Eugene, Oregon’s second largest city, is nestled at the southern end of the verdant Willamette Valley with the Willamette River winding through its center and deals on national travel to Eugene can be had online. The city boasts a thrilling blend of university intellectuals and artists, bohemian culture, and outdoor sports enthusiasts and plenty of nature to explore near to Eugene by car rental. The Saturday Market, a weekly outdoor craft market, offers insight to the creativity of many of the free spirits living here.
Getting there
Eugene Airport, also known as the Mahlon Sweet Field, is 15 minutesе drive from downtown Eugene and receives daily service from Portland, Seattle, San Francisco and Phoenix. Portland International Airport is a good alternative hub. Amtrak rail service runs north or south to and from Eugene. Connections in Portland and San Francisco allow passage to the eastern states. Alternatively, Greyhound buses provide daily service between Eugene and most large towns in the state.
By rental car to Eugene, I-5 passes from Washington through Portland and Ashland before continuing on to California. State highway 126 goes east across the Cascade Range towards Bend; while heading west, highway 126 goes to the Pacific coast.
Key attractions
Dating from the start of the 20th century, the downtown historic district is home to the Fifth Street Public Market, nestled at its center. Here, you can find some of the Pacific Northwest’s best cafes and restaurants, along with a fine collection of eclectic boutiques and artistsе galleries. The Oregon Museum of Art is the second largest in the state and boasts a fine collection of Asian, African, and Russian art, and Rodin sculptures.
Out and about
A must for nature lovers from Eugene with a rental car, Hendricks Park overlooks the Willamette River, the University of Oregon and the City of Eugene. Here, there are hiking trails that wander through forest flora under the canopy of 200-year-old Douglas Fir trees. There is an abundance of outdoor activities like canoeing and kayaking on the Willamette River, picnicking, camping, swimming, water skiing or sailing at Fern Ridge Lake, which is also great for catching trout, bass and catfish in the spring. The nearby McKenzie River contains Class II and III rapids for white-water rafting.
Leisure options
Featuring two theatres, the Hult Center for the Performing Arts offers performances by the Eugene Symphony, the Eugene Ballet Company, the Eugene Opera, and other local and regional companies, as well as visiting companies and performers. During the summer, the centre hosts the Oregon Bach Festival and the Oregon Festival of American Music. Alternatively, there are plenty of microbreweries in Eugene, with a popular one being the High Street Brewery & Caf. Eugene is also rated as one of the top 10 communities in the US for cycling, with over 50 miles of streets with bike lanes and 15 miles off-street trails. Look online for national travel deals to Eugene.
Safety
Visitors should remain alert for potential dangers when travelling to an unfamiliar country. Driving across great distances by car rental from Eugene can make you tired and you should stop frequently to rest and share driving with others. Additionally, outdoor pursuits can put you at risk of accidents. While visiting Eugene, we strongly recommend you take out travel insurance for you and your family.