If you’re looking for a new adventure in 2017, visiting some of Oklahoma’s incredible towns is a great one! From the oldest town to the newest town in the state, these 12 towns in Oklahoma are all worth a visit. A word of caution: some of these towns are so charming you may never want to never leave them.
- Bernice
Photo credit: Mary Pryor It has been said that big things come in small packages. Perhaps that is the perfect phrase to fit the little town of Bernice, Oklahoma. Nestled quietly on the rolling hills of Horse Creek, this community of some 500 people is one of the most beautiful spots on Grand Lake. Bernice is well known for their excellent fishing location and has been called the “Crappie Capital of the World.” It has a great Nature Center, a lovely State Park, and is home to Indian Hills, one of the oldest marinas on Grand Lake.
- Fort Gibson
cg “Chasing Light”/Flickr Fort Gibson was established in 1824 as a military town and is considered the oldest community in Oklahoma. The town was built around the military post – Fort Gibson – which was responsible for keeping peace in Indian Territory. It also became the center of trade and travel and for many, was the last stop on the Trail of Tears. This town is not only full of history, but is a very beautiful small town that deserves a visit. Take a look at the town that claims the title, “oldest town in Oklahoma.”
- Tahlequah
tahlequahok/Facebook Voted as one of the Top 100 Best Small Towns in America, Tahlequah is a town located in northeastern Oklahoma that is full of charm, character and Native American history. From shopping to dining to outdoor activities, this delightful town is impossible to drive through without stopping to check it out.
- Carlton Landing
CarltonLanding/Facebook As the newest town in the state, Carlton Landing is one of the most charming townships in Oklahoma. Overlooking Lake Eufaula, this little walkable town is first of its kind in the state. You’ll find all the amenities you need within five minutes of home, including a General Store. The town also has the first rural charter school in the state - Carlton Landing Academy.
- Medicine Park
MedicineParkOK/Facebook Nestled in the Wichita Mountains in southwestern Oklahoma is the vintage cobblestone resort town, Medicine Park. Step back in time as you stroll the quaint Cobblestone Row filled with shopping, history and small town America. It is surrounded by natural beauty on all sides, water running right through it and the Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge right next to it. You can enjoy a day trip or weekend trip of breathtaking scenery, fishing, swimming, hiking, shopping, bike riding or just relaxing. This historic resort town in Oklahoma was a finalist for “Americas Coolest Small Town” by Budget Travel Magazine.
- Guthrie
TravelOk/Facebook If you searched the country over, it would be hard to find a town as unique and charming as Guthrie, Oklahoma. As the first capital of Oklahoma, the town is not only historical but insanely adorable. From the Victorian architecture to the Wild West spirit, Guthrie is a beautiful gem in the Sooner State that just might be the most unique town in the world.
- Picher
Tyson Luneau/Flickr Picher isn’t a town you want to visit for its charm. Picher, Oklahoma sprung up almost overnight in the early 1900s when lead and zinc ore were discovered. It quickly became a township and was incorporated in 1918. The Picher area became the most productive lead-zinc mining field in the area, producing more than $20 billion worth of ore between 1917 and 1947.The contaminated water created an environmental hazard which made Picher part of the Tar Creek Superfund Site around 1981. Many efforts were made to clean up the area but the contamination was found to be so severe that the government decided to close Pitcher and relocate their residents. Due to the removal of large amounts of subsurface, most of the city’s structures are in imminent danger of caving in. The town was deemed “The Most Toxic Town In America” by the EPA.
8 . Sipokni West
TravelOk/Facebook Step back in time to 1880 to the old western town, Sipokni West, where cowboys have gunfights, the old west spirit resides and where spurs and saddles can be found at the local Trading Post. This old western town is located in Reagan, Oklahoma, and was created as a Western movie set by actor Johnny Shackleford. This mini-town is now a tourist museum that can be visited by those looking to explore the Old West.
- Broken Bow
Thomas and Dianne Jones/flickr As one of the most beautiful places in Oklahoma, Broken Bow lies nestled in southeast Oklahoma near the foothills of the Kiamichi Mountains – a subrange of the breathtaking Ouachita Mountains. The town lies within McCurtain County and with a population just over 4,000, Broken Bow is a gateway city to Beaver’s Bend Resort Park and Hochatown State Park. With a quaint town full of history, great weather, pristine water, spectacular views and an array of outdoor activities, this little town is one of Oklahoma’s best kept secrets.
- Talihina
theROCKHouse2u/Facebook Nestled in between the Kiamichi and Winding Stair Mountains is the little village town of Talihina – the gateway city to the Talimena Scenic Drive. This quaint town is the perfect destination city, full of charming places to visit including an incredible mouthwatering destination restaurant – The Rock House. So if you’re up for a small town adventure with big views, amazing fare and romantic cottages, then Talihina is the perfect place to go.
- Pauls Valley
Kurt Haubrich/Flickr The quaint town of Pauls Valley is full of things to do. First, stop into The Toy & Action Figure Museum - the only one of its kind in the world that houses over 13,000 action figures and toys. Next, visit the historic Santa Fe Depot Museum. And last but not least, pick up a slice of delicious pie at Field’s Pecan Pie Factory!
