This Oklahoma Road Trip Guide takes the traveler to visit two National Park Service Sites, five National Historic Landmarks, a National Wildlife Refuge, a National Forest, an active military base, Oklahoma’s first resort town, and the state’s two largest cites.

This Road Trip Guide begins in Southwest Oklahoma at Fort Sill Military Reservation and visits the nearby destinations of Lawton, the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, and Medicine Park. We then travel North 2 hours to visit Washita Battlefield National Historic Site and Elk City. From there, we drive to the middle of the state to spend time in Oklahoma City before traveling East for stops in Ponca City and then Tulsa.

I suggest that this road trip be completed in one to two weeks; however, if you are passing through, I highly recommend spending a day in an area that interests you or finding a few stops along your drive.

Oklahoma is in the United States’ Great Plains Region and became the 46th state in 1907. Prior to statehood, the region was Indian Territory. The Indian Removal Act of 1830, the Trail of Tears, and the Land Run of 1889 are significant historic events that are worth educating yourself on.

19th century map of Indian Territory. Published in New Dollar Atlas of the United States and Dominion of Canada. (Rand McNally & Co's, Chicago, 1884). — *19th century map of Indian Territory. Published in New Dollar Atlas of the United States and Dominion of Canada. (Rand McNally & Co's, Chicago, 1884)*

Oklahoma has the highest population of Native Americans, and its name comes from the Choctaw word for “Red People.”

The headquarters of thirty-nine Indigenous nations reside in Oklahoma, more than any other state. The different tribes in Oklahoma, have deep and significant heritage to preserve. Remember, over 100,000 Native Americans were forced out of their ancestral homelands.

The Osage and the Quapaw are the earliest known tribes in eastern Oklahoma. The Five Civilized Tribes: the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee Creek, and Seminole migrated to Oklahoma from the east as part of the Trail of Tears. During the US’ westward expansion, Western and Plains tribes to include the Apache, Comanche, and Kiowa were relocated to Oklahoma.

Oklahoma’s state flag is a tribute to Native Americans and is patterned after a Choctaw war flag carried during the Civil War. The Osage Tribe shield with its seven eagle feathers honors the traditional bison-hide shield of the Osage warrior. The six crosses are Native American symbols for stars. There are two peace symbols on the flag, the First Nations ceremonial pipe and the European olive branch.

Oklahoma is the 28th most populous state and is made up of 80% farmland.

Oklahoma’s leading industries are mineral production, telecommunication, food processing, transportation, energy, and aviation.

Oklahoma’s top 5 agricultural products are wheat, cattle and calves, hogs, broilers, and dairy products.

Historic Route 66, the main street of America, has its longest drivable stretch through Oklahoma and features an array of quirky attractions. The Arcadia Round Barn is the most photographed barn along route 66.

Oklahoma has the 3rd most tornados and the state ranks 3rd in wind energy production.

A portion of the Oklahoma west was part of the Dust Bowl, also known as the Dirty 30s and the Classic movie, “Grapes of Wrath” filmed two of its locations in Oklahoma.

Oklahoma City is home to Hobby Lobby which was founded in 1972.

Sonic Drive-In restaurants began in 1953 as a hamburger and root beer stand in Shawnee and now has its headquarters in Oklahoma City.

While getting around Oklahoma on foot, keep your attention on possible critters on the ground. Cottonmouth snakes are venomous and are often found around bodies of water in Oklahoma. The state is also home to a variety of lethal rattlesnakes.

It can get extremely windy, particularly in Western Oklahoma. I can verify the notion about the harsh winds. I’ve received wind burns on my face on multiple occasions, particularly during cold winds.

We start this road trip in Southwest Oklahoma at Historic Fort Sill.

Fort Sill

*US Army Field Artillery Museum outdoor display*

Fort Sill is the last active frontier fort that was built for the positioning of cavalry troops during the Indian Wars. Major General Philip H. Sheridan claimed the location in 1869. The entire Garrison was built by troops with most of the construction completed by the Buffalo Soldiers of the 10th U.S. Cavalry. The purpose of the Fort was to protect Texas and Kansas settlements from hostile tribes but by the 1880s, Fort Sill became a sanctuary for indigenous tribes from outlaws, livestock thieves and boomers.

