Discover the vibrant culture and memorable group tour experiences of the Modern Frontier.
THE MODERN FRONTIER
Discover the vibrant culture and memorable group tour experiences of the Modern Frontier.
THE MODERN FRONTIER
Experience a combination of history, innovation, culture and energy during your next group visit to Oklahoma City.
Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum
First Americans Museum
It starts at the 50,000-square-foot Museum where videos, exhibits, artifacts and interactives tell of the 1995 bombing attack and the overwhelming community response. Outside, the Outdoor Symbolic Memorial is a place of comfort, strength, peace, hope and serenity. On this Sacred Ground, we come together to find Common Ground and honor shared values. Plan your visit today
Affiliate of the National Park Service
>> Arrive in Duncan
>> Lunch and tour at the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center
>> Visit the Comanche National Cultural Center in Lawton
>> Tour the Museum of the Great Plains
Learn about the deep heritage and rich culture of Oklahoma’s Native American nations with tours and experiences at sites around the state.
>> Explore Chief’s Knoll at Fort Sill
>> Dinner and overnight at Apache Casino Hotel
The Comanche settled in southwestern Oklahoma and are also referred to as the “Lords of the Plains.” Their skill at breed ing horses gave them an edge during wartimes, as few other tribes rode horseback into battle. Their horses allowed them to lead nomadic lives and hunt buffalo, which were valuable sources of food, clothing and other goods for the tribe. Groups can learn about Comanche history and traditions at the Comanche National Cultural Center, which opened to the pub lic in 2007. The center was designed to deepen public
understanding of Comanche culture and to foster an appreciation for the tribe’s cultural practices, language and art. Groups can tour the museum’s interactive exhibits and art galleries, where historical artifacts, photographs and art have been studied and archived.
One popular exhibit is an award-winning, immersive buffalo hunting simulator, where visitors experience what Comanche life was like. Groups can also learn about the Comanche men who served in World War II as code talkers.
comanchemuseum.com
Clockwise from top left: Choctaw Cultural Center; Oklahoma City’s First Americans Museum; Standing Bear Museum; a Comanche war bonnet at the Comanche National Museum
>> Head northwest toward Medicine Park
>> Stop at the Comanche Shirt Company
>> Continue north to the Kiowa Tribal Museum in Carnegie
>> Travel east to Anadarko
>> Tour the Southern Plains Indian Museum
Chickasaw National CapitolCourtesy Chickasaw Country
>> Explore the National Hall of Famous American Indians
>> Continue northeast to Oklahoma City
>> Tour and dinner at the First Americans Museum
>> Overnight in Oklahoma City Depart for Shawnee
A mound at the Choctaw Cultural Center
The Potawatomi tribe originated in the Great Lakes area and the upper Great Plains, but like many oth ers, they were forced to cede their lands to the U.S. government in the 19th century. They settled in present day Shawnee, Oklahoma, where they are now known as the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. In 2018, the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Cultural Heritage Center reopened following a renovation, and it has been telling visitors the story of the “people of the place of the fire” ever since. The center’s museum features mul tiple exhibits with digital elements designed to educate about Potawatomi history and its legends. Exhibits cover topics such as European integration’s effects on the Potawatomi, relation ships with other native tribes and re-creations of Potawatomi cultural practices. The museum also houses a collection of Potawatomi garments, tools and artwork for visitors to see. Groups can check out the museum’s exhibits at their own pace, though guided tours are available by request.
