Sports lovers looking to make game-day memories are in luck — Oregon’s two biggest college towns shine in the fall. Red-brick buildings, tree-lined campuses and the excited buzz of students back to school make autumn the perfect time to visit Oregon’s flagship universities. Here’s how to discover fan favorites in and outside the stadiums in Eugene and Corvallis.
Beginner’s Guide to Game Day
Want to look like a local? Brush up on stadium traditions. In Eugene the mascot — simply known as The Duck — rides into Autzen Stadium on the back of a Harley-Davidson and does push-ups each time the Ducks score. Come ready to sing and dance, too. University of Oregon fans sing along when “Shout” plays at the end of every third quarter. The song famously appeared in “Animal House,” filmed on campus in 1978.
In Corvallis prepare for the Turnover Chainsaw. Oregon State University mascot Benny Beaver wields a fake chainsaw, and an ear-splitting chainsaw sound effect plays each time the opponent approaches a third down. Toy chainsaws are on the “approved items” list for entry into Reser Stadium, so fans frequently bring their own. In the stadium, look for the bright-orange Beaver Classic food truck. Staffed by OSU Food Science majors, it serves student-made ice cream and grilled cheese.
Tailgating before the game is an epic tradition in and of itself. Duck fans flock to The Moshofsky Center, which hosts one of the largest indoor tailgate gatherings in the country at every game. Just north of Autzen, fans can park in one of several privately managed tailgating lots that open six hours before kickoff. Get your UO gear at The Duck Store at Valley River Center or on campus.
In Corvallis tailgating options include setting up at city parks near campus or on-campus parties at Truax Indoor Center and CH2M Hill Alumni Center. Buy Oregon State University swag on campus at The Beaver Store, or grab some Beavers merch when you stop by the Fred Meyer grocery store for pregame supplies.
Where to Eat, Play and Stay in Corvallis
When you’re not at a game, enjoy Oregon State’s 520-acre campus. On weekdays visit the campus Welcome Center to see woolly mammoth bones that were unearthed during a 2016 stadium renovation. Take in an exhibit at PRAx, an on-campus arts venue focused on experiential and experimental art. It’s a 1-mile walk from campus to downtown, where the Corvallis Farmers Market takes over First Avenue every Wednesday and Saturday morning from April to November.
For postgame grub, try American Dream Pizza, with locations adjacent to campus and downtown; the yeasty crust is made from a third-generation family recipe. Just 3 miles south of campus, 4 Spirits Distillery and its neighbor, Block 15 Brewery & Tap Room, both feature patios where you can gaze at the Coast Range while sipping a craft beer or cocktail.
Book lodging for your visit in advance; hotels fill up fast whenever there are home games or university events. In Corvallis hotels include the Hotel Corvallis, a downtown hotel with midcentury-modern style, and Donovan’s Place, which offers lodging on a Christmas-tree farm 2 miles west of campus.
Experience Eugene’s Sports History and Green Spaces
Known in sporty circles as TrackTown USA, Eugene earned its nickname as the birthplace of Nike and the location of several illustrious track and field events. Discover on-campus sites like Hayward Hall — a 4,000-square-foot interactive track and field museum — and the Museum of Natural and Cultural History, where you can see archeological treasures like the world’s oldest shoes. Stroll through the 5th Street Public Market, a collection of Oregon-centric shops and restaurants.
Off campus, journey into Eugene’s green spaces, anchored by Skinner Butte on the north and Spencer Butte on the south, with panoramic views of Oregon’s Cascades. Paddle the Alton Baker canoe canal, or bike and run on 12 miles of riverside paths.
For people-watching plus great food and drink, visit the Whiteaker neighborhood, where breweries, wineries and distilleries are clustered with eclectic food trucks and restaurants. Share craft brews with fellow fans at Oakshire Public House, and discuss the game over blackberry pie or chocolate cake at Sweet Life Patisserie. Closer to campus, the Wild Duck is bedecked with Ducks memorabilia, as is green-and-yellow painted Track Town Pizza, where you can watch games in the dining room or stop in as you’re walking to the nearby stadium.
Keep the sporty vibe going and stay at The Graduate, a hotel decked out in University of Oregon colors and memorabilia. The pet-friendly Hayward Inn — featuring a pool and a restaurant — and the wellness-centric EVEN Hotel are options close to Autzen Stadium.
If You Go:
- Corvallis and Eugene are both located south of Portland along Interstate 5 in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Plan ahead for game-day slowdowns on the freeway, especially when the Ducks and Beavers both have home games.
- Air travelers can get to games car-free; book a shuttle from Portland International Airport or Eugene Airport and get dropped off on either campus.
- Check official rules for Reser Stadium in Corvallis or Autzen Stadium in Eugene for details on parking, game-day shuttles and tailgating.
