Outdoor Activities & Entertainment

Entertainment: Discovering Entertainment in Our Community

Cultural Energy and Small-City Charm

In Medford, your evenings and weekends are anything but routine. This is a community where entertainment feels personal and accessible—where you can catch a live concert under the stars, sip award-winning wines at a local vineyard, or cheer on a minor league baseball game just minutes from home. Whether you’re into theater, film, music, food, or the outdoors, Medford offers a full calendar of experiences without the congestion or cost of a larger city.

The city’s revitalized downtown hosts regular art walks, food truck festivals, and open-air markets. Historic venues like the Craterian Theater showcase Broadway-style performances, concerts, and comedy acts, while smaller spaces such as the Collaborative Theater Project and Randall Theatre provide intimate local productions. For film lovers, the vibrant Cinemark Tinseltown offers new releases, while the Varsity Theatre in nearby Ashland features indie and international films.

Medford’s entertainment scene thrives in all seasons—enjoy Shakespeare in Ashland during the summer, apple tastings in the fall, holiday parades in the winter, and wine festivals in spring.

Food, Music, and Community Gatherings

Medford’s dining scene is a showcase of local flavor and creativity. From casual food trucks to upscale farm-to-table restaurants, you’ll find diverse cuisine rooted in regional ingredients. Live music is a staple, with venues like Pear Blossom Park, RoxyAnn Winery, and Bella Union hosting regular performances.

  • Craterian Theater and Randall Theatre for live performances
  • Ashland’s Oregon Shakespeare Festival (20 minutes away)
  • Cinemark Tinseltown and indie showings in Ashland’s Varsity Theatre
  • Local festivals: Pear Blossom Festival, Heart of the Rogue Festival, Medford Multicultural Fair
  • Wine tasting at 100+ nearby vineyards and tasting rooms
  • Breweries and coffee shops with open mic nights and trivia events
  • Kid-friendly attractions: Kid Time Children’s Museum and Rogue Valley Family Fun Center
  • Medford Rogues baseball games and youth sports leagues

Outdoor Activities: Embrace the Outdoors: Activities in Our Area

Your Gateway to the Wild and Wonderful

Living in Medford means stepping out your front door into a world of outdoor possibility. Surrounded by national forests, mountain lakes, and winding rivers, the Rogue Valley is a natural playground for anyone who loves fresh air and open skies. Whether you're hiking through lush pine-scented trails, rafting Class IV rapids, or skiing fresh powder, you'll find your perfect pace right here.

Medford offers quick access to Crater Lake National Park—home to the deepest lake in the U.S.—as well as the iconic Rogue River, famous for its whitewater rafting and salmon fishing. Hike the Table Rocks for panoramic views of the valley, or take a quiet stroll through Prescott Park’s wooded trails. Mountain bikers will find rugged terrain in the nearby Applegate Lake area, while birders and photographers flock to the Klamath Basin during migration season.

Thanks to over 200 days of sunshine annually, the outdoor season stretches across all four seasons. Summer is for river adventures and high-elevation hikes, fall brings vineyard walks and golden foliage, winter offers snowshoeing and Mt. Ashland skiing, and spring bursts with wildflowers and trail races.

  • Hike Table Rocks, RoxyAnn Peak, and Grizzly Peak for scenic overlooks
  • Kayak and raft on the Rogue and Applegate Rivers
  • Ski and snowboard at Mt. Ashland (less than an hour away)
  • Fish for steelhead, salmon, and trout in pristine streams and lakes
  • Explore Crater Lake National Park in all seasons
  • Mountain biking at Applegate Lake, Jacksonville Forest Park, and Sterling Creek Trail
  • Stand-up paddleboard, swim, or picnic at Emigrant Lake and Lost Creek Lake
  • Dozens of local trails maintained by the Rogue River–Siskiyou National Forest and BLM
  • Abundant wildlife viewing opportunities and photography spots

Recharge and Play: Recreation Options

Active Living for All Ages

Medford’s recreational amenities are designed to fit your lifestyle, whether you’re raising a young family, staying fit between shifts, or enjoying a walkable retirement. With an impressive network of parks, wellness centers, and community facilities, it’s easy to stay active and connected year-round.

Bear Creek Park, the city’s largest, offers nearly 100 acres of green space with playgrounds, picnic areas, a BMX track, tennis courts, and one of the region’s largest skate parks. For daily fitness routines, you’ll find a mix of national chains and boutique gyms, including Club Northwest, Superior Athletic Club, and the Rogue Valley Family YMCA. These facilities offer classes ranging from yoga and strength training to pickleball and aquatic therapy.

Families enjoy local splash pads, sports complexes, and kid-friendly centers like the Kid Time Children's Museum. Community centers provide programming for all ages—art classes, indoor walking clubs, senior fitness, and more. For those who love to compete or play as a team, Medford offers adult recreation leagues for soccer, softball, basketball, and even dodgeball.

A Community Built for Wellness

Whether you're squeezing in a workout between clinic shifts or spending a Saturday at the park with your family, Medford makes active living accessible and enjoyable.

  • 26 city parks and more than 1,400 acres of public recreational space
  • Bear Creek Park: skate park, BMX track, tennis/pickleball courts, and walking trails
  • U.S. Cellular Community Park: large sports complex for tournaments and leagues
  • Club Northwest: full-service gym with spa, lap pool, and kids’ programs
  • Superior Athletic Club: multiple locations with personal training and group classes
  • Medford YMCA: swimming, fitness classes, and youth sports programs
  • Kid Time Children’s Museum and Rogue Valley Family Fun Center for younger families
  • Community centers offering dance, art, and wellness classes
  • Access to paved multi-use paths and bike-friendly routes across the city

© Copyright 2023 Pacific Companies. All Rights Reserved.