potawatomiheritage.com
>> Visit the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Cultural Heritage Center
>> Explore the Citizen Potawatomi Eagle Aviary
>> Head south to Sulphur
>> Tour the Chickasaw Cultural Center
>> Visit the Chickasaw National Capitol Building and the Chickasaw Council House Museum
>> Continue southeast to Tishomingo
>> Dinner and live music at Blake Shelton’s Ole Red
>> Continue southeast to Durant
>> Overnight at the Choctaw Resort and Casino
>> Breakfast and tour at the Choctaw Cultural Center
The name “Oklahoma” comes from two Choctaw words, “okla” and “homma,” which mean “red people.” However, the Choctaw originated from the Natchez Trace region in Alabama and Mississippi and were later removed during the 19th century. The Choctaw people were renowned for their skill in agriculture and trade and were also impressive war riors. The Choctaw Cultural Center, which opened in 2021, uses interactive exhibits and 100,000 square feet of space to tell the story of the Choctaw people. In the museum’s main exhibit space, groups will find various galleries and exhibits that explain the origins of the Choctaw and their history, as well as informa tion about the Choctaw Nation today. In the museum’s Living Village, visitors can walk through a re-creation of a Choctaw vil lage to see dwellings and demonstrations of Choctaw traditions, including stickball and dances. Films by and about the Choctaw people play in the museum’s theater, and visitors can try some delicious traditional Choctaw recipes, as well as some modern fare, in the Champuli Café
choctawculturalcenter.com
Courtesy Chickasaw Country
A festival outside the Artesian Hotel
Courtesy Choctaw Cultural Center Choctaw Cultural Center
>> Depart Durant and head northeast
>> Stop and tour at Fort Washita
>> Tour and lunch at Choctaw Capitol Museum Building in Tuskahoma
>> Continue north to Muskogee
>> Visit the Ataloa Lodge Museum at Bacone College
>> Campfire and overnight at Sequoyah State Park
Of the 39 Native American tribes that now reside in Oklahoma, only a handful are considered native to the area; the rest originate from other parts of the U.S. and were removed to Oklahoma in the 1800s. Honoring and telling the stories of each of these tribes is a tall order, but it’s one the First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City strives to meet. The museum’s unique, striking architecture was designed to symbolize the journey of Native Americans throughout histo ry and capture their perseverance in the face of many challenges. Groups can learn the stories of each of the 39 tribes that reside in Oklahoma today with interactive digital exhibits. The muse um also features collections of historic artifacts and art from the tribes, some of which were curated from the Smithsonian. The on-site restaurant offers dining options for groups looking to ex perience modern indigenous cuisine, and the gift shop offers oneof-a-kind pieces by artisans from many different tribes.
famok.org>> Depart for Tahlequah
The Cherokee, one of the largest tribes in North America, are also known for their positive interac tions with European settlers and their cooperation with the American government. Today the Cherokee Nation still proudly displays its culture and is passionate about shar ing it with visitors. The Cherokee National History Museum opened in 2019 and offers groups 7,000 square feet of multime dia exhibits to explore, featuring tribal artwork and educational materials that educate visitors about the history of the Chero kee Nation from its origins to present day. The museum allows visitors to hear the stories of individual Cherokee members as they navigated the challenges of the past, such as the Trail of Tears. The museum also offers classes about Cherokee culture and allows visitors to participate by teaching them how to cre ate traditional Cherokee arts and crafts.
visitcherokeenation.com>> Cherokee Nation tour, including the Cherokee National Supreme Court Museum, the Cherokee National Prison Museum and the Cherokee National History Museum
>> Lunch and shopping in downtown Tahlequah
>> Depart for Claremore
>> Tour the Will Rogers Memorial Museum
>> Head west for a tour and dinner at Woolaroc Museum and Wildlife Preserve near Bartlesville
>> Visit the Standing Bear Park and Museum
The Standing Bear Museum and Education Center was built to honor six indigenous tribes in the region and was named for a Ponca chief whose incredible sto ry of courage inspired a statue in his honor. Standing Bear’s 1879 testimony in court during the forced relocation of his tribe led to the recognition of Native Americans as people under the law and garnered attention for the plight of the indigenous people. Groups can go for walks and enjoy nature on the museum’s eight acres of scenic park land. The 22-foot bronze statue of Standing Bear can be found among the gardens, walking paths and serene water features. The museum’s unique architecture was designed to highlight each of the six tribes. Groups will find hundreds of artifacts relating to each of the tribes, as well as photographs and paintings that display their histories and ways of life.
standingbearpark.com
Experience the Cherokee story, through centuries of ingenuity, determination and sovereignty, in a customized tour for your group.
