Ashland, Oregon

"To be or not to be," that is the question. The answer is, if you want to be, the place is Ashland, Oregon. Yes, the city is most famous for it's Oregon Shakespeare Festival and we will get to that, but Ashland has so much more to offer. My stay here started at Lithia Springs Resort, just 3 miles north of downtown Ashland. Beautiful english cottages, various gardens throughout the property, natural hot springs, & small town hospitality make this a tranquil and healing place to stay while visiting southern Oregon.

The lobby in this resort is very welcoming with its warm fireplace, fresh mineral water & cookies available at all times, and spa like atmosphere. But what made Lithia Springs a go-to place for me was the graciousness of the entire staff. From the front desk, to the event planner and the morning chef, the people here at Lithia Springs are top notch. And speaking of cooking, don't leave without some of Sharon's home made scones, they are amazing!!

The gardens at this resort must be extremely gorgeous, however, if you happen to be here in the winter, the snowy effect is just as breathtaking. The property lies just beneath the hills and is very spread out so it's not your average hotel. It is in the process of being completely remodeled and new rooms are being added as well. Lithia Springs has the beauty and pleasantry to make any stay in this area well worth while. "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Thou art more lovely"

One of the first things you'll see entering the town of Ashland is Lithia Park. The 93 acre playground has everything from tennis & volleyball to Japanese gardens, waterfalls, & duck ponds. It's as picturesque as it looks in this photo, bursting with every natural beauty imaginable. It's not uncommon to walk the grounds and have deer cross your path or spot many a beautiful bird swooping toward you. Lithia is definitely a walk in the park you don't want to miss!

Sitting high above the park is what many come to Ashland for, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Founded in 1935, OSF has been a huge part of this community ever since. It runs 8 months out of each year, presenting 780 performances annually. This time around, I was very fortunate to see the new production of "Romeo & Juliet". This is not, by far, my first viewing of this epic play, however, it was the most unique performance I have seen to date.

Having studied Shakespearean Literature in college, and even written a thesis on Romeo & Juliet, I have to say that I was most impressed by Jason Rojas who portrayed Mercutio. "All the worlds a stage, and each of us merely players..." Mr. Rojas is quite the player. Understanding the depth of this character & his underlying importance to the story line is key in order to appreciate the true artistry portrayed here. For the first time ever, I was able to see Mercutio come to life the way Shakespeare had intended and all I can say is Bravo!


There are many wonderful shops here in Ashland, Oregon. One of the reasons I enjoy them so much is that each one has a personal story. There is no franchise or corporation backing these small businesses. They are truly homemade. One of my favorites is Ashland Envy. There's nothing quite like wearing your heart on your sleeve and it's quite obvious that Ashland is the heart of this store. Lisa, the owner, carries everything from t-shirts & baseball caps to wine glasses & baby clothes. Make sure when you pop in to tell her Melody says "hi" :)

My next stay was right here in the heart of downtown at Ashland Springs Hotel. It is by far the tallest building around and probably the most gorgeous too. Built in 1925, the hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places & Historic Hotels of America. It is rich in both history and beauty. More importantly, the hospitality is above and beyond. The concierge at this hotel is extremely helpful and courteous. Don't forget to ask about the adjacent Waterstone Spa & Salon where you can get pampered with top of the line service & quality.

"What light through yonder window breaks" The top of the Ashland Springs Hotel boasts beautiful views of the city and its surrounding nature. I would sit here in these chairs at night and read sonnets under the stars, all while keeping warm of course! Have a Romeo of your own? Staying in this hotel will leave you feeling  like star crossed lovers as it inspires romance around every corner.

And if Shakespeare isn't enough, the Cabaret Theater is right up the street. The building was originally a church built in 1911. After renovations, it became a theater in 1986 showcasing 30 performances a year. It now presents 270 performances annually showing that this small town is culturally active. I saw the production of "Let's Misbehave", a musical montage of Cole Porter hits presented by a very talented cast of three.


If you're headed to the mountains, a great place to stay is at Callahan's Lodge. Right off of old hwy 99, the lodge resembles that of a log cabin with very lush surroundings. Owners, Ron & Donna, have added all the comforts of home to this luxurious vacation spot nestled just below the Siskiyou Mountains. The restaurant is phenomenal and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. I was fortunate enough to stay here on my last trip and loved it so much, I just had to pop in for a visit!



There is plenty of active things to do in the Ashland area. It's only a 20 minute drive up to Mount Ashland Ski Resort which is rightfully home to the "Sonnet" ski lift. You don't have to look far for other active sports such as mountain biking, river rafting, zip-lining, horseback riding, golfing, or my personal favorite, wine tasting (the next blog will cover that extensively). Southern Oregon is beautiful, and with so much to do and see, it's a trip worth making from wherever you are. I like it so much, I just might move there one day....

"It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves" Shakespeare