oklahoma road trip (Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Norman: home, theatre, school)

ktaadin · 08-12-2011, 01:08 PM

I was just reading an article about how incredibly hot the summer in Oklahoma has been, and it got me curious about the state. I've read that it has some nice hills in the east, mesas in the west, and lots of open space. I've also heard that Oklahoma City is underrated by those of us from the coast. I've never been to Oklahoma, but I'm a bit curious and thought about going there on a road trip to explore.

What would you recommend as a good road trip route through the state to see some interesting highlights. Any towns I might stop in to get a sense of the local flavor and culture?

Also, for those who care to comment, how would Oklahoma compare in a social/cultural sense to Maryland?

prerunner1982 · 08-12-2011, 03:01 PM

As far as a route, why not Historic Route 66? West of OKC it mirrors I-40 and there isn't a lot out that way anyways, makes for a long drive. However you could take a detour to NW Oklahoma and stop at Little Sahara State Park (Little Sahara State Park | TravelOK.com - Oklahoma's Official Travel & Tourism Site). Did you know we had sand dunes here?

Of course you would need to make you way back south to OKC. In OKC you need to visit the OKC Bombing Memorial (Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum – Official Website), perhaps take in an OKC Thunder Basketball game, or any number of other things to do depending on your interest.

Then you could take Historic Route 66 (Oklahoma Route 66 Association Home Page) from OKC to Tulsa with many stop along the way in towns that have been all but forgotten. One of my favorite places along Route 66 is Pops just east of Arcadia. It has probably any/every soda you could want. If you like Cream Soda I would suggest the Sprecher Cream Soda (http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...t3uT1O7x-QtGbA)

If you like Lakes/Fishing/Hiking/Mountain Biking there are many lakes around the state, mostly from about I-35 East... with many of them having trails of some sort.

cindycat · 08-12-2011, 06:01 PM

While you're doing Route 66, stop in Miami (far northeast corner) and see the Coleman Theatre Beautiful. When I went there for 10 cents as a kid, I just thought it was an average movie house. Not so. It's been there since 1929 and it's spectacular. See colemantheatre.org

StillwaterTownie · 08-12-2011, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prerunner1982

Then you could take Historic Route 66 (Oklahoma Route 66 Association Home Page) from OKC to Tulsa with many stop along the way in towns that have been all but forgotten. One of my favorite places along Route 66 is Pops just east of Arcadia. It has probably any/every soda you could want. If you like Cream Soda I would suggest the Sprecher Cream Soda (http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...t3uT1O7x-QtGbA)

Yeah, I need to take the long cut to OKC from Stillwater the next time I go to OKC to see that. The round barn is another interesting sight.

prerunner1982 · 08-12-2011, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StillwaterTownie

Yeah, I need to take the long cut to OKC from Stillwater the next time I go to OKC to see that. The round barn is another interesting sight.

Yes I meant to mention the Round Barn as well.

I use to take 177 to 66 quite often when traveling back and forth between Stillwater and Edmond when I was going to OSU. There is also an old gas station just outside of Arcadia where a counterfeit operation was being done out of a hidden room in the back. The station was eventually shut down when the law caught wind of the scam. Many years later a dead body was found there and if I remember correctly it was never solved.

ironhorseherb · 08-13-2011, 09:27 PM

After visiting Oklahoma you just may not want to go back to Maryland.

ktaadin · 08-14-2011, 08:45 AM

Thanks for the suggestions everybody!

nolimits76 · 08-15-2011, 11:59 PM

If you make the trip, gotta check out downtown Tulsa. Beautiful buildings, more beautiful than most towns this size have. That's what old oil money does for towns. Too bad there aren't more. Still a beautiful site. Also, be sure to check out the underground tunnels. While in Tulsa, you have to check out the state of the art, BOK Center. Only building in the state like this. OKC is revamping their Ford Center in hopes to compete, lol. Also, while in Tulsa you need to check out Brookside and Cherry Street. Not to mention the new Tulsa Drillers baseball stadium. Yes, it's minor league but an absolute beautiful and relaxing stadium.

For some lake fun, it's hard to beat Grand Lake.

Also, a trip to Stillwater to eat at Eskimo Joe's is a must-do. Cheese fries and bacon burger is famous, I think. Sort of like a local Hard Rock, except we had EJ's first and IMO it's much better without all the commercialism. Better yet, travel through during football season and watch the Cowpokes play a game while there. It really intensifies the experience. Be warned, you will probably have to park a few blocks away.

If you are into racing, then stopping at Hallett Raceway on the way to Stillwater is a must-do. The only place I know where you can run your personal vehicle on the track. This isn't a drag strip, but a true race track. Be sure to check the schedules. Some days are blocked for car enthusiasts groups (Vipers, Vettes, old vintage cars, etc). Again, the cool part here is YOU get to be the race driver!!

When thinking colleges, the University of Oklahoma is a site to see in Norman. And arguably some of the best football games you can see. Been to numerous OU games, and find them more exciting than pro games. Normal crowd is 80,000+. OKC is just a few minutes north of Norman, and several must sees there. The bombing memorial. The downtown canal area called Bricktown. Think San Antonio, on a much smaller scale. Check out an OKC Thunder basketball game in the Ford Center.

StillwaterTownie · 08-16-2011, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nolimits76

I
When thinking colleges, the University of Oklahoma is a site to see in Norman. And arguably some of the best football games you can see. Been to numerous OU games, and find them more exciting than pro games. Normal crowd is 80,000+.

Visiting Frank Jones Jr. Museum of Art on the OU campus is a great experience. Some of the art in there is so valuable that it is guarded over. Fans of famed architect Bruce Goff, former head for OU's School of Architecture, will want to view his paintings along with some of his bizarre architectural plans and mini models that were actually built, such as the Bavenger House. Admission to the museum is free on Tuesdays. OU's new School of Architecture with it's huge arch is also impressive.

prerunner1982 · 08-16-2011, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StillwaterTownie

Visiting Frank Jones Jr. Museum of Art on the OU campus is a great experience. Some of the art in there is so valuable that it is guarded over. Fans of famed architect Bruce Goff, former head for OU's School of Architecture, will want to view his paintings along with some of his bizarre architectural plans and mini models that were actually built, such as the Bavenger House. Admission to the museum is free on Tuesdays. OU's new School of Architecture with it's huge arch is also impressive.

It's too bad that the Hopewell Baptist Church on 178th st in Edmond is in such a poor condition. Interesting building though.