Ashland Travel Guide

Trek Zone

City

Facts and practical information

Nestled in the picturesque Rogue Valley of Southern Oregon, Ashland is a charming city that offers a delightful combination of natural beauty, cultural events, and a vibrant arts scene. Known as the home of the renowned Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Ashland attracts visitors from all over the world who come to immerse themselves in the magic of live theater.

One of the highlights of Ashland is Lithia Park, a stunning 93-acre oasis that stretches along Ashland Creek. With its manicured gardens, tranquil ponds, and miles of walking paths, this park is a favorite spot among locals and tourists alike. Whether you're taking a leisurely stroll, having a picnic, or simply enjoying the fresh mountain air, Lithia Park is a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts.

For those seeking a cultural experience, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival is a must-see. Founded in 1935, this world-renowned theater company presents a diverse array of plays, including the works of William Shakespeare and contemporary productions. With multiple theaters and performances running from February to October, visitors have the opportunity to witness extraordinary performances that will leave them captivated.

In addition to its theatrical offerings, Ashland is also known for its thriving arts scene. The city is home to numerous galleries, showcasing a wide range of art forms, from traditional paintings to innovative sculptures. The Ashland Art Center is a hub for local artists, where visitors can browse and purchase unique pieces, and even participate in workshops to unleash their own creativity.

No visit to Ashland would be complete without indulging in the culinary delights the city has to offer. From farm-to-table restaurants to cozy cafes, Ashland's dining scene is a food lover's paradise. With an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients, visitors can savor the flavors of the region while enjoying the warm and welcoming atmosphere of the city's eateries.

Beyond its cultural and culinary offerings, Ashland is also an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts. With its proximity to the Cascade and Siskiyou mountain ranges, the city offers a plethora of outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, fishing, and white-water rafting. Whether you're seeking a leisurely nature walk or an adrenaline-pumping adventure, Ashland has something for everyone.

Alternative names: Settled: 1852Population: 20.9 thous.Area: 6.64 mi²Elevation: 1919 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 42°11'47"N, 122°42'43"W

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OregonUnited States

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Ashland Top Attractions

Ashland Attractions - What to See and Explore

Ashland offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Allen Elizabethan Theatre, Lithia Fountain, Lithia Park, Calle Guanajuato. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Theater • Lithia Park
Allen Elizabethan Theatre
The Allen Elizabethan Theatre has evolved since the founding of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival when the first performance of Twelfth Night was presented on July 2, 1935.
Fountain • Lithia Park
Lithia Fountain
The Lithia Fountain is a fountain in Ashland, Oregon, United States, installed in 1927. Health benefits of water from the fountain, and the city's others, have been debated. High barium levels forced the city's public works department to turn off the fountains temporarily in 2016.
Park • Lithia Park
Lithia Park
Lithia Park is the largest and most central park of Ashland, Oregon, United States. It consists of 93 acres of forested canyonland around Ashland Creek, stretching from the downtown plaza up toward its headwaters near Mount Ashland.

