Ashland, Oregon where nature meets the arts
Ashland, Oregon is a walking town. Nearly everything listed in this page is within walking distance of the Chanticleer Inn!
Fall in Lithia Park
For current, or soon to be coming, performances, musical shows, nature-viewing events, festivals, classes, guided hikes, special opportunities and things to do with kids, please go to the Blog.
Eating
Locals and guests alike enjoy a wide variety of excellent restaurants in Ashland, Oregon: from high-end to casual; many serving locally and organic grown food; and catering to special dietary needs. The innkeeper’s favorite eateries are listed here. On Mondays only, Sesame Asian Kitchen offers a fixed-price meal exclusively for Chanticleer Inn guests. Ask the innkeeper for a Monday lunch or dinner certificate.
Shopping
Have a free afternoon or a couple of hours between the matinee and evening shows and would like to take advantage of no sales tax? Ashland Oregon has a wonderful array of unique gift, clothes and shoe shops, many independent new and used book stores, as well as many art galleries. Ellen’s favorite CD/vinyl music store, indeed only the best music store in the country, the Music Coop is now on Main St! Ashland, has no box or chain stores in the historic Downtown or the Railroad districts.
On weekends from April to mid-November along Ashland Creek on Calle Guanajuato, Lithia Artisan Market showcases craftspeople from the “State of Jefferson”.
From March to November Rogue Valley Growers & Crafters Market is in Ashland Oregon 2 days a week on Tuesday 8am-1:30pm at the Armory and Saturday in downtown 9am-2pm.
The Ashland Gallery Association hosts a First Friday Art Walk on the first Friday of each month from 5pm – 8pm. Wander through Ashland Oregon’s historic Downtown and Railroad districts, meet the artists, listen to music, sip wine and nibble on treats. For maps and additional information go to the AGA’s website.
Strolling and Picnicking
Lithia and North Mountain Parks offer places to picnic, play, hike and feed the ducks.
Ashland Creek in Lithia Park
The largest park, and the gem of Ashland, Oregon, is Lithia Park — 100 serene acres of gardens, walking paths, duck ponds, playgrounds, and picnic areas along the Ashland Creek. Over 100 years old, the park was designed by John McLaren, the designer of the San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park.
Ice skating starts in November. City tennis courts are available on a first come, first serve basis.
Walking tours at 10 am on Sat and Sun.
North Mountain Park, located on N. Mountain Avenue, has a nature center, demonstration xeriscaping, native and culinary gardens, and excellent birding.
Relaxing
For those who wish to relax in a spa setting, Ashland, Oregon hosts a number of salons: the Blue Giraffe, Chozu Bath and Tea Gardens and Waterstone are a few of our guests’ favorites. There are yoga centers and classes for all level of practitioners. The YMCA honors memberships from other towns and welcomes non-members with guest passes.
Museums
Also visit Schneider Museum of Art at Southern Oregon University, and for kids, or those who love to play with science, the Science Works, Hands-on Museum.
The National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places provides an authoritative and concise history of Ashland, Oregon as well as a list of local historic buildings and places.
