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Oklahoma is a landlocked state brimming with unique Native American cultures, heartwarming small towns, and diverse landscapes ranging from high plains to lowlands. Plus, it is home to an abundance of man-made lakes, which makes up for its lack of ocean shoreline. Aptly nicknamed the Sooner State due to the rush to settle in the territory before it was formally opened, this state is also full of history. For thousands of years, Wichita, Tonkawa, Plains Apache, and the Comanche peoples, among many others, lived in this region. Between the 1500s and 1800s, the area witnessed European contact, and by 1803, it became part of the United States after being acquired as part of the historic Louisiana Purchase.

More than 220 years later, Oklahoma is home to millions of people and some of the most exciting small towns in the US, which are full of rich history, interesting cultures, and endless recreation. From Broken Bow, with its large lake offering exciting water sports, to Tishomingo, the first capital of the Chickasaw Nation, here are the top towns in Oklahoma you have to visit in 2025.

Sulphur

Sulphur is a unique town named after its numerous sulfur springs, which were once believed to cure ailments. Today, it is a recreational hot spot and the gateway to the Chickasaw National Recreation Area. Visit this town and head to the recreation area to enjoy exciting activities like fishing and boating on the Lake of the Arbuckles, learning about the environment at the Travertine Nature Center, and swimming at Rock Creek or Veterans Lake, which also offers kayaking opportunities. Visitors can also swim at Little Niagara Falls and Travertine Creek or hike and bike on more than 30 miles of trails to get up close to the area's wildlife, waterbodies, and flora.

Away from the outdoors, visitors are invited to the Arbuckle Historical Museum to explore the exhibits detailing the area's Native American, military, and natural history. Culture lovers will love the Chickasaw Cultural Center, which features a village, a Chickasaw Nation Hall of Fame, and several exhibit buildings, including a souvenir shop and a sky bridge.

Claremore

Claremore is a lovely university town on the foothills of the Ozark Mountains and along the Verdigris River, where it glows in history, culture, arts, and natural splendor. Visitors will be delighted to explore the JM Davis Arms and Historical Museum, which has over 12,000 firearms and non-firearms-related relics. The Will Rogers Memorial Museum is also a must-visit, as it honors the life and times of iconic entertainer Will Rogers, regarded as Oklahoma's favorite son.

Outdoors, Will Rogers Park and Splash Pad is a great place to relax and have fun with picnic shelters, lawns, a splash pad, and beautiful trees. Claremore Lake Park is an alternative option in town for adventurers as it offers opportunities for boating, fishing, and picnicking with lake views.

Tishomingo

Tishomingo is a beautiful town with a rich history and full of adventures. Named after a Chickasaw chief who died of smallpox, this town served as the first capital of the Chickasaw Nation from 1856 to 1907, when Oklahoma became a state. Visit and admire this capital, and then head to Pennington Creek Park to swim, hike, and picnic.

For those who fancy wildlife, the Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge is always a great place to visit. The refuge is home to species such as Bald eagles, American white pelicans, sandpipers, and geese, and visitors can also enjoy boating, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and picnicking on the Cumberland Pond. When it is time to relax, visit the Indie Cinema to get lost in a 海角社区 of entertainment.

Broken Bow

Broken Bow is a paradise for outdoor and nature lovers situated in the Kiamichi Mountains and near the 14,200-acre Broken Bow Lake. The town is home to the famous Beavers Bend State Park, which offers a long list of exciting activities, from swimming and fishing to hiking. Visit this park and boat on the Broken Bow Lake or take on the challenging 11.6-mile loop Skyline Trail to see beautiful waterfalls with swimming holes, rivers, creeks, lush trees, and birds.

For more adventures in nature, head to the Three Rivers Wildlife Management Area to experience primitive camping, horseback riding, and fishing for bass. For wildlife lovers, the Little River National Wildlife Refuge is an exciting place near town to see migratory songbirds and waterfowl, white-tailed deer, and swamp rabbits, among others.

