Fellas, gentlemen, bros: This one’s for you.
Solo guy time? Bonding day with your son, nephew, or mentee? Family reunion, friends getaway, or a weekend out just for the heck of it?
The Willamette Valley and points beyond have got you covered. From the great outdoors to the great indoors, fall is a prime time to style up, get out, and enjoy. Here’s where to gear up and go for many of the finer things in the Eugene and Springfield areas.
Activities
Your time starts with something to do. Not the to-do list, priority list, or “honey do” list, either, but what you want.
Maybe it’s a do-before-you-die day trip, a moment with a man who made you the man you are, or just a good darn time to catch your breath in between the responsibilities you have assumed. Either way, these ideas can help make the day yours.
Fly fishing
Whether you’re getting started or perfecting your gear, Caddis Fly Shop has been the Willamette Valley’s choice for fly tying and fly fishing since 1975.
Geared up? Luckily, one of the country’s finest fly fishing waters is right in your backyard, ready for a guy’s weekend or a father-son day on the water. Late September through the end of October is often prime season for salmon and trout along the Metolius River north of Camp Sherman in Central Oregon.
Caddis Fly Shop, 168 W. 6th Ave., 541/342-7005, caddisflyshop.com
Skydiving
Now and again, every man needs a change of perspective. And you know what? The world looks pretty different from 10,000 feet in the air.
Since 1992, Eugene Skydivers has taken first-timers and experienced skydivers up to the sky and back to earth again. But don’t worry, they offer tandem dives where you’re harnessed to your parachute and your instructor, so you’ve got a buddy system to help you dive in style.
Eugene Skydivers, 83501 Melton Rd., Creswell, 541/895-3029, eugeneskydivers.com
Sports cars
After summer joy rides, a quick break for TLC could be exactly what your sporty four-wheeled best friend needs right now. Or perhaps you’ve been yearning for a fresh, lively new ride of your own. Prefer to play the field? No worries. In Lane County, you can shop around some sporty rides—and settle down with the one you can’t get enough of.
Sports Car Shop, 288 W 6th Ave., 541/833-2937, sportscarshop.com
VersionEX Auto, 1125 Bailey Hill Rd., Suite 13, 541/393-6549, versionex.com
Vintage Underground, Showroom: 4085 W 11th Ave., Unit 1, Service & Inquiries 541/510-5296, Consultations & Sales 541/246-7883, vintageunderground.com
Indoor golf
What if you could play world-class golf courses from Pebble Beach to St. Andrews, but without leaving town? Local indoor golf simulators can give you the fun of the green with the service and comfort of the great indoors, not to mention selections of generated and simulated real-world courses from around the world.
Valley Sims, 3666 W 11th Ave. B, 541/221-7791, valleysims.com
Side Par, 1680 Coburg Rd. #110, 541/343-1200, sidebareugene.com/sidepar
The Back Nine Golf, 1550 Coburg Rd., 541/364-4653, thebackninegolf.com/eugeneor
Indoor climbing and bouldering
Yes, it’s wonderful to get out into the wilderness and climb. When time is tight, you’re new to the sport, conditions aren’t good, or you want to keep things lower stakes, local climbing and bouldering gyms can help you find new heights.
Elevation Bouldering Gym, 348 Lincoln St., 541/972-3595, elevationgym.com
Crux Rock Climbing Gym, 401 W 3rd Ave., 541/484-9535, cruxrock.com
The Circuit Bouldering Gym, 185 E 11th Ave., 541/636-3750, thecircuitgym.com
Cigars
A solid smoke from a well-crafted cigar isn’t just one of life’s simple pleasures. It can be a way to relax, go deep with one’s own thoughts, or add spark to good conversation.
Cigars On 7th, 679 Lincoln St., 541/654-5004, cigarson7th.com
Luckey’s Club, 933 Olive St., 541/687.4643, luckeysclub.com
Food & Drink
Whether elevated pub fare, dishes that combine culinary traditions from around the world, or a bit of both, it’s no secret that Lane County abounds with amazing food and drink. Head to these iconic locations for a local tipple.
Spirits & tasting rooms
Heritage Distilling Company, 110 Madison St., 541/357-4431, heritagedistilling.com/pages/eugene
Market Alley at 5th Street Public Market, 550 Pearl St., Suite 150, 541/632-6924, heritagedistilling.com/pages/hdc-5th-street
Wolf Spirit Distillery, 121 N. Monroe St., 541/505-9824, ourwolfspirit.com
Brewpubs
When it comes to craft beer, especially locally brewed beer, Eugene has punched above its weight for decades. Plus, today’s breweries cater to tastes beyond the barley, with menus that might include ciders, hard seltzers, and alcohol-free beverages. Food menus might feature some of the best burgers, sandwiches, and pizzas in the valley, along with dishes drawing from Asian, European, Hispanic, and African culinary traditions too.
Silver Falls Brewery Barrel House, 207 E. 5th Ave., Suite 115, 541/393-6307, silverfallsbrewery.com/barrelhouse
Sunriver Brewing Co. Oakway Pub, 329 Oakway Rd., 541/876-5048, sunriverbrewingcompany.com/oakway-pub
Gratitude Brewing, 540 E 8th Ave., 541/654-5009, gratitudebrewing.com
Beergarden, 777 W 6th Ave., 541/505-9432, beergardenme.com
Publichouse, 418 A St. #4606, Springfield, 541/246-8511, publichousehub.com
Style
You know where you want to go, what you want to do, and what you want to eat and drink. But fellas, it’s good to look good for all that too. Whether you want a trim and a quick spruce-up or a wardrobe overhaul, here are some reliable institutions that can help you step up your game of men’s style.
Barbershops
Yes, you can splurge on a haircut that’s like it was made for you. Facial hair trimmed up just so? Done. Or if autumn apple-smooth is how you want your face, you can get the fine, detailed shave that’s like the spirits of a thousand grandfathers channeled into one old-school straight razor.
House of Fades Barbershop and Lounge, 123 Monroe St., 541/600-8316, houseoffadesbarber.com
Analog Barbershop, 860 Olive St., 541/510-5668, analogbarbershop.com
Renegade Barber Co., 545 High St., 541/357-4715, renegadebarberco.com
Clothing and accessories
Looking for a sense of style beyond what the thrift, mall, or typical online shop have on the rack? Today’s man can rock a sartorial mastery that melds a sharp look with your sense of who you are. And you can dress that up or dress it down as much as you want.
Will Leather Goods, 5th Street Public Market, 296 E 5th Ave., 541/246-8650, willleathergoods.com
The Northwest Hat Co., 870 Pearl St., 541/515-0422, northwesthats.com
Porterhouse Clothing & Supply, 160 E Broadway, Suite B, 541/844-0514, porterhouseclothing.com
Mr. Meers, Oakway Center, 311 Oakway Rd., 458/201-8151
There are so many ways to enjoy yourself, whether on your own or with some of the other important men in your life. Gear up, get out there, and make this man time, your time, your way.
For Her
Need a gift for a lady in your life? Start here.
Flowers by Taby & Gift Baskets, 1307 Lincoln St., 541/285-2598, flowersbytaby.com
Beaudet Jewelry Design, 987 Garfield St., Suite 1, 541/484-6548, beaudetjewelry.com
Miss Meers Shoe Boutique, 321 Oakway Center, 541/485-5432, missmeers.com
gilt+gossamer boutique, 5th Street Market,296 E 5th Ave., Suite 223, 541/246-8444, shopgiltandgossamer.com
