12 Ideal Oklahoma Destinations for a 3-Day Weekend in 2024
Often overlooked by travelers and overshadowed by neighboring states like Texas and New Mexico, Oklahoma is an underrated vacation destination in the United States. It’s a state teeming with history from its Native American roots and strong cowboy culture, and it is blessed with scenic vistas and unparalleled views of the South Central region. From gazing at the majestic Wichita Mountains to strolling through historic downtowns, discover the charm of The Sooner State through 12 of its most ideal towns. These small towns are considered relatively safe and far from overcrowded, offering the perfect destinations to retreat for a long weekend vacation in 2024.
Guthrie
As Oklahoma’s former state capital, Guthrie is a cornucopia of Oklahoma's history and attractions, starting with its historic downtown. The city has been working on making it the biggest Historic Preservation District in the country, which visitors can experience through its First Capital Trolley Tour, Guthrie Ghost Walk, and a visit to Guthrie’s first drugstore.
While in Guthrie, visitors can also have custom cowboy boots made and dine like a cowboy at Stables Cafe. With tons of themed designs and a lovely ambiance, it is a great place to spend time with family and friends. For some more fun, one can visit during April for the city’s birthday celebration via the ‘89er Days Festival. Accommodation is available nearby at the mansion-like Dominion House Boutique Hotel or the quainter bed and breakfast experience of Arcadian Getaways.
Sulphur
Named after the sulfur-rich waters surrounding the city, Sulphur is mainly known by tourists as the gateway to the Chickasaw National Recreation Area. This nature area is Oklahoma’s oldest national park and a prime location in the state for camping, trekking, and even swimming—if you don’t mind the sulfur smell from the springs. For those who want to tour the area like the pioneers, do the Arbuckle Trail Rides excursions on horseback, a unique experience full of adrenaline-pumping enjoyment.
After a day spent outdoors, enrich your mind with a tour of the Chickasaw Cultural Center to learn about the Chickasaw people and their culture. For accommodations, campers can spend the weekend at the Point Campground, while those who want something fancy can pamper themselves at The Artesian Hotel. However, don’t leave Sulphur without a souvenir from Bromide Mountain Company, known for its quirky and cute gifts.
Pawhuska
Pawhuska has recently been in the spotlight thanks to Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon and Food Network’s Ree Drummond, both of which brought quite the attention to this little Oklahoma town. However, there’s more to Pawhuska than its time in the limelight, like its Osage Nation Museum, which details Native American heritage through interesting exhibits. For a broader experience, hop on the “Roaming The Osage Tour,” a 90-minute guided tour through Pawhuska’s natural and historic spots.
On the other hand, if you want to experience the town’s celebrity status, spend the night at Ree Drummond’s The Pioneer Woman Boarding House for a “cowboy luxury” hotel stay and shop at Sister’s Attic, which had a short appearance in Scorsese’s movie. Other must-visit Pawhuska spots include the Constantine Theater, Ben Johnson Cowboy Museum, and Wolf Creek Ranch, offering everything from local history to outdoor activities.
Medicine Park
Medicine Park’s major attraction is its proximity to the Wichita Mountains, gorgeous views of Medicine Creek and Lake Lawtonka, and its cobblestone resort reputation. Start your stay at the adorable cabins of BirdHouse Cottages, which overlooks Medicine Creek, before driving to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge for a weekend of hiking and wildlife watching.
However, visitors who want to stay within town can spend a day with the animals at Medicine Park Aquarium & Natural Sciences Center. Home to over 90 exhibits with animals like electric eels, bobcats, blue-eyed coyotes, and otters, it is fun for the whole family. You can also try an escape room with friends at Escape The Park and celebrate your escape with drinks at Park Tavern. Before ending your Medicine Park vacation, make sure to try comfy American food at The Old Plantation Restaurant, known for its authentic vibe.
El Reno
While El Reno is known for its military history and restored authentic trolley that still runs around town, what makes it one of the ideal Oklahoma destinations is its onion burgers. Everyone loves El Reno’s burgers so much that the town created an annual festival—the El Reno Main Street Fried Onion Burger Day Festival every May—to celebrate this culinary invention.
Robert’s Grill and Johnnie’s Grill are the top two spots for onion burgers, while Oklahoma’s Braum’s is the go-to dessert place. After chowing down on those El Reno delights, burn some calories at Lake El Reno before retiring to Prairie Land Ranch’s rustic rental home. If you’d rather scare those burger calories away, visit El Reno around October for a spine-tingling Haunted Trolley Tour.
Weatherford
Weatherford is the ideal Oklahoma getaway for history and science enthusiasts thanks to its vast American history and space museums. The Oklahoma Heartland of America Museum alone houses three themed buildings (a diner, a schoolhouse, and a blacksmith’s shop) that detail the United States' evolution as a nation over the years. You’ll see artifacts from Native Americans, exhibits about the Great Depression, old phone booths, and even the original Route 66 diner.
Meanwhile, the Stafford Air and Space Museum has around 63,000 sq ft of displays showing different aircraft, rocket ships, space food, Apollo 11 artifacts, flight simulations, and even the actual pressure suit used by General Stafford for Apollo 10. Not really into science and history? South of Weatherford also has Crowder Lake for outdoorsy folks and JC Cowboys for those who want to dance and dine. After all the fun, book Best Western Plus Weatherford for a comfortable stay in town.
