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Inn at the 5th Staff Picks

Discover exciting area attractions and outdoor excursions, explore Eugene’s sports, arts and music scene, or plan ahead for upcoming cultural events. Our Staff Picks blog will help you make the most of your stay in Eugene, Oregon.

  • a fish in the water

    Fish on the McKenzie River

    May 01

    Fishing on the McKenzie River is a glorious experience. Known for its cold, crystal clear waters, the Class II-III McKenzie River hosts whitewater thrill seekers, world class anglers, and nature lovers. Running about 90 miles long and including a South Fork, more than 12 miles of the upper part of the river are designated as "wild and scenic, and beckon travelors like you to visit, especially if you like to fish.

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  • a couple of people riding bikes on a path in a field of flowers

    Explore Eugene on Two Wheels!

    April 14

    April is warm and dry enough to explore Eugene and beautiful Lane County Oregon on a bike. Whether you’re staying at the Inn at the 5th one night or 10, we suggest hopping on a bicycle to see it. Bike Month isn’t until May, so you have time to make plans! Arriving sooner? No problem! Strap on your helmet to get a head start! But there are a calendar full of community rides, self-guided tours, talks, and classes coming up, so there’s bound to be something that’ll spin your wheels.

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  • a close up of some flowers

    Spring is for Rhododendrons

    March 21

    Make plans now to reserve your stay at the Inn at the 5th to roam the 10-acre rhododendron garden in Hendricks Park at the height of the season. Stroll with awe in the company of admirers who travel from the around the world to see the blooming spectacle between April and May. Nature’s exhibition has a long and beautiful history that’s led to an unforgettable display of towering rhododendron plants surrounded by walls of Douglas-fir trees showing off dazzling displays of color in the springtime sun.

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  • a waterfall in a forest

    Celebrate Winter’s Last Hurrah!

    February 07

    According to the Gregorian calendar, about a month of winter remains, so don’t let it pass without raising a toast to its mysterious and oft underappreciated beauty. To help you do just that, we thought we’d suggest five of our favorite spots to take it all in. Whether you're looking to get cozy beside a fire or brave the coastal gales in search of stunning landscapes, this list delivers. Late winter is a great time to explore; just dress in comfy layers to stay dry and warm and have your favorite playlist ready for listening.

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  • a beach with a cloudy sky

    Discover the Magic of the Oregon Coast

    January 04

    It’s often said that the Oregon Coast is a magical place in the winter. Storms along the coast make for a dramatic show of high crashing waves electrified with bolts of lightening. Watch them from beside a warm fire with a glass of wine. At the same time, an otherwise temperate climate can create the perfect conditions for tranquil walks through coastal forest, whale watching, or antique shopping in Old Town Florence. Ultimately, regardless of the activity, it’s safe to say the Oregon Coast can be a great place to escape when it’s drizzly or cold inland. Here are a few things you shouldn't miss.

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  • christmas lights

    Where to Watch the Snow Fly this Winter

    December 09

    From the snowy Cascades to storm-swept coastal beaches, winter brings a new twist on fun things to do across the Eugene, Cascades & Coastal region. If you’re keen to keep outdoor recreation as your natural, regional focal point, there are plenty of accessible adventures. Winter in Oregon is a fantastic time of year to explore Oregon’s dramatic coastline, tuck into our cozy marketplaces, and explore less crowded trails and parks across the Willamette Valley.

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  • woman with shopping bags and phone in her hand at night

    ‘Tis the Season to Shop in Downtown Eugene

    November 30

    Shop early and shop local! We know it can be hard to resist the ease of online shopping, especially when many of us spend our days in front of a computer. But downtown Eugene, neighboring Springfield, and the entire region offers some delightful shopping destinations that make getting about town more joyful than stressful. It doesn’t hurt that most of our top picks are just minutes from Inn at the 5th and are easily accessible by Eugene's network of bike paths and public transportation. So whoever is on your list this year, we’ve got just the answer. Whether you explore the artisan Saturday Market for crafted treasures and the Farmers' markets and wineries for gourmet gifts or head to the mall, you’ll shop with success.

