Oklahoma is a fair stretch of Route 66 from where it comes in the Northeast corner to the west side of the state. Let the fun times roll. OK had several spots I truly enjoyed though it was a surprising start out of Kansas where the road went from smooth travel to oh wow, where did the pavement go?!
To be fair, when entering Oklahoma from Kansas, you are on a secondary road that enters the Native American Reservation. The BIA is responsible for road maintenance, which does not seem to be a priority on this stretch of the road and I believe them that it’s not a priority with everything else they are working on. When you read the warning signs to slow down, I highly recommend doing so.
The first sops in Oklahoma are Dairy King and Allen’s Conoco Fillin’ Station and the spot where Bonnie and Clyde were stuck in the ditch in Commerce. My drive through town was far less exciting than it had been in 1934. The Coleman Theater is located in Miami with its Spanish Colonial Revival exterior and the Route 66 Gateway sign.
Chelsea has a few things going on there; The Pryor Creek Bridge, the Pedestrian Underpass, and the Totem Pole Park. I spent considerable time in Chelsea. I was disappointed in the youth in the area who felt the need to place their mark on the lovely murals in the pedestrian underpass. I don’t believe they realize the value Route 66 brings to their community. For these first two stops in Chelsea, I recommend insect repellent and note that this underpass has stairs on either entrances.
The Totem Park was constructed by Ed Galloway, a US Army veteran, and upon his retirement in 1937 began the park. Please keep in mind that when visiting this site you are on someone’s property and they have restrictions on the times of visitation. I enjoyed this stop and appreciated their allowing me to enjoy these treasures.
The next stop the Blue Whale in Catoosa was actually the first Route 66 stop I ever made and helped inspire me to complete the full route. I had a delightful time at the Blue Whale and enjoyed that a father would build something so delightful for his children. These are just a few of the photos I took at this location, What a great site!
Next on to Tulsa, one of my all-time favorites on Route 66. I do enjoy living on Tulsa Time. The first stops are Harley Davidson store, Ike’s Chili, Buck’s Atom’s Cosmic Curios, Vickey Phillips 66 Station, and the Cyrus Avery Bridge. I am adding in the Blue Hippo at this point (as I was inspired by the Blue Whale).
You may want to stop into Ollie’s Station Restaurant, the food was pretty good.
And here I am going to go off track a little to add in a few fun spots in Tulsa. The Golden Driller is now in front of the Expo Square Pavilion. The Golden Driller is also the fifth tallest statue in the United States and has been named one of the top 10 “quirkiest destinations” in the U.S.
One of my all-time favorites places in Tulsa is the Center of the Universe. The “Center of the Universe” is a little-known mysterious acoustic phenomenon. If you stand in the middle of the circle and make a noise, the sound is echoed back several times louder than it was made. It’s your own private amplified echo chamber. It’s located downtown at 201 E. Archer Street, near the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame), and immediately north of the Williams Center Tower. A stone's throw away from the Center of the Universe is another Tulsa landmark, the "Artificial Cloud" statue. A few more stops in Tulsa worthy of checking out are: The Cave House at 1623 Charles Page Blvd,, Webbs Root Beer on Peoria Ave, and if you enjoy Bagels check out the NY Bagel cafe on S Peoria. These are all great places in Tulsa.
A few more stops in Tulsa worthy of checking out are: The Cave House at 1623 Charles Page Blvd,, Webbs Root Beer on Peoria Ave, and if you enjoy Bagels check out the NY Bagel cafe on S Peoria. These are all great places in Tulsa.
On to the Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum in Sapula, which was also a very nice stop, and then on to Stroud to the Rock Cafe and Stroud Drug on W Main Street. In Chandler, you will want to go to the Route 66 Interpretive Center where you can get information on monumental Mother Road. Then on to Warwick to Seaba Station, a must-stop for motorcycle enthusiasts, I enjoyed this stop as they have gathered some very nice pieces of motorcycle history. And just down the road from there watch for some Route 66 enthusiasts.
In Arcadia, One can enjoy the architecture and workmanship of the Round Barn built in 1898 and then refresh yourself at Pop’s Soda Ranch. (And if you save the bottle you can add it to a California Route 66 site later in your adventure).
Next stop in OK the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, the State Capitol building, The Milk Bottle Grocery, and possibly the Banjo Museum if it tickles your fancy. If you stop at the Milk Bottle Grocery I recommend the CVS parking lot and taking care as the building is in the middle of multiple streets. It was a hair solon when I stopped by it.
On to El Reno from OKC where one might have interest in Fort Reno, The Padlocks of Oklahoma sign before heading on to Lucille’s Gas Station or Lucille’s Roadhouse Diner in Hydro or Weatherford.
The Mohawk Lodge Indian Store was an interesting stop as was the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton. And yes, you are almost through Oklahoma. In Sayre is the Beckham County Courthouse, an impressive structure.
As one can imagine several of the stops mentioned are not handicap-accessible. I would recommend research for any specific limitations you or someone in your party may be faced with.
I truly enjoyed my adventures on Route 66 in Oklahoma and advise that you prepare for some long desolate area in the western part of the state but the journey is well worth the every miles.
LINKS:
https://www.travelok.com/route_66
Thank you for the ride along! I enjoyed it.