Oklahoma doesn’t get the credit it deserves. It’s part of the group of states with the unfortunate ” flyover moniker.” It infuriates me to hear pilots refer to Oklahoma City as “Oak City.” Before moving there, I can’t tell you how many times someone told me, “You should visit Oklahoma.” Ok, I can. It was zero. 

Here’s one thing I’ve learned about Oklahoma – a lot’s changed since Curly and Jud lived there (and yes, I know every word to the song.) I lived in Oklahoma for nine years — the first eight in Norman and Oklahoma City the last year. I didn’t appreciate the 46th state’s beauty until I spent a year working for the state’s tourism department. Just ask my friends from Atlanta; they’re probably sick of hearing me talk about how great it is. And yes, you learn quickly what the line “where the wind comes sweeping down the plain” means.

I visited all four corners of the state and saw the mesmerizing landscapes. If you’ve only ever driven I-40 (east/west) or I-35 (north/south), there’s a lot of Oklahoma you haven’t seen. I recently shared some of my favorite food places in the state, and I mentioned that I’d share some of my favorite hidden gems, so here they are. And this list is by no means exhaustive. I could go on about unique places to visit in this state forever.

Green Country
Miami (My-am-uh) is a small town in the northeastern part of the state, just outside Joplin, Missouri. I first visited Miami with my Leadership Arts class in 2013, and I’ve been back more times than I can count. Miami is where the Mother Road (Route 66) starts in Oklahoma. Did you know Oklahoma has the longest stretch of the original road? You haven’t lived until you’ve had a burger at Waylan’s Ku-Ku Burger. Yes, you read that right. While you’re downtown, stop by Chapters bookstore, owned by my friends Ann & Chuck Neal. And appreciate the beauty of the Coleman Theater in person.

Take the Mother Road and visit the Catoosa Blue Whale (we’re good friends), Tulsa, and Pops in Arcadia on the way back to Oklahoma City.

Choctaw Country
I said in my previous post that I honestly believe Hochatown is the most beautiful place on Earth. The only time I’ve ever been kayaking is on the Lower Mountain Fork River in Broken Bow. You’re lucky if you can find a cabin for rent during the season, and it’s just an amazing place to visit. If you love nature, this is the place for you. The region is also home to Hugo, a railroad hub in the early 1900s. Hugo is home to the Mount Olivet Cemetery, with an area known as “Showmen’s Rest,” which features unique headstones and gravesites for circus performers and owners.

Sadly, I only got to drive the Talimena National Scenic Byway once, not in the fall. But it’s a must-drive during the season if you want to see fall colors. Take the long way back to I-40, and visit Krebs, just outside of McAlester. If you’re looking for authentic Italian food, this is the place.

Frontier Country
Oklahoma City is an excellent story of urban renewal and investment. Former mayor Mick Cornett has a documentary called “Oklahoma City: The Boom, The Bust, and The Bomb.” It’s a great look at the city’s history during the 1980s and 1990s. Most people know OKC because of the Murrah bombing in 1995. Sam Anderson’s book Boomtown also has a great recollection of the city’s beginnings from the land run in 1889 and is a fantastic, if not infuriating, read for those of us that are Thunder fans. While we eventually got over the James Harden trade, I’m not sure we will ever forgive Kevin Durant for jumping ship on the Fourth of July. For the record, I’m Team Kiwi forever.

In the 1990s, Oklahoma City citizens passed the first of the Metropolitan Area Projects (MAPS). It’s wholly turned that city around. I lived in Oklahoma pre-Devon Tower, which is now the tallest skyscraper in town. The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum is a must-see. It’s hard to live in that town for any time and not know someone directly affected by it. There’s so much to see, do, and eat in OKC. I just don’t have the space to mention it all. My friends at Travel OK have great itineraries you can check out if you want to plan a visit. You can also email me my list of must-eat places, which is still a page long and growing as I try out the new spots on return visits.

Chickasaw Country
If you love fried pies and chocolate, you can get both within miles of each other, just off I-35. Chickasaw Country is also home to my favorite I-35 exit (Wayne/Payne), and the area gained some notoriety during Netflix’s 2020 documentary series with everyone’s favorite dysfunctional true story, Tiger King. For the record, I lived in Norman when most of the events of Tiger King took place, so I can vouch for the absurdity of the whole thing. 

Arbuckle Fried Pies are a delicacy that takes me back to my childhood. My grandmother would make hand pies at home, and these are the best I’ve had since. Bedre Chocolates is owned and operated by the Chickasaw Indians, and you can watch them make their goodies at the manufacturing facility just off I-35.

If you’ve got kids or are just a fan of toys in general, visit the Toy & Action Figure Museum in Pauls Valley or have one of the best people-watching experiences of your life at the Okie Noodling Tournament. 

Great Plains Country
The southeastern part of the state is where the buffalo roam. No, seriously. They do. The Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge is home to free-range buffalo and some of the most Instagrammable spots I’ve ever seen. Medicine Park is a picturesque cobblestone town, and you’ll have one of the best burgers of your life at the Meers Store.

I didn’t learn the real story of Geronimo until I worked in tourism. You can learn about him at the Fort Sill National Historic Landmark & Museum and even visit his gravesite.

Red Carpet Country
Did you know the epicenter of the Dust Bowl was Boise City, Oklahoma? The northwestern part of the state is mostly desert. Still, between riding dune buggies at Little Sahara State Park and visiting the state’s westernmost point in Black Mesa State Park, northwestern Oklahoma is a surprise of beauty and landscapes. Want to see someplace that’ll make you realize just how diverse the Oklahoma landscape is? Gloss Mountain State Park is a place that looks like you literally took part of Arizona and just put it in Oklahoma. Alabaster Caverns State Park is home to one of the largest natural gypsum caves in the world.

Visit Medic Pharmacy and try the orangeade. I hear it’s divine. Try it and let me know. I’m allergic to oranges, so I’ll never know. And for all you cheese lovers, the Watonga Cheese Festival is a must.