Photo credit: Travel Southern Oregon
Ashland is a place where culture, nature, and adventure travel come together. It is both a self-contained paradise and a launching point to some of the country’s greatest destinations. In and around Ashland the options are endless: Ski and surf in the same day, see a world-class performance at Oregon Shakespeare Festival, play a round at the best golf resort in North America, visit Southern Oregon University’s Schneider Museum of Art, raft iconic western rivers, hike the Pacific Crest Trail, sip sought-after wine varietals, and dine on local, fresh, gourmet food.
Recent accolades:
Top Ten International Travel Destinations – Wine Enthusiast, 2016
22 Best Small Town Family Weekend Destinations – Vacationidea.com, 2016
#1 Perfect Summer Getaway for Couples – Datingadvice.com, 2015
America’s Best Small Towns – Fodor’s Travel, 2014
Top Ten Great Public Spaces (Lithia Park) – American Planning Association, 2014
Top Ten Best Outdoor Town to Live – Outside Magazine, 2010, 2011
Adventure
- Join world-class runners on trails right from downtown
- Hike the Pacific Crest Trail from one of a dozen entry points near Ashland
- Mountain bike the Cascade and Siskiyou mountains, including the 5,000ft trail-and-road descents from Mt Ashland
- Ski the steep and fast slopes of Mt Ashland, only 30 minutes from town
- Raft world-renowned whitewater on the Rogue River, Illinois River, and Upper and Middle Klamath rivers
- Fly-fish stunning waters on the Rogue and Klamath Rivers or their many tributaries
- Surf or stroll the rugged Oregon coast
- Tour, bike, hike, or ski Crater Lake
- Backpack from lake to lake in the Mountain Lakes Wilderness Area
- Road bike the Cascade Siskiyou Scenic Bikeway
- Stand-up paddle board on Emigrant Lake, Howard Prairie, Hyatt Lake, or Lake of the Woods
- Birdwatch in the biodiverse Klamath Basin
Culture
- Reserve your tickets for Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the Tony-Award winning theater
- Visit the art museum or attend a lecture at Southern Oregon University
- See an up-and-coming film at the Ashland Independent Film Festival
- Watch a concert under the stars at the Britt Festival
Food, Wine, and Spirits
- Tour one of 150 wineries (and growing) with draw-dropping views and coveted varietals
- Enjoy fresh produce at the busting farmer’s markets offered nearly year-round
- Snatch locally caught, sustainable seafood fresh off the boat from the Oregon Coast
- Slurp organic, artisanal, direct-trade coffee from one of several award-winning local coffee roasters
- Get spirited with a growing number of spirits produced from local distilleries
