My wife and I are flying up to watch the Cats play Oregon and Oregon State in February. I've never been to Corvallis or Eugene but I'm hoping some of you can offer us tips on things to see and do in those areas, especially good breweries to try out.
We're flying in to Portland and heading straight to Corvallis for the game on Thursday the 2nd. The next day we'll drive to the coast and head south a little bit. Then, Saturday we'll head the rest of the way to Eugene for the game. So aside from Friday we don't really have a ton of sightseeing time, but if there's a sight or place not to miss along the way, please let me know. And if we end up spending most of our time at breweries, so be it, it's my 40th birthday present damnit !
I won't post much more than I did in that Oregon Coast thread, except to say that the Rogue Brewery is located in Newport! I've read mixed reviews on the place, but it might be worth looking into. Otherwise, Newport, Yachats, and some of the other towns on the way to Florence have great food to go with the sights. You'll be passing thru the area I recommended in that thread, so hopefully you can find some of the advice useful! Have fun!
This time of year, living in Arizona, I always get that hankering for some fresh halibut and chips.... Guess I'll be heading over to Glendale for Oscar's Pier 83 soon to squelch that hunger!
I really enjoyed the Rouge brewery, although there are one of my favorite brands. Bouy beer co was an awesome discovery for me, but it's way north 90min NW of Portland.
Glass bottom floor under the bar to look at sealions while drinking brews.
Yachets as a cool town that I wanted to explore some more. The view coming into town over the bridge heading south is awesome, have your wife ready with a camera.
sounds like an awesome trip! if you have time to grab a drink and some food before or after the game in eugene, falling sky, barnlight, and wildcraft (if you want to throw craft cider in the mix) are pretty good options near the uo campus. there's also a nice hops farm / brewery / rustic kitchen on the way back up to pdx from eugene (whose name escapes me atm, sorry) though i'm not sure what it'll be like in early feb.
I used to live in Eugene. Actually, the coast can be nice in the winter. (and rainy in the summer, go figure) Cold, but clear. Still, take a raincoat! The whole coastline is a park, and so scenic, so you really can't go wrong.
The one place I would go, given your schedule and it being February, and nerd that I am, is Powells book store in Portland.
yes to powell's, though you kind of have to set aside at least half a day for it because it's that engrossing. if you're into music & zines reading frenzy, everyday music, and jackpot records are also great and very close to powell's - assuming they all still exist. it's been a little while.