Two days of endless fun.
Unique cultural experiences, great food, exciting museums and local boutiques are essential to any successful getaway – and you don’t have to travel far to see the best of the best. It’s all along Adventure Road once you cross the Texas border into Oklahoma. First stop – Sulphur – as you journey your way to the heart of Oklahoma City. Whether your road trip is jam-packed with attractions or you prefer a leisurely experience, there is something for everyone on this two-day getaway.
Chickasaw Cultural Center
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Start off your trip with an enriching cultural experience like no other. The 184-acre Chickasaw Cultural Center campus welcomes visitors from around the world to explore centuries of Chickasaw history, culture and traditions. You can catch daily Stomp Dance demonstrations at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Stick around to browse through its Fine Art Galleries filled with pottery, jewelry and traditional crafts as well as rotating exhibits on display.
Chickasaw National Recreation Area
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Enjoy some fresh air and natural beauty at one of the state’s most beautiful national parks. The Chickasaw National Recreation Area is filled with hiking trails, natural springs and wildlife – not to mention the 2,350-acre Lake of the Arbuckles. This is a perfect destination for year-round outdoor recreation. And the best part? Journey over the Lincoln Bridge and you’ll be just steps away from downtown Sulphur.
Springs at The Artesian
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As you enter Sulphur, it will be hard to miss The Artesian Hotel, a prominent fixture in the downtown area. Recharge with a delicious homestyle-inspired meal in the cozy dining room of The Springs, open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and anytime in between. The sophisticated interior is a departure from the surrounding natural scenery, which transports you in a way only a well-curated road trip can.
The Rusty Nail Winery and Tasting Room
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After lunch, make your way to Muskogee Avenue to pick up a bottle of locally crafted, privately labeled wine to enjoy later from The Rusty Nail. Located in a building now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this family owned and operated winery and shop features a retail area and bistro – you may even catch one of its special events, like painting night or karaoke!
Bromide Mountain Co.
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If retail therapy is on the itinerary, don’t miss Bromide Mountain Co. just a few steps away. This little mountain shop offers unique home goods and accessories in addition to select items from favorite brands like Patagonia and Camelbak. So, if you’ve left an adventure necessity at home or look to commemorate your trip with a shirt or hat, Bromide Mountain Co. is the place to go.
The Mix Mercantile
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For an eclectic mix of clothing, accessories, home décor and Amish food items, pop into The Mix Mercantile. Here you’ll find a little bit of everything from some of the best vendors in the Chickasaw Country area. Plus, if you find something you like, you can reorder it later online!
SKELETONS: Museum of Osteology
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With shopping bags in tow, get back on Adventure Road towards Oklahoma City, where a whole other world of fun opens. As you enter city limits, stop at the 7,000-square-foot Museum of Osteology for a fascinating look at hundreds of skeletons and skulls on display. The exhibits offer a great perspective on the natural world and its conservation as well as how diverse members of the vertebrate kingdom move, adapt and are classified. Curious minds will surely be satisfied by a visit to the Museum of Osteology.
Plaza District
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Once in the heart of Oklahoma City, make a visit to one of its popular, ever-evolving districts. The Plaza District is adorned with colorful murals that lead you to some of the city’s favorite restaurants, bars and retail spaces. If you’re looking for a sweet pick-me-up, be sure to stop at Pie Junkie, Roxy’s Ice Cream Social or newly opened NEON Coffee Bar, all located along 16th Street.
The Ambassador Hotel
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Now it’s time to check into your home away from home. Located in the heart of Midtown, The Ambassador is a gorgeous stone structure built in 1929 that boasts 54 Art-Deco inspired rooms, a charming rooftop bar with views of the city and close proximity to restaurants, boutiques, art galleries and unique bars. The hotel features the on-site Café Cuvée with authentic, yet approachable French fare available for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The Jones Assembly
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Want to branch out and explore the city a bit more? The Jones Assembly is one of the city’s most unique hangout spots with a fantastic, seasonally inspired rotating menu that has been artfully mastered. The interior’s romantic ambiance is the perfect backdrop for an intimate dinner followed by some of the best cocktails in the city.
