Spring has arrived and Southern Oregon is blooming with travel opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts, festivalgoers, foodies and wine lovers. The region is home to Crater Lake, the state’s only National Park, but that’s just the beginning. From life-changing trips to those who prefer slow travel, Southern Oregon has something to fit every traveler’s taste. Traverse breathtaking hiking trails, explore wild and scenic rivers on a jetboat or glide through the air on an exhilarating zipline. Take in a in show at an outdoor Elizabethan theatre at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival or jam to some tunes at the Britt Festival. Experience the quieter side of Oregon Wine Country as you visit one of the 150 wineries or follow a food trail to savor Southern Oregon’s mouthwatering bounty. We are brimming with unique options for travelers, so now is the time to come see what’s happening in Southern Oregon:
What’s New
Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) Returns with Lower Prices and BIPOC Stories
OSF is returning to a full-year season with in-person repertory and digital programming featuring new works and profoundly relevant classics. The organization is also making theatre more accessible by reducing ticket prices, dropping dynamic pricing, and introducing a new membership model. OSF believes in the inclusion of diverse people, ideas, cultures and traditions that enrich the work they present on stage. With a growing commitment to centering of BIPOC stories and artists (73% of the season’s actors and musicians and 61% of its creative team members are BIPOC), more equitable and sustainable theater-making practices, 2022 inaugurates a new era for the celebrated institution. This year’s performances include the acclaimed musical Once on This Island; unseen, Mona Mansour’s Riveting Portrait of a Conflict Photographer Facing Colliding Personal and Political Crises; and Shakespeare’s The Tempest.
Ashland Landmark Peerless Hotel Unveils Renovations
The historic Peerless Hotel has new owners and a new look. The historic property was originally built-in 1909 as a boarding house for Southern Pacific Railroad workers and staying in this hotel will make you feel like you’re a part of history—but with all the modern amenities. In an effort to protect and preserve the property, an amazing visual experience with stunning museum quality antiques has been incorporated including wi-fi enhancements, new appliances and amenities, a remodeled sunroom with a full guest amenities bar.
New Dining Experiences in Ashland
Ashland offers more than 100 restaurants with a diverse variety of cuisine, from classic, well-established restaurants that span decades of operation to the following newcomers:
Miss Yoon recently opened its doors offering Korean-inspired favorite including fried chicken, pork dumplings and the genre of fresh, cooked and fermented vegetables known as Miss Yoon’s house cocktails play up the restaurant’s theme with flavors of yuzu, shiso, ginger, hibiscus and even kimchi in a namesake martini.
Bar Juillet recently opened as a seasonal driven neighborhood restaurant. As the second restaurant from the husband wife team behind the popular Hither, Corrie and Wesley Reimer created a ‘let’s order it all for the table’ family shared menu. The wine list focuses on natural wine while the bar program focuses on reimagines classics.
Quady North Opens New Winery
After a year of construction, Quady North Winery has opened a brand-new winery in Southern Oregon’s beautiful Applegate Valley. The winery boasts 25,000 feet of space, all designed around their personal winemaking style, meant to enhance the ability to make amazing wines. Guests will enjoy tasting at a lovely space that adjoins the production area and will be treated to an up-close and personal view of the wine making process. Outdoor tables are available to enjoy small bites, cheese and charcuterie plates.
New to Downtown Roseburg
Enjoy outdoor adventures including fishing, rafting, and discovering countless waterfalls in the Umpqua Valley. Located in the heart of a spectacular wine region, Downtown Roseburg has a number of new and notable small businesses:
Downtown’s Jackson Street has welcomed international-wine tasting room, The Wine Destination
The Sunnyside Theatre is a new event venue that pairs an eclectic atmosphere with great music and cocktails.
Jackson Street Provisions brings the farm to downtown specializing in a variety of food items produced by small farms and businesses from Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.
Axes and arrows are providing a new pastime in downtown Roseburg with The Blade Axe House opening on Diamond Lake Boulevard.