The National Historic Landmark and Museum features a self-guided audio tour around its original post quadrangle and limestone buildings. Significant structures include the Quartermaster Quarrel, Post Chapel which is still in use today, Apache Hospital, Cavalry Barracks, and Post Headquarters. The museum has interpretive exhibits that explains frontier life and the history of the Fort in the late 1800s. It is open from 9am to 5pm, Tuesday through Saturday. There is no entrance fee.

If you are interested, Fort Sill is home to the U.S. Army Artillery Museum that offers guided tours as well as the Air Defense Artillery Museum. Other historic sites include the Fort Sill National Historic Tar Pits, Medicine Bluff, and the cemeteries where several prominent tribal members are buried. During your drive, you will notice signs leading you to the Apache warrior Geronimo’s grave, a popular destination.

To obtain a visitors pass to visit the historic sights and museums, stop at the Visitors Control Center at the Sheridan gate. All that is needed is the driver's license of the vehicle’s driver and identification for all others. Everyone will receive a quick background check. After receiving your visitors pass, you will also be given a map of Fort Sill that will guide your drive.

Lawton

The city outside of Fort Sill is Lawton which was named after a well-respected Quartermaster who worked on the Fort. Henry Ware Lawton, an Ohio Native, was killed in the Philippine–American War, making him the first American General Officer to be killed in action overseas.

The city of Lawton is home to two incredible museums, the Museum of the Great Plains and the Comanche National Museum and Cultural Center. Both museums are in the Elder Thomas Park which is home to hundreds of Prairie Dogs.

The Museum of the Great Plains educates visitors on the cultural and natural history of the Great Plains. The museum focuses on life in the Southern Plains and Southwest Oklahoma. There are many hands-on activities for children to include taking apart a bison, searching for fossils at a dig site, and shopping at an old fashion general store. The most popular interactive exhibits are the immersive Tornado Theater and the 1830s trading post.

The Comanche National Museum and Cultural Center features interactive exhibits, over 3,000 relics and artifacts, the most comprehensive collection of Comanche fine art, and panels detailing the traditions, culture, and history of the Comanche Nation.

Some of the highlights of the Comanche National Museum and Cultural Center are an exhibit honoring the 17 Comanche code talkers; the first Comanche Nation flag; a Bison Hunting game; and bi-annual rotating exhibits that are displayed in the middle gallery.

Meers Store & Restaurant

While in the Lawton / Fort Sill area, I recommend eating some longhorn beef at Meers Store & Restaurant in Meers. The Food Network named their signature Meers Burger, the best hamburger in Oklahoma and stated that it was probably one of the best in the United States. In 1978, the Meers Store was listed on the National Register of Historic Places since it’s the only surviving structure of the once Meers Mining Camp.

Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge

*Buffalo roaming freely on Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge*

North of Fort Sill and 25 miles from Lawton is the Historic Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge.

The ancient granite mountains took its name from the Native American tribe that once inhabited the region. The scenic Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge is managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service system and is 59,000 acres of mixed grass prairie, lakes, streams, canyons, and mountains. The Refuge was established in 1901, originally as a Forest Reserve and then as a National Wildlife Refuge in 1936.

Popular activities at the refuge are wildlife viewing and nature trails, fishing, camping, picnicking, rock climbing, mountain biking, and hunting. On most days, you will see bison, longhorn, elk, and deer. There are Prairie Dog Towns which have convenient viewing areas off the roads. Furthermore, be on the lookout for one of the three venomous snakes that live in the area: cottonmouth, western pigmy, and timber rattlesnakes.

The refuge has a rugged beauty that make it an amazing outdoor adventure. There are 30 miles of 16 destinated hiking trails, some of which require scrambling over rocks and boulders. I absolutely love hiking at the refuge and my favorite trails so far are Elk Mountain Trail, which requires some climbing, but it’s worth the effort for the wonderful scenery; and the Wichita Mountains Forty-Foot Hole trail, which runs along a canyon that includes a river, and usually has a stunning waterfall. The Dog Run Hollow Trail System is popular for hiking in the refuge.

For the best vantage point to see the area’s natural beauty, drive the 3-mile paved Mount Scott Roadway up to Mount Scott’s summit for fantastic views. The road is open during daylight hours and is closed to vehicles on the weekends until noon for hikers to trek the road.

