The Willamette Valley continues to reopen, so we've launched the Responsible Reopening commitment to help local businesses do so as safely as possible-and to make your next visit warm, inviting, and relaxing.
And there's a lot to see in the Eugene area, where you can sip Oregon wine, get a taste of the region's bounty, and enjoy outdoor adventure all within an easy drive. And as you make your way around the region, small businesses are working hard to create the safest possible environment.
So here's a guide to tasting your way through the Eugene area's variety of attractions. We've made sure to spotlight businesses that have signed onto our Responsible Reopening commitment so you can travel in comfort and safety.
Whether you're always on the hunt for the next great Pinot noir or prefer a more urban adventure, you'll find plenty of both in the Eugene-Springfield area.
The South Willamette Valley's wine spans fertile vineyards at the edge of the region and urban tasting rooms in the heart of Eugene. Since Sweet Cheeks Winery planted its first vineyard on a rolling Willamette Valley hillside in 1978, for instance, it's produced a wide variety of popular varietals-including Pinot noir, Pinot gris, and several varieties of white wines and rosé. Nearby Silvan Ridge Winery opened just one year later and, today, prides itself on crafting wines that reflect the bountiful region and pair well with food. (Silvan Ridge's expansive lawn is an especially popular outing on warm summer days.)
Closer to town, Noble Estate Urban is a winery and tasting room that pours a selection of nearly 20 wines. And for a look at the region's wider wine scene, stop by the Oregon Wine L.A.B.-an urban winery and tasting room that pours its own label (William Rose Wines) alongside bottles from other local, artisan brands. (That's where the "L.A.B." comes from in the tasting room's name.)
If you're staying the night, consider a stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Eugene/Springfield; the hotel offers several comfortable amenities-including free Wi-Fi and parking, an on-site restaurant, an indoor pool and fitness center, and more.
If your outdoor adventure goes beyond relaxing on a winery's lawn, the Eugene, Cascades & Coast area is proud to host fun activities for enjoying the best of the region.
For starters, channel your inner lumberjack with Oregon Axe Throwing in Springfield, where your session includes a quick lesson to get started and plenty of time for target practice. As part of its Responsible Reopening commitment, Oregon Axe Throwing is keeping guests safe by staggering start times, offering private bookings, and sanitizing axes and common areas between groups.
It's only appropriate to end an axe throwing session with boasts over beer, so head back to Eugene and The Bier Stein Bottle Shop & Pub, which hosts a large selection of local ales and lagers. The shop offers a covered outdoor patio (outfitted with heat lamps), limited maximum occupancy, and delivery within a two-mile radius to help keep guests safe.
For a more mountainous outdoor adventure, head to the West Cascades for a day (and night) of fun. Fuel up with scratch-made pastries, light breakfast dishes, and fresh, organic coffee from Lion Mountain Bakery in Oakridge. From there, enjoy a quick hike to Salt Creek Falls, the second-tallest waterfall in Oregon. (Salt Creek Falls is even located just off the parking lot for easy access.) Round out the trip with a night at Westfir Lodge, with eight comfortable rooms and easy access to all kinds of outdoor adventure. Be sure to check out the lodge's Cascades Outdoor Center for easy shuttles, guided hikes and snowshoe outings, and gear rentals.
