Route 66; Parks, Cities, Trails & Tales

America As You Like It • 3 January 2024

Oklahoma City offers a blend of culture, cuisine, and attractions characteristic of a modern metropolis. Its rugged Western past, working stockyards, and title as the "Horse Show Capital of the World" add unique charm and heritage to the city's dynamic atmosphere.

Route 66 + the 2026 Centennial

Route 66 will be celebrating its Centenary in 2026, and what better way to commemorate this than by taking a trip and discovering the majesty and beauty of the road for yourself. Built in 1926, this is a popular route to see America in all its glory, and the Oklahoma City to Tulsa section of the Mother Road is one of Route 66's most memorable stretches of any State. The Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza is named for the Tulsa resident who is known as "The Father of Route 66". It is at the east entrance to the historic Route 66 bridge near downtown Tulsa. The amazing artwork depicts the Avery family riding west in a Motel T Ford, meeting an eastbound horse-drawn carriage. Gasoline Alley Classics, a longtime producer of game room, garage, and man cave automobilia décor, has opened its first retail shop in a former Model T assembly plant and dealership on Route 66 in Sapulpa. The Rock Cafe in Stroud, Oklahoma was established in 1939, assembled with rock unearthed during the paving of Route 66. It has been added to the National Register of Historic Places. There are also some quirky stays along the way to make the most of your adventure such as glamping with wide open plains and adrenaline rushes. Visit Get Your Kicks In Oklahoma 

Oklahoma's State Parks 

With more than thirty state parks to visit in Oklahoma you are spoilt for choice! Encompassing all twelve Oklahoma eco-systems and offering unique accommodation options and superb 'great outdoors' land and water-based activities, there certainly is plenty to discover. Choose from glamping, cabin, and modern lodge stays as well as RV & rustic camping accommodation within Oklahoma’s State Parks, such as Lake Murray State Park, Sequoya State Park, and Roman Nose State Park. With all its water features, Lake Murray is one of the best places in the state to spend a summer day. The lake temperature always feels exactly right. On-site vendors offer boat, kayak, and paddle board rentals so you can navigate the 5,728-acre lake to find the perfect coves for splashing around. While you are staying in the area go paddling boarding, swimming, hiking, and wildlife viewing, with opportunities to see lizards, hawks, and deer. Visit Oklahoma.

Unique trails in and around Oklahoma City 

Travel the unique, diverse, and accessible 'trail' in Oklahoma City which links the FAM First Americans Museum, highlighting Oklahoma’s Native American history in the area for you to explore. Next up on the day out is the Land Run Monument, commemorating the settler story in which the first land run opened the Unassigned Lands in the centre of Indian Territory. If you are looking for water activities, you are in luck! Get ready for the whitewater rapids in OKC’s Boathouse District. You can go on group rides or even canoe or kayak solo. After the adrenaline rush relax in Bricktown with a variety of food and music. For the horticulturalists there is the Myriad Botanical Gardens, and to finish the day off, visit Stockyards City making an unforgettable day out for visitors of all interests. Look into the Bert Cooper Trail, Bluff Creek Trail, Earlywine Trail, Hefner-Overholser Trail, Katy Trail and the Lake Stanley Draper Trail. For more information on walking / cycling trails visit Oklahoma City.

CREDIT: APPLE and Oklahoma Film + Music Office

On the set of 'Killers of The Flower Moon' 

Oklahoma is front and centre for the captivating performances in 'Killer of The Flower Moon' starring Leonardo Di Caprio and Lily Gladstone, alongside the cinematic directing icon Martin Scorsese. Based on true events and the book by the same name, it is a compelling and poignant story of the Osage Nation and the struggles they encountered when oil was discovered underneath their land at the turn of the 20th century. This important part of Oklahoma history has been sensitively and superbly recounted in Scorsese's acclaimed movie, which looks set to receive multiple Oscar nominations in 2024. You can visit the areas where the film was made such as Pawhuska, Fairfax, and Bartlesville - perhaps on a day trip from Tulsa. For more information visit Vintage Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas

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