Oklahoma
5
Day Itinerary •
USA
Five days in Oklahoma lets you explore the full extraordinary breadth of the Sooner State, from the extraordinary Route 66 heritage of Tulsa and the finest art museum in the South to the magnificent bison herds of the Wichita Mountains, the remarkable Native American cultural heartland of Tahlequah and the extraordinary Black Mesa in the far Panhandle. This route covers the complete Oklahoma experience. The extraordinary Philbrook Museum and Gathering Place of Tulsa, the Blue Whale of Catoosa and Pops 66, the OKC National Memorial and Cowboy Museum, the extraordinary Cherokee Nation capital at Tahlequah, the magnificent Wichita Mountains bison and the extraordinary Glass Mountains.
Best Time To Visit
April to June or September to November
Getting There
Fly into Tulsa (TUL) or Oklahoma City (OKC)
Getting Around
Rental car essential throughout Oklahoma
Budget Per Day
Approx $90 to $150 per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, mostly driving and walking
DAY 1
TULSA AND ROUTE 66
MORNING
PHILBROOK MUSEUM OF ART AND THE GATHERING PLACE
The Philbrook Museum of Art is the most extraordinary art museum in Oklahoma, its collection of American, European and Native American art in a 1927 Italian Renaissance villa with 23 acres of formal gardens giving the finest museum experience in the state. The Gathering Place on the Arkansas River is the most extraordinary free urban park built in recent decades in America, its extraordinary 66 acres of riverfront landscape giving Tulsa a public space of genuine national significance. Philbrook entry approx $12. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
TULSA ROUTE 66 AND THE BLUE WHALE OF CATOOSA
The Blue Whale of Catoosa is the most extraordinary Route 66 icon in Oklahoma, its extraordinary 20-foot fiberglass blue whale rising from a Route 66 pond built as an anniversary gift in 1972. The Tulsa Route 66 historic districts of Brookside, the Brady Arts District and the Greenwood District give the finest Route 66 urban experience in Oklahoma. The Woody Guthrie Center in the Brady Arts District is the finest folk music museum in America. Blue Whale free, Woody Guthrie approx $8. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
POPS 66 SODA RANCH AND THE ROUTE 66 DRIVE TO OKC
Pops 66 in Arcadia is the most extraordinary roadside stop in Oklahoma, its 66-foot illuminated soda bottle sculpture and extraordinary collection of over 700 varieties of artisan soda giving the finest quirky Route 66 experience in the state. The Round Barn of Arcadia, an extraordinary 1898 circular barn, is the most photographed historic barn on Route 66. The drive from Tulsa to Oklahoma City via the old Route 66 alignment through Stroud and Chandler is the finest 2-hour drive in Oklahoma.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Greenwood District in Tulsa, known historically as Black Wall Street, is the most important African American heritage neighborhood in America, its extraordinary 1921 Race Massacre memorial and the Greenwood Cultural Center giving the most powerful hidden history experience in Oklahoma. Entry free. The most extraordinary hidden gem in Tulsa.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Brookside Diner, Tulsa The finest breakfast in Tulsa. Extraordinary biscuits and gravy and local eggs in the finest diner on Route 66. | Lunch: Coney I-Lander, Tulsa The most legendary Route 66 lunch in Tulsa since 1926. Extraordinary chili dogs and classic Oklahoma flavors. | Dinner: Juniper, Tulsa The finest restaurant in Tulsa. Extraordinary locally sourced Oklahoma cuisine and outstanding natural wine.
DAY 2
CHEROKEE NATION
MORNING
TAHLEQUAH, CAPITAL OF THE CHEROKEE NATION
Tahlequah is the most extraordinary Native American heritage city in America, its extraordinary position as the capital of the Cherokee Nation, the largest tribal nation in the United States with over 400,000 citizens, giving a cultural experience unlike any other in Oklahoma. The Cherokee National Museum with its extraordinary Trail of Tears exhibits and the Tsa-La-Gi Ancient Village living history site are unmissable. The 1869 Cherokee National Capitol building is the finest Native American government building in America. Museum entry approx $8. Drive: 1 hr drive
MIDDAY
ILLINOIS RIVER FLOAT TRIP, TAHLEQUAH
The Illinois River near Tahlequah is the most extraordinary float trip river in Oklahoma, its extraordinary crystal-clear Class I and II rapids through the Cookson Hills giving the finest tubing and canoeing experience in the state. The river is sacred to the Cherokee people and its extraordinary clarity through the Ozark foothills of eastern Oklahoma is unlike any other river in the South. Tube rental from Illinois River Floats approx $20. Float season May through September. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
LAKE TENKILLER STATE PARK
Lake Tenkiller is the most extraordinary lake in Oklahoma, its extraordinary turquoise-green water fed by the Illinois River giving a clarity of 20 feet or more in the most beautiful lake in the state. The extraordinary Tenkiller State Park gives the finest swimming and cliff jumping in Oklahoma. The surrounding Cherokee Hills with their extraordinary fall color in October are the finest autumn landscape in the state. Park entry $10.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Sequoyah's Cabin State Historic Site near Sallisaw is the finest hidden Native American historic site in Oklahoma, its extraordinary 1829 log cabin the home of Sequoyah, the only person in history to single-handedly create a writing system for a language, giving the most extraordinary insight into Cherokee heritage. Entry approx $3. Almost entirely unknown outside Oklahoma.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Tahlequah Diner Outstanding Cherokee country breakfast. Local eggs, biscuits and strong Oklahoma coffee before the river. | Lunch: Picnic on the Illinois River Pack lunch from Tahlequah. The extraordinary riverside picnic under the Cookson Hills in crystal-clear water. | Dinner: Iguana Grill, Tahlequah The finest restaurant in Tahlequah. Outstanding local Oklahoma produce and craft beer in the Cherokee capital.
