City: Catoosa, OK

Category: Accommodations

Telephone: (918) 384-7800, (800) 760-6700

Address: 777 W. Cherokee St.

Description: Originally the Cherokee Casino Resort, this facility, still owned by the Cherokees, has been re-branded with the Hard Rock imprimatur. The hotel has 350 rooms with suites—from junior to mega-suites. The hotel opened in 1993 and expanded in 2009 with the addition of the Hard Rock Tower. Cherokee symbolism and artwork are prevalent throughout the hotel. Custom-made carpets in the public areas and halls reflect the heritage. Each room features different wall decor. Rooms are spacious, attractive, and comfortable. Amenities include tea and coffeemakers, hair dryers, irons and ironing boards, newspapers, free local calling, in-room safes, flat-screen TVs with cable, HBO and On Demand movies, and games. Microwaves and refrigerators are available on request. King suites feature whirlpool tubs.In addition, the hotel provides a fitness center, complimentary business center, airport transportation, and pool. There’s an attractive piano bar near the lobby—good for drinks and bar food and, of course, entertainment.The hotel is connected to the casino (see Nightlife), so guests have easy access to 24-hour-a-day dining. Complimentary coffee and soft drinks are available throughout the gaming area. The casino also houses several restaurants, a number of bars, and entertainment six nights a week—everything from jazz to country.The adjacent golf course (see Outdoor Activities) is an attractive adjunct to the facility

City: Catoosa, OK

Category: Nightlife

Telephone: (918) 384-7800 (800) 760-6700

Address: 777 W. Cherokee St.

Description: This complex is huge. If you walk from the piano bar in the Cherokee Tower to the farthest corner of the gaming area, it’s a quarter of a mile. This is the best way to get your exercise here since they took the arms off the one-armed bandits.There are plenty of slot machines but, like most other casinos, there’s no clinking of coins falling in the tray—it’s all electronic. There are actually about 2,300 electronic games. In addition to the more traditional slots, you’ll find video poker, bingo, Wheel of Fortune Super Spin, and lots and lots of others. Table games include poker—in many variations—blackjack, and bonus roulette and bonus craps (with cards).The casino hosts three major poker tournaments each year, plus a number of smaller ones. The poker room is a big favorite with players. Unlike many casinos, there’s plenty of room between tables and the chairs are top quality—a comfort in a tough game.The hotel and casino, originally the Cherokee Casino Resort, has undergone a re-branding—now as the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Tulsa. It’s still owned by the Cherokee Nation, but the change brings in the cachet of Hard Rock history and exciting decor and memorabilia.In addition to the gaming, look for more entertainment. There’s live music in the casino most nights—sometimes in several venues—from jazz in the C Note Piano Lounge to boot-scootin’ at the Cabin Creek stage.When your whistle needs wettin’, you don’t have to go far to find complimentary coffee and soft drinks or stronger libations. Literally the coolest spot is the Center Bar, with one of the largest frozen bar tops in the country.Dining choices abound with not only the Wild Potato Buffet and McGill’s on Nineteen, a fine dining venue, but a number of other choices including Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill. Lighter meals or snacks are also readily available.For more details check the Accommodations chapter.

City: Catoosa, OK

Category: Parks & Recreation

Telephone: (918) 384-7600

Address: 777 W. Cherokee St.

Description: This is a fun course to play if for no other reason than it was designed by the legendary Perry Maxwell in 1924. A recent redesign by Tripp Davis tweaked some of the holes but the course is essentially as Maxwell made it. A par 70 course, it’s 6,635 yards from the men’s tees. The course features contoured fairways, rolling greens, and challenging bunkers and is just a pretty place to play. In 2008 Golf Week magazine named it one of the top five public-access courses in the state of Oklahoma. In 2007 PGA contender John Daly chose to play his pretournament rounds here rather than on the PGA course.Expect to see water, rocks, wetlands, and brushy roughs. The sixth hole is one of the best—or worst—a par five, laid out amongst rocks with an undulating, unforgiving green. Golfers should observe proper dress on the course. The facility has a pro shop and a grill. Price code includes cart and range.

City: Catoosa, OK

Category: Parks & Recreation

Telephone: (918) 669-6460

Address: 16150 Redbud Dr.

Description: The Redbud Valley Nature Preserve is a special treasure for those who are willing to make the effort to explore it. A tiny bit of Ozark wonderland being pinched off by commercial development, it was saved by the efforts of a determined Tulsa University professor, Dr. Harriet Barclay, the Nature Conservancy, and the people of Tulsa.Although the property comprises 200 acres, visitors are restricted to about a mile of rough trails. From those trails, however, the visitor goes from the cool shade of limestone bluffs to the hot, dry cliff top—passing unusual and endangered plants and even fossils. In protected areas, sugar maples and blue ash grow, and columbine, walking fern, and Dutchmen’s breeches thrive in the shade. Higher up, yucca, smoke trees, and prickly pear seek sustenance from the shallow soil atop the limestone bluffs.The preserve is open Wed through Sun, closed on city holidays. There is a small nature center with exhibits and a naturalist to answer questions. Picnic tables, restrooms, and drinking water are available in a nearby shelter. No admission charge.

City: Catoosa, OK

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (918) 266-7853

Address: 3700 N. Hwy. 66

Description: Northeast of Tulsa, but not that long a drive, is Molly’s Landing, as eclectic-looking a spot as you’ll find. It started in 1884 with a large log cabin—then grew. Like a giant magnet, it seemed to collect things—on the porch, on the walls, hanging from the ceiling. As you come up the walk—think rustic, with an emphasis on the rust. There are old iron stoves, tools, and barbed wire and metal art. Even the menus have metal covers. Inside, you’ll find everything from animal skins and antlers to bowling pins, a water pump, and a model of Westminster Tower complete with Big Ben.Don’t let the decor distract you. You can do some serious eating here. The steaks are tops—try the peppered filet mignon with brandy sauce—and the fish selections range from walleye to Norwegian salmon. Be careful you don’t fill up on the excellent bread, and save room for dessert. There’s a chocolate cake made with pure butter and egg yolks (none of that nonfat white part) that’ll make you want to slap your mama.The restaurant is open for dinner every evening except Sun.