9 Eclectic Small Towns In Oklahoma

Sitting at the crossroads of flat plains and massive mountains, far-flung frontier land and Ozark heritage, and indigenous sovereignty and Texan tendrils, Oklahoma is extraordinarily diverse. But the state's diversity is not limited to the macrocosm. Within those overlapping natural and cultural regions are micro-municipalities with their own eclectic mixtures. Specialty sodas, catfishing competitions, pre-Columbian mounds, and fun attractions can be found in the following nine eclectic small towns in Oklahoma. See which place holds which offbeat treasures!

Arcadia

Get your kicks on Route 66 in Arcadia, Oklahoma. This truly tiny town is a treasure trove of Route 66 relics, although the famed thoroughfare is locally known as Mother Road. Lining Mother Road inside and outside of Arcadia are the Historic Route 66 Gas Station, which comprises the stone ruins of a century-old filling station; OK County 66 - John's Place, which is filled with miniatures of Route 66 landmarks, including the Blue Whale of Catoosa; and the Arcadia Round Barn, which is a big, red, rounded, and restored barn that dates to circa 1898. But the motherlode of Mother Road is Pops 66 Soda Ranch, a restaurant/gas station/convenience store/specialty soda shop marked with a 66-foot LED pop bottle. That height is likely no coincidence.

Pauls Valley

Pauls Valley does not sit on Route 66 but, judging by its attractions, it should be moved there. Until that happens, travel to south-central Oklahoma for Pauls Valley peculiarities, starting with the Santa Fe Depot Museum. After seeing a vintage steam locomotive and coal tender next to this turn-of-the-century station, walk a block to admire some 13,000 nostalgic figurines at the Toy & Action Figure Museum. Come in June to cap off your trip at the Okie Noodling Tournament, an unconventional catfishing-by-hand celebration profiled in the documentary film "Okie Noodling."

Spiro

Spiro draws on pre-Columbian civilization for its chief attraction. Located just northeast of this town of about 2,100 people is the Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center, which preserves 150 acres of prehistoric mounds along the Arkansas River. Said mounds are the remains of a Mississippian city occupied from roughly 600 CE to 1450 CE. Visitors can not only hike the hills but view excavated artifacts and replicas ranging from engraved shells to a life-sized dwelling. Refuel after a trip to Spiro Mounds at Betty’s Cafe or Bea's Asian Cuisine.

Kenton

Riding the high plains of the Oklahoma Panhandle, Kenton is the state's northwesternmost community and neighbors the state's highest point. A several-mile hike from Kenton will put you atop Black Mesa, where you'll be greeted by a black obelisk that reads "4,972.97 feet." Black Mesa is so large that it extends into the arid, ancient ecosystems of Colorado and New Mexico. You can thus cover three states (and walk in the literal footsteps of dinosaurs) during your Kenton-adjacent vacay. Make base camp in Kenton proper and take a rejuvenating tour of the Kenton Museum or a bite at The Merc.

Pawhuska

Pawhuska was a beneficiary of the Osage oil boom, which made many of its residents exceedingly rich in the early 20th century. However, this prosperity was soaked in blood, as "Killers of the Flower Moon" depicts (portions of the film were even shot in Pawhuska); still, it forged lavish, eclectic attractions. Tourists visit the Pioneer Woman Mercantile, Ben Johnson Cowboy Museum, Buckin' Flamingo jewelry store, Osage Nation Museum, and the monument for the Million Dollar Elm, a luxuriant tree under which lucrative oil leases were auctioned. It died from Dutch elm disease during the 1980s; its successor tree was cut down in 2024.

Medicine Park

Named for the supposed medicinal properties of in-town streams, Medicine Park was a watering hole for the wild, wealthy, and well-known. Everyone from Al Capone to Bonnie and Clyde to Geronimo are said to have patronized Medicine Park, although such cameos are as much a legend as the water's healing power. Test it for yourself at Medicine Creek, Bath Lake, and Lake Lawtonka. Dry off at The Old Plantation Restaurant, which dates to the early days of Medicine Park and, like many other heritage buildings, is made of red cobblestones sourced from the surrounding Wichita Mountains.

Prague

As you can probably guess, Prague has Czech roots. They sprouted in the late 19th century via Czech settlers who named their new community after their old country's capital. In the throes of WWII, Prague, Oklahoma, held the world premiere of "Hangmen Also Die!", a film about the assassination of Nazi leader Reinhard Heydrich by the Czech resistance. Although these days you might not want to celebrate Czechia by hanging a Hitler dummy on Main Street as was done during the film's premiere, you can celebrate with song, dance, food, crafts, and a parade during the annual Prague Kolache Festival. A non-Czech, Prague-area attraction is the birthplace monument for Jim Thorpe, the multi-sport athlete who was born near the townsite.

Hochatown

Though home to only about 250 people in the southeastern part of the state, Hochatown hosts a high number of high-octane attractions. Beavers Bend Safari Park exhibits 300-plus animals on 90 beautiful acres. The Hochatown Rescue Center and Petting Zoo also exhibits animals but roughly 95% are rescues. The BigFoot Speedway gets guests into go-karts for fast, four-wheeled fun. And The Maze of Hochatown funnels tourists through a 29,000-square-foot outdoor labyrinth lined with wooden fencing.

Tishomingo

Tishomingo was named for the titular Chickasaw leader and Trail of Tears victim. About two decades after his death, it became the capital city of the newly designated Chickasaw Nation. Modern visitors can see the 1855 log cabin used as the first Chickasaw council house, which is preserved as the Chickasaw Council House Museum, and the Chickasaw Nation Capitol building, which served as the Chickasaw capitol from 1898 till 1907 and is now a companion museum to the Council House. After cultural sightseeing, visitors can catch a flick at The Indie Cinema or a fish at the Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge.

With influences as wide reaching as 19th-century Czechia and pre-Columbian America, small-town Oklahoma offers a scavenger hunt of eclectic wonders. "Czech" off a cultural festival in Prague before searching for indigenous artifacts in Spiro, healing waters in Medicine Park, Route 66 oddities in Arcadia, action figures in Pauls Valley, dinosaur prints in Kenton, Osage ostentation in Pawhuska, interesting attractions in Hochatown, and Chickasaw relics in Tishomingo. First prize is a full photo album with details of these nine eclectic small towns in Oklahoma.