7 Small Towns In Oklahoma With The Best Downtowns

Oklahoma’s main streets are a rich tapestry of the state’s unique heritage, from the oil tycoons who shaped towns like Ponca City and Bartlesville, to the Native American communities whose long history is still evident in Tahlequah and Medicine Park. These downtowns are all distinctly different. Spend a day wandering through the largest Historic Preservation District in the country, take a ride on a vintage trolley, catch a show at a 1920s theater, tour a historic home, or simply enjoy an ice-cream sundae by the river. Dive into our list of Oklahoma’s best downtowns to see a new side of the state.

Guthrie

No list of must-see Oklahoma downtowns would be complete without Guthrie, whose downtown core is the largest Historic Preservation District in the United States. Featuring over 2,000 Victorian-era buildings, this pedestrian-friendly town is known for its remarkable architecture, reflecting its status as the state’s first capital.

You can, of course, explore the town yourself, but for something a little different, try the Guthrie Ghost Walk. Operating for over a decade, this spooky tour starts at the Apothecary Garden downtown and journeys around some of Guthrie’s most notorious historic buildings, including the Territorial Jail. Tours last 90 minutes and operate seasonally.

The tour’s starting point, the Apothecary Garden, is part of the Oklahoma Frontier Drugstore Museum. This unique museum celebrates and commemorates frontier pharmacies and the medical practices of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Look out for the Leech Jar, where early doctors stored their blood-sucking remedies, and enjoy a beverage from the old-fashioned soda fountain. Outside in the garden, you’ll find a pretty array of healing herbs and medicinal plants. A few blocks from the museum is the Pollard Theater. Built as a dry goods store in 1889, the site was transformed into a vaudeville theater in 1919 and has entertained visitors and locals ever since with a lively schedule of concerts, musicals, plays, and comedy shows.

Okmulgee

Nationally recognized as a Great American Main Street, you may recognize downtown Okmulgee. The town’s historic streetscapes have provided the backdrop for several films, including The Last Rodeo and Reservation Dogs. Founded in the aftermath of the Civil War, Okmulgee became a thriving oil town in the early 20th century.

Visit the Chamber of Commerce to get information about the various historic walking tours available which include a Black Heritage Tour and Historical Churches Tour. If you’re exploring on your own, don’t miss the Creek Council House, built in 1878 by the Muscogee (Creek) people. The property and its grounds are listed on the National Register of Historic Sites and designated as a National Historic Landmark.

Find more history at Ye Olde Lamp Post Antiques, the perfect place for downtown souvenir-hunting and thrifting. Finish your day in downtown Okmulgee with a visit to the Orpheum Theatre, a restored 1920s movie theater showing evening screenings and matinees. Guided tours of the property are also available by appointment.

El Reno

The legendary highway, Route 66, runs through the heart of El Reno and played a big role in the town’s development. Visit the Filling Station Visitors Center to find out more. This unique attraction is a newly renovated museum and welcome center that often has classic cars parked out front for motorheads and history-lovers to admire. You can’t miss the town’s other Route 66 icon, the El Reno Mother Road Monument, a huge statue of the iconic road sign that’s a great place to get a unique vacation photo. The monument is next door to a local hotspot, Sid’s Diner, which is famous for its retro decor and mouthwatering fried onion burgers.

One of the best ways to see El Reno’s charming downtown is via railcar. Take a ride on the Heritage Express Trolley, a restored 1924 Brill Motor Car, to see the sights in style. Tours run on summer Saturdays and leave from the Canadian County Museum to tour through the heart of downtown.

Ponca City

Founded after the 1893 Cherokee Strip Land Run, downtown Ponca City suffered a devastating fire in 1900, was rebuilt during the good times of the oil boom, and suffered another setback with the Great Depression. These distinct eras are reflected in the town’s unique heritage and many of its landmark buildings have recently undergone revitalisation, bringing new life to its downtown core.

