We find ourselves down in Eugene at least once a year for Noah’s gymnastics meets. Each time we are in the city we find another fun thing to do or a new restaurant we like. Here are some of the things we have enjoyed doing and a few places we like to eat at.

13 Things to do in Eugene with Kids

Skinner Butte Park

The whole park is awesome, but it’s the massive playground here that’s our favorite thing to do in Eugene. Skinner Butte Park is a sprawling park along the river. It features an area where people rock climb, extensive bike paths and it has an incredible playground for kids. Here is a short video I took at the playground to give you a better idea and what to expect.

Bike Riding 

Eugene is one of the most bike-friendly communities in the Pacific Northwest with bike paths everywhere. The bike paths are a great way to see some of the beautiful sites in the area without traffic worries. Kids love the extensive bike bridges that connect to paths on both sides of the Willamette River.

Along the paths, kids can also see lots of wildlife including blue herons, egrets, and pond turtles. There are several outfits in town that rent bikes and deliver to whichever hotel you stay in. I recommend going with a larger rental company, so they don’t cancel.

Cascades Raptor Center

Something truly unique in this area is the Cascades Raptor Center. Located near Eugene is a special wildlife rehabilitation and public education center. You can walk through the grounds along forested hillside trails to get close up views of eagles, owls, falcons and many other raptors. It’s located in the South Eugene hills very close to a popular urban trail known as the Ridgeline Trail—yet another popular bike trail  and park for families.

Level Up Arcade

Level Up Arcade is an old school arcade in downtown Eugene, Oregon that allows minors until 9 PM. Parents can enjoy a cocktail while kids play one of the 25 pinball machines

Get Air Eugene Trampoline Park

All kids will enjoy coming here to bounce around. They have an area for bigger kids and one for smaller kids. There’s a foam pit and an area where you can play dodgeball. Prices vary quite a bit so check their website.

Trap Door Escape Room

 Escape rooms are pretty fun. The kids and I made it out with 3 minutes left! Everything in the room is in there for a reason and it’s up to your and your family to figure out the clues, puzzles, locks, and more to escape.

Putter’s Family Entertainment Center

Putter’s Family Entertainment Center has an assortment of fun things to do for families, including mini-golf, laser tag, an indoor playground, an arcade, pool tables, and pizza.  They open at 11 am daily and laser tag opens at 4pm Monday through Thursday.

Fidgets 2 Widgets

Fidgets 2 Widgets is an activity center based around STEM education. They offer all kinds of interesting programs that your kids are sure to love. Here your kids can learn about math and science using Minecraft or they can take a class on something else that piques their interest like Youtube, Javascripts, Japanese Amine, and many more.

5^th Street Public Market

The 5^th Street Public Market located in the heart of downtown Eugene is a shopping destination with an assortment of shops. It is fun to explore and it’s full of family-friendly eateries.

Tiny Toys Indoor Playground

For those with toddlers this is a nice safe, indoor place to play out of the rain. There’s not too much to it, but when your kids are this little it doesn’t really matter. 

Catch a Game

With Eugene being the home of the Oregon Ducks chances are high that you can catch a football game, basketball game, or even a track meet. 

The Science Factory

The Science Factory is a children’s museum and planetarium. Kids can learn and there’s a special room just for toddlers called the Tot Spot.

Demolition Zone

Rage out in their rage room where you and your family can break stuff. Now this may sound odd but just take my word for it, it is crazy fun. Kids have to be at least 13. Located at 4075 Franklin Blvd, Eugene, OR 97403.

If you are looking for even more to do while you are in Eugene I also recommend checking out the Kids’ Adventure Club www.EugeneCascadesCoast.org. There they can provide you with suggested activities for the specific dates you are in town!

Family-Friendly Restaurants in Eugene, Oregon

If you are looking for somewhere to eat I have a few recommendations:

Track Town Pizza

Track Town Pizza is located right across the street from the University of Oregon. Their pizza is amazing! They load on the toppings. Located at 1809 Franklin Blvd, Eugene, OR 97403.

McMenamins East 19th Street Cafe

This particular McMenamins allows kids to play the games with you. Games include darts, shuffleboard, pool, and pinball. I recommend going here during happy hour. They have one of the best happy hour menus I’ve ever seen at a McMenamins. Located at 1485 E 19th Ave, Eugene, OR 97403.

Sweetwaters on the River

SweetWaters on the River Bloody Mary Bar

Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with lovely river views, Sweetwaters offers salads, pasta, burgers, and more. During weekend brunch they have a DIY Bloody Mary bar! Located at 1000 Valley River Way, Eugene, OR 97401.