After a day filled with adventures, visitors can always relax at Gallery 259 to explore stunning paintings or visit the Gardner Mansion and Museum. Once home to a Choctaw Nation chief, the museum now contains artifacts reflecting the area's rich history from prehistoric times to the pioneer era.

Tahlequah

Tahlequah is a culturally rich town on the foothills of the Ozarks Mountains renowned as the capital of the two federally recognized nations, the Cherokee Nation and the United Keetowah Band of Cherokee Indians. Visit this town and head to the Cherokee National History Museum to learn more about the Cherokee people. Next, check out the Cherokee National Supreme Court Museum, constructed in 1844 and now representing the oldest government building in Oklahoma still standing. Also, the Cherokee National Prison Museum is worth visiting as it preserves and showcases the interesting history of Cherokee law and order.

Away from the historic attractions, visitors in Tahlequah can always head to the Illinois River to have fun paddling and tubing in the waters. Additionally, Cherokee Landing State Park is just a few miles from town and offers opportunities for camping, fishing, and boating on Tenkiller Ferry Lake.

Ponca City

Ponca City is a recreational hotspot in Oklahoma surrounded by several waterbodies like the Arkansas River, Kaw Lake, and Lake Ponca. Naturally, these water bodies are prime destinations for fishing, boating, and paddling. Kaw Lake, particularly, is incredible as it offers hundreds of campsites, swimming areas, and hiking trails. Have fun with these water bodies and then proceed to the Pickens Museum to see several large paintings depicting events in the Civil Rights Movement, as well as the Pioneer Woman mural honoring pioneer women.

Visit and admire the Marland Mansion, built in 1928 and representing one of the largest Italian Renaissance-style mansions in the United States. The mansion doubles as a museum featuring the Marland family exhibit, gardens, lakes, and an art gallery. Before leaving, head to the Poncan Theatre to relax and enjoy thrilling performances.

Guthrie

Guthrie, the first capital of Oklahoma, is one of the finest towns to visit due to its rich history, which is duly reflected in its historic district. This district has been designated a National Historic Landmark and is home to hundreds of buildings dating to the late 1800s and early 1900s. Take a walking tour through this historic district and check out popular structures like the 1907 Logan County Courthouse, the 1890 De Ford Building, and the 1890 Gaffney Building.

Notably, the Gaffney Building houses the Frontier Drug Store Museum, featuring a rich collection of artifacts reflecting the area's early drugstores and medical practices. For a more detailed history, visit the Oklahoma Territorial Museum and also check out the Scottish Rite Masonic Temples, one of the largest of its kind in the 海角社区.

Take a break from history to see several artworks from contemporary paintings and sculptures at the Terra Rosa Art Gallery and Creative Space. For outdoor adventures, head to Liberty Lake to enjoy camping, boating, swimming, fishing, and horseback riding.

Muskogee

Muskogee is a charming town on the Arkansas River Valley with so many things to offer everybody. For outdoor buffs, the town is home to attractions like Robison Park and Spaulding Park, both offering picnic areas, playgrounds, sporting facilities, and walking trails. The town is even more historic and is home to interesting attractions like The Castle of Muskogee, which has pirate ships, an enchanted fairy boardwalk, a dungeon, a torture chamber, a mermaid cove, an Italian piazza, and catacombs, among other interesting things.

Year-round, this castle hosts several exciting events, including the Oklahoma Renaissance Festival in May and the Haunted Castle Halloween Festival in October, which offer opportunities to visit and explore the stunning structure. Muskogee also hosts the Five Civilized Tribes Museum, which preserves and showcases the history, art, and culture of the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee, and Seminole tribes. Additionally, the Three Rivers Museum is in town, offering a detailed look into the history of the Three Rivers region and its railroad.

Discover picturesque landscapes, enthralling history, and amazing people on a visit to these charming towns in Oklahoma. From the historic Guthrie to the adventurous town of Broken Bow, these towns in the Sooner State are worth visiting in 2025. Lovers of Native American cultures will particularly love these towns as some have been the centers of the region's oldest cultures, including the Chickasaw and Cherokee people. Visit these destinations today and prepare to be blown away by unique experiences.