Nation. Ten Attractions.
Adventure.
For more information contact
Courtesy Oklahoma Tourism
A monument at the Standing Bear Museum and Education Center
>> Arrive in Miami
>> Tour the Coleman Theatre
>> Depart for Bartlesville
>> Performance at OKM Music Festival or Bartlesville Community Center
>> Continue to Pawhuska
>> Dinner at The Pioneer Woman Mercantile
>> Continue to Ponca City for overnight
Immerse your group in Oklahoma’s entertainment heritage at live music venues and historic sites honoring luminaries including Garth Brooks, Woody Guthrie and others.
The Pioneer Woman Mercantile is a restaurant, bakery and store established by Ree Drummond, the American televi sion star and author affectionately known as “The Pioneer Woman.” Drummond opened the business in 2016 after renovating the historic building, which was built in 1903 as the Osage Mercantile. The Merc is known for its charm, hospitality and comfort food, all of which were imparted from the Pioneer Woman herself. Groups can stop here to shop for clothes, jewelry, kitchen gadgets, books and much
more. The Merc serves up hearty country break fasts, offering everything from pancakes to grits. The Cattleman’s Breakfast, featuring a 12-ounce ribeye, eggs, potatoes and a biscuit, is a tasty re minder of Oklahoma’s role in the beef industry. The restaurant is also well known for its lunch and din ner options such as chicken fried steak, and shrimp and grits. The building’s bakery is notorious for its cinnamon rolls, sticky buns and freshly baked pecan pie, which visitors can enjoy with a cup of coffee.
themercantile.com
Clockwise from top left: Coleman Theatre; Oklahoma City’s American Banjo Museum; Bricktown Canal; Pioneer Woman Mercantile
>> Roaring ’20s theme breakfast at Marland Mansion and Estate
>> Depart for Stillwater
>> Photo op at Willie’s on the Strip
>> Lunch at Eskimo Joe’s
>> Tour and live music at The Farm
>> Depart for Oklahoma City
>> Dinner and tour at the American Banjo Museum
>> Overnight in Oklahoma City
Located just a block away from Oklahoma State Uni versity’s campus, Eskimo Joe’s is a well-known hangout for college students, but it’s also become an Oklahoma tradition. Locally known as Stillwater’s “Jump in’ Little Juke Joint,” Eskimo Joe’s was opened by two pals in 1975 as a bar and later turned into a full-service restaurant when the drinking age was raised to 21. The move from bar to bar and restaurant paid off, as it became a Stillwater staple for patrons of all ages. Eskimo Joe’s annual birthday bash is really a street party that attracts thousands of OSU alumni to Stillwater each year, but live music can be heard year round. Groups can enjoy a pint of ice-cold beer or an Arnold Palm er and some Eskimo Joe’s classics such as cheese fries, char broiled burgers and chicken sandwiches famously known as “Fowl Things.” For dessert, old-fashioned milkshakes, floats and sundaes are popular options.
eskimojoes.com
>> Visit the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum
>> Lunch at Toby Keith’s “I Love This Bar and Grill”
>> Photo op with Vince Gill statue at Northwest Classen High School
>> Dinner in Bricktown Entertainment District
>> Overnight in Oklahoma City
Dazzling lights, colorful murals and live music abound in Bricktown, one of Oklahoma City’s hubs for entertainment. This vibrant district is home to dozens of warehouses that have been converted into restaurants, shops and museums, giving it an industrial-chic look and urban feel. Groups can take a water taxi down the Bricktown Canal, which winds through the district, for a tour of one of the oldest neighborhoods in OKC. Groups can check out the American Banjo Museum, where they can learn all about America’s instrument and see the world’s largest collection of banjos. In addition to taking self-guided tours through the museum, groups can catch a banjo per formance and lunch in a model banjo nightclub. Or, groups can stop by Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar and Grill, owned by the famous country singer. Its menu features everything from bar food to Southern classics like ribs and barbecued chicken.