Dickie Joe’s Burgers

Dickie Joe’s Burgers specializes in burgers hence the name but also hot dogs and chicken fingers. I personally thought their chili was wonderful. Located at 1079-C Valley River Way, Eugene, OR 97401.

Where to Stay in Eugene

From the educational and historically-rich experiences to the heartfelt attractions, Eugene, Oregon has many wonderful activities for families to explore together. Whether you want to experience outdoor hiking and biking alongside nature or take a stroll through its downtown streets, there’s something for everyone in Idaho. Don’t miss out on its historical settings and its hot spots for families to get lost in their creative side!

Let Eugene, Oregon be your guide into family-oriented fun. Be sure to share with us what makes Eugene special and unique to you! What is your favorite thing to do in Eugene, Oregon? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below! We can’t wait to hear different perspectives of this city that has so much character and charm. With so many things to do here, the possibilities are truly endless. That’s why it never gets old exploring all that it has to offer—so get ready for the adventure of a lifetime!

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Diverse Accommodations

Fantastic Restaurant

The Steamboat Inn Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner to both guests of the hotel and visitors for dine in, dine outdoors, in your room and to go. Packed with seasonal ingredients sourced from across the Pacific Northwest, the restaurant prepares fresh, hand-crafted fare infused with traditions from the property’s 60 year history.

Breakfast and lunch feature hearty and traditional dishes such as scratch-made biscuits and gravy, house-brined corned beef hash, and “Grandma’s Bread” fresh made daily. Current seasonal specials include a Spaetzle Hash, Smoked Steelhead Omelet and Beet Spinach Salad.

Seating is available both indoors and outdoors. Reservations are requested and can be made by calling 541-498-2230 or via Tock.

Coffee for the restaurant, rooms, and espresso program are sourced from local Takelma Roasting, owned and operated by the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians in Roseburg.

Disconnect

Steamboat Inn offers a true disconnect to reconnect experience. With only one Wi-Fi connection point in the lobby, guests feel immersed into the tranquility of the woods and nostalgic setting of the resort. No phones, no TV, and no Wi-Fi means no distractions: guests savor the opportunity to reconnect with their family, friends, and breathtaking surroundings. Guests can unwind, simply watching the water of the Umpqua River roll by with a glass of wine in hand from the comfort of their balcony. The library has tons of books and games. 

Book Steamboat Inn

Things to do

Whether fly-fishing, hiking throughout the extensive trail systems, making a day trip to nearby Crater Lake, or unwinding on the balcony overlooking the Umpqua River, Steamboat offers a multitude of ways to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature. 

Crater Lake National Park, only a 90 minute drive away along a scenic byway, makes for a fun getaway with ample adventure opportunities. 

Hike Nearby Waterfalls

Spring is the best time to visit and explore the stunning waterfalls nearby. When the forest is awash with spring flowers. Steamboat Inn rhododendrons in full bloom from May through June.

• Toketee Falls – off Highway 138, this is one of Oregon’s most famous waterfalls renowned for its columnar basalt formation framing the two-stepped falls. Toketee Falls drops 113 feet, which includes a 28-foot upper-tier plunging into a pool flanked by a deep alcove, and then an 85-foot plunge into a large pool.
• Clearwater Falls – Off Highway 138. Unlike most waterfalls, this one appears to be springing out from beneath the green, moss-covered rocks and thousands of intertwined tree roots. On Clearwater Creek
• Fall Creek Falls – off Highway 138, the Falls Creek Falls Trail features two waterfalls. The first is an 80-foot drop, and 100 feet downstream is the lower 40-foot falls.
• Whitehorse Falls – 40 miles from Union Creek off Highway 138. Also on Clearwater Creek, Whitehorse Falls comes out of a narrow trough and tumbles 14 feet over a wall into a large pool down below.
• Watson Falls – Off Highway 138 is the third highest waterfall in Oregon, Watson Falls. It is a majestic sight with water cascading 272 feet over basalt lava cliffs – and you can walk under the falls. Located in the Umpqua National Forest, 47 miles from Union Creek, the trail is an easy .6 miles.

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We always try to find an awesome playground no matter where we travel and we hit the jackpot in Eugene. Skinner Butte Park is the best park in Eugene, Oregon. Dedicated in 1914, Skinner Butte Park includes 100 acres of property along the Willamette River just north of downtown Eugene. Not only does it have the best playground in Eugene, but there’s a really great rock climbing area in part of the park, hiking trails, and biking paths.

This quick video will show off the entire playground

If you are looking for even more things to do in Eugene check out our 9 Family Friendly Things to do in Eugene.

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