The official Experience Roseburg Visitor Center opened in March and is located in the remodeled Anvil Northwest building. The center pays homage to Roseburg with a multimedia experience, gorgeous visuals, merchandise for purchase, and an assortment of resources for visitors.
New Flavors to Taste in Grants Pass
The wild and scenic Rogue River, which runs through the town, might steal your attention, but so will the delicious options for food and drink including the following new establishments:
House of Glory– Check out Grant Pass’s newest artisanal dessert shop in historic downtown in the hustle and bustle of G Street. Serving house made baked goods, gelato, coffee and savory dishes.
Steam Distilling– Located in Historic Downtown Grants Pass, Steam opened its doors to pair a steam punk vibe with cocktails and food service provides by its neighbor Climate City Brewing. Currently serving house made vodka, gin, tonics and flavor syrups, and soon Steam will be rolling out whisky, rum and tequila.
Klamath Falls Gets Ready for Summer
Klamath Falls’ proximity to Crater Lake make it an ideal stop on any Southern Oregon trip. There’s a lot to do in the region from scenic hiking and mountain biking, golfing, freshwater fishing or spotting some of the more than 350 bird species that live here. Don’t miss the following new offerings:
Explore Southern Oregon is offering new guided Day trips to Crater Lake for small groups. Choose between a full day tour, a half day West Rim tour, or kayak Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge and national park combo tour. In addition, they will be partnering with Rocky Point Resort to lead guided kayak tours along the Upper Klamath Canoe Trail.
Crater Lake Zip Line added an Axe Throwing Range that features eight throwing lanes and accommodates groups of up to 32 participants at a time in the lanes. Throwing axes are provided and an “Axepert” will be available for guidance on throwing techniques, game scoring and safety protocol. Sassy’s Kitchen is also on-site offering an enhanced menu with new lunch and dinner options and nonalcoholic specialty drinks as well as locally brewed beer and cider on tap.
Spring Creek Rehab Project is part of the Travel Oregon Destination Ready program, where community partners worked together to make improvements including rehabbing portions of the bank, creating a ‘hard launch surface’ out of sandstone rock to minimize future damage to the bank, as well as adding an ADA accessible dock for paddlers to safely access Spring Creek from the Day Use area within Collier Memorial State Park. Additionally, the group improved pathways, added fencing, and informational kiosks with directional, stewardship and cultural messaging.
Spring and Summer Events
Oregon Shakespeare Festival, April 15 – October 30
Founded in 1935, the 2022 Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) is in its eight-month season with works that feature eight on-stage plays and musicals, from classic Shakespeare to works by some of today’s most exciting playwrights. OSF’s play commissioning programs have generated works that have been produced on Broadway, throughout the American regional theatre, and in high schools and community theatres across the country.
Boatnik, May 27 – May 30
Boatnik is an annual festival held in Riverside Park in Grants Pass, Oregon over Memorial Day Weekend for more than 60 years. There is no admission to attend Boatnik and there are many activities and shows for all ages. There are additional activities available for purchase including the Davis Shows Carnival, concert, and Boatnik Brewfest. The activities start Thursday evening with the Davis Shows Carnival featuring food, rides, games and family fun. The excitement continues Friday with the concert, spectacular fireworks display on the river, midway vendors, and the carnival. Saturday morning features the well-known Boatnik parade that travels through downtown Grants Pass and ends at Riverside Park.
Britt Music & Arts Festival, June 5– September 8
2022 marks the 60th Anniversary of The Britt Festival, the Pacific Northwest’s premier outdoor summer performing arts festival. Located in the historic 1850s gold rush town of Jacksonville, Britt presents dozens of summer concerts, featuring world-class artists in classical music, jazz, blues, folk, bluegrass, world, pop and country music. Britt’s performance venue is a naturally formed amphitheater set on the beautiful hillside estate of 19th century photographer Peter Britt. This year’s performers include ZZ Top, Jones, electric blues band Blues Traveler, a night of rock with Collective Soul & Switchfoot, Americana string band Old Crow Medicine Show, Queen tribute band One Night of Queen, annual Britt fan-favorite Michael Franti & Spearhead, alt-rock group Mt. Joy, a night of reggae with the Good Vibes Summer Tour, plus “Best of Britt” fundraiser with 60’s pop legends in the Happy Together Tour 2022.
