9 Oklahoma Small Towns With Unmatched Friendliness

Oklahoma, a state that is part of both the American West and the American South, has a long history of welcoming visitors. Homesteaders and those seeking a better life helped move the place from territory to state when it joined the Union in 1907. These days, Oklahoma's legacy as a land of opportunity comes through in the many, often small towns that host visitors and longer-term residents. Beyond the larger cities like Tulsa and the capital, Oklahoma City, small towns like those show that the true character of the state makes a trip worth planning for sometime soon.

Claremore

In the state's northeast, Claremore's various charms include a historic downtown. The zone sprang up in the boom times after Claremore's settlement in 1883. These days, the area benefits from its designation as a part of the US National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Signature buildings include the Belvidere Mansion, built in 1907. The Lilac District, a zone for a night on the town, gathers restaurants and bars in one place, including the Main Street Tavern, a beloved local spot.

Many visitors and native Oklahomans can tell you that Claremore is the hometown of legendary cowboy entertainer Will Rogers. Calremore's Will Rogers Memorial Museum offers artifacts from his legacy, which have toured Oklahoma and the world. Claremore's status as a place of lively entertainment also comes from the musical comedy Oklahoma!, which was one of the most successful Broadway shows ever. Set right here in town, the play is based on a 1931 production by the playwright Lynn Riggs, another of Claremore's local boys made good.

Ardmore

In south-central Oklahoma, the small town of Ardmore gives the visitor a mix of urban appeal and small-town peacefulness. Ardmore's Visual and Performing Arts Center has organized concerts, shows, and other performances since opening its doors back in 1970.

Outdoors fans will like Ardmore's green areas, like Lake Murray State Park, a local favorite for golf, tennis, fishing, boating, and other activities. Tucker Tower, standing within the Lake Murray Nature Center, was built during the Works Progress Administration of the 1930s, when the Great Depression rocked the US economy. Other Ardmore parks include Walker Park, Central Park, and Ardmore Regional Park, all of which support the town's healthy lifestyle.

Davis

South of Oklahoma City, Davis, offers broad appeal to the out-of-town guest. The town attracts crowds to its Davis Historical Museum, sometimes called the Arbuckle Museum, which is focused on the old American West. The museum sits in the Santa Fe Depot, a former railway station, which is also listed on the NRHP. Davis was established in 1898, during Oklahoma's famous land rush. The descendants of some of those prospectors still live here today.

For a breath (or an afternoon) of fresh air, Turner Falls Park, outside town, offers a spectacular waterway that draws tourists from far and wide, since Turner Falls is the single-largest waterfall in Oklahoma. Southeast of town, the Chickasaw National Recreation Area and the Lake of the Arbuckles provide another idea for family-friendly fun in the great Oklahoma outdoors.

Grove

In northeast Oklahoma, Grove is known to fishermen, boaters, and those who love the water. The town sits on the Grand Lake O' the Cherokees, which is in fact a reservoir of the Neosho River. The Shangri-La Resort on the lake's shores draws well-heeled crowds. Every year, Grove hosts a fishing competition for largemouth bass, and the event attracs some of the best smallmouth fishermen from the United States and elsewhere.

Grove's various accommodation options include motels like the Angler's Inn, RV parks, and chain hotels along the reservoir's shores. For a unique, classy alternative, the Patricia Island Estates and Country Club lets guests golf, dine, and gamble. North of town, the Grand Lake Casino also encourages visitors to try their luck at its table games and slot machines.

Guthrie

Guthrie, north of Oklahoma City, offers a vibrant calendar of events and festivals. Seated by the Cimarron River, the town provides ample opportunity for summertime fun. Highland Park, a green space spanning 40 acres, includes a fountain, trails for jogging or walking, a disc golf course, and more.

Students of architecture will enjoy Guthrie's old Pollard Theatre, built in 1901. The venue stages an annual, locally-inspired production called "A Territorial Christmas Carol," harkening back to the days before Oklahoma was a state. Guthrie calls itself the 'Christmas Capital of Oklahoma,' and rolls out a slew of activities and attractions for the holiday season. And did you know? Guthrie served as Oklahoma's very first state capital from 1907 to 1910.

Miami

One of Oklahoma's oldest towns, Miami, unlike the Florida city of the same name, only has 12,900 residents. (The town's correct local pronunciation is "Meeyamuh," another difference from its Florida counterpart.) This small Oklahoma town offers a variety of interesting things to see and do. The Charles Banks Wilson Art Gallery offers a creative touch for the artistically inclined, while the Dobson Museum showcases the region's Native American history. Lovers of antiques or the outdoors will find plenty of interesting choices, like the Twin Bridges State Park, which is great for hiking and fishing, or anywhere on historic Main Street, which has antique stores, boutiques, and other shops to suit all tastes and preferences.

Mustang

Mustang, about 13 miles southeast of the state capital, is a fast-growing community. This small town organizes cultural events throughout the year, including the annual Western Days Celebration, which celebrates the Old West, specifically the role of cowboys in the westward expansion of the United States. At all times of year, the Mustang Historical Society, located downtown, honors the legacy of the town as a place on Oklahoma's historical map, and as a key community in the larger Oklahoma City capital area.

Green spaces abound in Mustang, assuring a workout or a pleasant moment outside for tourists of all kinds. Wild Horse Park offers playgrounds and picnic tables, making it a perfect stop for families. Mustang Old City Park and Meadowbrook Park, both in the town's southwest, offer two more alternatives for some sunshine and time outdoors.

Owasso

In the central heart of Oklahoma, the town of Owasso is usually considered a suburb of Tulsa. The town is proud of its history as a stop along the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe railroad line, which helped develop Oklahoma into the state it is today. Owasso makes for a smaller, quieter stop than some of the other, more popular small-town stops on this list. Among the town's newest attractions, the Airtopia Adventure Park offers loads of kid-focused fun and is an ideal place for families to stop during a trip through the region.

Owasso has a variety of parks and other green spaces, notably Centennial Park and the Redbud Valley Nature Preserve. Owasso's Vision 2025, a long-term public works improvement project, has been notching improvements over the past several years. These include new recreation areas and walking trails, which make Owasso more inviting for a visit than ever.

Sulphur

Sulphur, in the southern part of the state, earned a strong reputation as a spa town, and it's famous for its mineral-rich hot springs, as the town's name suggests. That natural abundance powered the town's growth as a therapeutic wellness destination more than a century ago, and set the foundation for a local industry that is still thriving today. Spots like the Artesian Hotel, Casino & Spa, which was first constructed in 1906, attract tourists from all over. The Echo Canyon Spa Resort, also in town, also draws its own large share of visitors.

Sulphur is home to the Chickasaw National Recreation Area, a nature preserve under the management of the U.S. National Park Service. The site, a local favorite, is ideal for swimming, camping, and looking out for local wildlife — like the Nine-Banded Armadillo, a species not found in other regions of the United States.

Some of Oklahoma's Friendliest Towns Are Its Smallest

Oklahoma's menu of attractions runs along, and the state's small towns may be the most welcoming places a traveler could choose to visit. Ardmore and Claremore celebrate the state's strong western culture, including the legendary cowboys of the American West. Davis and Grove offer natural wonders, from waterfalls to the pleasures of leisure on and off the waters of the Grand Lake O' the Cherokees. Towns like Owasso and Sulphur, which are good for families as well as adults traveling without children, offer everything from spa treatments to a chance to see unique regional wildlife. For unmatched friendliness in a state long used to welcoming visitors, Oklahoma makes a strong case for a visit soon.