Holy City of the Wichitas

The Holy City of the Wichitas is a magnificent work of art that is 66 acres of the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge. During the Easter holiday season, an Easter Passion Play called, “the Prince of Peace” runs on Palm Sunday Eve and Easter Sunday Eve. The production started in 1926 by Reverend Anthony Mark Wallock and today, it is the longest running easter pageant in North America. The Holy City of the Wichitas was created to look like Old Jerusalem during Biblical times and features several full-size structures. You can explore the grounds and appreciate the replicas year-round. The Holy City is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday through Saturday, and then 1pm to 5pm on Sunday. There is no entrance fee, but a donation box is onsite and there is a gift shop that sells maps of the complex. In 2019, the Holy City became a National Historic Landmark.

While in the region, you have several accommodation options. You can camp or stay in a cabin in the Wichita Mountains; check out Doris campground on the website Recreation.gov or search on TravelOK.com for links to reservation websites. Both Lake Lawtonka and Medicine Park have first come, first serve camping. The region has plenty of lodging options; however, during the summer months, you will need to book your weekend accommodations in advance. During my last visit, we choose to stay in an eccentric accommodation called Uncle Jed’s Tool Shed in Medicine Park. The rental allowed animals, was across the street from the dam, and had a short walk downtown.

About a 15-mile drive from the Refuge is the quaint cobblestone town of Medicine Park.

Medicine Park

Medicine Park was founded in 1908 as Oklahoma’s first resort town and popularity grew in the 1920s. The red cobblestone community is charming with a lot of character. The historic downtown is filled with eye-catching specialty shops and there is a nice walkway along the water.

Some claim that the Medicine Creek has healings powers. There is swimming available at Bath Lake where water is continuously running through from Medicine Creek. Swimming is allowed from Memorial Day to Labor Day. If you are interested in fishing, Medicine Creek is stocked with Trout beginning November 1st through March 15th and the park has signs indicating the sections.

Across the street from the lake is the Old Plantation restaurant which was built in 1912. The historic restaurant serves delicious locally styled meals. The Chicken Fried Steak and Fried Okra are popular dishes. Rumors state that the Old Plantation Restaurant has been visited by Bonny and Clyde, Machine Gun Kelly, and Al Capone.

In 2017, the Medicine Park Aquarium and Natural Science Center opened. It features over 90 native and non-native fish, reptile, amphibian and mammal species along with a six-acre botanical garden.

Medicine Park is a refreshing get away. There’s plenty of natural spaces and a great night sky. I recommend spending a few hours downtown checking out the shops and eating at a restaurant.

Medicine Park seems to be experiencing a revitalization from when I first visited ten years ago. There are newer buildings and a lot of construction and renovations going on.

After spending time in the Southwest, we travel North 2.5 hours to Washita Battlefield National Historic Site.

Washita Battlefield National Historic Site

The Washita Battlefield National Historic Site is operated by the National Park system and is a National Historic Landmark. Start your trip at the Visitors Center, watch the orientation film and check out the informative exhibits. The museum teaches the clashing of the different cultures and the Native American suppression that forced tribes onto reservations.

In 1868, General Sheridan gave Lieutenant Colonel Custer the mission of leading a campaign against the Cheyenne Tribe. The mission was given because there were Cheyenne groups performing raids in Oklahoma and Kansas.

On the snowy dawn morning of November 27, 1868, the 7th Calvary conducted a surprise attack on a sleeping Southern Cheyenne Village. The troops did not conduct a reconnaissance or properly identify the people who were living on the reservation land. The 7th Calvary, led by Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer slaughtered men, women, children, and domestic animals. The nonviolent group of southern Cheyenne were led by Chief Black Kettle. The brutal attack on the peaceful village was a turning point in forcing Indigenous Tribes onto reservations.

After spending time in the Visitors Center, head outside for the .4 of a mile handicap accessible Dust and Fire Trail next to the building. This trail educates the readers on the extremes of life on the Plains. You can also hike the easy 1.5-mile Washita Battlefield Park Trail. Half of this self-guided trail is wheelchair accessible until you reach Black Kettle’s Village near the Washita River. Another interesting stop on the hike is the Custer Knoll. This is the mound where Custer had his Command Post and Observation Point.