One of the first historic buildings to be transformed to its former glory was the Poncan Theatre, built in 1927. The theatre is now home to the world’s largest collection of hand-painted lobby art of the 1930’s and hosts a year-round schedule of theatrical and musical performances. See more of Ponca City’s artistic side with a wander around some of the city’s eye-catching murals, spread along the main thoroughfare of Grand Ave.

Also on Grand Ave is Marland’s Grand Home, the 1914 mansion of oil tycoon and former Oklahoma governor E.W Marland. The 22-room Renaissance Revival property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and contains the first indoor swimming pool in Oklahoma. The home is now a museum containing Marland Family displays, Native American artifacts and a Daughters of the American Revolution exhibit.

After exploring downtown Ponca City, grab some refreshment at Vortex Alley Brewing, a locally-owned brewery with an extensive collection of craft beers and 12 rotating taps. There’s also plenty of lively entertainment on offer with a well-equipped games room, live music, and regular events.

Medicine Park

Medicine Park is one of Oklahoma’s most unusual and prettiest downtowns with a very distinctive look. Known as “America’s Cobblestone Community,” several of the town’s buildings are made of red granite cobblestones from the Wichita Mountains.

See those cobblestones in the unique frontage of the Old Plantation Restaurant, which was built in 1910 as a pavilion and, later, a hotel. During its hotel years, the property was visited by many notorious Prohibition-era legends including Bonnie and Clyde, Machine Gun Kelly, and Al Capone. The former inn is now a popular eaterie serving up traditional southern-style food, including hand-battered country-fried steaks and catfish.

If you’re still hungry, head a few doors west to grab dessert at the Cobblestone Creamery, an ice-cream parlour with featured specials, waffle bowls, sundaes, and seasonal flavors. Take a stroll east on Lake Drive to do some shopping at the White Buffalo Trading Post, a rustic wood mercantile selling Native American jewelry, dreamcatchers, and moccasins alongside locally-made candles, soaps, quilts, and more.

Tahlequah

Located in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains, Tahlequah is the capital of the Cherokee Nation. Wander through the Tahlequah Original Historic District downtown and you’ll see signs in both English and Cherokee. Visit the Cherokee National History Museum, housed in the renovated Cherokee National Capitol, to learn about Cherokee life before the arrival of European settlers through the Trail of Tears, the Civil War, and up to the present day.

Nearby are two other notable museums, the Cherokee National Supreme Court Museum and the Cherokee National Prison Museum, that add more fascinating context to the story of the Cherokee Nation. Over the road, you’ll find the Cherokee Arts Center, which nurtures local talent through cultural workshops and art installations. The center contains a retail outlet, the Spider Gallery, where you can pick up a one-of-a-kind piece from Cherokee artists.

Bartlesville

The main downtown artery in Bartlesville is Frank Phillips Boulevard, named for one of Oklahoma’s most successful oil barons. Phillips built a lavish home downtown in 1909, which is now open to the public for tours of the Neo-Classical 26-room mansion. Guided tours of the Frank Phillips Home show visitors the original furnishings and decor of Oklahoma’s iconic oil family and visitors are also encouraged to explore the beautifully landscaped grounds.

Head north to discover more of the historic downtown area, stopping by Unity Square, which links two local landmarks, the Price Tower and the Bartlesville Community Center. The square features art sculptures, water features, and an outdoor event space. During the summer, the square hosts an annual “Sizzlin’ Summer Concert Series” featuring live music, food and other family-friendly entertainment.

Main Street Magic

Oklahoma’s captivating small communities are best explored on foot, in their walkable downtowns. Some boast unique cobblestone natural features, others Victorian architecture and nostalgic Route 66 iconography, but they all have one thing in common — they showcase the best of Oklahoma in their storybook streets and fascinating attractions. These charming downtowns offer a different way to get to know Oklahoma in their wide range of cultural, scenic, historic, and recreational attractions.