Summertime in Southern Oregon
Outdoor adventure awaits in all directions and communities from Brookings to Ashland to Lakeview are gearing up for all kinds of special events, festivals, and family-friendly fun.
For theatre buffs, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival produces a variety of classics from throughout the ages at venues like the Allen Elizabethan Theatre. Shakespeare Under the Stars starts in early June and continues all summer long, presenting two Shakespeare classics – Hamlet and Twelfth Night – at Angus Bowmer Theatre. Check the schedule for show times during your visit.
For a newer take on the classic game, try your hand at disc golf at the Discraft Ace Race at Moore Park in Klamath Falls. The object of the sport is the same as golf – sink a shot in as few strokes as possible – except in this game, you toss a disc by hand instead of hitting a ball with a club.
It’s not too late for a day at the beach. The Brookings area is home to several stunning, one-of-kind beaches, including Harris Beach State Park, which features long and wide stretches of sand and spectacular monolith rocks reaching out of the water just off shore. Aside from being the ideal site for an unforgettable sunset, Harris Beach ups your chances of spotting a wide range of wildlife. The kids will get a kick out of seeing harbor seals, sea lions, snails, mussels, starfish, and if you're lucky, you might even get a glimpse at an octopus.
Brookings visitors looking for a watery adventure without getting wet will want to experience Fishing with Rye. A Coast Guard-certified Merchant Marine, Captain Rye will serve as your guide to a big catch of king salmon on the Chetco River during the short “bubble season.”
Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, OR
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Top Things to Do
Experience the Thrills of Southern Oregon’s Top Motorcycle Rides
The stunning Umpqua River Scenic Byway sections provide some of the top motorcycle rides in Southern Oregon. You can start in Oakland, a former pioneer town and ride to excellent wine tasting in Elkton, or drive to Reedsport for views of Winchester Bay. The Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway always impresses, as does the Rim Drive along Crater Lake. You can also cruise by Susan Creek Falls and Watson Falls along the Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway.
The Words of the Bard Come Alive at The Shakespeare Festival
The Oregon Shakespeare Festival has been wowing fans of the Bard since 1935. Ashland's Tony Award-winning festival has an eight-and-a-half-month production run. The season includes performances of 11 plays in three different venues, perfectly suited for the chosen works. Related activities are also part of the fun that starts in mid-February. If you love seeing Shakespeare's work come alive, add a performance, or two, to your Oregon travel itinerary.
Sample the Wines of Southern Oregon
Oregon currently hosts 725 wineries and countless tasting rooms. In Southern Oregon, the rich landscape allows cooler varietals to thrive. Try tastings at Dancin Vineyards, a Tuscan-inspired winery with elegant estate Pinots, outside Jacksonville or Quady North, in Jacksonville, for delightful Rhone varietals. The complex reds of Serra Vineyards and the Italian, Spanish and Bordeaux grapes of Schmidt Family Vineyards in Grants Pass also get raves.
Explore Crater Lake National Park
Crater Lake National Park sprawls over 180,000 acres, incorporating Rogue River National Forest, Mount Mazama and Crater Lake. The crystal-clear lake was a result of a volcanic eruption that saw the collapse of Mount Mazama and the formation of the caldera. Today, the Park welcomes hikers trekking down to the water along Cleetwodo Clove Trail, as well as explorers investigating the wonders of Rim Drive and the islands. Skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling are also popular.
Discover Best Western Hotels in Oregon
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