These 7 Towns Are Oklahoma's Best-Kept Secret

Oklahoma is bigger than many realize. Spanning nearly 70,000 square miles, it is over four times the size of Switzerland! As a result, it is no surprise that the state harbors a few secrets. Massive lakes, renowned pie shops, and Route 66 roadside stops are just the beginning. The following seven towns highlight some of Oklahoma’s most underrated treasures, giving you a new appreciation for the Sooner State and what it has to offer.

Broken Bow

Situated near Beavers Bend State Park and Broken Bow Lake, the small town of Broken Bow is increasingly becoming a favorite destination for southerners seeking a getaway. Beavers Bend State Park offers all kinds of recreational opportunities, including hiking, fly fishing, canoeing, and kayaking. The lake, which covers more than 14,000 acres, is another hot spot for water activities, such as swimming, scuba diving, and jet skiing. Golfers will love spending an afternoon at the Cedar Creek Golf Course, which sits on the shores of Broken Bow Lake, providing an 18-hole course with Bermuda grass greens. To conclude your day, stop by Beavers Bend Brewery for a drink, which occasionally hosts live music performances and has an extensive list of beers.

Pauls Valley

Oklahoma City residents do not have to go far to find a gem: Pauls Valley sits right outside of town. Travelers hailing from the city can reach this charming town on the Heartland Flyer, which travels from Oklahoma City to Fort Worth, stopping in Pauls Valley along the way. Once you arrive, let your inner child run wild at the Toy & Action Figure Museum, which contains more than 13,000 action figures and pop culture figurines. The Santa Fe Depot Museum offers another fun experience, home to a 1902 Santa Fe steam engine, along with railroad memorabilia and hundreds of photos. If all the museum hopping has worked up an appetite, swing by Fields Pies to try one of its renowned pecan pies! The bakery also serves mouthwatering lemon and German chocolate pies.

Perry

With Cherokee Outlet history and two scenic lakes, Perry gives travelers the chance to enjoy both historic landmarks and the outdoors. Perry Lake is one of the most popular spots to spend an afternoon outdoors in town, a reservoir that provides camping, boating, swimming, and fishing opportunities to residents and visitors. CCC Lake, located in the southeast of town, is another great place for a day of boating or fishing, formed in the Great Depression by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Travelers interested in learning more about the Cherokee Outlet can visit the Cherokee Strip Museum and Rose Hill School, which sits on five acres of land and features a blacksmith shop, museum, a one-room schoolhouse, and a large implement building.

Wagoner

If your ideal vacation is spent lounging by a lake for several days, Wagoner will definitely interest you. This town, situated near the shores of Fort Gibson Lake, offers endless opportunities for water recreation. Sequoyah State Park is just a 10-minute drive away and is the perfect basecamp for your lake exploration. This park features 19,000 acres of water and 225 miles of shoreline, making it the ultimate destination for swimming, boating, hiking, and picnicking. Travelers hoping to lodge near the lakeshore can stay at The Canebrake, a resort on the edge of town with a hotel, restaurant, bar, spa, yoga barn, shopping boutique, pool, and hiking trails. Besides the resort’s restaurant, travelers will enjoy grabbing a bite at Smokin’ Sisters BBQ on Main, which has been producing mouthwatering smoked meats since 2012.

Medicine Park

While Medicine Park is not necessarily a secret to Oklahomans, it is a destination the rest of the country is undoubtedly missing out on. Founded as a resort town in 1908, this town is an excellent destination if you are in need of a bit of rest and relaxation. Travelers can unwind in the cool waters of Bath Lake, the town’s beloved swimming hole with waterfalls, stairs, and a combination of shallow and deep areas. To further destress, consider scheduling a spa treatment at The Blissful Body, which offers a variety of specialty massages. Just outside of town, travelers will find the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge as well, home to a wide variety of wildlife, including Rocky Mountain elk, American bison, white tailed deer, longhorns, and prairie dogs.

Arcadia

Travelers seeking the classic Route 66 experience will find plenty of attractions in Arcadia. At Pops 66 Soda Ranch, travelers will find everything a Route 66 stop should offer: a gas station, café, shake shop, soda fountain, and gift store stocked with hundreds of sodas, ten shake flavors, and hearty hamburgers. The Round Barn is another one of the town’s most famous landmarks, a 1898 circular barn that has become one of the highway’s most photographed attractions. At Crestview Farms, guests can enjoy organic fruits, vegetables, and herbs, with opportunities for you-pick experiences during special events or by appointment.

Pryor Creek

Situated in northeastern Oklahoma, Pryor Creek has a rich cultural scene, largely expressed through its festivals, galleries, and museums. Much of the town’s fame has come from the annual Rocklahoma festival that takes place over Labor Day Weekend. A few of the performers on the lineup this year included Marilyn Manson, Five Finger Death Punch, and Three Days Grace. Rabbit Studios is a great place to appreciate the area’s local artists, featuring work by indigenous artists. To view historic artifacts from the Cherokee and Osage tribes, visitors can also stop by the Mayes County Historical County Museum (also known as the Coo-Y-Yah Museum), which exhibits plenty of artifacts from the past couple of centuries.

Final Thoughts

Oklahoma has its fair share of surprises. You will find quirky museums and music festivals, as well as plenty of spots for a lakeside retreat, an afternoon of wildlife watching, or picking your own fruit and vegetables. You’ll also find some great spots to enjoy barbecue or a cold beer! So grab your planner, set aside a couple of free days, and get ready to explore some of the state’s most impressive destinations.