The 9 Friendliest Little Towns In Oklahoma

Ranked among the top 10 friendliest states last year, Oklahoma is full of welcoming residents and caring communities. As travelers venture into the state’s rural areas, they are likely to encounter some of the friendliest towns of all. Whether you will be visiting a sunny vineyard, an Indigenous art gallery, a homemade pie shop, or a lively family carnival, these nine towns offer some of the warmest hospitality you can find.

Pryor Creek

Pryor Creek, often simply called "Pryor," is famously known for hosting the annual Rocklahoma festival. Held over Labor Day weekend, the event typically attracts around 70,000 attendees, temporarily boosting the town's population, which otherwise hovers under 10,000. Occurring over three days, the festival features three stages with over 40 artists. During the rest of the year, travelers can appreciate the town’s art galleries, such as Rabbit Studios, which features the artwork of Cherokee artist Traci Rabbit. They can also explore the town’s history at the Coo-Y-Yah Museum (also known as the Mayes County Historical Museum), which features artifacts and exhibits from the Osage and Cherokee people.

Pauls Valley

As a stop along the Amtrak Heartland Flyer route, Pauls Valley often enchants visitors who spend the day there. Held each October, the Red Brick Road Film Festival is a community highlight, showcasing short films by local, Indigenous, and international filmmakers. The Toy & Action Figure Museum is another beloved attraction, featuring more than 13,000 classic pop figures alongside interactive exhibits. Travelers with a sweet tooth should make sure to grab a pie at Field's Pies factory, a hospitable pie business in town that specializes in homestyle pecan, German chocolate, and lemon pies.

Medicine Park

Travelers will find that the small health resort town of Medicine Park provides a recharge for both the body and mind. In the summer, residents and visitors often gather along the shores of Bath Lake, where they can float on the water or enjoy a picnic. The water temperature is mild, making it easy to jump in! The town’s locally owned shops are also worth a visit, including RecNeck Candles, which offers soy candles and other scented products in more than two dozen fragrances. Be sure to check the town’s annual event schedule before planning your trip. Events like The Blues Ball bring plenty of energy, with activities including a kickoff party, live blues music, and plenty of cold drinks.

Idabel

Nicknamed the Dogwood Capital of Oklahoma, Idabel’s blooming dogwood trees bring the town to life in the spring. Each April, the Idabel community celebrates this special time during the Dogwood Days Festival, which commemorates the annual bloom with live entertainment, craft vendors, a pageant, crawfish boil, a street dance, and more. The town also highlights Native arts, archaeology, and prehistoric artifacts at the Museum of the Red River, which features a roughly 40-foot-long dinosaur skeleton. Afterwards, grab lunch at Phat Tabb’s BBQ, which serves smoked brisket, pork, sausage, turkey breast, and other Oklahoma-style smoked meats.

Broken Bow

Broken Bow provides the quintessential Oklahoma hospitality, making it the perfect spot for a relaxing weekend getaway. Travelers can enjoy a glass of wine at Fish Tales Winery & Bistro, which produces semi-sweet white and sweet red wines. On a sunny afternoon, locals often head to Cedar Creek Golf Course for a round on its 18-hole course, where fairways are lined with green pines. If you will be in Broken Bow in November, make sure to attend the Beavers Bend Folk Festival & Craft Show, a two-day craft exposition that attracts nearly 70 vendors that specialize in basket weaving, paper making, blacksmithing, quilting, yarn spinning, and more.

Wagoner

Wagoner puts on several notable community events throughout the year, keeping the community active. The Wagoner Summerfest is one of the most well-known, featuring three days of entertainment, food, and vendors in the historic district. The annual Tractor Pull, which takes place each August, is another quirky tradition. Attendees can bring their lawn chairs and umbrellas and enjoy the tractors as they pass in Dunbar Park! Regardless of the time of year, visitors can unwind year-round at the Canebrake Resort, a 300-acre resort and spa that offers lake views, a restaurant, a spa, hiking and biking trails, and an onsite boutique.

Sallisaw

Sallisaw is rich in Native American history and was once home to Sequoyah, the Cherokee man who developed the written Cherokee alphabet. Travelers can further explore this history by visiting Sequoyah’s Cabin, which dates back to 1829 and is now listed as a National Historic Landmark. Make sure to visit the 14 Flags Museum as well, which honors the 14 nations that have shaped Oklahoma’s history. The Diamond Daze Festival, which takes place each May, is another great way to experience the town’s culture. This annual outdoor festival features a carnival, live bands, a barbecue competition, arts and crafts, a 5k, a car show, and more.

Catoosa

While you may not expect to see a blue whale in the landlocked state of Oklahoma, you can see just that in Catoosa. The Blue Whale of Catoosa, a roadside attraction along Route 66, has welcomed visitors since its completion in 1972. Built with a metal framework and hand-mixed cement, it remains one of the town’s most iconic landmarks. After grabbing a photo with the friendly whale, travelers can head over to the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa, where a 170,000 square foot casino, an 18-hole golf course, three hotel towers, and on-site restaurants await. If you will be in Catoosa in June, consider attending the annual Catoosa LibertyFest Carnival, which features fireworks and a carnival to kick off the area’s Fourth of July celebrations.

Skiatook

Skiatook is a fast-growing, family-friendly community with plenty of activities for families with children. Travelers can spend an afternoon at the Skiatook Central Park, which offers a splash pad, pond, playground, pavilion, and walking trail. Families can also relax and spend time together at Skiatook Lake, a 10,000-acre lake with plenty of spots to boat, fish, camp, hike, and swim. One of the town’s most beloved annual events is the Pioneer Day Festival, which celebrates Skiatook’s Founders Day with a carnival, parade, vendors, tournaments, food trucks, and more.

Oklahoma has plenty of scenic destinations, but few things are as rejuvenating as a genuinely welcoming community. Even if it is your first visit, residents have a way of making you feel right at home. From Fourth of July celebrations to blues festivals and folk art fairs, there are so many ways to join in the fun. So take a moment to unwind and connect with the friendly spirit of these nine towns!