Exploring Ashland with Kids
Ashland is best known for its Shakespeare Festival. The plays put on here are absolutely fantastic, but not something I would dream of taking young kids to. I had already planned to stay at a farm near Ashland for several days. Not knowing if we could fill the entire day gazing at goats, I hoped that we could find some additional fun activities in town. Honestly, I was skeptical, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. Ashland has the biggest rope climbing structure I have ever seen, a place to make bubbles larger than my kids, and the longest public park I have ever heard of. It is a town that already I can’t wait to return to. Here are a few of our favorite places.
ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum
Think a science museum is too complex for a toddler? The ScienceWorks Museum may in fact be a museum, but to young kids this is simply a great place to play. Parents who love science may feel compelled to point out the system of weights, counterweights, pulleys and springs that are behind the exhibits. Or not. You can just as easily hang out while your little one explores water features, drives a mini crane, makes balls disappear into vacuum tubes, and explores the ship-shaped playhouse. Bring a book, the rooms in this museum can keep little hands (and minds) busy for long periods of time.
The bubble-ology room is not to be missed. Standing in the middle of a bubble is much harder than it looks. It took a lot of persistence for my little one to hold still so as not to pop the bubble as it went over his head. Finally his persistence paid off.
The flight room was equally fun. At different stations kids can make paper airplanes or helicopters. These creations can then take flight either by throwing them or with the assistance of small fans pointed skyward. Another exhibit in this room offers kids the ability to drive a jet that is placed in a wind tunnel. You can control the speed of the wind and the slope of the plane and watch the effect on the plane’s stability.
Surprisingly, one thing that stood out for me were the snack options. Having stayed longer than I had expected, we needed a snack and I was coming up empty. The museum has a small refrigerated cooler with a few shelves. I don’t expect healthy options from a snack machine, but inside were items such as string cheese, nuts, and sandwiches. It was not gourmet, but a welcome selection when I figured I’d have to take whatever was available.
Lithia Park
This park stretches out from downtown plaza for 93 acres. (That’s right, 93!) In the early 1900′s land bordering Ashland Creek was designated as city-owned for use as a park. A water spring containing high amounts of lithia was also discovered at Emigrant Creek. The city decided to invest in plumbing to pump the “healthful” minerals into the park grounds. Today the park also features two duck ponds, many beautiful bridges, a musical stage, a playground, tennis courts, an ice rink during winter, and miles of hiking trails.
The playground is large enough to accommodate the amount of kids a bustling Saturday can bring. We spent a fair amount of time there, particularly at the rope tower. Once my kids discovered the nearby stream, where you can kick off your shoes and play in the water, there was no moving on any further. This section of the stream is paved with aggregate so that walking around is not dangerous for the little kids. I would still recommend having waterproof shoes on, as you never know what objects can find their way to the bottom of a popular stream.
Downtown Plaza Stores
I don’t generally enjoy shopping. Add kids in tow, and I pretty much avoid any store I can. Particularly ones with cute or colorful toys that I will have to pry away from whichever kid has grabbed them off the shelf. You have to know this about me to understand how taken back I was with some of the stores here. It should probably come as no surprise that an artistic community such as Ashland would offer plenty of costumes and imaginative play accessories. I believe it was the Hemporium that also sold wigs of all shapes and sizes. Children’s books were a’plenty as well, a personal weakness of mine. Tree House Books is conveniently located across the street from Lithia Park. Another great downtown find is The Northwest Nature Shop. This outdoor store offers a variety of kids’ activities, even things that can be used while traveling.
Two restaurants we tried were both excellent and very kid-friendly. Munchies is central to the plaza (59 Main Street). The front door is below street level so be sure not to miss it. We also stopped in Zoey’s Cafe, an ice-cream parlor with great soup and sandwiches.
For older kids
Additional activities that might be fun to try when my little ones are a bit bigger include riding the two 280 foot flume water slides at Emigrant Lake. Only six miles SE of Ashland, the lake also has many hiking trails, a marina, RV and tent sites, boat access, swimming and fishing.
Older kids might also enjoy the skateboard park that is close to downtown. It is easily three times the area that this picture shows. Bikes are also welcome here.
This post is part of Mondays are for Dreaming series hosted by Mara at Mother of All Trips. Check out her site to see more travel dreams.
Looks like a lot of fun – I keep hearing wonderful things about Ashland. I know we would have loved that stream at Lithia Park.
How much fun is that? My son would have so much fun visiting those places. What a great post!
So funny – the nature center owned by the Delaware Nature Society is also called Ashland, so I had an indignant moment when I saw your link (as in “she was here in Delaware and didn’t tell me?).
I love surprises like this – and one thing I’ve found since I started traveling with kids is that I seem to happen upon them more often because we tend to slow down and really explore.
That park looks especially great!
It was fun seeing a description of your stay in Ashland, since I grew up there! Many of the places you enjoyed were also fond memories for me as well! Although it is built up and the once-open fields are full of condos and pricey homes, there are still beautiful, nature-filled places for kids and families to enjoy. I can’t wait to go back.
@Mara: Thanks for reminding me, I need to be more clear about the state I am in. (geographically speaking, that is.) I’ll bet there are a dozen Ashlands, though I’m not certain why naming a city after ash is such a popular idea.
@Rachel: Its great to hear from a local. I think we hit some of the popular (and rightfully so) destinations, but would also love to hear your take on lesser known jewels. Especially since revisiting Ashland is back on my to-do list.
Seems like outdoor activities is such a great adventure and fun for the kids. A treat for the kids like this is always a pleasure to bond with them. I can’t wait for my next trip with my kids,too.