Collected Ideas for Activities for Visiting Grandchildren

by Joni Johnson information coming from  from Barbara Maxfield and Jerry Richmond.

Here are ideas collected from RVM residents in February 2022 and updated March 2024 – More can be found through Google. Skip will be putting this list on http://rvm.closereach.com/favoritesset.html

.  It’s not there yet, but it will be soon.  However, you have access to this information now with the Complement.  The best idea for time with your grandchildren is to spend quality time with just them, enjoying cooking, reading, gardening together or just walking the grounds at RVM to spot turkeys, quail, ducks, deer and rabbits. Here are some other ideas.

 

 MEDFORD AND SURROUNDING AREAS:

MEDFORD RAILROAD PARK (541-613-1638) (open April-Oct; limited times so call in advance)

SCIENCEWORKS HANDS-0N MUSEUM

1500 E Main St, Ashland  (541) 482-6767

            Wed-Sun from 10am-5pm

            Adults 12.50, Child 10.50 (Special rates on first Sunday)

THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

            Arts and crafts, STEAM-based play, maker space, special programming

            413 West Main Street, Medford (541-772-9922)

            Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-5pm

            Children 15.00; Adults 10

HARRY & DAVID’S FACTORY tour – tours run Monday-Friday at 9:15am, 10:30am, 12:30pm,

and 1:45pm     Call ahead for reservations (877) 322 8000

ROGUE ROCK GYM (all levels of rockclimbing)

3001 Samike Drive – (541) 245-2665)

Day pass:  adults 20, youth 18

CRATER ROCK MUSEUM at Central Point

Crater Rock Museum houses the finest displays of rocks, minerals and gems on the West Coast.

2002 Scenic Ave, Central Point, OR 97502-2185

Adults 7, seniors 6, students 5

ROGUE VALLEY FAMILY FUN CENTER (by the Expo)

Large indoor/outdoor entertainment hub with arcade games, rides, mini-golf & dining options

1A Penninger Rd, Central Point  –  Opens 12PM  (541) 664-4263

 

ROGUE X

            901 Rossanley Drive, Medford (541-774-2400)

State-of-the-art aquatics and events center with two water slides, pool with interactive play structure and outdoor splash pad

            Open Swim Hours:  Monday-Thursday:  11:30am-1:30pm; 6:30-8:30pm

                        Friday:  11:30-1:30pm, 3-5pm, & 6-8pm

                        Saturday:  11-1pm, 2-4 pm & 5-7pm

                        Sunday:  11-1pm, 2-4 pm, 5-7 pm

Drop-in fees:  youth 5 (resident) or 6 (nonresident); adult 7 (resident) or 8 (nonresident); senior 5 (resident) or 6 (nonresident)

BEAR CREEK PARK – Playground – Siskiyou Blvd

There is so much at this park – a lot of grass, trees for shade, a skate park, tennis courts, kids climbing playground, bathrooms (clean for public park), paved path for walking/bike riding.

COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS – Entertainment area at entrance, Central Point

ROGUE VALLEY EQUESTRIAN CENTER –  horseback riding by appointment -1663 S Stage Rd.,

Medford

SKATEBOARD PARKS in Medford (in Bear Creek Park), Talent and Ashland

SPLASH PARKS (usually open from Memorial Day to Labor Day) – recommend were:

DON JONES MEMORIAL PARK – 223 W Vilas Rd, Central Point – (541) 664-3321

FICHTNER-MAINWARING PARK – 334 Holmes Ave, Medford

WALKS AND HIKES:

RVM CAMPUS – walk the dirt road below the west side of the Plaza and look for

squirrels, deer, jackrabbits and deer; acorn woodpeckers, jays and other birds.

BEAR CREEK GREENWAY – walking and bike path – many approaches (see website map)

LARSON CREEK PATH – nearby, parallels Barnett Road and extends east from the

Bear Creek Greenway through primarily residential neighborhoods to North Phoenix Road – enter from Ellendale or Junipero

LITHIA PARK in Ashland – beautiful gardens, trails and playground

BRITT LOOP TRAIL from Britt Park parking lot (Jacksonville) – several trails

ROXY ANN and TABLE ROCK Hikes

FURTHER AFIELD:

OREGON CAVES  https://www.nps.gov/orca/index.htm – Cave Junction, OR 97523

LAKE OF THE WOODS – 43 miles East of Medford toward Klamath FALLS – a natural lake near the crest of the Cascade Range in the Fremont-Winema National Forest

MacGREGOR PARK at Lost Creek (Highway 62) and then follow the road first

to visit the fish hatchery and then beyond to the top of the dam.

PACIFIC CREST TRAIL (go up Hwy 66); walk part of the trail; lunch at Green

Springs Inn.

THE GLASS FORGE GALLERY & STUDIO (glassforge.com)

            501 SW G Street, Grants Pass (541-955-0815)

            Monday-Friday 8am-5pm; Saturday 10am-4pm

WILDLIFE IMAGES in Merlin (near Grants Pass)  animal rehab center – 11845 Lower River Rd, Grants Pass   (541) 476-0222

THE BEAR HOTEL

            2101 NE Spalding Ave, Grants Pass

            Call 541-479-3351 to schedule a tour Monday-Friday at no charge

ALPACA RANCH at Lone Ranch  (541) 821-8071  Reservations

            13856 Weowna Way, White City, OR 97503-8535

HELLGATE JETBOAT EXCURSIONS – 966 SW 6^th St, Grants Pass   541) 479-7204

CRATER LAKE & walks along Rogue River (Hwy 62)

WILDLIFE SAFARI – 600-acre zoo with animals from around the world & a 4.5-mile drive-thru

loop – 1790 Safari Rd, Winston, OR 97496

MOUNT ASHLAND SKI PARK- Just google it!