top of page
Water touring

Explore the Rogue Valley from Shrews House B & B

Explore . . .
        in and around
                          Ashland

Cabaret Actress

Many people come to town to see theater at Oregon Shakespeare Festival but I always like to make sure all my guests know about this gem of a theater.  Located so close to Shrews House, the productions at The Oregon Cabaret Theater are enjoyable and top notch. Their fabulous shows have included Mama Mia, In the Heights, Avenue Q and The Full Monte.
I can’t wait! P.S. tickets sell out fast.

Opera Actor

Founded in 1935, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) is fantastic. I remember seeing my first OSF play and thinking this performance was as fantastic as anything I could see in London or New York! I was hooked!

Each year a wide range of classic and contemporary plays are produced on three stages. Here at the Shrews House one of my favorite times of the day is sitting at the breakfast table with all the guests and having converasations about the shows seen the night before! Joing us!

 

Close up of couple clapping in theater

The Camelot Theater is located in the town of Talent, just north of Ashland. Camelot produces well-known and highly regarded Broadway plays and musicals. Their 'Spotlight' series brings you 'a little biography and a lot of music' from the careers of famous entertainers. It's a local favorite for a night out.

The Britt Music & Arts Festival is an outdoor summer performing arts venue. Located in the historic 1850s gold rush town of Jacksonville. The Britt presents dozens of summer concerts, featuring world-class artists in classical music, jazz, blues, folk, bluegrass, world, pop and country music.

Wine Tasting!
IMG_5738.jpg

Wow, where do I start! Southern Oregon and the Rogue Valley is creating world class wines. The valley is known for its award winning Pinot Noir but I always seem to go with a dry, chilled Rosé on a hot summer afternoon.   My two favorite wineries Irvine Roberts Vineyard and Longwalk Vineyards are very close to the Shrews House and if I am free you can always twist my arm to join you!  P.S. I do have discount vouchers given to me by the winery owners!

schnieder museum.png

Well, I do love museums and I am so lucky to have this collection so close to the Shrews House.  This museum is a vital force in the intellectual life of Southern Oregon University and promotes an understanding of the visual arts.  The museum’s collection is primarily focused on works on paper from the twentieth century and beyond, and includes artists Mark Tobey, George Inness, and Alexander Calder.  I love to go on Tuesdays at 12:30 when they offer free guided interpretive tours of their latest showcased exhibition.

Hike

Ashland sits in the Bear Creek Valley and is hugged by the Siskiyou Mountains on one side, and on the other, the Southern High Cascade Mountain Range.  Some of the guests at the The Shrews House Bed & Breakfast come here to actively partake in the hiking and biking found within this wonderful and diverse terrain.  

Want More of a Hike?
For others who would like a bigger challenge in the hiking department I would suggest the Grizzly Peak or the Pilot’s Peak adventure. Please feel free to ask me for more ideas or get onto your Trailforks app and go wild….after your healthy breakfast here at Shrews House, of course!


 

Fun Cycle

 Following the Bear Creek, this trail system has been especially designed for both walkers and for bikers and makes for a simple exercise workout for all. 

The Southern trail head entrance marker is just a few blocks from the Shrew House.

So Many
Fun Activities
in Ashland!

Tibetan Art

Open March though October on Saturday and Sunday
This wonderful crafts market is situated along the Ashland Creek and is intermixed with some of Ashland’s best outdoor dining establishments.  It’s always fun for me to see some of the really unique purchases that the guests from Shrews House find there and it is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon!

IMG_6069.jpg

From the top of Mt. Ashland, I love the Ashland Super D Route.  This is a world-class double and single-track, downhill ride, full of jumps, beams, and rollers.  The route ends in downtown Ashland.  Stop for a beer and or come back to The Shrews House and jump in the pool!  Or do both!  There are so many varied trails on this mountain for all abilities.  I would love to join you but will skip any airtime!