>> Morning jam session at Down Home Blues Club and Oklahoma Blues Hall of Fame
>> Continue to Muskogee
>> Photo op at the Ed Edmondson United States Courthouse
>> Visit the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame and Museum
>> Tour the Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center
>> Continue to Tulsa
>> Visit the Woody Guthrie Center and the Bob Dylan Center
>> Tour the Church Studio
>> Overnight in Tulsa
In downtown Duncan, Oklahoma, on the side of the his toric Henderson Furniture building, a mural was com missioned in 2015 to display Oklahoma’s passion for its musical roots. The mural features Hoyt Axton, a singer-song writer known for penning songs such as “Joy to the World” and “Greenback Dollar,” playing his guitar. A line about Oklahoma from his song “Never Been to Spain” is painted above him. Ax ton’s mother, Mae Boren Axton, is also portrayed in the mural. She was a songwriter who co-wrote hits such as Elvis Presley’s “Heartbreak Hotel.” Duncan was Hoyt Axton’s hometown, and he and his mother spent many years here. This artful display honors their legacy and their contributions to music and Okla homa. Groups can stop at the mural for a photo op and then take their time exploring the antique shops, restaurants and historic buildings of downtown Duncan.
>> Depart for Claremore
>> Tour the Claremore Museum of History
>> Visit the Will Rogers Memorial Museum
>> Overnight in Claremore
Honoring one of the most famous names in the mu sic industry since the 1960s, the Bob Dylan Center opened to the public in May of 2022. Dylan, a talented folk singer in his own right, is perhaps best known for his song writing. Some of his most famous songs were sung by other art ists like Johnny Cash and Jimi Hendrix, and his poetic lyrics crop up in many genres even today. Dylan is also known for his polit ical influence, as he supplied a soundtrack to important periods of American history such as the Civil Rights Movement. Though not from Oklahoma, he connected with the state’s down-to-earth culture, which explains why the center is located in the Tulsa Arts District. The 29,000-square-foot museum stems from a collection of personal artifacts provided by Dylan himself. The museum has over 100,000 items in its archive, from Dylan’s essays and poems to his personal correspondence, as well as multiple exhibits and a screening room that seats 55. Groups can tour the museum to check out its rotating exhibits and learn about Dylan’s life, career and extensive influence on the music industry.
bobdylancenter.com
Get to know some of the legendary characters and historic figures who made Oklahoma what it is today on this weeklong adventure in Oklahoma City, Tulsa and beyond.
>> Arrive in Oklahoma City
>> Cocktail meet-and-greet at Bricktown Entertainment District
>> Overnight in Oklahoma City
The American West has long captivated the minds of the public. A history rich in adventure and saturated with different cultures makes it a fascinating topic to explore, which is what groups can do at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum Opened in 1955, this museum boasts an extensive collection of art and arti facts that help tell the story of the Wild West. Visitors can browse the museum’s galleries, which are devoted to different times or themes in Western history. One
gallery features a rotating collection of Native Ameri can Art, while another is dedicated entirely to the his tory of the American cowboy. Guests see historic arti facts, such as Native American clothing and firearms from the 1800s. The museum also features rotating exhibits, such as artwork with Western themes. For lunch, groups can enjoy a sandwich, salad or hot dog at the Museum Grill, which overlooks the museum’s sculpture garden.