Southern Oregon Juneteenth Celebration, June 19
Black Alliance & Social Empowerment (BASE) will host the second annual Juneteenth Celebration event at Pear Blossom Park in Medford. This family-friendly event will be an outdoor cultural celebration for the entire community of Southern Oregon featuring food, education, music, and entertainment. Local food trucks will serve food throughout the day, highlighting Black-owned businesses and featuring community partners. Vendors, organizations, and local leaders from across Southern Oregon will have booths on-site to engage with the community.
Kruise of Klamath, June 23-26
The annual classic car show is filled with music, food and beautiful cars from the “good ‘ol days” takes place at the same time as Sentry Eagle Open House and the Klamath Freedom Days event series opening concert. Friday is full of mini shows at four locations throughout the day. Saturday is the Show ‘N Shine on Main Street in Downtown Klamath Falls pm followed by a cruise on Main Street.
Umpqua Valley Summer Arts Festival, June 24-26
The Umpqua Valley Arts Center celebrates 53 years of one of the Pacific Northwest’s greatest accumulations of local artisans. Roseburg’s scenic Fir Grove Park fills up with more than 130 vendors featuring ceramics, jewelry, metalwork, mixed media, painting, photography, fiber arts, woodwork, and much more. Visitors will also enjoy a kids’ art project zone, demonstrations, live music and entertainment, a food court, and local craft beer and wine.
2nd Annual Pride in the Valley, June 26
Pride in The Valley, an all-ages family friendly celebration of our LGBTQ+ community. On June 26th, come hang out at Jubilee Park in Cave Junction from 12-4pm, and enjoy food, live music, speakers, and more!
Southern Oregon Lavender Festival, June 24-26 and July 15-17
The Lavender Festival celebrates the lovely lavender in full bloom. Stroll through eye-popping fields of in shades of purple with U-Cut, live music, food, wreath making, gift shop, lemonade & ice creams.
Grants Pass Back to the 50’s Celebration, July 21-23
Back to the 50’s is returning to Grant Pass, with its full slate of events including car show, parade, sock hop and more. Enjoy of one of the biggest community events in Grants Pass and all of Southern Oregon. A week-long nostalgic celebration of events culminating with the classic car cruise – one of Oregon’s largest!
Oregon Wine Experience, August 17-21
Oregon Wine Experience® (OWE), one of the top destination charity wine and culinary events in the region, will be taking place at brand-new location: Stage Pass, a seven-acre site bordering Jacksonville, Oregon in the heart of wine country. For the first time since 2019, Asante Foundation’s signature event will take place under a 38,000 square-foot tent and feature five main events: the inaugural Collectors’ Tasting, Founders’ Barrel Auction, Miracle Auction & Salmon Bake and Grand Tasting. The Medal Celebration will be broadcast online for all to tune in and enjoy, with an intimate studio audience.
Lake County Round-Up, September 1-5
The Oregon Outback will come alive with a rodeo with saddle bronc, bull riding and barrel racing, fair, Destruction Derby, live music and more. This year’s concert headliner will be country star Scott McCreery.
Travel Southern Oregon
Beautiful Southern Oregon is home to Crater Lake, The Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the wild Rogue River and historic towns where visitors can Do Something Great in five distinct regions: Crater Lake, Rogue Valley, Umpqua Valley, Klamath Basin, and the Southern Oregon Outback.
Southern Oregon’s abundance of outdoor activities, arts and culture, culinary delights, wine and unique lodging offer inspiring experiences for wine lovers, theatergoer, history buffs, and outdoor enthusiasts alike. You’ll be surprised to find more than 150 wineries that grow the greatest variety of grapes in the state, five National Park assets and even a high desert in the vast Oregon Outback.
For more information about Southern Oregon, visit us online or follow us on Facebook (Travel Southern Oregon), Instagram (@travelsouthernoregon), and Twitter (@southernoregon).
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