Oklahoma

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Oklahoma [1] is a state in the Great Plains region of the United States of America. Oklahoma celebrates their centennial of statehood in 2007. [2] Oklahoma became a state on November 16th, 1907.

[edit] Regions

Oklahoma Regions
Oklahoma Regions

[edit] Cities

[edit] Other destinations

  • Great Salt Plains State Park Northwest of Enid and near Jet [3] Dig for Selenite crystals.
  • The Oklahoma Space Port at Burns Flat [4]

[edit] Understand

Oklahoma State Capitol building
Oklahoma State Capitol building

Oklahoma has a rich Native American past. In the 1830's Oklahoma was the end of The Trail of Tears [5] and over 16,000 Cherokee Indian people were forced to move from their eastern homes by the United States government and were relocated to Indian Territory, now Oklahoma. In addition the Five Civilized Tribes were relocated from the southeastern United States. Oklahoma's name is taken from two Choctaw words. "okla" means people and "humma" meaning red, so Oklahoma literally means "red people". Thirty nine tribes and Indian nations have their headquarters in Oklahoma.

Oklahoma has a recent pioneer past. There are people alive today in Oklahoma that remember it as a frontier. The people in Oklahoma have learned to pull together in times of emergency and adversity. Strangers on the street and in public places will speak readily and easily to one another. One does not feel the distance or "icy-ness" from people in Oklahoma. You are likely to have a door held open for you as you walk into a store or a restaurant. This spirit was seen by the world when Oklahoma City became the victim of a terrorist attack on April 19, 1995. The energy, caring and unity that Oklahomans displayed after this disaster led President Clinton to name these qualities the "Oklahoma Standard."

The cost of living is among the lowest in the US and such includes the cost of tourist related activities. Lodging, rental cars, fuel, and restaurants are lower in cost than nearly anywhere else in the US.

[edit] Talk

The Coastal Southern drawl is rare. The South Midlands accent is more common. This accent ranges from Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and into Texas. Cherokee is common in Tahlequah but English is dominant even there. The Indian tribes are completely integrated in Oklahoma and Indian languages are seldom heard outside Indian events. It is also very common to hear a "twangy" accent in most parts of the state. It sounds very similar to a Texas accent, but with a flair. A trained ear can distinguish between the Texas and Oklahoma accents. There is also a difference in accent between inhabitants of the larger cities and those of the smaller towns and rural areas.

[edit] Get in

Will Rogers World Airport located in Oklahoma City and Tulsa International Airport in Tulsa are the two major state airports for domestic and international air travel. Other minor airports with limited domestic transport are located in Lawton and (sometimes) Ponca City.

[edit] Get around

The major interstates of Oklahoma include:

Also:

  • Historic US Route 66 closely parallel to I-44 between the Kansas state line to Oklahoma City and I-40 from Oklahoma City to the Texas state line.

[edit][add listing] See

  • Route 66 Oklahoma has more miles of original Route 66 road-bed left than any other state.
Oklahoma City Memorial at sunrise
Oklahoma City Memorial at sunrise
  • Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum in Oklahoma City. The memorial is both one of the most visible attractions in the city as well as the saddest, which has posed some problems for the city's tourism department. The outdoor symbolic memorial is free and open 24 hours a day, while the very well done Memorial Museum , right next door, can be visited for a small fee.
  • Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in Indiahoma. More than 50 mammal, 240 bird, 64 reptile and amphibian, 36 fish, and 806 plant species thrive on this important refuge.
  • The architect Frank Lloyd Wright designed several ... interesting ... buildings in Oklahoma and elsewhere. His tallest skyscraper is the Price Tower in Bartlesville.
  • National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. Here you can walk down the streets of Prosperity Junction, a turn-of-the-century Western town. Visit The American Cowboy Gallery, the American Rodeo Gallery, and the Western Performers Gallery.
  • Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa. The largest collection of Western art in the world.
Talimena Drive in the fall
Talimena Drive in the fall
  • Talimena Drive [6] from Talihina, Oklahoma to Mena, Arkansas. A 54 Mile scenic drive in Oklahoma and Arkansas along the ridge of the Ouachita Mountains and the Ouachita National Forest. The drive has frequent turnouts so you can enjoy the scenery. Convenient access to the drive near the mid-point can be accessed from Poteau by taking Hwy 59 south.
  • Oral Roberts University in Tulsa is among the nation's largest collections of futuristic architecture.
  • Lake Eufaula The largest lake in Oklahoma 102,000 acres of water.

