A day in the eyes of a theatregoer in Ashland, Oregon

Tucked away in the forests of Oregon is one of the most underrated destinations in the world. The lovely town of Ashland, Oregon is rarely featured in major travel publications. Yet it is a gorgeous world of its own, comprising a distinct Shakespearean and LGBTQ+ friendly culture, lots of sustainably delicious food, and fairy tale-esque forests. Its claim to international fame is the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF), but still few people have heard of it.

Having visited Ashland several times, I fall into a wistful routine every time I go back. The first thing I do is stop by all my favorite shops on Main Street and in the surrounding area. I lose myself in a cacophony of fairycore, vintage, and neoteric clothes, home goods, and trinkets from the likes of Thread Hysteria, Book Exchange, and Rare Earth. Among Ashland’s boutique shops, the department store Paddington Station is the crown jewel.