If you have your bike bring it and we can safely store it here for you at Shrews House. Otherwise we have two top notch bike companies that rent many styles of bikes here in town!

Couple Buying Asparagus

Open May through October
Every Saturday during May through October this market sets up only a few blocks away from the Shrews House.  The organic products are ripe and ready to eat and this is where you can sample the best of the Rogue Valley.  I love the summer pears and peaches!  Many Shrews House guest use this market to gather tasty treats and take them to nearby Lithia park for a delicious simple picnic!  Please note that there are other other farmers markets that happen weekly in town.



 

Lithia Park
IMG_3436.JPG

This park  located in town is only a few minutes walk from the Shrews House.  After guests enjoy the light continental breakfast many take off to walk the paths of this park.  Look out for the newly refurbished Japanese Garden, formal rose garden and two duck ponds. In the summer, enjoy the shade from the mature trees or bring your bathing suit and hike up to Lithia Reservoir for a swim. In the fall come for the colors!

I would surely join you anytime!

Exciting Day Trips

temp-AENIRte_Kg6VGVehh7d-J-tTsPgNQ8tf9DZ1zP8xvpjpYpLMJOcdRiMr9Y2II4Qe2ZRKNOi54TdNbpT2lsHLW

My Crater Lake Day Trip Itinerary


This is a national gem and it is only an hour and a half drive from The Shrews House. I have led numerous groups up to this National Park. My favorite itinerary begins outside the park and includes Natural Bridge One Mile Loop Walk. Here, ancient volcanic activity joined with the Rogue River to create a network of lava tubes. At one point the the river actually disappears into a tube and comes out a few hundred feet down river. The park is about 30 minutes farther and I like to stop at the Visitors Center and watch the movie before heading to the crater’s rim. Easy walks along the rim give outstanding views of the lake. Although a picnic is wonderful I would suggest making  lunch reservations at the historic Crater Lake Lodge.  Built in 1915, this building is a perfect example of national park architecture and the meals are great!   On the way home I always stop at Becky’s Cafe and get a slice of huckleberry pie. Becky’s has been around since 1926 so they know what they are doing!  
 

Image by Loren Dosti

Both the Rogue River and Klamath are just a short trip from the Shrews House. We have variety of professional outfitters who will take you out on a half day or a full day river adventure. The float has a wonderful steady progression of little rapids which gradually cumulate into exciting class 3 and 4 rapids.  The rafting season typically starts in early April and goes through September.
 

Even More
Fun Around The
Rogue River Valley!

Birds

There are nearly 250 species of birds in this National Wildlife Refuge which was established in 1928. It consists of 15,000 acers of fresh water marsh. Relax and let the wildlife surprise while having a picnic on its shore or you can rent a fishing boat or canoe and head out onto the water!  If you are a birder then this is your place!

 

lake of the woods.jpg

If you are looking for an alpine mountain get away then Lake of the Woods is just a little over an  hour drive from The Shrews House. There are walking trails along the lake’s shore. The Lake of the Woods Resort has a nice restaurant with outdoor dining and "famous' Bloody Marys. Another option is to gather picnic supplies and rent a pontoon boat to explore the lake from the water.  Be sure to take your swimming suit!

Jacksonville.jpeg
Jacksonville

Jacksonville is a small, historic town located about 30 minutes from Ashland.  This very quaint town consists of only a few blocks, but located within those blocks are tasty restaurants, bars and local shops perfect for browsing.  Many of my guests head out to Jacksonville just for a few hours and return back to The Shrews House for an afternoon dip in the pool!

IMG_5807(1).jpg

Located about 45 minutes from The Shrews house, Hellgate Jet Boat Company leads excellent excursions on the  the Wild and Scenic Rogue River. I have taken groups of all ages down this river with this company and all return with big smiles and adventures to tell. They do have varied excursions and I would be more than happy to help you find the one that fits for you and your group.  If it’s really hot here in Ashland, I may meet you there!

 

bottom of page