Oklahoma

Rich in cultural history with a broad selection of entertainment options, Oklahoma is a state you may be surprised to find yourself coming back to. It’s okay, we get that a lot. There’s a wealth of life and experiences to be had here. Learn about the best places to immerse yourself in the Oklahoma culture in this state guide!

Want more state guides? The USA page has everything you need, with more facts, tips, and more on all the other states.

Fast Facts — Travel Tips — Featured Posts

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Fast Facts

Geography and Population

• Oklahoma is located in the south central region of the United States
• It’s bordered by Missouri, Kansas, and Colorado to the north; Arkansas to the east; New Mexico to the west; and Texas to the south
• Oklahoma is home to just over 4 million people, most of which live in one of the state’s two major city areas

Major Cities

• Oklahoma City and Tulsa are the two major cities in Oklahoma, with 680,000 people and 410,000 people living in each city, respectively
• Even more people live in the Oklahoma City and Tulsa metro area, rounding to nearly 2.5 million of the state’s residents
• Oklahoma City is known as the main entertainment hub of the state while Tulsa is known for its vibrant arts scene and proximity to the rolling green hills of the Ozarks

State Staples

• Founded on 16 November 1907, Oklahoma was the 46th state to enter the Union
• Oklahoma City is the capital of Oklahoma. It’s located in the middle of the state.
• Oklahoma’s state nickname is the Sooner State
• Oklahoma is best known culturally for its connections to the oil and gas industry and its’ roots in Native American heritage
• The weather is something of note here — as Oklahomans say, “If you don’t like the weather, just wait.” Tornadoes, ice, humidity, and more could literally be waiting for you in the span of a week here in Oklahoma.

My Favorites and More

• I may be biased, but my hometown of Tulsa is certainly my favorite place in Oklahoma. There’s a lot of history and small town charm here, despite being one of the only two cities in the states, but there’s also plenty of activities, like upscale dining options and outdoor adventures, that really make living here a fun and entertaining experience.

Share some of your own fast facts about Oklahoma down in the comments below!

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Travel Tips

Oklahoma City

Located in the center of the state, Oklahoma City stretches across several miles of area. Within its bounds are several distinct districts, historically and culturally significant museums, and many modern bars and restaurants. Among other things, of course.

Oklahoma City is a sprawling city covering a lot of land which means having a car is an absolute necessity for getting around. Oklahoma City technically has a public transportation system, but it’s not well-loved or well-used, so I would suggest making other arrangements for traveling throughout. As for places to stay, Bricktown is a lively area near the bustling downtown of Oklahoma City. The Paseo Arts District and Uptown are great places to stay a little farther away from the craze of crowds, but still close enough to some fun and interesting attractions.

Check back soon for a full guide on traveling to Oklahoma City.

Tulsa

Tulsa is located in the northeastern part of the state among the thriving trees upon highland hills. Which means there is a lot of easy access to some serene hiking trails, large lakes, and overall outdoor activities. But within the city, there are also creative and artistic classes and attractions to participate in, many fine dining choices and laidback cafes and culinary experiences, and sports games, concerts, and other live entertainment options.

Driving is the best and easiest way to get around here. Many activities and events can be scattered throughout the different districts, so having a reliable vehicle is ideal for optimal exploration. Some stays of note include boutique downtown hotels, riverside rental properties, and of course, lakeside cabins and serene camping spots for those warm summer getaways.

Coming soon is a full guide to traveling Tulsa, so stay tuned for that.

Route 66

Oklahoma is where you’ll start to finally feel like you’re driving on the rugged and historic Route 66. This is where you’ll find the most drivable miles of the Mother Road, so really take your time and soak in all the character and oddities that make Route 66 unique.

You can easily navigate through the bigger cities of Tulsa and Oklahoma City where Route 66 runs. But keep that map handy for all the small towns in-between. A guidebook to some Route 66 shops and restaurants might be nice to have here too. There are a lot of them, so it’d be helpful to have those resources all in one place for your trip.

Speaking of resources, I’m working on releasing a full guide on how to travel on Route 66 — in Oklahoma and beyond. So make sure to check back on the blog for it, coming soon.

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