Nestled on the south shore of Lake Superior's Chequamegon Bay, the City of Ashland boasts a unique mix of historic charm and modern convenience. Ashland's location makes it an ideal jump-off point for both the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and southern Ashland County, home of Copper Falls State Park. The city spreads out along U.S. Highway 2, embracing the shore of the sparkling blue lake. Ashland provides endless waterfront activities. There are several public beaches that offer clean, bright sand, and of course, the irresistible clear, fresh waters of the lake. The new Lake Superior Waterfront Trail is a continuous trail linking Maslowski Beach on the west to Bayfiew Park on the east. Ashland is home to a full-service marina, conveniently located in central Ashland.
As the commercial hub of the Chequamegon Bay region, Ashland is proud to provide visitors with a wonderful variety of shops and restaurants. Historic downtown Ashland is characterized by the extraordinary brownstone buildings. As you browse our many gift, clothing, sporting, and specialty shops, take the time to view the distinct architectrual styles of the downtown buildings. One of the remaining historic landmarks is an oredock, once used for shipping iron ore. It was at one time the largest concrete structure of its kind. The community's pride in its history culminated in the production of nine murals highlighting a particular aspect of Ashland's history. Ashland is also the county seat.