Fun things to see and do in Grants Pass
- Amazing May Five weeks of celebrations usher in the beginning of summer to this great Northwest community of Grants Pass. Be sure to check on all the available events and activities.
- Antique shops Grants Pass has over 25 antique and collectible shops. Maps with listings of the items carried are available from the Grants Pass Area Association of Antique Dealers, 220 SW 6th, Grants Pass, OR 97526. Or call the Grants Pass Visitor Information Center at (800) 547-5927.
- Art Along The Rogue The City of Grants Pass celebrates Art Along the Rogue in October. The annual music and street painting event takes place in downtown Grants Pass on “H” Street. This event is provided to the community at no charge, and hundreds of people joined us last year for a weekend of fun, music and art in downtown Grants Pass, Oregon.
- Art galleries The Grants Pass Museum of Art, the city's primary resource for exhibitions and collections of fine art for more than 24 years. Located in the heart of the historic old town, the galleries offer opportunities for learning, introspection and connection with cultures from around the world.
- Bearfest Now in its 3rd year, the Bearfest is one of Grants Pass, Oregon's coolest, friendliest and most fun public outdoor events of the year. Local artists decorate, embellish, bejewel and paint 62 larger than-life size bears. The Bearfest is a hands on touchable art event, proving that art doesn't have to be “serious” to be great. Summer of 2005 was the last year of BearFest, but you will still get to enjoy many bears as they are rotated around town. Something special is planned for the fund raiser for 2006.
- BMX track The track is located next to the Josephine County Fairgrounds. Please check the site for information about events and practice times.
- Britt Fest Now in its 43rd year, Britt Festivals is the Pacific Northwest's premiere outdoor summer performing arts festival. Located in the historic town of Jacksonville, Oregon, Britt presents dozens of summer concerts, featuring world-class artists in classical music, dance, jazz, blues, folk, bluegrass, world, pop and country music. Britt's performance venue is a naturally formed amphitheater set among majestic ponderosa pines and native madrones on the beautiful hillside estate of 19th century photographer Peter Britt
- Boat Nik Since 1959, The Grants Pass Active Club holds Boatnik every Memorial Day weekend in Grants Pass. The activities start Thursday evening in Riverside Park with the Davis Shows Carnival. Saturday morning is the well known Boatnik parade.
- Bowling: Caveman Bowl 1230 Rogue River Hwy, Grants Pass, OR 97527 (541) 479-2311 AND Showtime Family Lanes 2318 NE Vine Street ,Grants Pass ,OR 97526 (541) 476-0871
- Coast of Oregon, Brooking-Harbor Nestled on the southernmost Oregon Coast, at the heart of America's Wild Rivers Coast, between the breathtaking scenery of the Oregon Coastal Range and the Pacific Ocean.
- Crater Lake Crater Lake is widely known for its intense blue color and spectacular views. During summer, visitors may navigate the Rim Drive around the lake, enjoy boat tours on the lake surface, or hike some of the park's various trails including Mt. Scott at 8,929 ft. Diverse interpretive programs enhance visitors' knowledge and appreciation of this national park, 90% of which is managed as wilderness. The winter brings some of the heaviest snowfall in the country, averaging 533 inches per year. Although park facilities mostly close for this snowy season, visitors may view the lake during fair weather, enjoy cross-country skiing, and participate in weekend snowshoe hikes.
- Family Fun Center 1-A Penninger Road, Central Point, OR 97502 541-664-4263
- Gold PanningThe gold pan is one the oldest and simplest tools used to find gold. A shovelful of dirt and gravel is dumped into a gold panning pan. The pan is lowered into the water and gently moved in circles. Large stones in the pan are thrown out, and the dirt broken up using the your fingers. As you move the pan in circles, muddy water and sand float out of the pan, with the much heavier gold remaining at the bottom of the pan. I will let you borrow mine and even tell you of a place you are sure to find gold. My special secret.
- Golfing the several courses Public Golf Courses in Southern Oregon
- Grants Pass Downs (Horse Racing) Grants Pass Downs, The OHBPA, ORC, Oregon Horseman, and Northwest Thoroughbreds, LLC. Located at the Josephine County Fair. This site has the seasons race replays, workouts, overnights etc.
- Hiking The Rogue Country offers much to the hiker who chooses a different path, one less traveled.
- House of Mystery The Oregon Vortex is an area of naturally occurring visual and perceptual phenomena, which can be captured on film. No matter your education or profession you will find a challenge to all your accepted theories.
- Historical sights In 1948 a group of citizens concerned with keeping the history of the Applegate Trail and the Rogue Valley alive founded the Josephine County Historical Society. In 1982 a house gifted by Anna and Flora Schmidt became the society's headquarters, research library, and house museum.
- Jet boat down the wild Rogue River The Rogue River Jet boat excursions. Located right as you cross the Caveman Bridge on 6th Street. Our home is only located about 2 min. from their location.
- Live Theatre The Rogue Theatre has worked with Southern Oregon University, Rogue Community College and Jefferson Public Radio to bring events that may not otherwise have been offered in our region. Over the course of several seasons, music fans have seen such top names as Richie Havens, Mickey Rooney, Donovan, Little Feat, Taj Mahal, Pablo Cruise, Keb' Mo', George Winston and Eddie Money. The theatre will continue to offer a friendly venue to local groups such as the Stardust Repertory theatre as well as community dance, vocal and musical ensembles.