The Washita Battlefield National Historic Site is located alongside the Black Kettle National Grasslands which is operated by the USDA Forest Service. This Forest area provides 12 free non-electric camp sites and RV hook-ups are available at Lake McClellan and Lake Marvin. The Black Kettle National Grasslands is also popular to hunt deer, turkey, and quail. Our next destination is 30 minutes away.

Elk City and the National Route 66 and Transportation Museum

Elk City is along Historic Route 66 and about 2 hours from both Amarillo, Texas in the West and Oklahoma City in the East. John Steinbeck called Route 66 the "Mother Road” in his classic novel Grapes of Wrath.

The key attraction in Elk City is the National Route 66 and Transportation Museum. The museum highlights history of the route through all the 8 states from Illinois to California. The museum shares vintage automobiles and motorcycles, historic photos, and colorful displays to include an ohmage to the movie Grapes of Wrath. You will also find a nice Popeye collection in the Route 66 museum. The Giant Kachina Doll, named Myrle, in front of the museum has been greeting Route 66 travelers since 1962. If you are interested in purchasing Route 66 merchandise, you’ll find a collection in the gift store.

Another great attraction, right next door, is the Elk City Museum Complex that contains three additional museums. The Old Town museum displays Oklahoma pioneer life through period artifacts and old building replicas or facades. The Victorian House has exhibits on two floors with a couple rooms dedicated to local celebrities like the Beutler and Son’s rodeo company and 1981’s Miss America, Susan Powell. The Farm & Ranch Museum showcases early farming tools and equipment. The Blacksmith Museum demonstrates how metal objects were created.

The Elk City Lake Park offers camping and 5 RV Parking Spots with water & electric hook-up for $15 a day.

After spending time in the Great Plains of Western Oklahoma, we travel to the middle of the state to visit the state capital, Oklahoma City, also referred to as OKC.

Oklahoma City (OKC)

Oklahoma City began as a settlement onto what the government had claimed was Unassigned Land in the 1880s.

Today, OKC is the most populated city in the state and has many attractions to consider visiting. The city has over 25 museums. I recommend staying at least 2-3 days.

Oklahoma City just opened an important museum in September 2021. The First Americans Museum, otherwise known as FAM, is open daily, except Tuesdays. Oklahoma is a multinational state and hosts 39 sovereign nations. The museum features living stories, cultures, and arts, from the traditional to the contemporary. In addition, the First Americans Museum offers a FAMstore, Café, Restaurant, Classes, Camps and Workshops. I look forward to visiting the First Americans Museum on my next Oklahoma City visit.

In Downtown OKC is the heart-wrenching Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum. The complex honors the victims of the April 19, 1995, deadly attack at the Alfred P. Murrah federal building. The bombing killed 168 people and injured over 680. The Memorial Museum details the events chronologically and shares information on those killed and survived in the attack. The excellent yet sobering museum features informative panels, artifacts, and has an interactive mobile app. After learning about the events in the memorial museum, walk in the Outdoor Symbolic Memorial, which is open 24 hours a day, and worth a view at night.

Probably the most popular attraction in Oklahoma City is the educational and fascinating National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. The museum is in a large facility and in 2020, it was named the #1 Western Museum in the country by True West magazine.

The museum is a homage to Western Art, History, and Culture. The exhibits showcase American cowboy life, rodeos, and Native American culture through artwork, artifacts, and memorabilia. The museum includes a variety of exhibits and will require at least 3 hours so make sure you have a good brunch or lunch before arriving.

When you walk in, you will immediate notice the 18-foot raw depiction of an exhausted Native American with his horse. The familiar sculpture is named End of the Trail and was created by James Earle Fraser.

Other highlights of the museum include a full-scale old Western town; a Western Movie exhibit that contains a large John Wayne section and a small movie theater that plays old Westerns. In addition, the museum has intriguing exhibits on Rodeos, Bison, as well as Cowboy and Native American clothing and accessories.

The Oklahoma City Museum of Art has a wonderful assortment of American Art. The museum is home to a large collection of Depression era art that was created from the 1935’s Works Progress Administration, a key part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal. The museum also showcases one of the largest collections of Glass from American Artist, Dale Chihuly. The 55-foot-tall glass sculpture in the main lobby was made by Chihuly for the space and includes 2100 individually blown glass parts in the sculpture.

