Spring break in Eugene is projected to be 58 degrees, or so says weather.com. Taking a glass half-full approach, the spring weather offers the perfect opportunity to take a day trip. Eugene offers several spring day excursions, no swimsuit required.
Located only an hour and a half from Eugene, this picturesque day trip makes the perfect photo to send to an out-of-state mom and dad to let them know just how beautiful Oregon is. Try hiking the Trail of Ten Falls, an 8.7 mile hike that has gorgeous waterfall sites. The park has 25 miles of various length hikes, perfect to unwind your mind after a long term.
This springtime gem is a tranquil 20 minute getaway. For such a small park, there are few guests. Have lunch at a picnic table, lay out on a dock or jump in the refreshing water. Boats and fishing are allowed. If you’re a sucker for lakes with perfect reflections of mountains and trees, this spot is a must see.
This is a wildcard suggestion, but spring break is the perfect time to explore parts of Oregon that aren’t Portland or Eugene. Shaniko is Oregon’s own ghost town, with a population of 26 at the 2010 Census. Enjoy a quiet day exploring the town’s museum and streets of abandoned buildings. The town was voted “Oregon’s Ghost Town of the year” in 1959, so who knows how empty it has become since then.
Portland, Ore.
If you haven’t taken a trip up to Eugene’s hip neighbor to the north, spring break is the perfect time to visit. Travel by car, Amtrak or Greyhound for the easy two-hour trip. Tourist websites will tell you to hit the Japanese Gardens and Powell’s, but also be sure to check out a concert at the Crystal or Wonder Ballrooms, a movie at the cozy McMenamins Kennedy School or a walk in Waterfront Park. Stay out of the river.
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Couldn’t make it to SXSW or Coachella this year? Check out these concerts across the West Coast this spring break.
Portland
The most massive show in Portland over this break is Kings of Leon’s concert on March 27 at the Moda Center. But there’s no shortage of smaller bands coming to various clubs around the city. The Hawthorne Theater is particularly packed, hosting to Against Me! (March 24), K. Flay (March 25), Animals As Leaders (March 26), Bun B (March 27) and the Black Lips (March 29). Other notable shows include Grizzly Bear’s Daniel Rossen at Mississippi Studios (March 23) and jam legends Widespread Panic at the Schnitzer Concert Hall (March 26).
Guitar goddess St. Vincent will be in Portland March 24 (Crystal Ballroom), as well as Los Angeles March 21 (The Wiltern), Oakland March 22 (Fox Theater), March 25 (Commodore Ballroom) and Seattle March 26 (Moore Theatre).
Seattle
ZZ Top is playing at the Moore (March 23), Bring Me The Horizon at the Showbox (March 24), rising punk band Perfect Pussy at the Vera Project (March 24) and indie roots-rockers The War On Drugs at The Neptune Theatre (March 28). Kings of Leon will also perform on March 28 at the Seattle Key Arena.
New Zealand hit-maker Lorde is also touring down the coast and will be playing at Seattle’s WaMu Theater on March 24, as well as doing two dates at Oakland’s Fox Theater on March 26 and 27.
San Francisco
Soul revue Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings play three gigs at the legendary Fillmore between March 27 and 29, while early punk band Death perform at The Chapel on March 23. For those wanting to catch the last of San Fran’s dwindling psych-rock scene, SubMission will host local artists JAM, The Electric Magpie and Clumsy Concentration on March 27.
Eugene
Linda Perhacs plays Cozmic on March 25, while Rebirth Brass Band (March 26), Bun B (March 27), Frankie Paul & the Melodians (March 28) and That 1 Guy (March 29) constitute the week at the WOW Hall.
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Staying in town over break offers a great chance to explore Eugene and Springfield, and entertain yourself in new ways at new places. Gather your friends, try some new things and who knows? You may have even better stories than all those people heading off during break.
Bars
If you like your beer better when it goes to a good cause, March 24 might be the best night for you to quaff a few with friends. From 5 —11 p.m. Ninkasi Brewing will be putting on Pints for a Cause. The event will support the Arts and Business Alliance of Eugene by donating 25 percent of all pint sales to the cause. Jazz and folk group The Tonewood Trio will also be performing starting at 5:30 p.m. The Ninkasi Brewing Company Tasting Room & Patio is located at 272 Van Buren St.
The city of Eugene on a Saturday night is not to be underrated either. At the corner of Broadway and Olive Street, you’ll find the legendary “Barmuda Triangle,” which is home to five bars: The Horsehead, Rogue Brewery, The Starlight Lounge, Luckey’s Club and Jameson’s Bar. The Davis Restaurant is a great place to dance. Sam Bond’s Garage in the Whiteaker District has a little more of classic, Eugene hippie vibe and offers popular bar food, as well as craft beers and wine.
Comedy
A quiet college campus may not be the optimum place to laugh, but Kowloon’s on a Friday night sure is. The qualifying rounds of Oregon’s Last Comedian Standing are going down at the restaurant every Friday night until the final competition on April 18. On March 28 starting at 8 p.m. comedians will be competing to move forward. The plan is simple: show up, grab a drink and get ready for a night of quality comedy. Kowloon Restaurant and Lounge is located at 2222 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd near Autzen Stadium.