Discover Oklahoma – The Heart of America

Visit Oklahoma on an Escorted Tour – Discover The Sooner State

Oklahoma's original settlers evidently knew fine, fertile land when they saw it, and forewarned of the coming government 'Land Run' of 1889, they hid out on the land they wanted, so that they would be first to stake a claim. That earned them the tag 'Sooners', and the soon-to-be State of Oklahoma adopted the name increasingly over the years. The name 'Oklahoma' is a combination of Choctaw American Indian words meaning 'red people' – significant, in that the state is home to no fewer than 39 Native American nations today.

The Chisholm Trail traverses the state on its way from Fort Worth, TX up to Dodge City, KS, and Oklahoma City's Stockyards are home to the largest regular working cattle auction in North America – a 'must visit' and on our escorted tour itineraries.

Crossroads of Native America

Following the migrating buffalo, or driven along the Trail of Tears, the 'first nations' arrived in Oklahoma from all over the continent. Today, the 39 tribes headquartered in the state are autonomous and thriving and recounting their stories in fascinating cultural centres, living history villages and museums. Among them are the Chickasaw, Choctaw and Osage peoples – whose homelands are on our escorted tour routes.

Cowboy Life – Alive and Kickin'

Think longhorn cattle ranching, trail-drives, rodeos and cook-outs – not just for entertainment, but as a way of life. Cowboy life (and music, of course) is alive and kicking throughout Oklahoma.

Food for Body and Soul

Live music and hearty food are life essentials in Oklahoma. On our featured tours we'll learn about the amazing music artists who hail from the state such as Country's Carrie Underwood, Toby Keith and Blake Shelton, and R&R's Leon Russell, JJ Cale and many more…

We will also sample delicious down home cooking and local beers & wines as prime barbeque, fried chicken and home-baked pie are now joined by a growing 'farm-to-fork' and food truck culture and a growing band of micro-breweries and wineries.

Five Fun Facts about Oklahoma!

1. Home to the original & longest driveable stretch of Route 66 at 400+ miles
2. This stretch of the Mother Road includes 2 great cities – Oklahoma City & Tulsa
3. Headquarters of 39 vibrant Native American nations
4. Cowboy life is alive and kickin' in Oklahoma, from cattle ranches to rodeos
5. Music of all genres & down-home food are big news in today's Oklahoma

OKC – Full of Surprises!

Truly a city of interwoven districts, Oklahoma City is full of surprises. Downtown, Bricktown, Midtown and the Riverside districts are connected by a new tram service. Each offering a huge variety of music, dining, shopping and cultural experiences. You can even 'shoot the rapids' in the Boathouse district, or sit in on a longhorn cattle auction at Stockyards City.

Western history, art and life are brilliantly exhibited in OKC's world-class National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. The city's heroic recovery from the trauma of the 1995 bombing is poignantly commemorated in its downtown National Memorial & Museum.

Open Now – FAM – First Americans Museum at the Oklahoma River downtown is a stunning complex featuring the 39 OK-based tribes

Tulsa Rocks!

Tulsa's music pedigree grows by the day, as you would expect from the home of JJ Cale, Leon Russell and a galaxy of music stars of all genres. This eminently walkable city, with its central Arts District is home to legendary Cain's Ballroom, the Woody Guthrie Center and now the Bob Dylan Center.

It hosts regular concerts at Guthrie Green and has an eclectic mix of contemporary art galleries, cafes, micro-breweries, upscale restaurants and a growing food-truck culture.

Pawhuska

The Pioneer story brought to life – located north of Tulsa. Pawhuska's history exemplifies the pioneer spirit. It's set in the largest expanse of unsullied tallgrass prairie on earth; home to one of America's largest bison herds, and the headquarters of the Osage Native American tribe.

Part of the Osage's turbulent history has now been immortalised in the major movie by Martin Scorsese, Leo DiCaprio and Robert DeNiro, "Killers of the Flower Moon". This vibrant, friendly, fascinating town is also home to television's 'Pioneer Woman' – rancher, blogger, food presenter and entrepreneur Ree Drummond.

Tishomingo

A lively and historic southern Oklahoma country town, named for a Chickasaw Nation chief of old. Tishomingo today is a 'country town' in a whole new way. It's the home of Country music legend Blake Shelton, whose vision of attracting new musical talent there led him to open the first of his 'Ole Red' live music and food venues right on 'Main Street'.

Sulphur and the Chickasaw Nation

Of the 39 Native American tribes in Oklahoma, arguably none have poured more heart, soul and ingenuity into telling their story in the most accessible way than the Chickasaw Nation. The fascinating and poignant Chickasaw Cultural Center, with its living history village, National Recreation Area and a host of associated museums and sights, clustered around Sulphur, Tishomingo and Duncan in south-central Oklahoma, are more than memorable.

Route 66 – Born in Oklahoma

The Mother Road was an idea born in Tulsa, to visionary businessman Cyrus Avery in the 1920's. Oklahoma's stretch of Route 66 is rich with iconic and quirky attractions and mementos. There are more than 90 worthy of a visit or a 'selfie'.

The Mother of All Road Trips!

Here are some prime Route 66 attractions to experience on our escorted tours:

• Arcadia – Unique Round Barn & POPS diner and soda ranch (700+ flavours)
• Warwick – Seaba Station Motorcycle Museum (100+ bikes and vintage toys)
• Chandler – Route 66 Interpretive Center (quirky exhibits & historic videos)
• Stroud – Legendary 'Rock Cafe' (for fans of the 'Cars' movies)
• Tulsa – Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza (honouring the 'father of Route 66')
• Claremore – Will Rogers Memorial Museum (the cowboy philosopher & icon)
• Elk City – National Route 66 Museum & Old Town Complex
• Clinton – Oklahoma Route 66 Museum; Cherokee Trading Post & Boot Outlet
• Weatherford – Lucille's Roadhouse – Route 66 diner & the historic service station
• Oklahoma City – American Banjo Museum (world's largest display of banjos)

---

You Might Also Enjoy

• The Ultimate Deep South Music Road Trip — Explore the full Southern music route
• 10 Music Landmarks You Must Visit in Nashville — Nashville's top sights
• Inside FAME Studios — Muscle Shoals' legendary recording studio
• Where Elvis Recorded in Memphis — Memphis music history