[edit][add listing] Do

Oklahoma is known as a great place to live and visit. There are a lot of things to do in Oklahoma and it has all kinds of terrain. You will find mountains, pine woods and lakes in the eastern third of the state, plains and grasslands with rolling hills in the center of the state and in the west and panhandle it has plains and approaches more of a desert area. There are all kinds of activities available from hunting, fishing, hiking, to gambling in one of the hundred or so casinos and bingo parlors, and metro activities in Tulsa and Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City is also home of the Cowboy Hall of Fame.

[edit] Gambling

  • Firelake Casino in Shawnee.
  • Remington Park Racing & Casino Oklahoma City. Horse racing and slots.
  • Blue Ribbon Downs, in Sallisaw. Horse racing.
  • Ada Gaming Center in Ada. Bingo, off-track.
  • Ardmore Gaming Center in Ardmore.
  • Blue Star Gaming and Casino in Ponca City.
  • Cherokee Casino - Catoosa in Catoosa.
  • Cherokee Casino - Roland in Roland.
  • Cherokee Casino - Siloam, 7300 West US Highway 412, West Siloam Springs, +1 (918) 422-6301.
  • Choctaw Casino - Broken Bow in Broken Bow
  • Choctaw Casino - Durant in Durant.
  • Choctaw Casino - Pocola in Pocola.
  • Comanche Nation Games in Lawton.
  • Creek Nation Casino - Muskogee in Muskogee.
  • Creek Nation Casino - Tulsa in Tulsa.
  • Gaming Center and Thunderbird Wild Wild West Casino in Norman.
  • Grand Lake Casino in Grove.
  • Riverwind Casino in Norman.
  • The Stables and Buffalo Run Casino in Miami.
  • Winstar Casinos in Thackerville.

[edit][add listing] Eat

  • The Meers Store & Restaurant, OK Highway 115, 1 1/2 miles north of the Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge, Meers +1 (580) 429-8051. [7]. Famous for Meersburger - 7" diameter burgers made exclusively from Texas Longhorn beef, raised on the family's ranch. Voted the Best Burgers in Oklahoma. A must see if you are near Lawton.
  • Buffalo Meat

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit] Oklahoma Wineries

  • Nuyaka Creek Winery southeast of Bristow, OK Email: mailto:webmaster@nuyakacreek.com +1 (918) 756-8485 [8]
  • Natura Winery Beggs, OK email: mailto:info@naturawinery.com +1 (918) 756-9463 [9]
  • Tidal School Vineyards 54560 West Highway 16, Drumright, OK +1 866 258-1903 [10]
  • Sparks Vineyard & Winery Route 1, Box 15, Sparks, OK Email: mailto:sparksvineyard@aol.com +1 (918)866-2529 [11]
  • Summerside Vineyards 441251 E. Historic Route 66 Vinita, OK +1 888 508-9463 [12]
  • Canadian River Winery 15 minutes south of Norman, Oklahoma on state highway 77 at Slaughterville Road. Email: mailto:CRWinery@aol.com +1 (405) 872-5565 [13] open Monday - Saturday 12:00 - 5:00 pm
  • Greenfield Vineyard & Winery Rt. 2 Box 877, Chandler, OK +1 (405) 258-0525 [14]
  • Wakefield Country Inn & Winery [15] winery, spa and vineyard near Calvin, OK.
  • The Wine Village Located on SH66 Downtown Stroud, OK +1 (918) 987-0001 [16]
  • Sailing Horse Winery Located on in Eufaula, OK (918) 618-4824 [17]
  • Plain View Winery Located on in Lahoma, OK (580) 796-2902 [18]
  • Plymouth Valley Cellars Located on in Fairview, OK (580) 227-3207 [19]
  • StableRidge Vineyards Located at 2016 Route 66 West in Stroud, OK +1 (800) 359-3990 [20]

Sample some of Oklahoma's premier wines.

[edit] Stay safe

Oklahoma is in "Tornado Alley". Check the Tornado safety page if you are visiting Oklahoma. Oklahoma possesses state-of-the-art radar and warning systems for tracking severe weather. It is, arguably, the best system in the country. A traveler can readily obtain up-to-date weather information via television, radio, or the Internet. Being vigilant of Oklahoma weather is particularly important during the spring storm season.

Crime is not a big problem in Oklahoma. It is safe to walk in the evenings in almost all Oklahoma cities. Some care should be taken in the major cities of Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Edmond, and Lawton due to a higher crime rate in some areas of these cities. There are many areas of Oklahoma City that are not well lit at night. Travelers should exercise common sense in walking in well lit areas, staying on busy streets, removing valuables from vehicles, and locking vehicles.

Most Oklahomans will readily help anyone in need regardless of whether they are known to them or a stranger. There is very little "ice" among people in Oklahoma. A traveler in need of assistance should expect a helpful and friendly attitude.

Travelers in need of assistance on the highway may contact the Oklahoma Highway Patrol by dialing *55 on their cellphones

[edit] Get out

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