When Derek's sister moved out to Oregon last year, we were sad, but excited to have a new place to travel to. We had heard amazing things about Oregon, and couldn't wait to go and explore the hipster's paradise. In April, we finally had a chance to get out there. We spent 5 days in Eugene and 2 days in Portland. You can read about our stay in Portland in a later post.







We flew into Portland for midnight and made the 2 hour drive to Eugene, had a good long sleep and woke up the next day refreshed and excited to take on Oregon.









Day 1

We needed some fuel for the day, so we went to New Day Bakery , my new favorite breakfast place ever! The joint had a very bohemian, hippie feel. The menu was full of fresh, west coast items. I ordered a scrambler with artichokes, bacon, cheddar, and avocado and washed it down with hibiscus lemonade. Derek got one of their GIANT cinnamon rolls. The food was so good, due to the fresh ingredients. I loved the lemonade and Derek loved his cinnamon roll.









We found out that there was a Sunday farmers market going on in downtown Eugene, so we drove downtown to check it out. The farmers market was unlike anything on the east coast we have seen. There were local goods from beers and ciders to empanadas and homemade goat cheeses. There were some really cool crafts. It was definitely something to experience while in Eugene.









We took a little stroll through downtown, exploring the city a little and checking out some local shops. We decided we were getting hungry for some lunch, and went to this place called the Bier Stein . This was one of the coolest places we have ever been. Not only did they have a good selection of draft beers, but their wall was lined with refrigerators holding hundreds and hundreds of local and imported beers. There were SO many choices. You could drink the beer there, or take it home with you. I got nachos and the Sour Ale from Bend Brewing Company in Oregon. Derek got a grilled cheese and an IPA.









We then went to a scavenger hunt going on between some local breweries and wineries. It was super fun. We started at Viking Braggot for beer where we had a couple of samples.









Then, we moved on to J Scott Cellars where we tried some Oregon wine. We tried the 2014 Viognier, the 2014 Bradshaw Vineyard Pinot Noir, the 2015 Tempranillo, the 2014 Grenache, the 2014 Zinfandel, and the 2015 Cab Franc. I noted that I really liked the Zinfandel.









Noble Estates was our next stop for some more wine tasting. Here we tried the Blanc De Noir, Pinot Noir Reserve 2012, Merlot 2013, and Melbec 2014.





We then went to Cresendo Spirits where we checked out some Limoncello, made our way to Ale Song to try some brews, and finished off the hunt at Claim 52 for some more beer.









We ended the night by getting some late night drinking snacks and picking up some empanadas at Hop Valley.





Day 2

Day 2 was all about food and relaxation. We started the day again with breakfast. This time we went to Glenwood , a local favorite. I had the breakfast burrito and Derek had a waffle and toast. I washed mine down with a pomegranate mimosa. It was excellent.









Then, we hit up one of Oregon's most famous spots, Voodoo Donuts ! I got a plain glazed donuts, and oh man, it was delicious! Way better than any donuts I have had before. I was a little sad that they advertised vegan donuts but didn't have any. I was hoping to try something crazy and unique.









For lunch that day, we went to the Sandwich League . It's this little food cart that is known for their grilled cheese sandwiches. We ordered our food, and walked across the street to Nikasi where they would deliver it to us. It's a pretty sweet operation that they have going on with the brewery. I got the pulled pork with cilantro slaw and Derek got the grilled cheese. The food was amazing, and some of the best we had in Eugene. I loved the slaw, it was the best I've had. The cilantro made it.









Ninkasi was an amazing brewery. Derek and I shared the full flight, and all the beers were so good. I liked the red ale that they had on tap, and Derek was in heaven with all the IPAs they had. We highly recommend stopping here if you are in Eugene. They also had one of the best logos and beer swag selections I have ever seen.









For dinner that night, we met up with an old high school classmate and went to this place called The Cannary . It's known for their homemade canned veggies and pickles, and it was pretty good food. I got the fish tacos, and Derek got the grilled cheese.









Day 3

On day 3, Derek's sister and her wife had to work, so we borrowed the car and drove out to the Pacific ocean. It was my first time on the west coast, so I wanted to see it. We drove the 2 hour drive out to Newport. Unfortunately the weather was really rainy that day, the only bad weather we had on the whole trip. Regardless, we went out to the beach and walked around a little bit. It was so beautiful. It definitely had a different vibe from the east coast beaches.









