Distinctive Issues To Do in Chickasaw Nation, Oklahoma

Are you questioning what there may be to do in Chickasaw Nation, Oklahoma? The reply is, a lot!

I spent a weekend exploring the realm in partnership with the Chickasaw Nation Tourism Division.

From the world’s largest leg lamp to assembly Indigenous artists, my time there was crammed with sudden surprises.

Learn on to search out out among the distinctive issues to do in Chickasaw Nation, Oklahoma!

The place is Chickasaw Nation?

Chickasaw Nation is in south-central Oklahoma, about an hour from Oklahoma Metropolis. It consists of all or a part of 13 counties within the state.

Spanning greater than 7,600 sq. miles, cities within the space embody Sulphur, Davis, Chickasha, Blanchard, and extra.

How do you get to Chickasaw Nation?

One method to get to Chickasaw Nation is to fly. I flew into Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma Metropolis (OKC).

An alternative choice is to fly into Dallas Fort Price Worldwide (DFW) and drive throughout the state line. It takes about 2 1/2 hours.

Chickasaw Nation can also be a fantastic highway journey cease for anybody exploring the realm through automobile or RV.

I do suggest having a automobile when you’re there because it’s the simplest and quickest method to get round.

The place do you have to keep in Chickasaw Nation?

Whereas in Sulphur, Oklahoma, I stayed on the Artesian Hotel. It has 81 rooms and is positioned proper subsequent to the Chickasaw Nationwide Recreation Space.

This property felt luxurious. There was a piano participant within the foyer. My resort room had complimentary native goodies from Bedré Wonderful Chocolate. They’ve a on line casino, spa, restaurant, and complimentary valet parking.

The lodging had been comfy and I slept like a child!

Then in Blanchard, I stayed at a singular Airbnb. Discovered at 3J Farms, it was a transformed grain bin turned room rental.

There are two rooms on the farm — I stayed within the Peacock Room. It was named after Dwayne, the resident peacock. It got here with AC, considerate touches like filtered water, and delightful peacock decorations, together with a few of Dwayne’s previous feathers.

1. See the Chickasha Leg Lamp

Chickasha, Oklahoma has lengthy been often known as a Christmas hub for its annual vacation lights present.

Now, with the world’s largest leg lamp, they’re making it a Christmas city year-round.

Impressed by native resident Noland James, who claimed to have originated the leg lamp, utilized in A Christmas Story, this roadside attraction is discovered within the metropolis middle. It’s free to go to and stands at over 40 toes tall, a must-see picture cease.

There’s plenty of growth occurring across the leg lamp so stick round afterwards to discover the downtown space.

Proper throughout the leg lamp you possibly can seize a chew at Brandi’s Bar and take an image with the Chickasha mural on the facet of the constructing.

2. Expertise the Chisholm Path Heritage Heart

The Chisholm Trail Heritage Center is the place you’ll study all about cattle driving. The path is called after Jesse Chisholm, who was half Scottish, half Cherokee. He was an essential dealer and ambassador who frequented this route.

Cattle driving was extraordinarily in style within the 1800’s as a result of Longhorn cattle might be bought for $30-$40 a bit on New York or Chicago, versus $3-$4 every in Texas.

There’s an immersive theatre known as the T.H. McCasland, Jr. Expertise Theater that has rain, scent, actual vegetation from the plains, and takes you alongside on the expertise.

There’s a second theatre known as the Campfire Theatre the place you possibly can see an animatronic Jesse Chisholm speaking with a cowboy.

There are interactive displays, from a western market to a sport the place you possibly can attempt to lead your individual cattle drive and make choices, just like the Oregon Path sport.

They’ve a formidable everlasting artwork gallery right here known as the Garis Gallery of the American West. It comprises native and Indigenous artwork, with sure rotating artists.

There’s additionally a statue commemorating the path exterior known as On the Chisholm Path Bronze that may’t be missed.

3. Get a photoshoot with a mini Highland cow

Do you know you possibly can have a photograph shoot with a mini Highland cow?

I liked working with Coffey’s Mini Cattle Co. and assembly Coco, certainly one of their resident cows! Coco was so candy and cuddly. Because the cows are even tempered and far smaller than regular cows, they’re a preferred selection for youngsters’s birthdays or picture shoots.

As you possibly can see, although, I’m a grown grownup and completely liked this expertise!

The proprietor, Angelina, takes nice care of those animals and units up the complete shoot for you — you simply present up.

The expertise took about an hour and my photographer with Rachel Allen Pictures LLC bought the photographs again to me in file time.

