Photo Source: Hult Center for the Performing Arts via Facebook
Eugene is a renowned destination for the culture seeker. From the University of Oregon to its beautiful parks and historic architecture, a day spent in Eugene is bound to leave to visitors inspired.
Nowhere is that more true than at these must-visit locations:
Museum of Natural and Cultural History
Breathe in that Pre-Historic Oregonian air! The Museum of Natural and Cultural history is an incomparable look into Oregon’s distant past, a good 300 million years of history in the making.
Witness the saber tooth salmon, the giant sloth, the buzz saw sharks, or head on over to the Glen Starlin Native Plant Courtyard, a research collection of over 120 of Oregon’s native plants.
Oregon Air and Space Museum
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s the Oregon Air and Space Museum! Explore its collection of various aircrafts and artifacts chronicling the history of air and space travel. We recommend taking a guided tour to get a first-hand account of aeronautical history from a former aviator as they lead you through the museum.
Be sure to visit during the Oregon Air and Space Museum’s special events, which include air fairs, dinner speakers, fly-ins, and more!
Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art
Nothing inspires the mind quite as much as a first hand look at the masterworks of some of history’s most influential artists. From photography to sculpture to painting to manuscripts you can find it all at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art.
The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art also offers various ways to get involved with regularly hosted workshops and events throughout the year.
Hult Center for The Performing Arts
Located in the heart of Downtown Eugene’s art district, the Hult Center for the Performing Arts is a one-stop shop for stage shows and concerts. Fans of the ballet and The Book of Mormon alike will find themselves at home here. After the show, be sure to check out the permanent art collection on display throughout the venue. When we say there’s something for everyone at the Hult Center for the Performing Arts, we mean it.
Oregon Contemporary Theatre
Theatre in the truest sense of the word! Behold hilarious comedies, tear-wrenching dramas, and toe-tapping musicals all in a one of Eugene’s top playhouses.
Looking to take some theatre or playwriting classes? The Oregon Contemporary Theatre has you covered. For the bolder among you looking to steal the spotlight, the Oregon Contemporary Theatre hosts annual auditions to join their roster.  They also have a vibrant volunteer program and great opportunities for practicum students and interns.
Cascades Raptor Center
No, not those kind of raptors.
The Cascades Raptor Center houses one of the Pacific Northwest’s largest collections of birds of prey (over 50 species)! Eagles, Hawks, and Owls are just some of the usual suspects you’ll find in the center’s aviaries.
Tending to these beautiful creatures is a lot of work, so if you’re an animal lover looking for a way to become involved and make a difference why not volunteer and lend a hand?
Smith Family Bookstore
For an avid reader there’s a unique thrill in finding a long sought-after book. The Smith Family Bookstore is the ideal hunting ground for anyone desperately searching for that elusive signed copy of Confederacy of Dunces. They even buy and resell course textbooks so be sure to check-in at the start of the term to give your wallet a little breathing room.
With two branches in Eugene (University of Oregon campus and one downtown) you’ll have countless, countless books to choose from.
Eugene Public Library
You may be asking yourself “did they really just suggest the public library?” You’re absolutely right we did. Eugene residents get a free library card granting access to books, TV shows, movies, magazines, audio books, CDs and even video games! Treat yourself to some of the classics without spending a dime or cluttering your bookshelves.
Did you know that with Overdrive or similar apps you can be renting digital books for free just by having a library card? That’s right, you don’t even have to leave the house anymore.
When you’re done soaking in the vast teachings of the past, head on over to Sizzle Pie for a slice. Not a bad way to spend a day.