DAY 3
OKLAHOMA CITY
MORNING
NATIONAL COWBOY AND WESTERN HERITAGE MUSEUM
The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum is the most extraordinary Western heritage museum in America, its extraordinary collection of Frederic Remington and Charles Russell bronzes alongside the finest Western art collection in the world, Native American galleries and the extraordinary Prosperity Junction 1890s cattle town recreation making it the finest single museum in Oklahoma. Entry approx $15. Drive: 1.5 hr drive
MIDDAY
OKLAHOMA CITY NATIONAL MEMORIAL AND BRICKTOWN
The Oklahoma City National Memorial is the most extraordinary memorial in the South, its extraordinary Field of 168 Empty Chairs and the Survivor Tree elm giving a space of profound solemnity. The Bricktown Entertainment District with its extraordinary historic warehouse buildings along the canal gives the finest waterfront dining in OKC. The Oklahoma City Museum of Art in Bricktown has the finest Dale Chihuly glass collection in America. Memorial free, art museum approx $15. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
STOCKYARDS CITY AND THE OKLAHOMA CITY CATTLE AUCTION
Stockyards City is the most extraordinary living Western heritage neighborhood in America, its extraordinary network of working livestock facilities, Western wear shops at Langston's and the legendary Cattlemen's Steakhouse giving an authentic cowboy experience entirely unlike tourist Oklahoma. The Monday morning livestock auction is the most extraordinary free experience in OKC. The Oklahoma National Stockyards is the largest stocker-feeder cattle market in the world. Auction free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary individual serving Oklahoma history at the 45th Infantry Division Museum in OKC is the finest free military museum in the South, its extraordinary collection of Bill Mauldin's original Willie and Joe WWII cartoons and the remarkable Hitler Youth dagger given as an extraordinary gift to the museum. Free. The most extraordinary hidden museum in Oklahoma City.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cheever's Cafe, OKC The finest breakfast in Oklahoma City. Extraordinary local eggs, biscuits and strong coffee in a lovely neighborhood spot. | Lunch: Cattlemen's Steakhouse, Stockyards City The most legendary steakhouse in OKC since 1910. Extraordinary Oklahoma beef since 1910. | Dinner: The Jones Assembly, OKC The finest live music venue and restaurant in Oklahoma City. Outstanding local cuisine and craft beer.
DAY 4
WICHITA MOUNTAINS
MORNING
WICHITA MOUNTAINS WILDLIFE REFUGE BISON DRIVE
The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is the most extraordinary wildlife refuge in Oklahoma, its extraordinary free-roaming herd of over 650 American bison, longhorn cattle, Rocky Mountain elk and white-tailed deer on 59,000 acres of ancient granite mountains giving the finest wildlife driving experience in the southern United States. The bison frequently block the roads in extraordinary proximity. Mount Scott summit drive gives the finest view of the refuge and the surrounding plains. Entry free. Drive: 1.5 hr drive
MIDDAY
QUARTZ MOUNTAIN STATE PARK AND LAKE ALTUS
Quartz Mountain State Park is the most extraordinary state park in southwestern Oklahoma, its extraordinary pink granite mountains rising abruptly from the flat Anadarko Basin giving a landscape entirely unlike the rest of Oklahoma. The Quartz Mountain Arts and Conference Center overlooking Lake Altus-Lugert hosts the finest arts programming in rural Oklahoma. The lake kayaking and rock scrambling on the quartz outcrops are extraordinary. Park entry free. Drive: 1 hr drive
AFTERNOON
MEDICINE PARK COBBLESTONE VILLAGE AND HOLY CITY
Medicine Park is the most extraordinary historic resort town in Oklahoma, its extraordinary cobblestone buildings of local granite boulders along Medicine Creek giving the finest Victorian spa town atmosphere in the state. The Holy City of the Wichitas on the adjacent refuge is the most extraordinary outdoor religious monument in America. Meers Store with its legendary longhorn cattle burger is unmissable before leaving the mountains. Both free to visit.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Doris Campground stargazing in the Wichita Mountains gives the finest dark sky experience in Oklahoma, its extraordinary granite boulder landscape far from any city light pollution giving the most extraordinary Milky Way view in the state from the ancient mountain rocks. Free with refuge entry. The finest hidden gem in the Wichita Mountains.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Meers Store and Restaurant The most extraordinary longhorn cattle burger in Oklahoma. Outstanding local beef in a legendary institution. | Lunch: Meers Store and Restaurant The only real restaurant near the Wichitas. Extraordinary longhorn Meers burger and cold Oklahoma craft beer. | Dinner: Eischen's Bar, Okarche The most legendary fried chicken in Oklahoma since 1896. Extraordinary whole fried chicken and cold beer.
