Ashland, Oregon is a cute little town in the southwestern part of the state. With a little more than 20,000 residents, Ashland has a lively arts scene, great restaurants, and lots of outdoor activities. Here’s everything you need to know about visiting this special Oregon town.
A Hub for Arts and Culture
The biggest claim to fame for Ashland is the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Held from February through October each year this world-renowned theater festival attracts visitors from all over to see highly acclaimed productions of Shakespeare plays as well as contemporary works. The Oregon Shakespeare Festival started in 1935 and has grown to run 11 theater spaces today. It’s an absolute must-see for any lover of theater.
In addition to the festival, Ashland has a thriving arts community. There are many galleries displaying works from local artists as well as small independent bookstores. Entertainment options abound, from concerts in the park during summer months to independent film screenings at the historic Varsity Theatre.
Evidence of Ashland’s artistic vibe can be found through eye-catching murals dotting building walls in the walkable downtown area. Beautiful gardens and unique public art installations further enhance Ashland’s charm.
Farm-to-Table Dining
With its abundance of local farms and nearby wineries and breweries, it’s no surprise that Ashland is a fantastic place for foodies. The town offers diverse cuisine along with an emphasis on farm-to-table dining.
Standout restaurants in Ashland include the following
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Amuse Restaurant – Serving French-inspired dishes using seasonal ingredients, many sourced right on site from their garden
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Smithfields Pub & Pies – Popular spot for freshly baked savory pies, meat pies, and pot pies made from locally sourced ingredients.
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Morning Glory Cafe: They serve breakfast and brunch, and they make everything from scratch with organic, sustainably grown food.
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Peerless Restaurant & Bar – Housed in a historic building, the dinner menu focuses on Pacific Northwest cuisine and local wines.
In addition to restaurants, Ashland has a weekly farmers market during summer months where local producers sell fresh fruits, vegetables, baked goods, coffee, honey, flowers, and more.
Outdoor Recreation
Ashland is at the base of the Cascade and Siskiyou Mountains, so there are lots of outdoor activities to enjoy. A popular winter destination is Mt. Ashland Ski Resort located 11 miles from downtown. During the warmer months, people flock to Mt. Ashland for hiking trails through old-growth forests with scenic views.
Lithia Park, located right near downtown, encompasses 100 acres along Ashland Creek and includes hiking trails, picnic areas, a playground, and even a Japanese garden. For longer hikes, the 90-mile Pacific Crest Trail passes through the region as well as the Table Rocks, iconic natural features offering panoramic views.
Popular water activities close by include canoeing or kayaking along Bear Creek and fly fishing or rafting on the Rogue River. Cyclists enjoy the many bike paths and country roads winding through the valley.
Quaint Accommodations
Part of Ashland’s draw is its small town pace of life. Accommodation options include charming bed and breakfast inns, boutique hotels, cabins, and vacation rentals. Many lodging choices are conveniently located within walking distance to downtown.
For those desiring camping, there are a handful of scenic campgrounds around Ashland offering tent sites and RV hookups. A few fun options just outside of town include:
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Jackson Well Springs – Situated in the mountains with natural hot springs pools, yoga classes, spa services, and comfy yurts and cottages for overnight guests.
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Country Willows RV Park – Riverside setting along Bear Creek perfect for tent or RV camping. Close to downtown.
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Emerald Valley RV Park – Ideally set between Ashland and nearby Medford, with amenities like a dog park, pool, and recreation room.
Thriving Local Craft Beverage Scene
The greater Ashland area has seen impressive growth in local alcohol producers. For beer lovers, Standing Stone Brewing Company and Caldera Brewing Company are not to be missed. Many smaller breweries are scattered within a short drive of town as well.
There are several wineries open for tastings in the hillsides and valleys surrounding Ashland. For a unique experience, guests can even stay overnight at the EcoVineyards Glamping site. The region also boasts cideries and distilleries, like the popular Weisinger’s Rum distillery.
