The Willamette Valley & Wine Country - Washington, Oregon and the Pacific Northwest - page 503

Museum of Natural & Cultural History MUSEUM
( 541-346-3024; http://natural-history.uoregon.edu ; 1680 E 15th Ave; adult/3-18yr $3/2, Wed
free; 11am-5pm Wed-Sun) Housed in a replica of a Native American longhouse, this mu-
seum features a variety of displays on Northwest Native American culture and artifacts,
including basketry and the world's oldest shoes. A new natural-history exhibit showcasea
Oregon fossils. Fun, hands-on 'laboratory' activities introduce kids and families to the
fundamentals of science.
Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art MUSEUM
( 541-346-3027; http://jsma.uoregon.edu ; 1430 Johnson Lane; adult/child $5/free;
11am-5pm Tue-Sun, to 8pm Wed) This renowned museum offers a 13,000-piece rotating per-
manent collection of world-class art, with an Asian art specialty. Highlights can include a
10-panel Korean folding screen and a standing Thai Buddha in gold leaf. Free admission
on the first Friday of each month. Excellent cafe on the premises.
Lane County Historical Museum MUSEUM
( 541-682-4242; 740 W 13th Ave; adult/child 15-17yr $5/1; 10am-4pm Tue-Sat) Most prom-
inent at this good museum is a transportation collection that includes Oregon's oldest,
best-preserved running gear (undercarriage) for a covered wagon. A Victorian parlor, his-
toric kitchen exhibit and old logging tools are other historic artifacts worth a gander.
Skinner Butte VIEWPOINT
A hike up wooded Skinner Butte, directly north of downtown, provides a good orienta-
tion and a little exercise (drive up if you're feeling lazy). Eugene Skinner established the
city's first business on the narrow strip of land along the Willamette River below, which
is now Skinner Butte Park ; there's a great playground for kids. If you're a rock climber,
don't miss the columnar basalt formations along the butte's lower western side.
Follow the path around the north side of Skinner Butte to the Owens Memorial Rose
Garden , a lovely park with picnic benches and rose bushes (best June to August), along
with the country's oldest black tartarian cherry tree, planted around 1847.
Alton Baker Park PARK
(100 Day Island Rd) Heaven for cyclists and joggers is this popular, 400-acre riverside park,
which provides access to the Ruth Bascom Riverbank Trail System , a 12-mile bikeway
that flanks both sides of the Willamette. There's good downtown access via the DeFazio
Bike Bridge.
Hendricks Park Rhododendron Garden GARDENS