Day Trips from Tulsa

1. Arcadia

• Where is Arcadia located?
  • One of many interesting day-trip destinations dotted along Route 66, Arcadia is located fifteen miles north of Oklahoma City, offering visitors an unusual day out.
• What attractions can visitors find in Arcadia?
  • The town offers the chance to see some great Route 66 memorabilia, with attractions including the Old Round Barn, The Route 66 John Hargrove’s Place, and the Oklahoma County Auto Trim and Mini Museum, all packed with interesting bits and pieces dating back to the Route 66 heydays.
• What outdoor activities can be enjoyed near Arcadia?
  • Close by, you will find the Arcadia Lake, which offers good fishing, boating, jet-skiing, picnicking, and camping. The area also features more than fifteen miles of scenic hiking and biking trails.

Arcadia, OK 73007

2. Bartlesville

• What makes Bartlesville an ideal destination?
  • Offering an eclectic variety of attractions to keep the whole family entertained, Bartlesville is an ideal destination for a day trip from Tulsa.
• How can I learn about the town’s history?
  • The best way to get an overview of the town’s history is to join a Bartlesville Heritage Trails Walking Tour which will cover most of the historic highlights.
• What historical attractions should I visit in Bartlesville?
  • The Phillips Petroleum Company Museum and Johnson Park are must-see attractions which tell the story of the town’s transformation into a leader in global energy.
  • You can also visit the historic 1903 Santé Fe Engine and depot and the Frank Phillips Home.
• What outdoor activities can be enjoyed in Bartlesville?
  • If you need an outdoor break after all that history, you can head to the Tallgrass Prairie Reserve or the Woolarock Wildlife Reserve for some outdoor recreation.

Bartlesville, OK 74003-4051

3. Beaver’s Bend State Park

• What is Beaver’s Bend State Park known for?
  • Located along the shores of Broken Bow Lake, Beaver’s Bend State Park is a popular recreation area for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.
• What can visitors do in the park?
  • The mountainous terrain inside the park includes towering forests of pines and other hardwoods which you can discover as you take a scenic drive through the park or set off on foot to hike some of the trails.
  • Broken Bow Lake offers a variety of water sports including boating, fishing, and scuba diving.
• What facilities are available for day trippers?
  • Other facilities for day trippers include a swimming beach, picnic areas, rest rooms, a restaurant, and a children’s playground.
• Can I camp at Beaver’s Bend State Park?
  • If you have a tent or RV, you could consider setting up camp at the campground and spending a night under the stars.

Beavers Bend State Park, 4350 S Hwy 259A, Broken Bow, OK 74728, Phone: 580-494-6300

4. Bixby

• What is Bixby known for?
  • The small town of Bixby is located just 30 minutes from Tulsa, offering city dwellers a pleasant small-town environment for a great day out.
• What attractions are there for nature lovers?
  • Nature lovers will enjoy taking a walk around the Washington Irving Memorial Park and Arboretum where you can view various historic memorials surrounded by over 35 acres of landscaped gardens.
• What farming experiences are available in Bixby?
  • The town has several farms which welcome visitors to come and pick berries (or pumpkins in season) including Joe’s Farm, Carmichael’s Produce, and Gibson’s Gardens.
  • Children will particularly enjoy the corn maze and petting zoo at Carmichael’s.
• What else can visitors do in Bixby?
  • There are a few quirky shops to explore and when hunger strikes, you will find a wide choice of restaurants.

Bixby, OK 74008

5. Blue Hole Park

• What makes Blue Hole Park a great family destination?
  • Blue Hole Park is one of the best family day-trip destinations during the hot summer months, located about seven miles from Salina.
• What can visitors do at Blue Hole Park?
  • The park is centered around a large natural spring-fed swimming hole with cold but crystal-clear water.
  • Visitors can pay a small admission fee and set up sun loungers to enjoy the day.
  • The swimming hole has a shallow area perfect for younger children, while parts of the hole are deep enough for snorkeling.
  • There is also a shallow river area where children can use floats.
• What amenities are available at the park?
  • You can bring a picnic or order snacks from the on-site concession.

