Eugene hot spots (cinema, university, camping)

[mkucza]

I posted this on another thread but had no repsonse, so I'll try this.


My brother and I are 21 and will be visiting Eugene in three days or so. We were just curious about "cool" things to do in Eugene. We both like to run (big surprise) so I'm sure we'll be able to find plenty of places to run. What about "night life"? Are there any good college hangouts we should check out? Museums? Downtown?

We're also camping. Any good camping areas?

We are from Lawrence, KS (University of Kansas) and just really would like to expereience the Eugene atmosphere. Any information would be great! Thanks a lot!

Also, I think I read in a book that there is a public bus? Is there a bus system to get around town? Or should we just drive (which we're trying to steer clear of due to fuel prices!). Again, thanks!

[Bendite]

I can't really speak to Eugene's hot spots, but I've heard of Diablo's, Rennie's Landing and the Villard Street Pub. Eugene has an excellent public transportation system.

[haggardhouseelf]

For campsites you can check out reserveamerica.com ... I'd recommend any of the state campsites. Every one of the Oregon State campsites we've ever stayed in was clean and had hot showers and was a good experience for us. You can also camp on BML land for free - I think! Check on it to be sure, but someone told me you could.

Eugene has a great bus system, and if you bring bikes there is a really wonderful network of bike trails that go all throughout the city as well. It's also not a bad walking town - Eugene isn't that big, really. Walking the bike and hiking trails allows you to cut through and often gives you a straight shot to where you want to go. In a car or on the bus you often have to go the long way as Eugene is cut in half by the river and there are only two ways to drive over it! (there are other bike and walking bridges, but as far as I know only two bridges you can drive over...)

If you are here on a Saturday you have to go to the Saturday Market. It will definitely give you a good Eugene feel and introduction. Have dinner at the Pizza Research Institute or Cafe Yumm! Cafe Yumm! seems to be getting more and more trendy, though, and to me it feels like it is losing it's Eugene vibe... still love the food though. PRI is amazing, though - you'll never have another pizza like the one you have there. Wonderful food and wonderful people!!

Keystone cafe for breakfast is also a good place to go, as is Braille's. For grocery or other food goods go to the Red Barn or the Kiva. Kiva is right by the public downtown library which is one of my favorite places in Eugene... and it's also right by the downtown bus station... I prefer Red Barn to the Kiva for food but that's just me... Kiva seems to popular or something... but it's probably because of the really good and busy location.

At night... hmmm... if you really want to have fun at night - head for the coast and have a bon fire or watch for the bioilluminescence (sp?) happening in the waves and in the sand... little creatures that light up (chemical reaction) and "glow" in the sand and sometimes along the walls of caves... the coast is magic at night. Or, if it's a full moon, head for Crater Lake. In town, though... not sure. I'm not really a drinking clubbing being around stinky cigarette smoke kind of person so we tend to do other sorts of things - like watch films or go for night walks.

Oh - what about the Bijou? Welcome to the Bijou!

[Fireblanket]

Stay at the Whitaker Hostel (if it's still open) and enjoy the non Lonely Planet parts of Eugene!
http://www.eugenewhiteakerhostel.com/
Tell 'Mac' thet Ben said hello!