Park • Lithia Park
Calle Guanajuato
Calle Guanajuato is a park in Ashland, Oregon, United States.
Fountain • Lithia Park
Butler-Perozzi Fountain
The Butler-Perozzi Fountain is a fountain in Ashland, Oregon, United States. The fountain was displayed at the Panama–Pacific International Exposition, then purchased and gifted to the City of Ashland by Gwin S. Butler and Domingo Perozzi.
Monuments and statues • 3 Tiers of Ashland
Mickelson-Chapman Fountain
The Mickelson-Chapman Fountain is a monument and sculpture installed in front of Ashland, Oregon's Carnegie Library, in the United States.
42°11'12"N • 122°42'57"W
Ashland Creek
Ashland Creek is a 5.4-mile tributary of Bear Creek in the U.S. state of Oregon. It joins Bear Creek near Ashland, 21 miles from the larger stream's confluence with the Rogue River.
Church • Gothic Revival architecture
Trinity Episcopal Church
Trinity Episcopal Church is a historic Episcopal church at 44 N. 2nd Street in Ashland, Oregon. It is also the oldest church in Ashland. Constructed in 1894 and completed in 1895, its design was based on drawings by local builder W. J. Schmidt.
42°8'58"N • 122°36'59"W
Emigrant Lake
Emigrant Lake is a reservoir located 5 miles southeast of Ashland, Oregon, at the southern end of the Rogue Valley. It has an elevation of 2,241 feet above sea level.
Mountain
Pompadour Bluff
Pompadour Bluff is a summit in the U.S. state of Oregon. The elevation is 2,306 feet. Pompadour Bluff was so named for a fancied resemblance to the pompadour hairstyle.
Church • Lithia Park
First Baptist Church
First Baptist Church is a historic church at 241 Hargadine Street in Ashland, Oregon. It was built in 1911 and added to the National Register in 1979. Ashland's First Baptist Church was sold in the late 1960s.
Specialty museum • Museum • Children's museum
ScienceWorks Museum
ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum in Ashland, Oregon, is a science museum, founded as a non-profit organization in 2001 by a small group of families. The goal was to use an existing 26,000 sq. ft. building to create an interactive science center, to serve the region's schools toward Oregon State science standards.
Theater • Art museum • Concerts and shows
Southern Oregon University
Southern Oregon University is a public university in Ashland, Oregon. It was founded in 1872 as the Ashland Academy, has been in its current location since 1926, and was known by nine other names before assuming its current name in 1997.
42°4'54"N • 122°42'18"W
Mt. Ashland Ski Area
Winter sport • Gear rental • Park
42°11'45"N • 122°43'0"W
Women's Civic Improvement Clubhouse
The Women's Civic Improvement Clubhouse, at 59 Winburn Way in Ashland, Oregon, was built during 1921–22. Its construction was funded by the Ashland Women's Civic Improvement Club and the philanthropy of Jesse Winburn.
Neighbourhood • Lithia Park
Ashland Downtown Historic District
The Ashland Downtown Historic District is an historic district listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Ashland, Oregon, United States. The district is roughly bounded by Lithia Way and C Street, Church, Lithia Park and Hargadine and Gresham Streets.
42°11'52"N • 122°42'58"W
IOOF Building
The IOOF Building in Ashland, Oregon, also known as Oddfellows Building, is a two-story eclectic-styled building in "The Plaza" area of Ashland that was built in 1879.
Cemetery • North Ashland
Hargadine Cemetery
Hargadine Cemetery is a cemetery in Ashland, Oregon, United States. It was established in 1867. Located on a hill on the north end of the city, the cemetery was named after its first interment, Katie Hargadine, the one-year-old daughter of town pioneer Robert Hargadine.
Cemetery • Railroad District
Ashland Cemetery
Ashland Cemetery is a cemetery in Ashland, Oregon, in the United States. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Notable burials include Lindsay Applegate and Abel Helman.

Things to See and Do in Ashland by Category

Sights, interesting and unusual places and attractions valued by most tourists. See the list of places to visit in Ashland.

Active

Mount Ashland Ski Area
Ashland
Winter sportSki area
Oak Knoll Golf Course
Ashland
Outdoor activitiesGolfOak Knoll
Mt. Ashland Ski Area
Ashland
Winter sportGear rentalPark

Other categories

Museum

Day trips

Ashland – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Ashland, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Mount McLoughlin (Sky Lakes Wilderness), Pilot Rock (Soda Mountain Wilderness), Great Cats World Park (Cave Junction).

27 milesNE
Nature, Natural attraction, Volcano
Mount McLoughlin, Sky Lakes Wilderness
Mount McLoughlin is a dormant steep-sided stratovolcano, or composite volcano, in the Cascade Range of southern Oregon and within the Sky Lakes Wilderness. It is one of the volcanic peaks in the Cascade Volcanic Arc, within the High Cascades sector.
14 milesSE
Nature, Natural attraction, Volcano
Pilot Rock, Soda Mountain Wilderness
Pilot Rock is a prominent volcanic plug located in the western Cascade Range near the east end of the Siskiyou Mountains, just east of the Siskiyou Summit near Ashland, Oregon.
49 milesW
Nature and wildlife, Park, Zoo
Great Cats World Park, Cave Junction
Great Cats World Park is a big cat zoo. It is located a few miles south of Cave Junction, Oregon, United States. It is owned and managed by Craig Wagner.
12 milesNW
Theater, Concerts and shows, Event space
Craterian Theater, Medford
The Craterian Theater at the Collier Center for the Performing Arts is a state-of-the-art performing arts center located in Medford, Oregon. While the theater has a seating capacity of 732, the theater will frequently hold large, national concerts, dance, and theatrical tours.
20 milesN
Bridge
Antelope Creek Bridge, Eagle Point
The Antelope Creek Bridge is a wooden covered bridge, 58 feet long, spanning Little Butte Creek in Eagle Point in the U.S. state of Oregon. Constructed in 1922 by brothers Wes and Lyle Hartman, it originally spanned Antelope Creek, north of Medford.

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Best Time To Visit Ashland

Learn when is the best time to travel to Ashland weather-wise and what to expect in each season.

Popularity among visitors

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June and July are the busiest months in this location. Many people also choose to visit in May.

Average temperatures in °F

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The highest air temperature is in June, July and August. While the coldest is in January, February and March.

Monthly rainfall in inches

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The lowest rainfall is recorded in July. Most of it rains in November and December.

Length of day in hours

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We can expect the longest days in June, while the shortest in December.

Sunrise

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the top attractions to visit in Ashland?

The top attractions to visit in Ashland are:

What is the best time to visit Ashland?

June and July are the busiest months in this location. Many people also choose to visit in May. The highest air temperature is in June, July and August. While the coldest is in January, February and March.