10 Prettiest Towns In Oklahoma

While in the state of Oklahoma, visitors may find themselves driving on Route 66 while munching on some delicious fried okra! From the Choctaw Indian word, which means "red people," the Land of the Red Man fascinates travelers with its pleasant, natural, man-made lakes and scenery. From the peculiar Arcadian Barn architecture to the breathtaking artificial Lake Lawtonka, Oklahoma grants the variety of gorgeous Turner Falls and the historic district of Tahlequah. These prettiest towns will amaze and inspire, proving that seeking the beauty of Oklahoma is a rewarding adventure.

Arcadia

Seventeen miles northeast of Oklahoma City along Route 66, Arcadia stands out with its iconic round barn. Constructed in 1898, this 60-foot behemoth was then beautifully restored in 1992 through the efforts of Luke Robison of Midwest City and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Initially, It was used for housing hay, grain, and livestock, but it served as a community center almost from the start. Today, the old but still pretty barn is a tourist attraction, where visitors admire the architectural and engineering details of America's only genuinely round barn. 

Arcadia faced hurdles during the Great Depression and World War II, and Arcadians moved away to larger urban areas in search of work. Today, this beautiful Oklahoma City suburb has 170 inhabitants still eager to welcome tourists. If one wants to savor Oklahoma flavors, Chicken Shack provides generous portions of fried chicken or fired okra.

Tahlequah

Tahlequah is the most important city of the Cherokee Nation. The Cherokee were a vital, progressive people, with the town expanding around the central square, which housed a governmental compound consisting of log or frame structures, resulting in a pleasing building. The ancient Cherokee village of Diligwa has been recreated and can be toured at the nearby Park Hill. Furthermore, Illinois River Outfitters can provide many kayak or canoe options for water sports enthusiasts, perfect for a paddling adventure downstream. Wondering through the wonderful Tahlequah Original Historic District, feel free to take a break and refuel at Emery's Grill, where visitors often choose steak sandwiches paired with onion rings or fried pickles and ranch dressing after a few long hours in the river.

Ardmore

Kissing Lake Murray's shores, the town of Ardmore gained popularity for its cotton fields and became the world's largest inland cotton port in the 1900s. Its beautiful neighborhood and residential districts make this city unique. Ardmore Regional Park is one of the best places to visit and provides ample green space with ball fields, a picnic shelter, a playground, and the Ardmore Regional Park Trail. With 12,500 acres of forest, Lake Murray State Park is the first and largest state park in Oklahoma. It also grants RV and tent campsites as well as fishing and boating opportunities on the enchanting Lake Murray shoreline. For those who may not have been so lucky in their fishing ventures, Swadleys Bar-B-Q can serve some delicious fired catfish.

Bixby

Encompassing Arkansas River and Bixhoma Lake, Bixby is a fast-growing city with nature-rich surroundings. The beautiful Washington Irving Memorial Park and Arboretum provide visitors with vibrant colors of flowering plants and the butterflies taking flight in the area. This public park also features a special memorial to the World Trade Center attack victims with a steel piece set up as a monument. The original 80-acre Bixby townsite plat was approved by the Dawes Commission in 1902, and the city was named in honor of Tams Bixby, a chairman of the Dawes Commission. Volunteers maintain the Bixby Historical Museum and provide educational opportunities to get a broader look at Bixby's history.

Stillwater

Between Stillwater Creek and Boomer Lake, the city of Stillwater is recognized as one of the most beautiful college towns in Oklahoma. The lovely Oklahoma State University attracts intelligent minds from all around the state and beyond. Also, it grants visitors a delightful garden enriched with fountains and paths with nicely trimmed hedging. Enclosing Boomer Lake, Boomer Lake Park has a favored status with locals and visitors, including youngsters, despite the name! Recently undergone a significant overhaul, the park provides a vast recreational area featuring picnic tables, pavilions, grills, a splash pad, an 18-hole disc golf course, and kayak rentals. If one is looking for some lodging options, here at Wyndham Garden Stillwater, one can find the prettiest inn around, which includes a pool while staying at a low price point.