- Sulphur
Sulphurchamber/Facebook The town of Sulphur is the gateway city to the Chickasaw National Recreation Area. CNRA is an outdoor oasis filled with every outdoor activity and water everywhere. The spectacular springs and waterfalls will have you gazing for hours. The town of Sulphur has a charming Main Street, along with an elegant hotel - The Artesian.
Check out these 10 Best Towns In Oklahoma To Put Down Roots And Call Home.
Photo credit: Mary Pryor
It has been said that big things come in small packages. Perhaps that is the perfect phrase to fit the little town of Bernice, Oklahoma. Nestled quietly on the rolling hills of Horse Creek, this community of some 500 people is one of the most beautiful spots on Grand Lake. Bernice is well known for their excellent fishing location and has been called the “Crappie Capital of the World.” It has a great Nature Center, a lovely State Park, and is home to Indian Hills, one of the oldest marinas on Grand Lake.
cg “Chasing Light”/Flickr
Fort Gibson was established in 1824 as a military town and is considered the oldest community in Oklahoma. The town was built around the military post – Fort Gibson – which was responsible for keeping peace in Indian Territory. It also became the center of trade and travel and for many, was the last stop on the Trail of Tears. This town is not only full of history, but is a very beautiful small town that deserves a visit. Take a look at the town that claims the title, “oldest town in Oklahoma.”
tahlequahok/Facebook
Voted as one of the Top 100 Best Small Towns in America, Tahlequah is a town located in northeastern Oklahoma that is full of charm, character and Native American history. From shopping to dining to outdoor activities, this delightful town is impossible to drive through without stopping to check it out.
CarltonLanding/Facebook
As the newest town in the state, Carlton Landing is one of the most charming townships in Oklahoma. Overlooking Lake Eufaula, this little walkable town is first of its kind in the state. You’ll find all the amenities you need within five minutes of home, including a General Store. The town also has the first rural charter school in the state - Carlton Landing Academy.
MedicineParkOK/Facebook
Nestled in the Wichita Mountains in southwestern Oklahoma is the vintage cobblestone resort town, Medicine Park. Step back in time as you stroll the quaint Cobblestone Row filled with shopping, history and small town America. It is surrounded by natural beauty on all sides, water running right through it and the Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge right next to it. You can enjoy a day trip or weekend trip of breathtaking scenery, fishing, swimming, hiking, shopping, bike riding or just relaxing. This historic resort town in Oklahoma was a finalist for “Americas Coolest Small Town” by Budget Travel Magazine.
TravelOk/Facebook
If you searched the country over, it would be hard to find a town as unique and charming as Guthrie, Oklahoma. As the first capital of Oklahoma, the town is not only historical but insanely adorable. From the Victorian architecture to the Wild West spirit, Guthrie is a beautiful gem in the Sooner State that just might be the most unique town in the world.
Tyson Luneau/Flickr
Picher isn’t a town you want to visit for its charm. Picher, Oklahoma sprung up almost overnight in the early 1900s when lead and zinc ore were discovered. It quickly became a township and was incorporated in 1918. The Picher area became the most productive lead-zinc mining field in the area, producing more than $20 billion worth of ore between 1917 and 1947.The contaminated water created an environmental hazard which made Picher part of the Tar Creek Superfund Site around 1981. Many efforts were made to clean up the area but the contamination was found to be so severe that the government decided to close Pitcher and relocate their residents. Due to the removal of large amounts of subsurface, most of the city’s structures are in imminent danger of caving in. The town was deemed “The Most Toxic Town In America” by the EPA.
Step back in time to 1880 to the old western town, Sipokni West, where cowboys have gunfights, the old west spirit resides and where spurs and saddles can be found at the local Trading Post. This old western town is located in Reagan, Oklahoma, and was created as a Western movie set by actor Johnny Shackleford. This mini-town is now a tourist museum that can be visited by those looking to explore the Old West.
Thomas and Dianne Jones/flickr
As one of the most beautiful places in Oklahoma, Broken Bow lies nestled in southeast Oklahoma near the foothills of the Kiamichi Mountains – a subrange of the breathtaking Ouachita Mountains. The town lies within McCurtain County and with a population just over 4,000, Broken Bow is a gateway city to Beaver’s Bend Resort Park and Hochatown State Park. With a quaint town full of history, great weather, pristine water, spectacular views and an array of outdoor activities, this little town is one of Oklahoma’s best kept secrets.
theROCKHouse2u/Facebook
Nestled in between the Kiamichi and Winding Stair Mountains is the little village town of Talihina – the gateway city to the Talimena Scenic Drive. This quaint town is the perfect destination city, full of charming places to visit including an incredible mouthwatering destination restaurant – The Rock House. So if you’re up for a small town adventure with big views, amazing fare and romantic cottages, then Talihina is the perfect place to go.
Kurt Haubrich/Flickr
The quaint town of Pauls Valley is full of things to do. First, stop into The Toy & Action Figure Museum - the only one of its kind in the world that houses over 13,000 action figures and toys. Next, visit the historic Santa Fe Depot Museum. And last but not least, pick up a slice of delicious pie at Field’s Pecan Pie Factory!
Sulphurchamber/Facebook
The town of Sulphur is the gateway city to the Chickasaw National Recreation Area. CNRA is an outdoor oasis filled with every outdoor activity and water everywhere. The spectacular springs and waterfalls will have you gazing for hours. The town of Sulphur has a charming Main Street, along with an elegant hotel - The Artesian.
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