Quirky Local Events
Part of Ashland’s character can be attributed to its fun calendar of quirky events year-round. For example, each Halloween weekend, locals celebrate with the Sneak Preview parade where anyone and anything is welcome to march through downtown. Costumes are highly encouraged!
During the summer, there’s the annual Ashland Culinary Festival celebrating local food as well as the Oregon International Air Show featuring impressive aerial acrobatics and military aircraft displays.
For holiday cheer, Ashland puts on an old-fashioned Christmas Parade in December with marching bands, dancers, and Santa Claus. The town gets an extra special sparkle during their annual holiday lights display event known as Illuminations.
Nearby Natural Wonders
Ashland offers plenty to do within city limits, but it’s also ideally situated to explore incredible natural sights nearby. Some of the top attractions just a short drive away include:
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Crater Lake National Park (1.5 hours north) – Deepest lake in the U.S. with stunning blue water in the caldera crater of Mount Mazama.
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Oregon Caves National Monument (1 hour north) – Extensive marble caves and caverns with fascinating rock formations.
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McArthur-Burney Falls State Park (2 hours north) – Impressive 129 foot waterfall that plunges over mossy cliffs into a pool below.
Planning Your Visit
Ashland delivers small town charm with a cultured vibe. Most attractions are concentrated within a very walkable downtown area. Many shops and restaurants stay open later during the peak Oregon Shakespeare Festival season from February through October.
The busiest tourist season runs from approximately April through October. Mid-week visits offer a more relaxed pace. Lodging prices are usually highest during summer and lowest in the winter months after the ski resort closes.
Ashland Municipal Airport (ASH) has direct flights on small airlines to and from several West Coast cities. Interstate 5 provides easy highway access to Ashland, located about 15 miles east of the California border. Amtrak train service and the local Rogue Valley Transportation bus also serve Ashland.
So if you love theater, art, gourmet local dining, and natural scenery, add Ashland to your Oregon travel bucket list!
Jon Parrish Peede Named Ashland University’s 31st President Image
Jon Parrish Peede, former chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities, has been selected as the next president of Ashland University and Ashland Theological Seminary. Peede will begin his role as president on June 1, 2024.
“I am honored to serve the Ashland students, faculty, staff, alumni, trustees and supporters. I admire the university’s steadfast commitment to its Christian heritage, liberal arts core, graduate programs and high teaching standards,” said Peede.
(Photo courtesy of Vincent Ricardel)
Our low student-to-faculty ratio means you will get the individual attention and mentoring you need to succeed. The ongoing success of our students beyond graduation is proof positive that you can confidently pursue your education here.
With more than 65+ programs at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels, AU offers a variety of educational paths to match your interests. 13:1
Job Placement Rate Post-Graduation
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FAQ
What is Ashland or known for?
Is Ashland Ohio a small town?
Is Ashland, Oregon a good place to live?
What products does Ashland make?
What does Ashland stand for?
Ashland Global Holdings Inc. (NYSE: ASH) is a premier global specialty materials company serving customers in a wide range of consumer and industrial markets, including adhesives, architectural coatings, automotive, construction, energy, food and beverage, nutraceuticals, personal care and pharmaceutical.
What is the Ashland brand?
The Ashland brand is our promise to our stakeholders. It is what we stand for and as we go to market around the world, we are essentially making a promise about what it will be like to work with us, and what we can accomplish together. what do we promise?
What is Ashland Oregon known for?
The city is the home of Southern Oregon University (SOU) and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF). These are important to Ashland’s economy, which also depends on restaurants, galleries, and retail stores that cater to tourists.
Who is Ashland?
At Ashland, we are approximately 3,900 passionate, tenacious solvers who thrive on developing practical, innovative, and elegant solutions to complex problems for customers in more than 100 countries. Our purpose is to responsibly solve for a better world, and we do this by providing creative innovations through science.