Blue Hole Park, 158 N 4470, Salina, OK 74365

6. Catoosa

• What makes Catoosa a great day trip destination?
  • Located along the legendary Route 66, just 16 miles from Tulsa, Catoosa is a popular destination for day trippers.
• What attractions can be found in Catoosa?
  • The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Catoosa, which boasts a large casino, an eighteen-hole golf course, and plenty of entertainment and dining.
  • The Historical Society Museum and the D W Correll Museum for a deep dive into Catoosa's history.
  • The Oklahoma Maritime Education Center, which tells the history of the Port of Catoosa.
  • The amazing Route 66 Big Blue Whale for a fun and quirky visit.
• What outdoor activities can visitors enjoy in Catoosa?
  • Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy a pleasant and rugged one-mile hiking trail in the Redbud Valley Nature Preserve.

Catoosa vs. Bartlesville, Oklahoma:

7. Claremore

• What makes Claremore a great day trip destination?
  • Located just thirty minutes northeast of Tulsa, Claremore has all the right ingredients for a great day out.
• What are some of Claremore's top attractions?
  • The quirky Route 66 Big Blue Whale roadside attraction, which has been attracting visitors for over forty years.
  • A walk along the main street in Historic Downtown Claremore with restaurants, coffee shops, and antique stores.
  • The Claremore Museum of History, the Oklahoma Military Academy Museum, the J M Davis Gun Museum, and the beautiful Belvidere Mansion.
• What outdoor activities can visitors enjoy in Claremore?
  • Outdoor enthusiasts can head to Lake Claremore for boating, fishing, hiking, biking, and more.

8. Lake Eufaula

• What is Lake Eufaula known for?
  • Lake Eufaula is Oklahoma’s largest lake, covering over 100,000 surface acres and boasting 800 miles of picturesque shoreline.
• What water activities are available at Lake Eufaula?
  • Visitors can enjoy boating and motorized water sports like jet-skiing, water-skiing, wakeboarding, or tubing.
  • Other water activities include canoeing, kayaking, and pedal-boating.
  • Fishing is a very popular activity, and you can even fish off an enclosed and heated jetty in winter.
• What are some onshore activities at Lake Eufaula?
  • Onshore activities include golf, walking, wildlife watching, hiking, biking, horseback riding, and even ATV trails.

Eufaula Lake, North and South of Eufaula town, OK 74432

9. Eureka Springs

• Where is Eureka Springs located?
  • Eureka Springs is located in Arkansas, across the Oklahoma border.
• What are some ways to explore Eureka Springs?
  • A good way to get an overview of the town’s history and attractions is to hop aboard a guided tram tour of the Historic District.
  • After the tram tour, you can visit the Eureka Springs Historical Museum.
• What other attractions can I visit in Eureka Springs?
  • You can enjoy shopping in downtown Eureka.
  • The town is famous for its natural hot springs, so it would be a shame to leave without visiting one of the local spas for a soak and a massage.
  • Other attractions include the Onyx Cave, the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, and the Beaver Dam for hiking and water sports.

10. Foyil

• Where is Foyil located?
  • Foyil is located just ten miles from Claremore, along the legendary Route 66.
• What is the main attraction in Foyil?
  • The main claim to fame in Foyil is The World’s Largest Totem Pole.
  • The totem pole was constructed by Nathan Edward Galloway, a wood-carver and violin-maker, after his retirement.
  • The totem pole is 90 feet high and resides in the Totem Park on his property, where visitors can climb up an internal ladder to the very top.
• What else can visitors do in Foyil?
  • Visitors can explore a few smaller totems, visit a gift shop and museum on the site, or visit the Andy Payne Monument, which commemorates the winner of the first transcontinental footrace from Los Angeles to New York in 1928.

Foyil, OK 74031