Waynoka
Adventurers don’t have to travel far to experience a desert paradise, as Oklahoma’s Waynoka is home to the Little Sahara State Park. With 1,600 acres of sand dunes, this town is perfect for dirt bike drifting, dune buggy riding, and even camping. Enthusiasts can rent off-road vehicles via Stewart Sandsports and ATV Rentals and reserve the After Dune Delight rental home to be near the desert throughout a weekend vacation.
Other than Waynoka’s mini desert, the town also has the historic Waynoka Air Rail Museum that shows local locomotive history, as well as the annual Cimarron River Stampede Rodeo. The latter is a three-day event every August filled with bull riding, barrel racing, and bareback riding done by rodeo professionals. Drop by McGill’s Cowhand Chuckwagon Cafe for its “cowboy sundae” to celebrate the occasion.
Sapulpa
Fondly called the “Heart of Historic Route 66”, Sapulpa is a car enthusiast haven for its Route 66 history, car exhibits, and even car-themed attractions. Begin your vehicle-focused Sapulpa vacation by booking the weekend at Tee Pee Drive-In’s Spartan trailers and enjoy a night under the stars with its 1950s-style drive-in theater.
To relive the glory days of America’s historic highway, drive to the Route 66 Auto Museum and enjoy fun attractions like its array of vintage cars and the world’s tallest gas pump. Feeling peckish? Zoom to Sapulpa’s Sonic for a classic taste of drive-in food, or unwind at the saloon-style eatery of Crossroads Cookery. Cap off your Sapulpa vacation with some Route 66 memorabilia at Gasoline Alley Classics. The store’s trinkets will add some pizzazz to your garage.
Altus
For classic small-town Oklahoman charm, look no further than Altus, home of the Great Plains Stampede Rodeo and Farm Fest Chili Cook-Off. The annual rodeo event happens every August and showcases the town’s pro cowboys as they ride, wrestle, and rope majestic steeds in front of an adoring Altus crowd. Meanwhile, the cook-off celebrates the town’s agricultural heritage in the best way possible: barbecue and chili-making contests.
Altus was founded in the 19th century by pioneers who initially earned their keep by selling buttermilk. The Museum of the Western Prairie recounts the town’s heritage through its 35,000 pioneer artifacts, a demonstration of its working windmill, and a tour of its early 19th-century ranch house. While staying in town, you can camp at Altus City Reservoir to get lakeside views and water activities or book a few nights via Holiday Inn Express or Hampton Inn and Suites for modern accommodations.
Stillwater
Nestled between Oklahoma’s two largest cities—Oklahoma City and Tulsa—Stillwater is a bustling college town known for its friendly community and museums. As the home of Oklahoma State University (OSU), the town invites tourists to learn a thing or two through its museums and university tours.
The Stillwater History Museum at the Sheerar focuses on Stillwater’s origins, while the Heritage Hall Sports Museum and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum cater to sports fans. Into antique tractors? The Pfeiffer Museum is perfect for that niche interest. Apart from history, the innovative university offers many activities, including a walk through its Botanical Garden and exhibitions of student artworks through the Gardiner Gallery of Art. For an intimate stay within the university, the Atherton Hotel is an excellent accommodation choice for experiencing OSU’s modern elegance.
Jenks
Two things make Jenks one of the most ideal Oklahoma destinations: the Oklahoma Aquarium and its collection of antique shops. With thousands of aquatic creatures, over a hundred marine displays, and one of the largest indoor ocean exhibits in the United States, the Oklahoma Aquarium is a thing of beauty. Look up when you walk through its underwater tunnel to see sharks swimming alongside you.
Wandering through its Main Street is a collector’s dream, as Jenks’ downtown is lined with shops and boutiques offering vintage and antique wares. You’ll find heirloom furniture at Attic Treasures, expertly curated vintage decors at Miss McGillicutty's Antiques, and antique quilts and tablecloths from River City Trading Post. Make a vintage experience in Jenks even better by staying at the Victorian Lady Bed and Breakfast.
Tahlequah
With its rich Cherokee history, historic downtown, and water activities, Tahlequah has everything you will need for an exceptional Oklahoma vacation. A great way to start your weekend getaway is to get acquainted with Tahlequah’s Native American heritage through the Cherokee National History Museum. Hailed as the Capital of the Cherokee Nation, Tahlequah houses other Cherokee institutes like the Cherokee National Supreme Court Museum and Cherokee Prison Museum.
After a day absorbing history, it’s nice to unwind with a bit of shopping via Town Creek Mercantile and Briar Patch Market, Tahlequah’s very own antique stores downtown. As the day ends, Holiday Inn Express Tahlequah or the Purdy Cabins a few miles outside of town are great picks for temporary abodes.
Final Thoughts On Oklahoma
Oklahoma takes its national parks and museums seriously, as shown by how its residents and local government take care of its picturesque landscapes and Native American heritage. People unfamiliar with this state’s history and wildlife often get caught off-guard at how bountiful its tourist attractions are. These small towns also prove that you don’t have to go to the bigger cities to visit the most ideal Oklahoma destinations. From annual rodeos and antique shops to university museums, mini deserts, and Hollywood movie settings, Oklahoma’s tiny towns are brimming with attractions waiting for in-the-know tourists to visit.