Medicine Park

Washed by the man-made Lake Lawtonka, Medicine Park was founded as Oklahoma's first resort town in 1908. The mountains and plains surrounding the settlement, with the wilderness beyond the horizon, made the founder, John William Elmer Thomas, fall in love with every aspect of this area. Today, travelers still stop by to explore the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. Stretching across over 59,000 acres, with a mix of grass prairie and woodland, it features a wide variety of wildlife from American bison to white-tailed deer to the Texas longhorn cattle. Moreover, Lake Lawtonka provides visitors with enchanting sunsets, overnight campgrounds, picnic structures, hot showers, and unlimited boating opportunities.

Broken Bow

Reaching the artificial Broken Bow Lake, the village of Broken Bow is a gateway to Beavers Bend State Park. This expansive green space along the shores of Broken Bow Lake grants towering timbers and crystal clear waters, making this state park an outdoor lover's paradise. On top of that, this sweeping park provides rustic and modern cabins, RV sites, and tent campsites near the Mountain Fork River. Furthermore, one can have a panoramic train ride through Beavers Bend or a Broken Bow Lake Duck Tour, allowing visitors to witness the beautiful views this lake can bestow. 

Davis

Tucked between the Arbuckle Mountains, the small town of Davis is home to the famous Turner Falls Park. It has some of the state's tallest waterfalls, with its 77-foot falls that drop into a refreshing water hole. Described as a geological window into Earth's past, these magical park makes for an unskippable destination. Moreover, feel free to visit The Chickasaw Welcome Center, where you can learn more about the Chickasaw Nation, one of Oklahoma's 32 Native American tribes. This immense welcome center provides travelers with information about Chickasaw Country, highlighting historical, recreational, and cultural tourism locations, and grants access to a lounge area and a gift shop to bring some pretty trinkets home. After a day of admiring falls and discovering Chickasaw's heritage, the nearby Arbuckle Mountain Fried Pies can serve a dozen types of delicious fried pies.

Claremore

Driving northeast from Tulsa on Route 66, Claremore is forged by the Battle of Claremore Mound. Fought in 1817, this historic battle destroyed nearby villages of the Osage Indian chief Claremore, who gave the name to this settlement. From the rubble, a modern town came to life. For military enthusiasts, the J.M. Davis Arms & Historical Museum is a must-see attraction. It features the world's most extensive and beautiful privately-held firearms collection, with over 12,000 firearms amidst exhibitions filled with WWI posters, saddles, and beer steins. Besides, strolling by Claremore Lake Park will fill your lungs with a refreshing breeze coming from the towering trees. The Claremore Mountain Bike Trails also allow visitors to ride along the reservoir while enjoying the enchanting landscape. 

Eufaula 

Extending from West to South on the Eufaula Lake, the village of Eufala enjoys quiet shores typical of Southern Living. Eufaula Lake is considered Oklahoma's largest, most peaceful lake. With 800 miles of shoreline and covering 105,500 surface acres, visitors can take advantage of its multiple marinas. The many rentals allow for countless paddling opportunities, offering houseboats, kayaks, pontoon boats, ski boats, and paddle boats. Downtown Eufaula, with its 20-block center, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and provides a unique strolling setting between several antique emporiums like Dusty Attic — a small shop granting a collection of fascinating vintage items, perfect for a sophisticated gift. 

Conclusion 

Those who think of Oklahoma as a flat salt desert or just for its cowboy culture, crude oil drilling, and farming will be surprised by the varied townscapes it provides. From the beautifully reconstructed village of Diligwa near Tahlequah to the sweeping Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge providing impressive wildlife, the pretty natural and artificial landscapes that Oklahoma grants are hard to beat. The Sooner State attracts with its Sothern spirit and its enchanting Native American heritage. A trip here could not come soon enough.