nationalcowboymuseum.org
Clockwise from top left: National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum; Centennial Land Run Monument in Oklahoma City; Philbrook Museum of Art; National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum
>> Depart Oklahoma City
>> Travel to Norman to tour the National Weather Center at the University of Oklahoma
>> Proceed to Sulphur for a Native American cultural experience and lunch at the Chickasaw Cultural Center
>> Tasting at Bedre Fine Chocolate Shop
>> Return to Oklahoma City and tour the First Americans Museum
>> Overnight in Oklahoma City
Located on 184 acres in southern Oklahoma, the Chickasaw Cultural Center opened in 2010 to pre serve and promote the traditions and practices of the Chickasaw tribe. Its beautiful campus is home to sculptures, gardens and water features that allow guests to enjoy the nat ural beauty of the area, as well as an amphitheater for perfor mances and gatherings. Groups can also explore a historical ly accurate replica of a 1700s Chickasaw Village, where they may catch demonstrations of traditional Chickasaw language, games and dances. Inside the exhibit center, interactive rotat ing exhibits highlight different aspects of Chickasaw life. The exhibit center also houses several fine art galleries and other educational exhibits that teach visitors about the Chickasaw’s history. Groups can tour the facilities on their own or with a guide. They can enjoy some traditional Chickasaw recipes at the center’s café. For an authentic Chickasaw souvenir, groups can visit the gift shop, where they can purchase native cloth ing, jewelry, pottery and baskets of their own.
chickasawculturalcenter.com
>> Tour Oklahoma City, beginning with a stop at the Centennial Land Run Monument
>> Visit the American Banjo Museum
>> Tour, dinner and film screening at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum
>> Overnight in Oklahoma City
>> Head northwest toward Tulsa on Route 66
>> Stop for soda at POPS
>> Photo op at the Route 66 Interpretive Center
>> Lunch at the Rock Café in Stroud
>> Photo op with Tulsa’s Golden Driller
>> Tour Boston Avenue Church
>> Explore the Woody Guthrie Center
>> Overnight in Tulsa
The Conoco Museum was founded in 2007 to ed ucate the public about the long history of Conoco, the American oil and gas company that started in 1875 and later merged to create ConocoPhillips. The museum is located in Ponca City, where Conoco was headquartered, right across from the Phillips 66 refinery. Groups can check out the museum’s interactive and educational exhibits, which were designed to teach visitors everything about the company, from its creation to its marketing. Some exhibits also teach visitors about the oil industry by depicting how oil is produced and refined with photos and CGI graphics. In addition to ed ucating visitors, the museum celebrates the Conoco story and the company’s journey from a small oil and kerosene distribu tor to an international energy company. Groups are welcome to learn the Conoco story at their own pace, but guided tours of the museum are also available upon request.
Continue northwest on Route 66
Stop for a photo at the famous Blue Whale in Catoosa
Arrive in Claremore for a tour of the Will Rogers Memorial Museum
Tour and lunch at Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch
Return to Tulsa for an afternoon visit to the Philbrook Museum of Art
Overnight in Tulsa
>> Depart Tulsa and head north
>> Tour and lunch at the Woolaroc Museum and Wildlife Preserve near Bartlesville
>> Dessert stop at the Pioneer Woman Mercantile in Pawhuska
>> Visit the Conoco Museum in Ponca City
>> Dinner and tour of the E.W. Marland Mansion
>> Overnight in Ponca City
ounded by Gregory Gerrer in 1919, the MabeeGerrer Museum of Art has been bringing pieces of other cultures around the world to Oklahoma since be fore it was even a state. Gerrer was a Benedictine monk, artist and assistant pastor who collected art and artifacts during his travels to Europe, South America and Africa. He was passionate about sharing his collection with the public and bringing the world to Oklahoma. In 1979, a building was constructed by the Mabee foundation to house Gerrer’s thousands of artifacts and continue Gerrer’s legacy. Groups can take docent-guided or self-guided tours through the museum to view its artwork and artifacts, which span thousands of years and many civiliza tions. Some of the museum’s most prominent exhibits include Oklahoma’s only Egyptian mummies; ancient Chinese bronze statues and terra cotta figures; and Mayan jewelry. The museum also features rotating exhibitions of art that highlight different periods, from the Renaissance to contemporary American art. mgmoa.org