4. Go wine tasting on the Rusty Nail Vineyard

The Rusty Nail Winery is a superb place to cease and have a wine flight, buy wine, or attend a paint and sip class.

They’ve quite a lot of wines produced in-house, a lot of them candy. In addition they have a small meals menu with snacks like artichoke dip.

They make all their very own labels and one wine particularly, Saving Grace, is a charity wine. A portion of each drink bought goes to combating congenital coronary heart defects in youngsters. The label was designed by the proprietor’s daughter who’s a survivor of the identical.

Additionally, as an apart, throughout Halloween they’ve haunted excursions upstairs.

5. Help Indigenous artists on the ARTesian Gallery & Studios

I had the pleasure of visiting the ARTesian Gallery & Studios in Sulphur, Oklahoma throughout my go to to speak to 2 artists which have studio area there.

Particularly, I met Brent Greenwood and Mary Wilds. Brent makes a speciality of work and Mary in textiles.

This can be a excellent place to go if you wish to assist native and buy handmade objects. You possibly can take artwork courses right here, both long-term or “make and take” workshops for vacationers and guests.

The retail retailer on web site has prime quality artwork provides and you’ll attend meet the artist classes to ask questions immediately.

RELATED POST: INTERVIEWING FIRST AMERICAN ARTISTS AT THE ARTESIAN GALLERY & STUDIOS

6. Go for a swim in Little Niagara

Little Niagara is a small waterfall within the Chickasaw Nationwide Recreation Space. It’s a household attraction that pulls in a crowd on a sizzling summer season day.

It’s surrounded by Travertine Island, a recreation space the place individuals go to barbecue, arrange chairs, and simply chill out. It’s all free to enter.

When you’re right here, I like to recommend visiting the Travertine Nature Heart. Not solely can the volunteers provide you with nice information, they host occasions like night time hikes and fishing camps.

I did a small hike to Antelope and Buffalo Springs from the character middle. It was a effectively marked, looped path that was 1.5 miles every means. It was shaded for a lot of the means with bushes and greenery. Be aware, there aren’t any canine or bikes allowed on this explicit path.

I additionally drove as much as the Bromide Hill Overlook. That they had a parking zone on the very prime, wildflowers lined the path, and you would see treetops for miles.

7. Strive a craft beer flight at Canadian River Brewing Co.

One of many issues I loved most about Canadian River Brewing Co. in downtown Chickasha was their chill vibes. They’re canine pleasant, and I used to be greeted by Esther the Mastiff once I arrived, the cutest bartender I’ve ever seen.

They’ve board video games, a foosball desk, cozy chairs to lounge and chat with pals, and their loos are impeccably clear.

I additionally appreciated that they’ve non-alcoholic Italian soda choices for individuals who are sober however nonetheless wish to come hang around. It felt inclusive.

However let’s get to the great things — the beer! All of their craft beer is made in-house and is powerful. I had a craft beer flight that got here with 4 choices, my desire was a pale ale assortment. My favourite was the Honkey Tonk however additionally they have two award-winning beers.

The Remediator is a espresso doppelbock and the Baumholder is a Belgian beer. Each have gained awards on the Denver Worldwide Beer Competitors and have 8% alcohol, so tempo yourselves!

8. See how chocolate is made

Is there something higher than regionally made chocolate?

I first bought a style of Bedré Wonderful Goodies in my resort room — there have been two melts left on the desk.

The subsequent morning, I went to Bedré Cafe in Sulphur, the place I awed on the many jars that includes totally different flavors.

Then I discovered there was a manufacturing unit you would go to in Davis. There, they clarify the manufacturing course of and have much more merchandise like present baskets.

I loved the uniquely Oklahoma shapes and molds like cowboy boots and hats and purchased some to deliver residence with me.

9. Purchase native merchandise on the Chickasaw Nation Welcome Heart

Proper subsequent to the Bedré Manufacturing unit is the Chickasaw Nation Welcome Center, a fantastic cease for anybody on a highway journey.

They’ve free espresso and filtered water to refill your reusable bottles.

However greater than that, they’ve an abundance of Chickasaw and Indigenous merchandise, together with a fantastic choice of books, crafts, art work, meals, and extra. It’s a method to concurrently get souvenirs and assist the Chickasaw individuals.

That is only a style of all of the issues to do in Chickasaw Nation however greater than sufficient to maintain you busy for just a few days.

Until subsequent time, protected travels!

This put up was sponsored by Chickasaw Nation, Oklahoma. All opinions are my very own.

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