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  • two boys and a man carrying giant pumpkins

    Get Festive in the Pumpkin Patch

    October 20

    Make the most of your stay at the Inna at the 5th, and get into the Halloween spirit. A visit to Eugene simply wouldn’t be complete were you not to venture into the fields of corn and pumpkins that surround our lovely city. Sure, a pumpkin may not be the most convenient souvenir to pick, but whoever said the best memories fit in our pockets? When you visit Eugene in October, you must include plans to stop at our favorite pumpkin patches. So much more than picking and hauling your favorite gourd (step aside Charlie Brown!), visiting one or two of these farmsteads will fill you with fresh air, endless photo opportunities, delicious eats, and fun activities for the whole family.

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  • person riding a bike in a highway with a flat field behind at early morning

    Exploring Eugene on Borrowed Wheels

    September 30

    Whether you’ve flown in for the night or ridden the train for the weekend, you can enjoy your stay at the Inn at the 5th without renting a car. The best of Eugene is practically on our doorstep after all– from fresh food markets and cafes to art galleries and boutiques, everything you might need is just a walk away. But even if you want to explore a bit more of the city’s downtown, like that tucked-away bakery or park, you can get there, too, when you borrow a set of wheels.

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  • Woman drinking a glass of white wine in a grass field

    Taste the Fruits of the Willamette Valley

    August 23

    There are some who might say a trip to Oregon wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Willamette Valley. Regarded as the state’s leading wine region, Willamette Valley is recognized as one of the top Pinot Noir producers in the world and is home to more than 500 wineries. So come and taste it! To help plan your trip later this summer or fall, we’ve put together a short list of the vineyards and tasting rooms you’ve just got to try.

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  • woods with path

    Honor the Regions Indigenous Peoples

    July 29

    This summer, get yourself to Oregon’s scenic coast to walk in the footsteps of history. Hike the Amanda Trail and learn the history of the area’s Indigenous People. It’s one of countless ways to explore our beautiful coastline, but we believe it’s a valuable way to learn about the people who called it home first. 

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  • Track runner finishing lap

    Watch the World’s Best Runners in Eugene!

    June 24

    Come see history in the making as the best track and field athletes in the world come together in Eugene in a celebration of diversity, human potential, and athletic achievement. The World Athletics Championships is an extraordinary showcase taking center stage in the Inn at the 5th’s back yard, and you’ve got to be here to see it.

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  • couple riding their bycicles

    Discover Eugene on a Bike!

    May 25

    May is bike month in Eugene and beautiful Lane County Oregon, so whether you’re staying with us one night or 10, we suggest hopping on a bike to see it. With a calendar full of community rides, self-guided tours, talks, and classes, there’s bound to be something that’ll spin your wheels.

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  • woman painting a mural

    See Murals, Read Our Story

    April 22

    If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a mural must tell an entire story. And if that’s true, then you have only to walk the colorful streets of Eugene to “read” its story and discover its secrets hiding in plain sight.

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  • friends looking at her phone while shopping

    Get Out and Enjoy the Rain

    March 30

    Early spring can be wet in Eugene and much of the Oregon Coast, but that doesn’t mean you have to stay inside. Eugene is a great place to explore as you hop between the raindrops. Let us tell you why, and where you might go to make the most of your visit.

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  • 2 glasses of red wine

    Celebrate by Staying In with Us

    February 23

    Who doesn’t love spending a cozy evening indoors after a long day of work or play? This Valentine’s Day, with its luxurious guest rooms and spacious suites brimming with contemporary decor, local artwork, and spa-inspired amenities, Inn at the 5th invites you to unwind with your sweetheart.

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  • christmas lights

    Top Three Holiday Lights Displays

    December 27

    As the temperature drops and the days grow shorter, Eugene answers by turning on the lights. So this December, follow the light and see some of our city’s brightest holiday displays guaranteed to set your holiday aglow. 

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  • asian art

    Go Back to School and Get a History Lesson in Art

    November 19

    School isn’t just for kids, you know. The University of Oregon invites curious minds of every age to visit and take advantage of its unique collections and resources. This month, why not get out of the rain and visit the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art?

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  • dad giving pumpkins to his daughters

    Tricks & Treats on the Farms of Eugene

    October 14

    A pumpkin may not be the most convenient souvenir, but whoever said the best memories include experiences that fit in our pockets?

