8 Most Underrated Towns In Oklahoma To Take A Trip To

Oklahoma ranks among the most iconically western regions of the United States. A territory until 1907, the state's history of dramatic development makes it a great choice for a first-time or repeat visitor. Fort Gibson and Mustang hold the American West in their very names, and their attractions, from rodeo to a "Western Days" festival, honor the pioneer past with style. Towns like Stillwater and Weatherford stand out as the state's classic college towns, and visitors can soak up an academic atmosphere — or opt for a rowdy football game. For those who prefer more natural sights, the state's Ozark mountains and quaint towns, like Grove within them, make for another kind of worthwhile visit. Whatever a tourist may be looking for, they are sure to find it among Oklahoma's dynamic offerings. 

Fort Gibson

Claiming to be Oklahoma's oldest town, Fort Gibson, in the state's northeast, has 3,800 residents and a well-founded local pride. Originally a military garrison built in 1824, the town developed at the convergence point of the Arkansas, Grand, and Verdigris rivers, giving the settlement a crucial position for river navigation and strategic control in pioneer times. Fort Gibson boasts of several firsts for Oklahoma, including having the first telephone, the first steamboat landing, the first dramatic theater, and the first school for the blind. Today, history buffs of all ages can visit the Fort Gibson Historic Site, a key that explains the town's role in Oklahoma's path from territory to official state within the United States. After hours, adults can head to the Cherokee Casino and Hotel for gambling or a night out. Families or friends can walk or picnic along the Arkansas River. 

Stillwater

Stillwater ranks among Oklahoma's larger towns, with a population of 49,100. Visitors who want a quintessential college town visit — or some raucous college sports — will like it here, as Stillwater is the home of Oklahoma State University. Visitors with calmer tastes will enjoy the university's botanical gardens, a 100-acre site with species native and non-native to Oklahoma. For other green spaces, Boomer Lake Park and Walnut Creek State Park offer walking and hiking for active types. Fun fact: of the dozen places named "Stillwater" in the United States, Oklahoma's is the largest. 

Ardmore

Ardmore, a mid-sized town in south-central Oklahoma with 24,900 total inhabitants, strikes a balance between small-town pace and larger-town convenience. Outdoors enthusiasts should seek out the nearby Lake Murray State Park, with a lake and grounds that allow for tennis, golf, fishing, boating, and more. Parks are numerous around the town and include Central Park, Ardmore Regional Park, and Walker Park, which are great for visits with friends or family. Ardmore's Visual and Performing Arts Center should strike the fancy of those with indoor interests or who want to find shelter and culture amid Oklahoma's sometimes-extreme plains weather.

Weatherford

With 12,000 total inhabitants, Weatherford is known for its inviting main avenue, Custer Street, which developed quickly after the town was incorporated in 1898. The town further cemented its expansion when it won a bid to host the Southwestern Oklahoma State University, ultimately founded in 1901. Today, Weatherford's main draws include its Heartland of America Museum on Route 66, which exhibits artifacts that include diverse subjects, from Native American history to modern agriculture and tools. Another popular local stop is the Stafford Air & Space Museum, where visitors can learn about the life of astronaut Thomas Stafford, the town's most illustrious native son, and see his spacesuits and the Gemini VI spacecraft. 

Guthrie

With 11,200 residents, Guthrie lies a quick hop north of the state capital, Oklahoma City. Guthrie's location near the Cimarron River allows for summertime cooling off for visitors of all ages. The 43-acre Highland Park blends walking trails, a petite pond, a fountain, and other green spaces for some proper relaxation. For culture, historic standouts include the old Pollard Theatre and the Oklahoma Territorial Museum. Fans of sports with horses should enjoy the Lazy E Arena, which is wholly dedicated to riding, roping, and the rest of what cowboys call rodeo. Guthrie's Bluegrass Festival, held each autumn, has convened since 1997. The Guthrie-Edmond Regional Airport allows for quick in-and-out access for tourists who may be short on time. 

Mustang

With a name that calls to mind the horses and the mystique of the Old American West, Mustang, with 22,200 inhabitants, is a southeast suburb of Oklahoma City. A part of the old Chisholm Trail for settlers, the farm-town-turned-suburb and its proximity to the big city makes it a rapidly growing community. The town's Wild Horse Park, another fitting name, houses city hall, a baseball stadium, a veterans memorial, and a pair of playgrounds for kids. Mustang also offers a rising number of choices for a first-time or repeat visit: the town hosts its Western Days Celebration, a festival of Old West culture that remembers cowboys and Oklahoma's part in the westward expansion of the United States. Mustang is a smart choice for travelers seeking some compelling local history. 

Grove

Grove, population 7,200, lies in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains in northeastern Oklahoma. Once a part of Cherokee Nation land, Grove finished its incorporation in 1902. The town is a great choice for visitors who want to see Grand Lake, a popular summertime destination. The town also offers the Lendonwood Gardens, a botanical garden spanning eight acres with over a thousand plant species. Golf lovers should drive straight for Grand Lake's golf courses, with a combined 45 holes to play alone or with friends. Outside of Grove proper, the Honey Creek area of Grand Lake State Park gives access to Oklahoma's natural beauty. 

Claremore

Claremore, with 20,200 inhabitants, in Oklahoma's northeast corner near Tulsa, is well-known as a place that promises numerous attractions in and beyond its historic district. Most famously, Claremore boasts of being the hometown of Will Rogers, the larger-than-life country and western actor of the mid-20th century. Tourists can pay homage at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum and gain a deeper understanding of the man and the legacy that started right here. Claremore's historic center has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 2016. The town's downtown also boasts the Belvidere Mansion, on which building began in 1907, which likewise sits on the historic places register. Nature lovers may prefer a walk along the Verdigris River south of town.

Oklahoma's Towns Are (worth) A Trip

Given how much Oklahoma offers its visitors, it is no wonder the state welcomes so many tourists yearly. Whether in the state for the first time or so often they have lost count, Oklahoma's charms are obvious from the towns on this list and elsewhere. The state is unique in its ability to blend a vibrant present with a knowledge of where it came from, including Native American cultures and the rapid development after statehood in 1907. For Western history, cowboy legends, green parks, or the great Ozark outdoors, Oklahoma has been satisfying and surprising travelers of all kinds since becoming a state a century ago.