On the Southern Edge of the popular Bricktown District is the Centennial Land Run Monument that includes 45 bronze figures created by Oklahoma City Native, Paul Moore. The Art installation is a beautiful series of life-sized sculptures frozen in a scene from the 1889 opening of the Oklahoma Unassigned Lands. The path around the monument is wheelchair accessible and there’s easy access from the parking lot. The monument is located at the south end of the Bricktown canal; as well as, next to the repurposed grain silo, Rocktown Climbing Gym, which has indoor and outdoor climbing for all levels.

The American Banjo Museum is in the Bricktown District and is home to the largest collection of banjos exhibited in the world. There are over 400 instruments. The museum is an excellent venue that educates visitors on the evolution of the American Banjo from its African roots, through its heightened popularity in the 1920s, to today’s bluegrass, folk, and world music. There is an outstanding collection of Beautiful Ornate Banjos from the 1920s that are truly a work of art. The fun, “Learning Lounge” room allows visitors to grab a Bango off the wall to play, while watching an instructional video.

The world’s largest cattle auction takes place at the Oklahoma National Stockyards weekly on Monday and Tuesday. In 1910, the stockyards became Oklahoma’s first major industry. Stockyard City is also home to the International Professional Rodeo Association Headquarters.

The historic stockyards are not open for tours; however, the few blocks leading up to it are worth walking around. I recommend checking out Oklahoma Native Art and Jewelry Store which sells items from over 63 artists and craftsmen; Langston’s Western Wear flagship store which was established in 1916; along with dining at the famous Cattlemen’s Steakhouse, established in 1910, and if you are up for a food adventure, try their lamb fries.

Other great OKC attractions are:

Oklahoma Historical Society

Riversport Rapids and Adventures

Lake Hefner

Myriad Gardens

Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center

National Softball Hall of Fame

Skeletons Museum of Osteology

Factory Obscura

Harn Homestead

Firefighters Museum

OKC Rattlesnake Museum

99s Museum of Women Pilots

Wheeler Ferris Wheel – the historic Santa Monica Pier Ferris Wheel

Oklahoma City Zoo

Bricktown Water Taxi

OKC Restaurant Suggestions:

Toby Keith’s – I Love This Bar and Grill

Tucker’s Onion Burgers

Bedlam BBQ

Hidalgo’s Mexican Restaurant and Cantina

Chelino’s, Mexican

The Sushi Bar

Queen of Sheba, Ethiopian

We now travel North to visit Ponca City.

Ponca City

Ponca City, named after the Ponca Tribe, grew and flourished, thanks to the petroleum industry. The city’s 29 parks make up ten percent of the city and the nearby Arkansas River and Lake Ponca provide an assortment of outdoor activities. The city of 24,000 has plenty to offer visitors to include remnants of contributions from oilman, Ernest Whitworth Marland.

The elegant Marland Mansion and Estate was once called the Palace on the Prairie and today, the property is owned by Ponca City. E.W. Marland was a multi-millionaire oilman, a U.S. Congressman, and the tenth Governor of Oklahoma. During his life, he had controlled 10% of the world’s oil reserves before losing his empire to what he stated was an uncontrolled bank industry. The stunning 55 room Italian Renaissance Mansion is on 30 acres which includes gardens and accompanying buildings.

The estate is aesthetically pleasing, a national historic landmark, and known as an American Castle. Visitors can tour the mansion and the wheelchair accessible grounds. My favorite part of the tour is the gorgeous ballroom with its 24-karet gold leaf-covered ceiling.

E.W. Marland gifted the state of Oklahoma the 30-foot bronze Pioneer Woman Statue, designed by Bryant Baker who named it “Confident”. The iconic statue was dedicated in 1930 and depicts a self-assured woman leading a child in one hand and clutching a bible in another.

Confident is displays in front of the Pioneer Woman Museum which celebrates women who blazed new trails and see no boundaries. The small enjoyable museum displays artifacts and antiques while telling the story of the pioneer woman’s sacrifice.

Another outstanding Ponca City destination is the Standing Bear Park, Museum & Education Center.

