Tips for Attending Oregon Shakespeare Festival

Get Thee to the Theater: Tips for Attending an Oregon Shakespeare Festival Play

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival is one of the country’s greatest places to experience live theater. While I may be slightly biased, many online visitor reviews describe Ashland, Oregon as heaven on earth for theater-lovers.

You will be pleased to know I am not going to review a Shakespeare performance here! I come bearing tips to make your theater experience enjoyable.

1) There is a very affordable public parking lot on Hargadine Street (just behind the theatres. Cost: $1.00 for unlimited parking seven days per week from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 Parking after 6:00 p.m. is $1 per hour up to three hours. There is also street parking that will require walking a few blocks (be careful of the 2 hour zones downtown)

2) Planning to have dinner, dessert, coffee before the show? Here are a few of our favorites:

- Dessert and coffee: Mix Sweet Shop offers handmade artisan chocolates, pastries (don’t miss the mini pies!) and other sweets. Mix is located on the Plaza at 57 N Main Street.

- Dinner: Louie’s Bar & Grill serves a mean Organzola Burger that wins best burger year after year. Louie’s is located on the Plaza at 41 N Main Street.

- Greenleaf serves fresh and healthy food with many vegetarian choices. Greenleaf is located on the Plaza at 49 N Main Street

- Snacks for the Show: Stop by Yummy Monkey Popcorn (46 E Main St) for organic kettle corn and other popcorn snacks. You can’t miss the smell of his fresh popcorn, but just in case, his shop is at the edge of the alley way entrance of Main Street.

3) The New Green Show: Catch a Green Show performance on the bricks before evening theatre performances, every night of the week except Monday. These shows are free and start at 7:15 from June 2-August 9 and 6:45 from August 11-Ocotber 4. See our complete Green Show Guide for complete schedules.

4) Bring Cash: You will need it for refreshments during intermission. If you are attending a play at the outdoor theatre, you will need cash to check out a blanket or pillow.