A trip through Oklahoma would be incomplete without a visit to one of its most unique and im pressive monuments. The Golden Driller, a 76-foot-tall, 43,500-pound statue of an oil worker, was first erected in 1953 for the International Petroleum Exposition. The statue’s right hand rests on a real oil derrick. It was later donated to Tulsa’s fairgrounds, where it stands today in Expo Square as a tribute to Oklahoma’s oil workers and the oil industry’s contributions to Oklahoma’s economy. The steel-framed concrete and plaster statue is one of the tallest freestand ing statues in the United States. Groups can stop for a photo-op with Oklahoma’s official monument and learn about the history be hind it. Those visiting in the fall can check out the Tulsa State Fair in the Tulsa Expo Center where the monument resides. travelok.com
>> Explore Standing Bear Park and Museum
>> Depart south toward Oklahoma City
>> Tour the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art in Shawnee
>> Evening visit to the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum
>> Farewell dinner at Toby Keith’s “I Love This Bar and Grill”
Experience the nostalgia of the Mother Road with stops highlighting the history, culture and character of Oklahoma’s Route 66.
>> Arrive in Miami
>> Tour the Coleman Theatre
>>Head southwest on Route 66
>> Stop at Ed Galloway’s Totem Pole Park
>> Continue southwest to Claremore
>> Visit the J.M. Davis Arms and Historical Museum
>> Dinner at Hammett House
>> Overnight in Claremore
Whether they call it soda, Coke or pop, every traveler in your group is sure to find some thing they like at Pops. This Oklahoma land mark is a gas station, restaurant, convenience store and soda lover’s paradise all in one. Pops is known for its ultramodern architecture, which has been drawing in travelers along Route 66 ever since its opening in 2007. It features a 66-foot-tall soda bottle sculpture out front that illuminates the Oklaho ma sky with changing neon lights and makes it the perfect photo op. It also hints at the hundreds of colorful sodas lin ing the shelves inside that guest can purchase, including exotic and zany flavors. The Pops restaurant offers a wide range of food for groups, from their signa ture Pops Burger to their massive ice cream sandwich sundae. The Pops gift shop is the perfect place for groups to shop for Route 66 or Oklahoma sou venirs.
pops66.com
Totem poles are intricate and aesthetic examples of Native American art and culture that are as impressive as they are beautiful. It’s no wonder they inspired a wood worker, Ed Galloway, to create an entire park ded icated to them. Galloway, a renowned folk artist, began carving the totem poles on his own property in 1937, and continued until his death in 1961. His land was later recognized as a folk-art environment, converted into a park and added to the National Registry of Historic Places. The 11 colorful carvings
in the park have been restored over time, including the world’s largest concrete totem pole, the park’s 90-foot-tall centerpiece. Groups can peruse the nine-acre property and visit the park’s museum, which features Galloway’s hand-carved fiddles and other artworks and gives insight into his vision for the park.
nps.gov/nr/travel/route66
>> Tour the Will Rogers Memorial Museum
>> Continue on Route 66
>> Shopping and snacks at the Nut House
>> Photo stop in Catoosa at the Blue Whale
>> Continue to Tulsa
>> Tour the Philbrook Museum of Art
>> Visit Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios
>> Tour the Woody Guthrie Center and the Bob Dylan Center in the Tulsa Arts District
>> Tulsa tour with stops at Center of the Universe and Cyrus Avery Plaza
Atrip to Oklahoma wouldn’t be complete without learning a little bit about Oklahoma’s Favorite Son, Will Rogers. Built in 1938, the Will Rogers Memorial Museum pays tribute to the American entertainer and his successful career. Groups can learn about Rogers’ life, from his birth in the Cherokee Nation to his exploits as a film star in Hollywood, by taking guided or self-guided tours of the museum’s 12 galleries. The museum features photographs and artifacts from Rogers’ life, as well as documentaries and interactive exhibits that showcase his personality and prom inence in the history of American showbiz. Groups can also arrange for one of the museum’s Will Rogers interpreters to speak to them for an entertaining presentation about his life and legacy. Guests can round out their trip with a visit to the museum gift shop for some Will Rogers memorabilia and grab a bite to eat in the nearby town of Claremore.
