dyed T-shirts are more common than silk ties on downtown streets. This laid-back character is due in large part to the presence of the University of Oregon, the state's liberal arts university. On the university's tree-shaded 250-acre campus you'll find an art museum, a natural-history museum, and a science museum. Adding to the city's diverse cultural scene is the grandiose, glass-gabled Hult Center for the Performing Arts.Eugene has for years been home to liberal-minded folks who adopted alternative lifestyles. At the Saturday Market, a weekly outdoor craft market, you can see the works of many of these colorful and creative spirits.Throw in a couple of beautiful riverfront parks with miles of bike paths, numerous excellent restaurants, brewpubs, nearby wineries, and proximity to both mountains and coast, and you have a great base for exploring a good chunk of the state.