Reward yourself and your loved ones by taking a mini-vacation on the roads of our great state. Imagine spending a quality day off and doing it all on a single tank of gas. It can be done, trust us. And there are more ways to get away for the day in Oklahoma than you might think. Here are five different routes that will take you for a fun drive around the Tulsa area.
Travel to the Grand Lake O’ The Cherokees
128 miles, 2.5 hours round trip
Take I-44 North to the Highway 28 exit, and then head west to Langley, Oklahoma to visit the longest multiple-arch buttress dam in the world. Pensacola Dam, finished before World War II, provides tremendous hydroelectric power for the region to this day. The inspirational (and free!) tour is available 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Visit Langley’s Saturday Morning Market and buy some fresh garden vegetables. You may find some unique pottery or jewelry as well. After that, H2O Sports in Langley can lease you a boat for a couple hours to speed around beautiful Grand Lake. Top the evening off at the elegant 5-star restaurant, The Artichoke.
Visit Beautiful Bartlesville
112 miles, 2 hours round trip
Bartlesville is the perfect place for a day trip from Tulsa, appropriate anytime, but especially in August since part of Bartlesville is in Osage County (remember the movie August: Osage County?). The Woolaroc Museum and Wildlife Preserve, originally a private ranch of oil tycoon Frank Phillips, has been entertaining and inspiring people for decades. In the Osage Hills, about 12 miles southwest of Bartlesville on Highway 123, you’ll find roaming elk, buffalo, zebra, longhorn cattle and other exotic animals. After visiting the museum, drive around the animal preserve and enjoy a picnic at the campground. Afterwards, drive into Bartlesville and see Frank Lloyd Wright’s Price Tower, his only realized skyscraper.
Find Your Okie in Muskogee
102 miles, 2 hours round trip
On the way to Muskogee on Highway 51 East, stop by Livesay Orchards or any of the other orchards of Porter for the juiciest peaches on the planet. When you arrive in Muskogee, head to Honor Heights Park, a garden rivaling Tulsa’s Woodward Park. Enjoy walking among the azaleas and around the duck ponds before spreading a blanket out for a nice picnic. After lunch, experience firsthand a World War II submarine, the U.S.S. Batfish, at War Memorial Park. For dinner, have a juicy hamburger or steak at Okie’s. Then head to Movies on the Green (every first Saturday night of the month) in downtown Muskogee.
Dive into Eufala Lake State Park
130 miles, 2.5 hours round trip
This trip down Highway 72 is quick and surprisingly beautiful. Dixie’s in Coweta is a must-stop for a great breakfast (open 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday). Huge, country-sized omelets, pancakes, eggs and bacon any way you want — it’s hard to find anybody anywhere who doesn’t like Dixie’s. After breakfast, drive to the lake for biking, hiking, horseback riding, swimming or fishing. On your way back to Tulsa, visit family-owned Haskell Auction (Saturdays only) for rare furniture items at auction, tag sales and estate sales. Finding the perfect piece at a great price is an adventure worth having.
Get Your Kicks on Route 66
130 miles, 2.5 hours round trip
Take historic Route 66 to Vinita. Along the way, pull off the road in Catoosa and snap a selfie in front of the Blue Whale and post it on social media. Then get back in the car and shoot up to Claremore. Visit the Will Rogers Memorial Museum, where you can pay homage to Oklahoma’s Favorite Son — the cowboy, actor and humorist, Will Rogers. Once you arrive in Vinita, have lunch at Clanton’s, which has been around since 1927 and has been featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. You’ll enjoy their excellent chicken-fried steak, catfish and other home-style meals. After lunch, visit Safari Joe’s Wildlife Sanctuary & Reptile World in Adair to see the animals, fun for both children and adults. Make your way home on Highway 28 West from Adair, and then get back on Route 66 South. Stop at Molly’s Landing for an amazing seafood and steak dinner.
Prepare Your Car for the Journey
Before your day-trip adventure, get ready with a tune-up or any other necessary maintenance at RC Auto. We’d love to schedule an appointment for you. Or stop by today and visit us. We are ready to help you keep your car in tip-top shape.