Winter Activities Around Eugene, Oregon
Whether you prefer the comfort of the thermostat or the wild weather outdoors, there’s always something to do around Eugene during the winter.
Photo Courtesy of Cascades Raptor Center
Meet your neighbors at Cascades Raptor Center
Tucked away on the side of Spencer’s Butte in Eugene is Cascades Raptor Center. What started out as a rehab center for injured birds of prey has turned into a nature center filled with resident birds that help educate audiences and eliminate stigmas surrounding many species of raptor. But don’t worry, they are still in the business of caring for our injured avian friends as well. The Center is licensed to treat raptors and their specialized veterinarians see anywhere between 400 and 700 hundred birds each year. They’ll also help you get in touch with Chintimini Wildlife Center in Corvallis if you run across other injured animals they can’t treat.
The entire operation is run by a handful of full-time employees and over one hundred volunteers. The opportunities to help at the center are endless, ranging from shifts at the gift shop to raptor rescue missions in the wilderness if you’re feeling a little more adventurous. At heart of everything happening here is a deep love for the birds, and it can easily be seen in the care that they receive from their caretakers and the spaces that have been created for them.
Today, Cascades Raptor Center is a world-class raptor rehabilitation and nature center that sees around 30,000 visitors each year, and winter can be an especially good time to go. Crowds are smaller, and the quieter days make it easier to get some one-on-one time with the birds. During the busy season the center also hosts a brand new flight show that happens right in the middle of the facility. Falcons fly overhead, turkey vultures rifle through treats inside of bones, owls dive into tall grass in search of prey sounds, and more. If you’re lucky, you’ll get an even more up-close look with one of the birds as part of the show, but we won’t spoil that event for you here. There’s always something happening at Cascades Raptor Center, so be sure and come back often to see what’s new!
The iconic sign of Tsunami Books
Visit Tsunami Books
Winter is a great time to check back in with your favorite locally owned business and we’d like to suggest our favorite neighborhood bookstore, Tsunami Books! If you haven’t wandered into this funky little bookstore before, we highly recommend you drop in and say hello to the friendly staff.
A staple of the Eugene community for decades, the store is full of local history. Books for just about any genre you can name line the walls, including the second of a series of books written by the employees, friends and families of Tsunami. If you look up you’ll see a ceiling decorated with news stories, band flyers, and shelves full of boxes with eye-catching identification written in permanent marker behind the counter. On one of the boxes the words “Kesey Ephemera” are written in big, bold letters, and it catches my eye every time I’m there. One of these days I’ll be brave enough to ask what’s inside.
Tsunami also hosts a series of concerts throughout the year. They bring unique artists from all over the world into their store to play music for the locals. It’s an intimate venue and the artists are top tier. We highly recommend a trip any time of the year, but during the winter months it’s especially nice to throw on a sweater and head over to your local bookstore to explore their newest additions.
Look for Metro Cinema’s sign in downtown Eugene!
Catch a flick at Metro Cinemas or Eugene Art House
In the era of Regal Cinemas and the fifteen-dollar popcorn bucket, having a local movie theater in your town is a gift. In Eugene, we’re lucky enough to have two! Located right in the middle of downtown Eugene, Metro Cinemas is a staple of the community that quietly serves a unique movie-going experience that you’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere else around. It’s an independent movie theater serving up movies right in the heart of our little city for less than the cost of a latte from that corporate coffehouse down the road. I spent my birthday in the Metro earlier this year watching Dune 2, and I have to say I wouldn’t have wanted to watch the future emperor of the universe on the big screen anywhere else.
Step inside and you’re treated to beautiful walls of film from classic movies while you wait in line. Once you’ve purchased your very affordable ticket, be sure and use some of the money you saved at the concession stand! The options are amazing. From beer on tap to coffee, pizza, and jars full of candy, they’ve got something for everyone to munch on. When you’re ready, you’ll make your way past the movie ephemera towards one of several auditoriums filled with large cushy seats to enjoy a high-quality movie experience.
Looking for something even more unique? The Eugene Art House has you covered. Located in a converted church and featuring two auditoriums and a courtyard, this venue is a true art house. They screen movies old and new, host live music events, and during the day it operates as a cafe, serving coffee to the neighborhood. You can find a few people relaxing in the courtyard just about anytime of day. Last summer they ran a great fifteen-film series featuring Spielberg and Zemeckis films like Back to the Future, E.T., and Jurassic Park. Seeing those classics on the big screen is an experience I didn’t know I needed! This winter we recommend you grab your coat, get a coffee (or a beer), and relax at one of our amazing local theaters.