8 Towns in Oklahoma with Unique Traditions
Oklahoma, which some consider a part of both the U.S. West and Southwest, enlivens the imagination with images of cowboys, cattle, farms, and for a lucky few, fortunes in oil and other industries. A part of the Union only since 1907, the "Sooner State" — so named for the spirit of land-rush settlers, competing to get into the territory 'sooner' than others — has helped define the West, and those who live there. Oklahoma's many unique traditions shine through in places like the small towns below, ensuring that visitors get a glimpse of the past, so as to carry those folkways into the future.
Ardmore
The town of Ardmore, in south-central Oklahoma, offers the visitor a balance between small-town charm and urban creativity. The place hardly lacks for traditions, like Ardmore's Visual and Performing Arts Center, which has put on shows, concerts, and other lively events since its opening in 1970.
Outdoors enthusiasts will enjoy Ardmore's green spaces, especially Lake Murray State Park, which draws fans of tennis, golf, boating, fishing, and more. Tucker Tower, found at the Lake Murray Nature Center, traces its construction to the Works Progress Administration of the 1930s. Other parks in town include Central Park, Walker Park, and Ardmore Regional Park, which form an abundance of options in line with the town's active lifestyles.
Eufaula
The east-central town of Eufaula lies along a lake of the same name. The town takes its name from the Indigenous tribe called Eufaula. The town became an important pioneering hub during westward expansion, and today, parts of the place's pioneer-days feeling remains. Antique shops abound in the downtown area, and Eufaula's business area is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Eufaula is justifiably famous for its lake, which draws anglers, boaters, and leisure-seekers of all kinds from the state and farther abroad. For a closer look at the town's local traditions, the Heritage Days festival, held each spring, puts on Old West performances like make-believe gun fights and a reconstructed frontier-town, with wooden storefronts, saloons, and other touches for a true taste of the Old West.
Grove
Grove is best-known for its position on the Grand Lake O' the Cherokees, which is actually a reservoir of the Neosho River. Grove has long served as the economic hub of Oklahoma's Grand Lake region. The town hosts an annual Pelican Festival, celebrating all things marine, while honoring the White Pelican, a local native species. The festival will mark its 42nd consecutive year in October 2025. The town also hosts a largemouth bass fishing competition.
Fun-seekers can check in to the luxurious Shangri-La Resort, while more budget-minded travelers may prefer the Angler's Inn. The area also provides options for golf, tennis, and gambling, or more quiet time on the water.
Guthrie
North-central Guthrie, not far from Oklahoma City, has long attracted visitors seeking entertainment and a good time. Cultural interests include the Oklahoma Territorial Museum, which describes the area's past before becoming a state, as well as the historic Pollard Theatre, and the Lazy E Arena, a center for competitive rodeo riding. Guthrie's Bluegrass Festival has gathered each autumn since 1997, making it a key event in the state's musical and social calendars. Add to the a bevy of antique stores and art galleries, and the visitor will understand why Guthrie's cultural might is a proud local tradition. In summer, the town hosts the '89ers Parade and Celebration, a nod to the days since 1889, when Sooners came to make Oklahoma their home for good.
Owasso
Owasso, in the state's central region, is considered a northeast suburb of Tulsa. The town is proud of its past as a part of the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe railroad line, an industrial development that helped build Oklahoma. These and other creative centers make for a colorful part of life in Owasso.
The town maintains a variety of green spaces, including Centennial Park and the Redbud Valley Nature Preserve. Owasso's Vision 2025, a public works improvement project, has been making improvements around town over the past several years, including new recreation areas and walking trails, which make the place more inviting for a visit than ever.
Sulphur
The name says a lot: Sulphur, in southern Oklahoma, earned its reputation long ago as a spa town, famous for its mineral-rich hot springs. That natural resource drove the town's development as a therapeutic wellness century more than 100 years ago — a local industry that continues to thrive today. Places like the Artesian Hotel, Casino & Spa, first built in 1906, draw visitors from everywhere. The Echo Canyon Spa Resort ranks as another of the town's popular draws.
Sulphur also hosts the Chickasaw National Recreation Area, a natural sanctuary managed by the U.S. National Park Service. The site is ideal for camping, swimming, and spotting local wildlife like the Nine-Banded Armadillo, an Oklahoma favorite.
Mustang
The town of Mustang, a suburb that sits southeast of the capital, Oklahoma City, has much to offer the tradition-seeking visitor. The town hosts an annual Western Days Celebration, celebrating the folkways of the Old West, and the cowhands that helped sustain a local cattle industry for generations. More modern commerce, from a local tire plant to an aeronautical center run by the Federal Aviation Administration, have helped modernize Mustang as it stands today.
Mustang maintains a long list of parks and other recreational areas, like Wild Horse Park and Meadowbrook Park, both in town. The town's Aquatic Center offers outdoor swimming in a family-friendly environment. According to the mayor's office, that family focus is a local Mustang tradition, too.
For Unique Traditions, Head to Oklahoma's Small Towns
As these towns suggest, some of the best traditions in Oklahoma live on in its small towns. Western pride endures in places like Ardmore and Claremore, where artists, performers, and even legends like Will Rogers make the places the creative centers they are. Towns like Eufaula and Grove have long given boating enthusiasts plenty to get excited about. Guthrie and Mustang honor the state's Western traditions that pre-date the area's status as an official U.S. state. And cultural gems, from the museums in Owasso to the spa treatments in Sulphur, suggest a thriving tradition of a luxurious kind. Whatever a traveler's interest in the traditions of Oklahoma, they will satisfy their interests in the state's small towns.
