Walking Through One of Oklahoma’s Best Small Downtowns
If your idea of a perfect getaway involves parking the car once and exploring everything on foot, Pawhuska, Oklahoma, fits the bill. This town of just under 3,000 people is brimming with history and deep ties to the Osage Nation, a walkable downtown with beautifully preserved buildings, 86 of which are on the National Register of Historic Places. Locally owned and operated museums explore the town’s past, from the Osage Nation’s story and early pioneer days to the oil boom that took Pawhuska by storm in the 1920s, and its unlikely claim to “the World’s Greatest Cowboy." Located about an hour north of Tulsa, Pawhuska makes for an easy weekend escape from the city. No car? No problem. You can take the Jefferson Lines 802 bus to nearby Dewey, followed by a short cab ride into town. Read on to discover why Pawhuska may just be your next vacation destination.
Take a Stroll Through Time
Long before Pawhuska existed, the Osage People lived across a vast region covering parts of Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. Over the 19th century, increasing pressure from the US government's expansion and settlement initiatives forced the Osage to relocate to Indian Territory, present-day Osage County. The town of Pawhuska was named in honor of Paw-Hiu-Skah (White Hair), chief of the Thorny Valley People. Despite enduring incredible challenges over the centuries, the Osage people remain a vibrant and thriving community today.
You can explore their rich history at the Osage Nation Museum, the oldest tribally owned museum in the United States, located on Grandview Avenue, just a short walk north of Main Street. On the way, you’ll pass the ominous Osage County Courthouse, perched on a hill overlooking downtown. Built in 1914, this courthouse became nationally known in the 1920s when it held a trial connected to the "Reign of Terror" murders that saw dozens, if not hundreds, of members of the Osage Nation killed for their oil rights.
Heading back toward Main on East 6th Street, you will find a much lighter chapter of local history at the Ben Johnson Cowboy Museum. This museum highlights the town’s western heritage, shining a spotlight on Pawhuska native Ben Johnson, known as “the World’s Greatest Cowboy” and the only person to ever win both an Academy Award and a Rodeo World Championship. Continue east along 6th Street to Lynn Avenue to reach the Osage County Historical Society, located in the old Santa Fe depot. The exhibits here cover everything from Western and pioneer life, the early days of the oil industry, Native American heritage, and Boy Scout displays, as Pawhuska was home to the first organized, uniformed Boy Scouts troop in America.
End your walk through history back on Main Street at the Constantine Theater, located next to City Hall. Originally the Pawhuska House Hotel in the late 19th century, it was converted into a theater in 1914 and opened with a silent film screening of Neptune’s Daughter. More than a century later, the Constantine is still a cornerstone of Pawhuska’s local arts and culture scene, hosting performances and community events year-round.
Meander to the Mercantile
The Pioneer Woman, also known as Ree Drummond, a popular Food Network host, blogger, and cookbook author, opened the Pioneer Woman Mercantile in Pawhuska in 2016, and it quickly became a destination in its own right. On its grand opening day, people were lined around the block, and it continues to draw an average of 6,000 visitors per day. Located on the corner of Kihekah and Main, The Merc, as it is referred to by Ree, was built in 1910 and originally called Osage Mercantile. The 25,000-square-foot building includes a retail store and deli on the ground floor and a coffee bar and bakery on the second.
While it’s not walkable from downtown, you can also drive about 18 miles outside of town to visit The Lodge, the filming location of Ree’s Food Network show. Tours are offered on select days, with tickets and directions provided at the Mercantile itself. If you’re looking to stay overnight, the Pioneer Woman Boarding House offers eight rooms, uniquely styled by Ree herself. Described as “cowboy luxury,” the hotel is just doors from the Merc and combines upscale comfort with small-town character and charm.
Snack and Sip Your Way Around Town
With all this talk of food and cooking, you're bound to get hungry. Start your day with breakfast at the Merc, or head west down Main Street to Powered By Frikn on Tumbly Avenue. Known for creative iced coffee drinks, this cozy spot also serves up tasty breakfast options like sausage rolls, burritos, pretzels, and biscuits and gravy. Right on the other side of Main Street is Pawhuska Daylight Donuts, selling all your favorite classics, as well as creative and playful flavors, offering glazed and jelly-filled donuts, long johns, and cinnamon rolls.
At lunch time, stop in at P-Town Pizza, on Kihekah Avenue close to the Merc, for wood-fired pizza, wings, and pillowy garlic knots. If you’re craving some classic American barbecue instead, walk south on Kihekah to Trigger’s BBQ, known for award-winning, slow-smoked brisket and fall-off-the-bone ribs. Morning or afternoon, visit the Farm Hippie Farmers Market, back over on E 6th St. This year-round, indoor market features products from over 150 local farmers, food producers, and artisans, promoting a true shop-local, waste-less mindset.
