Places Welcoming You
Cherokee Casino Grove, Oklahoma |
Places Welcoming You
Cherokee Casino Grove, Oklahoma |
Mosey over to one of those rare places where you can experience cowboy culture, Native American history and warm Southern hospitality all in one day. The Sooner State’s geographical traits are just as varied, with its golden prairies, rugged mountains and cypress swamps. Live out your dreams of outdoor adventure and meet larger-then-life characters along the way.
In Oklahoma City in the heart of the state, you can watch a cattle auction at the Historic Stockyards City and check out an acclaimed collection of Western artifacts at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. About 100 miles to the northeast, Tulsa invites you to see a stunning array of Native American and Western art at the Gilcrease Museum. Nearby, there’s also the Philbrook Museum of Art, an Italian Renaissance-styled villa teeming with art from all over the globe. Tour the town to see one of the finest collections of art deco building design in the nation.
The Talimena National Scenic Byway in the eastern half of the state offers another epic road trip. Instead of eccentric roadside attractions, this 54-mile path takes you on a stunning journey through rolling mountains, bewitching vistas and historic communities. Make a pit stop at one of the 22 scenic lookouts during autumn to see the entire landscape carpeted in ravishing fall foliage.
Did you know Oklahoma is home to Route 66’s longest driveable stretch? Cruise along this iconic road to reach old-school diners and quirky attractions like the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum and the Route 66 Vintage Iron motorcycle museum.
Uncrowded waters and over 200 lakes make Oklahoma a dream come true for every boater. Embark on a scenic sailing trip on Lake Hefner or charter a yacht in Lake Murray to visit charming communities on the water’s edge. You can even rent a personal watercraft and race across Lake Murray if you’re looking for a rush. For thrills of the scaly kind, anglers will find plenty of biters in Lake Eufaula – the state’s biggest lake, which is teeming with bass, crappie and walleye. Locals will also tell you to drop your rod in Lake Tenkiller, Vinita Lake Park and Medicine Creek.
Oklahoma has more varied terrain than any other state, and there’s so many ways to take advantage of it. Drive a buggy over towering sand dunes in Little Sahara State Park. Hike alongside bright desert cliffs in Red Rock Canyon State Park. Come face-to-face with wild bison in Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. Hunting plays a significant role in the Sooner State with more than a hundred public areas open for deer, wild turkey, quail and elk hunting.