Standing Bear was Chef of the Ponca Tribe that migrated to the region from Northeast Nebraska during the Trail of Tears. Chef Standing Bear delivered a poignant civil rights message to the U.S. circuit court in Omaha Nebraska during his 1879 trial for basic legal rights. The law at the time did not consider Native Americans persons; therefore, determining that Native Americans could not sue the government for release of custody. After winning his case, the Native American rights champion toured major cities in the country to advocate and persuade Native American causes.

The 22-foot statue of Standing Bear on site stands as a tribute to all Native Americans. The museum educates and honors the six area tribes: Osage, Pawnee, Otoe-Missouria, Kaw, Tonkawa and Ponca.

The museum includes artwork, sculptures, paintings, and 3D bronze tribal seals. Each of the six area tribes have displays in the museum and the outdoor walking trail provides educational information on the local tribes.

In September, the park celebrates the annual Standing Bear Powwow where visitors can witness powerful dancing, singing, and drumming. The social gathering honors the tribes' traditions and ancestors while bringing the community together.

Seven miles Southwest of Ponca City is the Miller Brothers 101 Ranch, a National Historic Landmark. Visit the grounds to see the remains of the once working ranch that had been one of the largest diversified farms. In 1905, the ranch became the birthplace of the historic 101 Ranch Wild West Show that travelled throughout the United States and Internationally. The show was an expansion to annual rodeos and presented roping, riding, bulldogging, Native American dancers, trick roping, riding and shooting.

Some other Ponca City attractions worth visiting are the Marland Grand Home, Conoco Museum, Wentz Pool, and Lake Ponca.

Our final destination, Tulsa, was once the Oil Capital of the World.

Tulsa

Oil was first discovered in Tulsa in 1901 at Red Fork and in 1905 at Glenpool, before became a state in 1907. In the early 20th century, Tulsa attracted oilmen to do business and became a boomtown for energy companies that drilled oil in other parts of the state. In the early 1920s, Tulsa was home to 400 petroleum companies and some of the most notable oilmen.

Tulsa’s oil wealth funded some of the world’s best Art Deco architecture, a form of Modernism, and two world-renowned art museums.

There are many Tulsa attractions that you can drive to for a quick stop to admire.

Driving through downtown Tulsa to observe the concentration of Art Deco is at the top of this list. If you are interest in doing a walking tour, download the pdf guide, Downtown Tulsa Self-Guided Historic Walking Tour, on the Travel Oklahoma website.

The top attraction in Tulsa’s downtown deco district is the Boston Avenue United Methodist Church, a National Historic Landmark for its national architectural significance. The church is believed to be one of the best examples of ecclesiastical Art Deco architecture in the United States. Look for the exterior’s stunning terra-cotta sculptures.

The historic Philcade Building’s t-shape lobby is striking with its polished marble, painted ceilings and ornate chandeliers. The Philcade houses the Tulsa Art Deco Museum, where you will see beautiful art deco artifacts from all over the world. The museum has recently opened a second location inside the TulsaRama Town Square on Route 66.

Other downtown Tulsa buildings worth checking out are the Sinclair Building, Philtower, Cain’s Ballroom, Mid-Continent Tower, and the Tulsa Union Depot which contains the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame.

The following four locations are great destinations for photo opportunities.

Stop by the tallest free-standing statue in the U.S., the Golden Driller in front of the Tulsa Expo Center. The 75-foot statue of an oil worker is Oklahoma’s official state monument and is dedicated to the people of the petroleum industry.

The Outsiders House from the 1983 Francis Ford Coppola directed coming-of-age movie, the Outsiders, is in Tulsa. The movie was based on the 1967 book written by Tulsa native, S.E. Hinton. The house is a museum open for guided tours on most weekends. The Outsiders Museum includes movie and book memorabilia, artifacts, never seen photos, and a gift shop.

The quirky Cave House, sometimes referred to as the Flintstone House is an interesting building to drive by. You can also schedule a visit with the owner, Linda, who gives fun tours while sharing colorful stories of the house, prohibition, and Tulsa history.

The World’s Largest Praying Hands is at the entrance of the Oral Roberts University in Tulsa. The impressive sixty-foot-tall bronze statue is well detailed and the campus’ buildings surrounding it are of unique contemporary architecture.

Tulsa is home to two first-rate museums with comprehensive collections of Native American and Western Art.

Tulsa’s Crown Jewel, the Gilcrease Museum, has the best collection of Western-American Art as well as an extensive collection of historic documents, artifacts, and archeological finds.

