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Vanessa Salvia
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A few days ago, Kayak came out with its list of some of the country’s most underrated travel gems. We had no objections, since Eugene, Oregon, the home base of Road Trips For Families, is on the list.
Our only objection might be that at number 8, they didn’t place Eugene higher up the list.
Kayak published its 2026 What the Future Report, which notes that 84% of travelers say they’d rather explore smaller cities and lesser-known destinations over major hubs. At the same time, nearly 63% of travelers are desiring shorter vacations closer to home. These are the kind of trips they can take without a whole lot of planning and expense.
According to Kayak, college towns are perfect for this because they are usually walkable (Eugene has a few walkable areas, but the whole city is not “walkable”), they have nightlife (we do!), great food, culture, and lots of things to do — all of which is true for Eugene.
Here’s Kayak’s list, alongside a bit more about Eugene.
Nature, active living, and Pacific Northwest vibes…
Nestled along the Willamette River and surrounded by forests and trails, Eugene offers a more outdoorsy take on the college town experience. Think craft breweries, a thriving food scene and a counter-culture spirit that’s been part of the city’s DNA for decades.
Average hotel price: $158 per night
Eugene, Oregon
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About the Author: Vanessa Salvia is the site owner and editor at Road Trips for Families. She is an accomplished freelance writer and editor with extensive experience creating high-quality content for various mediums. Her work spans writing articles for newspapers and magazines, crafting SEO-optimized web content, and assisting authors in polishing their book manuscripts. To learn more about her services and portfolio, visit vanessasalvia.com.
The post Eugene, Oregon Makes It Onto Kayak’s List of Underrated Travel Gems appeared first on Road Trips For Families.
Our only objection might be that at number 8, they didn’t place Eugene higher up the list.
Kayak published its 2026 What the Future Report, which notes that 84% of travelers say they’d rather explore smaller cities and lesser-known destinations over major hubs. At the same time, nearly 63% of travelers are desiring shorter vacations closer to home. These are the kind of trips they can take without a whole lot of planning and expense.
According to Kayak, college towns are perfect for this because they are usually walkable (Eugene has a few walkable areas, but the whole city is not “walkable”), they have nightlife (we do!), great food, culture, and lots of things to do — all of which is true for Eugene.
Here’s Kayak’s list, alongside a bit more about Eugene.
Kayak’s Underrated College Towns to Visit
- Clemson, South Carolina
- Davis, California
- West Lafayette, Indiana
- Chapel Hill, North Carolina
- Oxford, Mississippi
- Boone, North Carolina
- Athens, Georgia
- Eugene, Oregon
- Ann Arbor, Michigan
- State College, Pennsylvania
Eugene, Oregon
Nature, active living, and Pacific Northwest vibes…
Nestled along the Willamette River and surrounded by forests and trails, Eugene offers a more outdoorsy take on the college town experience. Think craft breweries, a thriving food scene and a counter-culture spirit that’s been part of the city’s DNA for decades.
Average hotel price: $158 per night
Eugene, Oregon
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The post Eugene, Oregon Makes It Onto Kayak’s List of Underrated Travel Gems appeared first on Road Trips For Families.
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