willrogers.comWoody Guthrie was one of the most influential singer-songwriters of his time and is most famous for penning the American folk song “This Land Is Your Land.” Guthrie’s work often focused on political themes and had a lasting impact on the generations of music to come, inspiring other greats such as Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash. At the Woody Guthrie Center in Tulsa, groups can learn about this Oklahoma native’s life and his legacy as a musician and activist. The center, which opened in 2013, houses 10,000 artifacts in its archives and is com mitted to sharing not only Guthrie’s music but also his principles of equality and justice. Groups can check out the museum’s permanent exhibits, such as a short documentary about Guthrie’s life, Guthrie’s guitar, some of his lyric jour nals and the original handwritten lyrics of his most famous song. The museum’s rotating exhibits celebrate other musi cians from Guthrie’s time to present day.
woodyguthriecenter.org>> Continue southwest on Route 66
>> Visit the Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum in Sapulpa
>> Lunch at the Rock Café in Stroud
>> See the Round Barn in Arcadia
>> Soda and snack stop at Pops near Oklahoma City
>> Visit the American Banjo Museum
>> Dinner in Bricktown Entertainment District Overnight in Oklahoma City
>> Visit the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum
>> Tour the Oklahoma State Capitol
>> Lunch and tour at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum
>> Explore the First Americans Museum
>> Dinner at Cattlemen’s Steakhouse
>> Overnight in Oklahoma City
Groups can learn all about one of America’s first and most famous highways at the Route 66 Museum in Clinton. Though it has since been replaced with new er highways, Route 66 was an integral part of American history and development during the 20th century. Oklahoma’s Route 66 Museum is the largest museum dedicated to the highway and its history. Groups can tour the museum’s rotating exhibits to learn about the highway’s role in important historical events, such as the Great Depression, when many Americans traveled Route 66 to escape the Dust Bowl. Other popular exhibits in clude a re-creation of a vintage diner and collection of motel keys from motels along the route. The museum also features a new photography exhibit by Jerry McClanahan, an artist and expert on Route 66, with 66 photographs of the highway taken in the late 20th century.
okhistory.org/sites/route66
With a history as wild as the rest of the West, Cattlemen’s Steakhouse originally opened as Cattlemen’s Café in 1910 in a part of Oklahoma City called Stockyards City. This area was a hub for meat production in America, and the restaurant served cowboys and ranchers driving their herds of cattle through the area, as well as workers at the meat-packing plants. The restaurant changed hands in 1945 with the lucky roll of two dice and has been providing exceptional steaks ever since. It’s known for its hand-cut, prime and choice cuts of beef and exceptional food. Groups can arrange to stop in for breakfast, lunch or dinner seven days a week and can be accommodated for any style of meal, from plated meals to buffets. Cattlemen’s has witnessed many eras of American history, from the country’s westward expansion to Prohibi tion, making it a staple tourist spot in Oklahoma.
cattlemensrestaurant.com
>> Continue west on Route 66
>> Explore El Reno aboard the Heritage Express Trolley
>> Lunch at Johnnie’s Grill
>> Visit Historic Fort Reno and the U.S. Cavalry Association
>> Continue on Route 66
>> Photo stop at Lucille’s Filling Station
>> Visit the National Route 66 Museum
>> Lunch at Simon’s Catch
>> Visit the Washita Battlefield National Historic Site
>> Depart for Clinton
>> Tour the Stafford Air and Space Museum
>> Visit the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum
>> Depart for dinner and overnight in Elk City
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