I was in search of some Oregon seafood, in particular the crab. Crab isn't as big in New England, as we focus on lobster, so I haven't had a lot of it. I wanted something authentic, so we drove to this little fish market restraunt in the bay called Ocean Blue at Ginos . I ordered half the Dungeness crab with fries and slaw, and I started the meal with half a dozen native raw oysters. Derek for the grilled cheese. The seafood was so fresh and delicious. It came right out of the market in the restaurant. I even said it was better than East Coast seafood!









Before heading back, we decided to check out Rogue . This brewery was huge, and quirky. We found our way through the maze of the brewery and the gift shop up to the tasting room which was a wooden bar. We both got some samples in which we each tried a lot of really cool and quirky beers. I loved all the unique flavors like habanero and cherry. There were SO many taps!









We took a little ride to depot bay where we got out of the car and did a little bit of hiking. The sites of the cliff edges were beautiful.









We made our way back to Eugene and went out to dinner at Hop Valley . I got the Ahi Tuna Salad which was delicious. There was a lot of tuna on it and it was fresh. Derek for a pretzel. I had the blonde ale and Derek also had a beer. The food and drink were good.









Day 4

On the forth day, we checked out another breakfast stop, Brails . I got the Burrito there. I was in a burrito mood in Oregon. It was good!









Next, we made our way out to Willimate National Forest so that we could go to the hot springs there. The ride out there was beautiful. When we got into the forest, we came to this large canyon with a river flowing through it. The sites were absolutely beautiful. We didn't realize the forest would be so pretty.









We made it out to the Terwillinger Hot Springs. He had a small hike out to a spot in the middle of the woods.

















When we got to the hot springs we were amazed. There were several pools, and most of them were open when we got there. There was a little changing hut where we could get into our bathing suits. We got changed up and went in. Clothing is optional at the springs, and there were all walks of life; families, elderly, young couples. We picked a pool that was unoccupied and was joined by a couple and their toddler later on. The water was like warm bath water, and it instantly healed all my aches and pains. It was so relaxing. I felt like I was in a tropical paradise. It was my favorite part of the whole trip.









We decided not to stop with the nature there. We decided to hike Mount Pisgah. Now, I hike a lot. But, this hike kicked my butt. The hike up was a slow, steady incline and it was hot out. There was no leveling off. So, I had some difficulty with it, even though it was a short hike. When I got to the top, the sight of Oregon below was stunning, and it was well worth it.









We walked back down and went to the tree museum at the bottom. It was underwhelming, and I thought, a waste of time. I would recommend just doing the hike.





We finished the day with some well earned food and drink. We went to the Tap and Growler which was a cool growler fill up and restraunt. A lot of the bars and restaurants allowed you to fill up growlers at their place, and it didn't matter if you had a growler from there or not. Derek tried something new and got a grilled cheese sandwich on a pretzel. I got a pretzel with melted cheese and Dungeness crab on it. I went crazy and got a sampler, after all, I earned it.









Day 5

We had come to our last day in Eugene. We started out with our favorite breakfast place, New Day Bakery. I had the burrito this time. Derek had the cinnamon roll again, it was too good to pass up.









We headed out to Sweet Cheeks Winery to get a feel for the Oregon Wine Country. We had been more into beer this trip, and hadn't done much wine. Sweet Cheeks went above and beyond our expectations. This was the best wine we had in Oregon. I got the seasonal tasting which consisted of 2015 Pinot Gris, 2015 Dry Rose, 2014 Pinot Fusion, 2013, Syrah, and I chose the Merlot for my last taste. Derek got the red tasting which was 2014 Pinot Noir, 2014 Reserve Pinor Noir, 2014 Pinot Fusion, 2013 Syrah, and 2013 Tempranillo. We loved the wines so much that we had some shipped to us. Our favorite was the Pinot Noir, but I also loved the Pinot Gris. The winery was so beautiful, out in the middle of wine country.









We went and grabbed some lunch at a little place called Cafe 440 , a place we found on Yelp. The food was delicious. I got fried oysters (my first time not having them raw) and ahi tuna poke. Derek got grilled cheese. I got a delicious margarita and he got a beer. The food was amazing. The oysters were HUGE and the poke was divine.









For dinner that night, we went to Elkhorn . Derek got a HUGE pretzel and I got a B.L.A.T (Bacon, lettuce, avocado and tomato) with chicken and tots. I got a tasting of ciders. They were delicious. Derek liked his beer.













Overall, we LOVED Eugene. We said that if Eugene was on the east coast, we would live there. There was so much good food, beer, wine and sights. If you are going to Oregon, we definitely recommend you stop in and visit all that Eugene has to offer.



