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Top Ten Eugene Dates (Part Two)

Ethos

October 17, 2011

Story and Photos by Melissa Haskin
1. Vero: This local coffee shop is located just a few blocks from campus in a two-story yellow house, serving Stumptown Coffee, breakfast, and lunch. The drinks are well crafted, and the food is healthy. You can enjoy Vero’s affordable beverages and snacks in its cozy and homey atmosphere.
2. The Buttes: If you’re looking for a short hike, check out Skinner’s Butte in downtown Eugene. It has a spectacular view. If you’re not in the mood to hike, you can simply drive to the top. Take some hot chocolate and go at night to watch the stars. On the other side of town is Spencer’s Butte, which is a much more intense hike (good luck pointing out your dorm from the top of this one). Both buttes are a great way to get away from campus, homework, and all the other distractions of being a student.

3. The Vintage: The Vintage offers one of the most romantic settings in Eugene. The lighting is low. The seating is intimate; and the music is set just low enough to fill the silence but not to interrupt your conversation. The cocktails are amazing (try the one with Pop Rocks!), and there’s a wide range of prices on the food menu. You have the option to do some tapas or crepes or to go all out and have a steak.
4. The David Minor Theater: It’s a movie theater with beer, wine, and good food. What else is there to say? Well, there is the fact that you can text-a-beer and have it delivered to you while you’re watching the movie. Plus, there are no previews shown.
5. “The Dollar Theater“: The Dollar Theater is located inside the Gateway Mall in Springfield. Tickets aren’t actually a dollar anymore. The prices have raised to a range from $1.25 to $2.00, depending on when you go. This theater shows movies that have been in theaters for a while.
6. Saturday Market: If you’re looking for an adventure, the Saturday Market is a great place to go. The Saturday Market happens every Saturday through November 13 in downtown Eugene, on the corner of 8th and Oak from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. It’s a collection of local food, art, and entertainment. You’ll find everything from homemade pie to tie-dyed underwear.
7. UO Ticket office: The UO Ticket Office is a great place to go to purchase tickets for anything from ballet performances to concerts at the WOW hall. It sells tickets for both on-campus and off-campus events. Here’s a fun fact: One of the venues you can get tickets for is the Hult Center, which has a $10 College Tix program.
8. Fifth Street Public Market and International Cafes: The Fifth Street Market is a gorgeous shopping center on the corner of 5th and High Street. It’s a great place to just wander and enjoy the scene. The center of the market is a three-level-high courtyard, perfect for relaxing over a cup of coffee. In the market you’ll find a store with African arts and crafts, a needlework store, the International Cafes, and much more.
9. Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art: As a student, you get into this museum for free. It is located in an almost window-less building next to the Knight Library. Permanent collections, which rotate through the museum, number over 13,000. This museum features collections from China, Japan, Korea, America and many other places.
10. Ice Skating: Clichés are clichés for a reason, right? So bundle up and head over toward the fairgrounds to the Lane County Ice Center. For free-skate hours, click here. Admission is $7.00, and skate rentals are $2.00. If you don’t want to get on the ice yourself, you can always watch the Eugene Generals, Eugene’s minor league hockey team.