Thomas Gilcrease was an oilman, art collector, and philanthropist with Muscogee Nation ancestry who found oil on his tribal allotted land. Gilcrease collected what would become one of the world’s greatest collections of Native American art and artifacts. When Gilcrease passed away, he left the collection to the city.

The Gilcrease museum also includes a growing collection of pieces from Central and South America. Currently, the Gilcrease Museum is closed for the construction of a new building that is expected to take 2-3 years; however, you can view the collections virtually on their website.

Another incredible Tulsa art museum is the Philbrook Museum of Art. Waite Philips, an oil magnate and philanthropist, and his wife Genevieve only lived in their stunning Italianate villa for 11 years before donating it to the city as an art museum.

The Philbrook Museum of Art includes 23 acres of gorgeous formal gardens and is home to a collection with pieces from all over the world. The museum’s largest exhibit is of Native American works, particularly basketry, pottery, paintings, and jewelry.

The Historic Greenwood district, just north of downtown, is a destination to pay your respects and be enlightened. The neighborhood was a thriving black community in the early 20th century before racism turned into hateful violence. It is estimated that between 150-300 individuals were killed, 800 injured and 35 city blocks destroyed, during 2 days of race riots, on May 31 and June 1, 1921. For years, the massacre was not taught in schools in an attempt to erase the horrific history.

Visit the Greenwood Cultural Center, the nearby monuments, and read historic information plaques to learn about the events and the resilience of the community. Enjoy a short walk from the Greenwood Cultural Center south along Greenwood Ave for nice shops, restaurants, and murals. Behind the cultural center is the John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park which memorializes the history of African Americans in Oklahoma.

Other impressive Tulsa attractions worth visiting are:

The Woody Guthrie Center to explore the music and life of folk singer and author of the iconic American anthem, "This Land is Your Land.”

The Gathering Place: a 66.5-acre riverfront park that Time magazine called one of the world’s greatest places.

Route 66 Historical Village: an open-air museum and tourism information center that includes a 1930s gas station, steam locomotive, and a 194 feet high oil derrick.

Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios is a Route 66 souvenir shop that operates out of a 1950s PEMCO gas station.

Tulsa restaurant suggestions:

Tally’s Good Food Cafe

Ike’s Chili

The Tavern

Brownie’s Hamburger Stand

East Village Bohemian Pizzeria

Andolini’s Pizzeria

Laffa Medi-Eastern Restaurant & Bar

Jane's Delicatessen

Lone Wolf Banh Mi

The following are other Oklahoma top destinations worth researching for a visit:

Northwest:

Black Mesa State Park and Nature Preserve, Kenton

Little Sahara State Park, Waynoka

Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge

Antelope Hills

Stafford Space Museum, Weatherford

Southwest:

General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute and Museum, Hobart

Museum of the Western Prairie, Altus

Anadarko: Southern Plains Indian Museum; and the National Hall of Fame for Famous American Indians

Northeast:

Phillips Petroleum Company Museum, Bartlesville

Pioneer Woman Mercantile, Pawhuska

Claremore: Will Rogers Memorial Museum, J.M. Davis Arms & Historical Museum, Belvidere Mansion

Totem Pole Park, Foyil

Tahlequah: Cherokee Heritage Center; and the George M. Murrell Home

Fort Gibson

Five Civilized Tribes Museum, Muskogee

Honey Springs Battlefield, Checotah

Creek National Capitol, Okmulgee

Sequoyah’s Cabin, Sallisaw

Southeast:

Spiro Mounds

Choctaw National Museum, Tuskahoma

Chickasaw National Recreation Area

Turner Falls, Davis

Gene Autry Museum, Autry

Fort Washita Historic Site, Bryan

Wheelock Academy, Millerton

Oklahoma is a rugged beauty with many activities for travelers with different interests. It can be visited any time of the year and should never be a drive through state.

I hope this Oklahoma Travel Guide gave you good information on interesting Oklahoma attractions that you could visit while traveling.

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Happy Planning!

Blogs on Border States:

Kansas Travel Guide, Road Trip Itinerary — Travel Guides from Kris

Oklahoma Travel Guide, Road Trip Itinerary

South Dakota Travel Guide, Road Trip Itinerary