Ashland: Theater History, Parkland and Nature

Ashland combines a rich theater history with extensive green spaces and nature experiences. The Oregon Shakespeare Festival was founded here in 1935 and has three stages, including the outdoor Allen Elizabethan Theatre. Lithia Park follows Ashland Creek through undeveloped woodland. You can shape your stay around theater, self-guided exploration and time outdoors.

Theater and History in Ashland

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival is a notable destination for anyone interested in theater: it was founded in Ashland in 1935. Its three stages include the Allen Elizabethan Theatre, an outdoor theater. The city’s varied character is also reflected beyond its stages. The Ashland Playwrights Walk is an interactive, self-guided tour through Ashland. Its bronze plaques highlight theater, art and history. Together, a three-stage festival and a tour through the city offer two different ways to discover Ashland’s cultural history.

Lithia Park: Green Space and Cultural History

The 100-acre Lithia Park is in the center of Ashland and stretches along Ashland Creek through undeveloped woodland. Its history began in 1892 with an eight-acre park. The Chautauqua Association, which brought entertainment and culture to Southern Oregon, is also part of the park’s history. Visitors will find both a large green space and a place connected to the region’s cultural history.

The Ashland Japanese Garden is in the heart of Lithia Park, above the Butler Bandshell. Admission is free. Check the current admission information before your visit, as admission policies may change. Above the park are also the Acid Castle Rocks: a collection of large boulders on a hillside. Check current trail conditions before visiting. The parkland and rock formation represent different natural landscapes that shape Ashland.

Experience Nature and Explore at Your Own Pace

In North Mountain Park, the Nature Center is located between the sports field and Bear Creek. The park provides habitat for birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians; its natural features also include a seasonal creek habitat. In 2020, the Nature Center opened Ashland’s first Nature Playground. Its features include a water pump, a sandbox, climbing rocks and building materials. These tangible elements give the site a different focus from the cultural offerings and make nature-related themes accessible.

The ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum offers interactive exhibits, hands-on workshops and STEAM programs, and is designed for learners of all ages. Individual programs change over time. This offers another option for planning a trip, alongside theater, local history and outdoor nature experiences. Ashland’s Creek to Crest Trail System runs from the Bear Creek Greenway to the Pacific Crest Trail.

Plan Your Stay Around Your Interests

When choosing a vacation rental, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on during your stay: would you like theater and cultural history to take center stage, or would you prefer to spend more time in parkland and exploring nature-related themes? Ashland offers a range of options for either interest.

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