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  • appalachian mountain hiking trail

    Discover Your Place in Nature

    September 03

    Just 15 minutes away from the Inn at the 5th, Mount Pisgah Arboretum stretches its branches to welcome your deep breaths in its green getaway. 

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  • wine cheese ham and fruits served on wooden cutting board

    The Marvelous Varietals of King Estate Winery

    August 16

    Just a short half-hour’s drive from our hotel, the King Estate Winery is one of the most celebrated vineyards and winemakers in the Pacific Northwest.

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  • williamette valley vineyard oregon

    A Day Trip to the Willamette Valley

    July 05

    A trip to Oregon isn’t complete without a visit to the Willamette Valley. Serving as the state’s leading wine region, Willamette Valley is recognized as one of the top Pinot Noir producers in the world and is home to more than 500 wineries. To help plan your trip, we’ve put together a shortlist of the must-see and must-taste stops along the way. 

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  • picnic picture with food and book

    How to Have a European Experience in Eugene this Summer

    June 16

    Dreaming of Europe? Eating chocolate that’s as much a feast for the eyes as the tastebuds. Smelling the scent of French baguettes wafting through the air. Gathering in plazas at café tables – sipping vino and letting a lazy afternoon slip into a summer night…

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  • chef talking to guests

    Marché Restaurant: Eugene’s Gustatory Gem

    June 07

    For a long while, it seemed as though the food scene in Eugene would never quite catch up to the culinary powerhouse of Portland. In recent years, however, Eugene has continually proven its fine-dining bona fides as more and more of our restaurants garner praise for their superior service and world-class cuisines.

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  • 0u7a4598 5f2c72d145db9 exported

    Condé Nast Traveler’s 12 Best Places to Travel in June

    May 17

    Celebrate the return of summer road trips and safe air travel by planning a much-needed vacation to Eugene, Oregon, touted by Condé Nast Traveler as one of the 12 Best Places to Travel in June. 

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  • beer cheers

    Let Your Taste Buds Take Flight at Alesong on 5th

    April 06

    Kick-back with a flight of seasonally released, barrel-aged beers at Alesong Brewing & Blending, home to some of Oregon’s most beloved and award-winning artisan ales.

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  • girls in robes drinking tea

    A Cozy Evening Indoors

    March 01

    Who doesn’t love spending a cozy evening indoors after a long day of work or play? With luxurious guest rooms and spacious suites brimming with contemporary decor, local artwork, and spa-inspired amenities, Inn at the 5th makes it easy to unwind.

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  • owl

    Birds of a Feather

    July 06

    Have you ever seen a raptor in the wild? And no, we’re not talking about those sneaky dinosaurs from the Jurassic Park movies. If not, you’re in for a real treat because Eugene is home to the Cascades Raptor Center, a thriving wildlife hospital and permanent habitat for eagles, owls, hawks, and other raptors, or birds of prey.

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  • two basketball players in action

    University of Oregon Basketball: Go Ducks!

    March 02

    After a thrilling season of NCAA men’s basketball in which the University of Oregon Ducks have won all 15 home games, including a surprise victory over Oregon State in the last week of February, the Ducks are now tied with the UCLA Bruins for the top spot in the Pac-12 Conference.

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  • traditional colorful chinese lion

    The Oregon Asian Celebration

    February 03

    One of the most exciting and dynamic festivals in the Pacific Northwest, the Oregon Asian Celebration is a breathtaking tribute to Asian and Asian-American cultures right here in Eugene.

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  • truffles on chefs board

    The Oregon Truffle Festival

    January 06

    Savored the world over as a culinary delicacy, truffles are a type of mushroom that grows underground and is most often associated with Europe. But did you know that the American Pacific Northwest is also widely acclaimed for the abundance and quality of its truffle production?

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  • young ballerina in tutu with nutcracker toy

    Celebrate the Holidays in Eugene

    December 02

    Throughout the month of December, there are plenty of events and activities in and around Eugene to get you in the holiday spirit. Here are a few of our favorites:

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  • t rex skull

    The Fascinating Natural History of the Pacific Northwest

    November 04

    A region of extraordinary rustic beauty, the Pacific Northwest has long been a refuge for those who seek a deep connection to nature.

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  •  arboretum

    Exploring the Mount Pisgah Arboretum

    September 02

    Just a quick 15-minute drive from the Inn at the 5th, Mount Pisgah Arboretum has provided us city dwellers with a grand sanctuary of natural splendor for over four decades.