DAY 5
GLASS MOUNTAINS AND NORTHWEST OKLAHOMA
MORNING
GLASS MOUNTAINS, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY LANDSCAPE IN NORTHWEST OKLAHOMA
The Glass Mountains near Fairview in northwestern Oklahoma are the most extraordinary geological landscape in the state, their extraordinary red clay buttes capped with sparkling white selenite crystal giving a mesa landscape that glows crimson and silver at sunrise and sunset in a spectacle entirely unlike anywhere else in the Great Plains. Major County Road 508 gives the finest drive through the extraordinary buttes. The surrounding red rock canyons are extraordinary. Entry free. Drive: 2 hr drive
MIDDAY
GREAT SALT PLAINS STATE PARK AND SELENITE CRYSTAL DIGGING
Great Salt Plains State Park near Jet is the most extraordinary mineral collecting experience in Oklahoma, its extraordinary selenite crystal digging area allowing visitors to dig hourglass selenite crystals unique to this location on earth and keep what they find. The Great Salt Plains Lake itself is the most extraordinary inland salt flat in America, its white salt crust stretching to the horizon in a landscape of extraordinary strangeness. Crystal digging entry approx $5. Tools provided. Drive: 1 hr drive
AFTERNOON
ENID AND THE CHEROKEE STRIP MUSEUM
Enid is the most extraordinary historic town in northwestern Oklahoma, its extraordinary heritage as the site of the 1893 Cherokee Strip Land Run, the largest land run in American history in which over 100,000 settlers raced to claim land at noon on September 16 1893, giving the finest Oklahoma settlement history in the state. The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center is the finest museum of the land run era in America. Entry approx $7.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Alabaster Caverns State Park near Freedom in northwest Oklahoma is the finest hidden cave in Oklahoma, its extraordinary natural alabaster cave the largest natural gypsum cave open to the public in America, with extraordinary pink, white and black alabaster walls. Entry approx $8. Almost entirely unknown outside northwest Oklahoma.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Garfield County Cafe, Enid Outstanding northwest Oklahoma breakfast. Extraordinary biscuits, gravy and local eggs before the Glass Mountains. | Lunch: Picnic at Glass Mountains Pack lunch from Fairview. The extraordinary red clay buttes give the finest picnic backdrop in Oklahoma. | Dinner: Sage Restaurant, Enid The finest restaurant in Enid. Extraordinary local Oklahoma produce and outstanding wine list.
Where To Stay
Tulsa, Night 1 The Mayo Hotel or 21c Museum Hotel Tulsa. Approx $120 to $200 per night. Tahlequah or Oklahoma City, Nights 2 to 3 Riverford Inn or Skirvin Hilton OKC. Approx $90 to $200 per night. Lawton or Enid, Nights 4 to 5 Montford Inn or Hampton Inn Enid. Approx $80 to $140 per night.
Top Tips
1. Pops 66 in Arcadia has 700 varieties of soda and an extraordinary giant illuminated soda bottle visible from the road.
2. The Illinois River near Tahlequah is the finest tubing river in Oklahoma. Rent inner tubes from one of the outfitters.
3. Stockyards City Monday livestock auction in OKC is the most extraordinary free show in Oklahoma. Arrive at 8am.
4. The Glass Mountains near Fairview glow red and white at sunset. Major County Road 508 gives the finest view.
5. Cherokee Nation in Tahlequah is the largest tribal nation in America. The Cherokee National Museum is extraordinary.
6. Great Salt Plains State Park near Jet allows visitors to dig for hourglass selenite crystals and keep what they find.
Total Budget
$90 to $150/day