- Magical Murals in December Starting the second week of November and running through the first of the new year, the downtown area radiates with the fiberoptic dazzle of 18 gigantic Magical Musical Christmas Murals. The oversized murals weigh 400 pounds each and include automatic sound systems to play the old-fashioned Christmas music emanating from them.
- Motorcycle rentals Ride through some of the most breathtaking scenic routes in existence. Partake in the beauty as you open the throttle and surge forward on the back of America's greatest two wheeled craft... Harley Davidson's and dirt bikes. Also information on tours.
- Oregon Caves Venture deep inside the earth with experienced park service rangers who share the history, geology, and science of the caves. Also at the park are miles of trails through old growth forest. Oregon and Northern California are home to some of the earth's most productive forestland and some of the most spectacular trees you'll find anywhere.
- Oregon Trail Interpretive Center Offers a glimpse into the colorful history of this rugged area through the stories of the pioneer settlers, the naming of Grave Creek, the discovery of gold, the impact of the stageline, and the building of the railroad. Located in Beautiful Sunny Valley, The Applegate Trail Interpretive Center is a "must see." Enjoy visiting the many historical displays. Sunny Valley is just 14 mile North of Grants Pass on I-5.
- Rafting down the famous Rogue River Rogue River rafting seems too good to be true: illustrious rapids, green gorges and golden hillsides, historical sites at every bend and arguably the best wildlife viewing of all the western rivers.
- Rock Museum The museum was founded in 1954 by Frieda and Delmar Smith. The Smith's collection and the collections and donations of members and others has created one of the finest displays of rocks, minerals, and gems on the west coast.
- Scenic highways and trips Here is a site that gives specific directions to scenic drives. Rogue River Highway, Interstate 5, Upper and Lower River Road, Redwood Hwy., US 199, and Merlin-Galice Road.
- Science Work kids hands on museum Southern Oregon's world class interactive science museum features state-of-the-art exhibits, Science Live! performances and hands-on exploration for all ages.
- Seven Feathers Casino Seven Feathers is an Indian casino locate in Canyonville, Oregon. About 45 minute drive from Home Suite Home. The casino is owned and operated by the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians. Casino gaming options include Slots , Table Games , Bingo , Poker and Keno . Seven Feathers is the only Indian casino in Southern Oregon to offer Roulette !
- Shakespeare festival Discover the plays in Ashland, a little town South of Grants Pass. OSF produces eleven plays annually in rotating repertory from February through October. This season celebrating its 70th year, there's an interesting blend of newly commissioned works, and three popular Shakespeare plays mixed with other timeless classics. High season tickets now range from $29 to $65.
- Skate Board Park Grants Pass Skate park is free. It has picnic tables and restroom. Drinking fountain. Helmets are required.
- Ski Mt. Ashland The Mt. Ashland Ski Area is nestled in the magnificent Siskiyou Mountains, the alpine gateway to the Pacific Northwest. Mount Ashland receives over 300 inches of annual snowfall; plenty of snow for powder hounds and plenty of sun all winter long. Mount Ashland has 23 trails in addition to chute skiing in a glacial cirque called the 'bowl'. Mt. Asland is only 40 miles from Grants Pass.
- Speedway racing New Southern Oregon Speedway Website.
- Wave Pool in Eugene Ride the waves in one of the inner tubes or take a ride on the 144' water slide. Play under the water umbrella, play a game of water basketball, and then relax in the spa (must be 16 years or older). Enjoy the sundeck and concessions or just watch the fun!
- Wild Cat shows The park is an interactive park in which staff and trainers interact with the predators to bring out their natural and instinctive behaviors. The Park is nestled in the Siskiyou Mountains in Southern Oregon. The 10 acres are home to one of the largest and most varied collections of exotic cats on the west coast. There are more than 14 species of cats at the park. Their goal is to introduce as many guests as possible to our many feline ambassadors and demonstrate some of their incredible athletic abilities.
- Wildlife Images Wildlife Images Rehabilitation and Education Center was founded as a non-profit corporation in 1981 to provide for the care and treatment of sick, injured and orphaned wildlife, and offer educational programs on wildlife, conservation and the environment to schools, organizations and the general public.
- Wildlife Safari Wildlife Safari is a fun-filled family destination where you can view animals in their natural habitat, roaming freely as they do in the wild. They are also a world renowned medical and research facility and a nationally recognized educational facility for veterinary and biological sciences.These key points make Wildlife Safari a favorite stop for those traveling along the I-5 corridor through southern Oregon.
- Wine tasting and touring Take a tour and fill your senses with the beauty and bounty of Southern Oregon. From historic orchards and farms, to award-winning creameries and world-class wineries, the Rogue Valley is rich in tradition and taste.
- Wolf sanctuary-Howling Acres Howling Acres Wolf Sanctuary is dedicated to the preservation of wolves. Their philosophy is based on the principle that people preserve only what they care about, understand or feel connected to in a personal way. Howling Acres provides a safe shelter for orphaned and injured wolves. They offer educational tours, recreational activities, special events and live demonstrations.
- YMCA Founded in 1983, the Grants Pass Family YMCA provides a variety of health, fitness, recreational, and educational services to help build a healthy community and to help individuals strengthen their lives. Their main facility contains 58,682 square feet of space, and houses a large swimming pool, large gymnasium, exercise class room, cardio room, weight room, martial arts room, two locker rooms, a youth/game room, two drop-in child care rooms and a conference room.
