Separated from Eugene and the University of Oregon by the Willamette River and I-5, Springfield is a terrific city with wooded neighborhoods, mountain views, amazing outdoor adventures -- and yes, it is that Springfield. Matt Groening is an Oregon native, after all, and he based his fictional town of "Springfield" in the animated Simpsons series after Springfield, Oregon. The city even offers an unofficial Simpsons tour of Springfield, and some of the similarities are uncanny. For example, there really is a stylized horse statue at the entrance to the city, and Max's Tavern is claimed to have inspired the show's Moe's Tavern -- it is eerily similar. Max's opened in 1932, and it is rumored that Groening spent his college years in the tavern, sketching.
And while you won't be able to head out of your Springfield apartment to enjoy a Duff's beer, you will find a Moe's Tavern, and the city is known for its craft beer. It is also known for its outdoor adventures.