For dinner, enjoy casual eats at The Dirty Laundry Saloon, just slightly west of Farm Hippie on E 6th St, then head back down to Kihekah to enjoy a scrumptious sundae for dessert at Charlie's Sweet Shop, tucked right below P-Town Pizza, before slipping next door to Dry Hollow Bar, a small but upscale bar with a western flair.
A Small Town Shopping Spree
After filling up on Pawhuska’s tasty bites, it’s time to work off those calories with a little retail therapy. Start at Osage Outfitters, located right next door to the P-Town Pizza entrance, where shelves are lined with more than 700 pairs of cowboy boots. The shop carries a mix of Western, Southwestern, and Native American-inspired pieces, along with Oklahoma-themed jewelry and accessories. Just north on Kihekah Ave, you’ll find Pawhuska Olive Oil Co., which specializes in high-quality olive oil imported from Tunisia and balsamic vinegar from Italy.
Walking south back to Main Street, you will find even more boutiques worth popping into. Sister’s Attic, a consignment shop, sits right next to the Merc and is perfect for treasure hunting. Farther east on Main is The Buckin’ Flamingo, home to Oklahoma’s largest selection of turquoise jewelry. Across the street, the Indigenous-owned Spurs & Arrows gift shop offers apparel, jewelry, home goods, and souvenirs.
A Breath of Fresh Air
While Pawhuska’s proximity to the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve's free-roaming bison and wild grasslands often steals the spotlight, the preserve is about 15 miles north of town. If you’d rather stay close to the downtown core, there are several walkable outdoor spots worth exploring. Across the street from the Osage County Historical Society Museum is the start of the Wazhazhe Heritage Trail and a disc-golf course. This leads to the WahZhaZhe Heritage Park, which features more nature trails, as well as a playground in the park. There are also picnic spots and shaded seating areas, giving you the perfect opportunity to pack a lunch to enjoy outside.
Another notable outdoor stop is the Swinging Bridge, built in 1926 to connect residents living across Bird Creek with the center of town. True to its name, the bridge really does swing, making for a slightly thrilling crossing. To reach it from Main Street, head south on Kihekah; you can't miss it.
More Walkable Oklahoma Towns
If a small, walkable town like Pawhuska sounds like your kind of getaway, there are a few nearby places you might enjoy just as much. Like Pawhuska, Hominy is deeply connected to Native American history and also takes its name from a local Osage chief. Located about a 25-minute drive south of Pawhuska, the town is best known today for its murals, largely the work of hometown artist Cha’ Tullis. For more than 40 years, Tullis has operated the Cha’ Tullis Art Gallery on Main Street. His eight-part mural series, Majestic, helped transform otherwise quiet downtown buildings into storytelling landmarks rooted in Indigenous culture. If you are visiting in October, Hominy also hosts Indigenous Heritage Day, a community celebration featuring an annual meat pie contest, dance performances, live music, and all-day activities along Main Street.
A little over two hours west of Pawhuska, Alva sits in the historic Cherokee Strip, a stretch of land once owned by the Cherokee Nation that was opened to settlers during the famous 1893 land run. The area played a key role in Oklahoma’s settlement, and the town’s Cherokee Strip Museum highlights this history through both permanent and rotating exhibits, giving visitors a glimpse into the lives of the Cherokee people, early settlers, and the dramatic changes the region experienced. The museum is located in the west end of town, just off the main thoroughfare, Oklahoma Blvd.
While strolling through Alva’s downtown, it is worth stopping by the Courthouse Square, home to the Woods County Courthouse. It is within a few blocks of the square that you’ll find most of the town’s murals, each telling a unique story about Alva's history and notable figures. Unlike Hominy's one-man show, these murals are the work of the Alva Mural Society, established in 1997 and inspired by Toppenish, Washington, a town renowned for its public mural program. Since its founding, the society has commissioned one or two murals each year, adding color to Alva’s downtown while also preserving the region's history through art.
From Pawhuska's historic museums and preserved architecture to its modern coffee shops, boutiques, and beloved local eateries, everything is within reach in this walkable town. Deep Osage Nation roots, stories of the oil boom, and pop culture hot spots like the Pioneer Woman Mercantile all coexist in a compact, accessible downtown core. For travelers seeking a one-stop shop with a unique mix of amenities and attractions, Pawhuska delivers a memorable Oklahoma escape.