Red Piano Lounge
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It is a getaway after all, so if you fancy a change of scenery for your after-dinner nightcap, we have just the spot for you. Inside the historic Skirvin Hilton Hotel, you’ll find the Red Piano Lounge. Sip on a classic cocktail as you listen to live jazz music in a vintage, glamorous environment and revel in a successful full day of road trip magic.
Elemental Coffee Roasters
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Day two should begin with a good cup of coffee and a quick, tasty bite to energize you for the day ahead. At Elemental, you’re guaranteed to enjoy coffee in its purest form. This small-batch roastery and café offers a full menu of common espresso drinks and pourover coffees in addition to its freshly prepared food, with vegan options, too! If you’re eager to get the day started, opt for one of Elemental’s on-the-go options like a breakfast burrito or sandwich.
Scissortail Park
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Take your hot java and grab-and-go breakfast and enjoy a morning stroll through Scissortail Park in downtown Oklahoma City. The 70-acre park is an engaging gathering space artfully designed to feature a variety of trees and gardens with plants native to Oklahoma. If you’re looking for the best spot to catch an Oklahoma sunrise, you’ll want to do it at Scissortail Park if you’re in the city.
Plenty Mercantile
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With your morning off to a good start, make the short journey to Automobile Alley to peruse Plenty Mercantile’s urban treasure trove of goodies. The unique shop features local art and jewelry, custom-made home goods, kids items, clothes, books, vintage finds, grooming products and so much more, all responsibly sourced and thoughtfully curated. Whether you’re shopping for a gift for a friend or for yourself, you’re sure to find plenty of special surprises here.
Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center
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A few blocks away, you’ll find one of the newest additions to the district’s landscape: the Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center. Admission is always free, just be sure to reserve your timed ticket! You’ll find some of the most interesting exhibitions and galleries in this stunning building. Currently, Open World explores the freedom of open-world video games through a presentation of artworks like painting, sculpture, textiles, prints, drawings, animation, game-based performances and more.
FLINT
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By now you’ve likely worked up an appetite, and few places do lunch like FLINT, located on the ground floor of the historic Colcord Hotel. The upscale restaurant and lounge features contemporary American favorites that will make your mouth water. Try the jalapeño hush puppies, hot ham and swiss or a hearty bowl of chili, all perfect for a chilly day in Oklahoma City.
Capitals Ice Cream
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No matter the temperature outside, ice cream is always an option. If you’re looking for a sweet treat after lunch, Capitals Ice Cream will make your wildest concoctions a reality with its variety of fruit, cereal, candy and cookies to mix into its classic vanilla ice cream. Or you can try one of its tried-and-try specials like the Oklahoma Standard – fudge brownie, peanut butter and chocolate drizzle – or the Bipartisan – strawberries, blueberries and Cap’n Crunch.
Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum
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No trip to Oklahoma City is complete without a visit to one of its most notable landmarks. The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum is a place of hope, inspiration and quiet reflection that pays tribute to the victims of the April 19, 1995 bombing. Inside the 50,000-square-foot Memorial Museum, you can take a self-guided, chronological tour complete with interactive exhibits. Be sure to step into the Overlook for a view of the city and beautiful Memorial grounds. The Outdoor Symbolic Memorial features the Gates of Time, which mark the time before and after the bombing as well as the Field of Empty Chairs, the Survivor Tree and Survivor wall.
CTS (Paoli)
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As your perfect 48-hour road trip comes to an end and you begin the journey back home, stop into Chickasaw Travel Stop’s Paoli location for fuel, hot to-go food, friendly staff and clean restrooms. You’ll be floating on cloud nine all the way home as you reflect on time well spent on Adventure Road.
WinStar World Casino and Resort
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Once you reach Thackerville, you may be thinking, “Does it really have to end?” The bright lights and prominent stature of WinStar World Casino and Resort signal the start of one last adventure on your getaway: playing on a virtually endless supply of electronic and table games at the World’s Biggest Casino. You may even be tempted to stay and play awhile, making what you thought was a two-day trip a getaway you’ll never forget. Even travelers eager to head straight home after a busy road trip should consider stopping in to enjoy a meal at one of WinStar’s 17 themed restaurants with cuisines like classic Southern, Mongolian, Italian, French and more.
What do you think of this 48-hour road trip? Are you up for the adventure?
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Where would you go for a 48-hour getaway?