This Oklahoma Town Has The Most Walkable Downtown
Guthrie, Oklahoma, the state’s original capital, boasts a downtown that wears its history proudly, with more than 2,000 Victorian buildings creating one of the most distinctive streetscapes in the region. A walk through its center feels like stepping into a living museum, where landmarks like the Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Oklahoma Frontier Drugstore Museum sit within easy reach of one another. The Drugstore Museum is especially memorable, with quirky artifacts such as its famous leech jar offering a fascinating glimpse into early medicine. After a day of exploring, visitors can unwind just minutes away at Wander Inn, a cozy spot for a drink in the heart of downtown. Altogether, Guthrie’s walkability, deep historical roots, and welcoming atmosphere make it an ideal Oklahoma weekend destination.
Architecturally Alluring
Appreciate not only the construction of the buildings, but what they represent, and also what they house. From the unique to the progressive, each building has its own story. The Oklahoma Frontier Drugstore Museum is a truly rare institution that you might not find elsewhere. The museum features a collection of artifacts and memorabilia that were once used in frontier pharmacies, drugstores, and medical media. For guests visiting, one of the most sought-after attractions is the leech jar. Formally used to contain leeches that healed patients, the jar was in use until roughly the 1930s, when technological advances in medicine made it obsolete. The oldest known compounding device, the Mortar and Pestle, as well as medicine bottles still containing medicine, are also on display. Another niche establishment is the State Capitol Publishing Museum. Providing learning opportunities and serving as a significant landmark, the museum is widely popular in Guthrie. In 1907, President Theodore Roosevelt sent a typed telegraph congratulating Oklahoma on becoming the 46th state in the U.S. from that very building. Visitors will find original furnishings and printing equipment used from 1889 to 1916 in the museum, as well as exhibits related to printing technology and its impacts on life in the region and the early statehood era.
The Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Carnegie Library also prove to be a great resource to learn about the founders who laid the groundwork for what is now Oklahoma. Artifacts, photographs, and paintings are displayed for guests to learn the connection between Oklahoma’s territorial period and its present status. Built in 1902, the library steps held many statehood ceremonies with great fanfare. Although originally set for demolition in 1972, the addition of the library saved the museum while preserving a significant portion of Oklahoma’s history.
Eat, Drink, Stay
For over 25 years, the Boomarang Diner has aimed to make the best burger for its patrons. Originally formed out of Muskogee, the diner has opened 60 locations to allow for a wide group of visitors to enjoy their dining. Although expanded all over the state, the business is still family-owned and aims to make all visitors feel the same. After dinner, grab a drink and relax for a bit at Wander Inn. The whimsical bar features a tasting room where guests can try a variety of drinks from WanderFolk Spirits. Located in historic downtown, the Inn creates a tranquil ambience to relax and unwind.
Eat, drink, and relax with an overnight stay at Dominion Gardens and Hotel. The hidden urban getaway is housed in a historic building established in 1923 and is surrounded by intricately detailed grounds and gardens. With luxurious linens, plush towels, and cozy bathrobes, guests might find it hard to leave their weekend retreat.
Lake Life
Guthrie has two popular lakes that provide plenty of outdoor recreation, within the lake and the surrounding area. Fish, boat, swim, hike, horseback ride, camp, and more at Liberty Lake. From the lake, take the 6.4-mile Liberty Lake Trail and traverse a range of natural landscapes, including wetlands, rolling hills, and meadows, while peeping for deer, birds, and rabbits. Spring visitors get the chance to view the colorful wildflowers blooming during the season. Another lake experience for guests is at Guthrie Lake, providing more opportunities for boating, fishing, and swimming. On the shore, visitors are invited to picnic, convene around the grills and fire pits, or spend a night under the stars at one of the lake’s campsites.
Nearby Towns
Journey just outside Guthrie and check out the charming town of Stillwater, where you can stroll through The Botanic Garden at Oklahoma State University. The 100-acre landscape includes a walking path and native plants displaying a beautiful garden exhibition. The garden is open to the pubic and aims to foster research, promote discovery, and encourage new ideas. For more preservation of local culture, the Stillwater History Museum showcases the history of greater Stillwater. Exhibits are constantly changing and featured in the lower level of the Sheerar Cultural and Heritage Center, originally constructed in 1928 as the First Church of Christ, Scientist.
For some throwback fun, visit Midwest City and spend a few hours collecting as many prize tickets as you can at Altitude 1291. Sitting at an elevation of 1,291 feet and located near Tinker Air Force Base, the amusement center offers state-of-the-art bowling, an arcade, laser tag, Krazy Darts, Virtual Reality gaming, and rock wall climbing, as well as a full menu and sports bar. Engulf yourself in all the fun offers, or experience a more laid-back entertainment experience at Bricktown Brewery. Come for some pub-style bites or handcrafted beers, including the in-house brews, Wiley One-Eyed Wheat, Millie McFadden Red Rye Ale, and Bricktown Brown. Bricktown Brewery is a local favorite for a night out in Midwest City.
Just an hour outside of Guthrie, Enid is home to multiple historical venues open for exploration and learning. Locomotive enthusiasts, be sure to check out the Enid Railroad Museum. Explore the golden age of rail travel via one of the largest collections of railroad antiquities in the U.S. The museum itself is located in a 1920s Santa Fe Railroad freight depot that exhibits fancy dining car China, silver service sets, colorful maps, vintage lanterns, depot clocks, telegraph gear, and much more! Step back further in time to the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center. Starting with the history of northwestern Oklahoma, the exhibits include the settlement of the Cherokee Strip to the historical origins of the Cherokee Outlet, the land opening in 1893, the settling of the region, and the culture and society that later developed.
Guthrie shines through its distinctive architectural history, endless blue lakes, and enticing, diverse regional pastimes. The state’s first capital has museums and tributes dedicated to its past, as well as multiple buildings and establishments that have been listed as National Historic Landmarks, and they are all within walking distance from the heart of downtown. Take a trip to Guthrie and see what this Oklahoma town has the most walkable downtown.
