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Americans spend more than 87% of their time indoors. As the new year begins, we want to challenge ourselves and our readers to live a more active and adventurous lifestyle. 

We are proud to be a locally owned and operated business, and we hope that you will venture out to support other small businesses in our area this year.  We live in an area that has a personality all of its own, offering something for the outdoor enthusiast as well as the artist at heart. 

We used TripAdvisor to help select some of the most unique and exciting local must-do’s:

• Oregon Shakespeare Festival– This is a repertory theatre that has presented all 37 of Shakespeare’s plays more than 300 times. The theatrical season runs from February to November of each year and hosts more than 400,000 visitors per year.

• Lithia Park-Home to the healing Lithia Water Fountain and Ashland Creek

• Go to Science Works Hands-On Museum– Founded in 2002 through a cooperative agreement between Kirlin Charitable Foundation and Southern Oregon University, their mission is “to inspire wonder and stimulate creative exploration through fun interactive science and the arts.” They have educated and entertained more than 100,000 visitors since opening. 
• Mount Ashland-The highest peak in the Siskiyou Mountains of southern Oregon
• Take a Yoga or Massage Class

• Ashland Artisan Emporium-This collective marketplace houses over 180 local vendors within a 17,000 square foot facility

• North Mountain Park

• Drink a Craft Beer at a local bar or brewery

• Go to a Winery or Vineyard-There are many to choose from in Southern Oregon wine country

• Visit the Historic Districts of Ashland-Francesca, owner of Bayberry Inn, gives a great rundown of the Ashland Railroad District in her blog post

• Valley of the Rogue State Park-Venture a little north for a day trip

• Find a Waterfall

• Oregon Vortex-An unusual trip for the lover of all things obscure. First found by the Native Americans and named “Forbidden Ground,” this area has been open to the public since 1930. You must go yourself to experience a natural phenomenon unlike any other. Visit the House of Mystery, height change, the Eddy Current Tube, and visit the Curios Shop.

• Have a Spa day at the Blue Giraffe-Voted Best Spa since 2005

• First Friday Art Walk

• Schneider Museum of Art-This museum is a part of the Oregon Center for the Arts at SOU that is open to the public. Enjoy a free visit Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm or attend a tour on Tuesdays at 12:30 pm. 
  
  
• Emigrant Lake
  

• See a show at Oregon Cabaret-Originally Ashland’s First Baptist Church, the building remained vacant for over a decade and was eventually painted pink. In 1982, Craig Hudson bought and began restoring the building. In 1986, the theatre opened with 30 performances. Now, the performers entertain 140 guests, six nights a week, year-round. While you’re there, be sure to try a piece of Dick Hay Pie. 

Did we leave anything out? Let us know about your local experiences in the Ashland, Oregon area in the comments!