Eugene's Friendliest Borough Is A Walkable, Cozy Oregon Nook Of Vintage Charm, Vibrant Cafes, And Markets

For a neighborhood experience that combines a settled, residential feel with walkable access to local cafes and markets, you might look to the Friendly area in Eugene, Oregon. The neighborhood gets its name from a street named after Sam Friendly, a 19th-century Oregonian mayor. The area has an established residential vibe, and as you walk its streets, you'll see they are lined with beautiful trees and many gardens cared for by its residents. You'll also notice the architecture is a collection of styles, with Bungalow, Craftsman, and Mid-Century Modern homes appearing throughout the community, creating a vintage rural charm.

You'll find this neighborhood is a fairly walkable one, letting you run some errands without a car. You can also get a bit of exercise by walking, biking, or even having a reason for e-biking in this flat Oregon region. This accessibility connects you to the community's many small, locally-owned businesses, too. The combination of pretty streets and local destinations supports an active lifestyle.

You'll discover that local markets are a key part of neighborhood life. The Friendly Street Market is a specialty grocer where you can find local and organic goods, and it also works as a community hotspot. Inside the market, the Farmers Union Coffee Roasters counter has outdoor seating where you can meet up with people or be solo to enjoy your cup of coffee. You can also find other shops nearby, like Capella Market and Sundance Natural Foods, which both sell natural and organic products. The cafe scene includes the Acorn Community Cafe, which is a plant-based restaurant, and Nourish, inside the Friendly Street Market, which serves a selection of organic and filling food.

You'll find the neighborhood has parks and spaces for outdoor fun too. You can head to Westmoreland Park, which is a 43-acre area with sports equipment for disc golf, tennis, and soccer. Amazon Park is a bit larger and has a dog park, an outdoor pool, and Eugene's first playground that is designed for children of all abilities. For a smaller get-together, you can go to Friendly Park, which has a playground and picnic tables. The Friendly Area Neighbors Association puts together events you can attend, like the annual summer picnic, harvest festivals, and cider pressings.

When you're ready to sit down and eat, you can find quite a few restaurants and food carts. Go to The Glenwood Restaurant, which is a local comfort food spot that has been in the area for a long time. Another choice is a food cart pod called The Garden on Friendly. It has five carts with food like Japanese, Mediterranean, Oaxacan, pizza, and Indian fusion. The pod also has a central bar with more than 20 taps. Speaking of drinks, you can also pop into Chambers Grill and Taphouse for diner-type food and a nice tap list.

The area is also a good starting point for your visit to the South Willamette Valley wine region, which is about a 30-minute drive away. Outside of Oregon's luxurious wine country, Eugene has an urban winery scene in other districts of the city, too. You can find places like Eugene Wine Cellars, which makes wine in the area's industrial hubs, and is a short drive from the neighborhood.

When you're flying to the Friendly area, your best bet is to land in Eugene Airport (EUG), also known as Mahlon Sweet Field. The airport is about 11 miles northwest of the city, and your drive to the Friendly neighborhood from the airport will usually take about 25 minutes. You also have the option to fly into one of the most beautiful airports in America, which is Portland International Airport (PDX), but that drive is a little over two hours. There are, though, a couple of shuttle service options if you're not driving. You can hop on the Groome Transportation that provides daily trips from PDX to Eugene, as well as the private services of Atlas Shuttle of Portland.

If you're one for a large resort, you will not find one inside the main area of the Friendly neighborhood. You'll find most of your hotel options are in Eugene's downtown and Market District areas. For a higher-end stay, you can check into the Inn at the 5th, which is a boutique hotel at the 5th Street Public Market. It has a spa and the Marché Restaurant. You could also try The Gordon Hotel in the Market District, another boutique spot that focuses on local art. For a bed-and-breakfast style stay, you can try the Campbell House Inn, which is in a restored 1892 house with gardens and is a short walk from downtown. The Valley River Inn is the only hotel in Eugene on the Willamette River and has over 250 rooms, most with private balconies. The hotel has a cozy Pacific Northwest vibe and has the Sweet Waters on the River restaurant. The restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating that looks over the river.