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  • green grapes in vineyard

    The Extraordinary Pinot Grigio of King Estate Winery

    August 05

    Are you a fan of Pinot Grigio (a.k.a., Pinot Gris)? If you enjoy the white wine variant of Pinot noir as much as we do—or you’ve not yet had the pleasure of imbibing this sumptuous palate pleaser—we highly recommend a trip to the King Estate Winery, located a scenic half-hour’s drive from our hotel.

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  • red tailed hawk landing

    Into the Wild at the Cascades Raptor Center

    July 01

    Majestic, beautiful, and graceful creatures of the air, raptors are birds of prey such as eagles, falcons, hawks, kites, ospreys, and owls. At the Cascades Raptor Center, located just 15 minutes by car from our hotel, you can observe these astonishing animals up close in one of the Pacific Northwest’s most comprehensive collections of indigenous raptor species.

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  • actors jumping on stage

    The Hult Center for the Performing Arts: Bringing the World's Best to the Pacific Northwest

    June 03

    Eugene’s greatest asset is its vibrant artistic sensibility. Whatever your true love may be—whether folk music, landscape painting, aerial circus, poetry, or modern dance—you’re almost guaranteed to find a community of like-minded enthusiasts in our dynamic city. 

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  • couple drinking coffee at market

    Discover the City’s Most Delicious Eats on the Taste Eugene Foodie Tour

    March 04

    With its reputation as Oregon’s hippest up-and-coming city (sorry, Portland), Eugene is fast becoming one of the Pacific Northwest’s great centers of culture. That’s true not only of the arts community, but also the vibrant and varied food scene, which covers the gamut from trendy food trucks, to mom-and-pop cafés, to delicious gourmet dining.

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  • vintage prop plane in field

    Let Your Imagination Soar at the Oregon Air and Space Museum

    February 04

    In December 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright made history when they took to the air for a sustained flight just a few miles south of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Now, little more than a century later, air and space travel have advanced to a degree the Wright Brothers could barely have dreamt of. 

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  • children at science museum

    The Eugene Science Center: A Place for Kids and Families

    January 07

    The Eugene Science Center, formerly known as The Science Factory, has changed names and locations quite a few times during its nearly six-decade existence. Since its inception, however, the center has been animated by the drive to teach kids about the thrilling world of science in a fun, interactive environment.

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  • chinese embroidery of a crane

    The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art

    December 03

    Built in 1933 to showcase the Murray Warner Collection of Oriental Art, which numbered around 3700 unique pieces, the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art is now home to over 13,000 works from Japan, China, Korea, South & Southeast Asia, Europe, Russia, the Islamic World, and North & South America.

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  • ancient aircraft

    Soar to New Heights at the Oregon Air and Space Museum

    January 13

    Start the New Year in the clouds by visiting Oregon’s spectacular Air and Space Museum. Be inspired by the history commemorated in its halls and the courage of those intrepid stargazers who reached for the heavens and built wings that forever changed the way we move.

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  • romantic valentines day dinner

    Bring Your Love to Eugene

    February 08

    February is the month of love, and what better way to celebrate your loved one than with a trip to Eugene. There is nothing more romantic than a vacation to Pacific Northwest, tailor-made for two.

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  • woman in a car

    Eugene to Boise

    September 21

    Did you know Boise, Idaho was just a 7.5-hour drive from Eugene? We’ve been embracing road trips lately and exploring a lot of places that can easily allow for social distancing and outdoor recreation.

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  • colorful pumpkins

    Eugene's Spookiest October Celebrations

    October 07

    Ask anyone who’s visited the Inn at the 5th during Octobers past, and they’ll tell you that we take our Halloween fun seriously. From the spooky decorations, to the costumed staff, to the in-house trick-or-treating for kids, there’s no better spot in all of Eugene for travelers with little ones in tow.

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  • red rose bush

    The Owen Rose Garden

    May 06

    One of the great botanical treasures of Oregon, Eugene’s Owen Rose Garden encompasses eight-and-a-half breathtaking acres along the Willamette River. Shortly after the land was donated to the city in 1951, the Eugene Rose Society provided the original 750 rose bushes.

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