30 | Willamette Valley Travel Guide Willamette River, downtown Eugene 5th Street Market Eugene, p ng eld & Cascades Area Bordered by the Cascade Range to the east and the Central Oregon Coast to the west, the southern edge of the Willamette Valley lays claim to popular wineries, more covered bridges than anywhere in the West, and the dynamic communities of Eugene and Springfield at the heart of it all. Neck and neck with Salem for the title of Oregon’s second-largest city, free-spirited Eugene is home to some of the greatest sporting events in the state. Dubbed “TrackTown USA,” Eugene is the birthplace of Nike and home to the historic track-and-field stadium Hayward Field—which hosted the World Athletics Championships Oregon22. The presence of the University of Oregon lends the city a youthful vibe. The Eugene Ale Trail links more than 25 breweries, several within walking distance of each other (Hop Valley Brewing Company, Ninkasi Brewing Company and Oakshire Brewing) in the revived Whiteaker neighborhood (aka “the Whit”). Take the Unofficial Simpsons Tour o Main Street in Springfield, which The Simpsons creator Matt Groening said inspired the city in the hit animated series—don’t miss the o cial Simpsons mural on the west wall of the Emerald Art Center. Homegrown events, such as the Oregon Country Fair (July) in Veneta and weekly Eugene Saturday Market (April to November) in the Park Blocks, show o the area’s whimsical spirit. And the Eugene Science Center aims to inspire through exhibits that cover astronomy, biology, nanotechnology and other fascinating subjects—not to mention a planetarium that takes viewers on virtual trips through space and time. Salt Creek Falls eugenecascadescoast.org
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