If you’re looking for fun places to take your family on a trip to Oregon, look no further than Ashland, Oregon. This city in southern Oregon is home to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and many attractions. Near downtown, Lithia Park surrounds Ashland Creek and has hiking trails, a rose garden, and duck ponds. North Mountain Park is also a good place to get out of the city and enjoy nature. The park includes a nature center and themed gardens. ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum is a great place for kids to learn about science experiments and build their own models.
Lithia Park
Located in downtown Ashland, Lithia Park is one of Oregon’s best public spaces. The park features a rose and Japanese garden, swimming reservoir, and hiking trails. The park is also a perfect location for a spring picnic. It is located on the Ashland Creek Watershed, which contains 15,000 acres of oak woodlands and Mt. Ashland.
If you’re looking for a place to stay in Ashland, you can’t go wrong with the Lithia Springs Hotel. The hotel is an old-fashioned hotel that features gorgeous gardens and a beautiful spa. The Lithia Springs Hotel also offers great services, including massages, facials, and salon services. The hotel’s historic interior has been featured in Architectural Digest. If you’re planning to spend a few days in Ashland, there’s no better place to stay.
If you’re a fan of Shakespeare, you can enjoy a Shakespeare play in the city’s Allen Elizabethan Theatre. The theater offers free Thursday concerts and First Friday Silent Disco in the Park. Other attractions in Ashland include the creek park, which features a Japanese garden, duck ponds, and ice skating rink. There are miles of hiking trails in this park, which was originally a flour mill in the 19th century.
Ashland is known for its outdoor recreation, including hiking, horseback riding, skiing, and river rafting. It’s also home to several museums, quaint downtown districts, and plenty of parks and green space. Whether you’re looking for a quiet place to relax or want to explore the city, Ashland has plenty to offer.
If you have kids, you can also take them to the ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum. The 26,000-square-foot museum provides hands-on experiences and is a great place to bring kids. It features an interactive science exhibit and interactive programs for kids of all ages. The museum also hosts a variety of science camps, which are popular with local schools.
In 1907, a mineral water spring was discovered a few miles to the east of Ashland. The spring had the second-highest concentration of lithium. This discovery attracted Bert Greer to Ashland, where he bought the local newspaper, the Ashland Tidings. He later promoted the idea of a mineral water resort in Ashland. Greer also campaigned to have the park developed and improved.
Weisinger Family Winery
Weisinger Family Winery is a family-run winery that is located minutes from the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and downtown Ashland. The winery has been around for more than two decades and is located on a beautiful vineyard that was planted by the Weisinger family in 1978. It’s one of the oldest vineyards in the area. In 1988, the winery opened and became the first winery in the Ashland area.
The Weisinger Family Winery was started by John Weisinger, who bought an old 1888 farm in the Bear Creek Valley. This valley receives plenty of daytime sun and cools beautifully at night. Because of its elevation, the valley is perfect for a wide range of grapes. Gewurztraminer is one of the grapes that grow best in this area. The winery sources grapes from nearby vineyards to create their delicious wines.
The Weisinger Family Winery specializes in limited-production wines produced in the surrounding area. The tasting room is open daily from 1PM to 6PM. Irvine & Roberts Vineyard, a few miles away, is also a great place to enjoy your wine. It offers both indoor and outdoor seating. This winery believes that great wine comes from great soil. It is certified LIVE and Salmon Safe.
The Caldera Tap House is another great place to visit in Ashland. This restaurant and brewery is conveniently located near Interstate-5 exit 14. It features a full restaurant and taproom and serves 20 different beers on tap. It also offers a children’s menu.
For more than 30 years, the Weisinger Family Winery has been making wines from grapes that were planted in Texas. The owner of the vineyard was a minister who had no formal training in winemaking. His grapes had to age for five to six years before they began to show their mature varietal characteristics. The winery relied on the support of local residents and tourists visiting the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.
Weisinger Family Winery is a beautiful winery that offers a view of the hills. There is a charming patio where you can sit and enjoy a glass of wine. The winery also features a cozy vacation cottage where you can relax amidst the vines.
Gathering Glass Studio
If you are an art lover and love blown glass creations, Gathering Glass Studio is the place to visit in Ashland, Oregon. This studio, owned by Keith Gabor, demonstrates different types of glasswork techniques, and even offers classes for aspiring glass artists. Visitors can purchase pieces on display or collaborate with the artists to design custom orders. Located in the historic Railroad District, Gathering Glass Studio is an excellent place to spend a day.
Another great place to visit in Ashland is the Oregon Art Center, which hosts lectures and demonstrations by local artists. There are plenty of local artisans who are eager to share their talent with you. You can find everything from kiln-fired coffee mugs to delicate mermaids. You can also find some locally made wine at Platt Anderson Cellars.
Another popular place to visit in Ashland is the Lithia Artisans Market. Located near Lithia Park, this outdoor market is home to over 35 local artists. You can also listen to live music and enjoy a meal at one of the local restaurants.
Ashland is a cultural hub of southern Oregon. It is a well-known small arts city and has been ranked among the “100 Best Small Art Towns in America”. The city also features stunning natural settings, including the Rogue Valley and the Cascade Mountain range.
The Oregon Shakespeare Festival brings hundreds of thousands of visitors to Ashland every year. The Oregon Shakespeare Festival is a popular event in Ashland, but the town is also home to eclectic boutiques, vibrant dining scene, and wineries. Whether you’re looking for a romantic evening, an afternoon at the lake, or a weekend day out with friends, there’s something for everyone.
Lithia Park is one of Ashland’s biggest parks, with more than 100 acres of lush green landscape. It has several playgrounds, tennis courts, softball fields, and volleyball courts.
Oregon Shakespeare Festival
The Oregon Shakespeare Festival, located on 15 S. Pioneer Street, is one of the most popular places to visit in Ashland. Its history dates back to 1935, and the festival now boasts three different theaters, including an outdoor stage, which is reminiscent of Shakespeare’s Globe in London. Guests can also participate in backstage tours, and ASL interpreters are available at special performances.
If you can’t get tickets in advance, try the Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s Rush Ticket program. This program provides tickets for an hour before curtain call. Rush tickets are available for members and non-members. You can call ahead to inquire about rush tickets, or show up in person at the box office a few hours before the performance. Rush tickets are also available for students and youth (17 and under), but you will need to present a valid ID to get the discount.
After a performance, take some time to enjoy Ashland’s many attractions. The town is home to more than 30 art galleries. The First Friday Artwalk takes place every month from 5pm, while the Lithia Artisans Market is open year-round and on some days, you can buy handcrafted crafts and other items. You can also visit the Schneider Museum of Art at Southern Oregon University, which hosts free monthly exhibits and features a permanent collection. The university is also home to the Oregon Center for the Arts.
Perhaps the most important reason to visit Ashland is the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, which takes place every February and October. This festival features over 700 productions and draws international attention. The theater’s energy spills throughout the town and adds a distinctive ambiance. The Oregon Cabaret Theatre is also a must for a night out, and the Ashland New Plays Festival champions the work of new playwrights.
The theater is not open year-round. It traditionally opens in June and closes in mid-October. The weather can affect the festival. During the summer and July, temperatures can reach the mid-eighties, but they’re typically cooler than in other parts of the country. Visiting during these months will also help you avoid the rainy season and the summer heat.
