You might be arriving in Tulsa by plane, or perhaps you’ll be stopping in what has been dubbed the “Route 66 Capital” by car (electric and vintage vehicles are both welcome). Regardless, this vibrant and modern yet historic city is a superb home base for your vacation in Oklahoma’s Green Country. After spending Day One exploring the city’s green spaces and museums, we’ll tuck in for the night before heading to Rogers County on Day Two. There, our agenda is filled with a tribute to Will Rogers and an appreciation of environmental folk art. Day Three is reserved for Vinita and Miami, two towns that will especially appeal to history buffs.
Along the way, we’ll suggest award-winning restaurants and locally beloved coffee shops to keep you energized throughout the journey. Arrive with an open mind, open heart, and open eyes to truly appreciate all that life in Oklahoma’s Green Country has to offer.
This story was created in partnership with Green Country.
People riding rapids in the river at Gathering Place’s Big Dam Party (Photo credit: Visit Tulsa)
Day One: Tulsa
Morning
If you’re not filling up on a hotel breakfast, find a coffee shop or restaurant near the Arkansas River instead. PonyCoffee, for example, is a quaint place to grab a cup of joe and a croissant, scone, or muffin. Then it’s time to stretch out your legs and wiggle away those travel jitters with some physical activity. Tulsa is an ideal place to exercise, after all, with over 140 green spaces.
You don’t need to have hiking boots to enjoy the 26 miles of asphalt trails carefully maintained by River Parks, and it’s an excellent place to meet locals as they jog, cycle, fish, and picnic. If you have young kids, make sure to visit the whimsical slides and climbable towers at Chapman Adventure Playground. Nestled in Gathering Place, a popular riverfront park, this playground was just rated the best in America by USA Today.
Blue heron themed slides at Chapman Adventure Playground (Photo credit: Visit Tulsa)
Afternoon
After wiping off the sweat and sunscreen, refuel with lunch at American Solera, where those who drink can enjoy craft brews and everyone at the table can dig into grilled cheeses and smashburgers. After such an active morning, we’ll spend the afternoon touring Tulsa’s highly acclaimed museums.
The Philbrook Museum of Art houses both historic and modern art, and its grand gardens offer a remarkable dose of tranquility as you process all that you have seen. Meanwhile, the Woodie Guthrie Museum will intrigue music lovers and social justice activists alike. Pick one museum and fully immerse yourself in its historical and cultural offerings before heading to dinner. This is your chance to try a chicken fried steak, a local specialty that many say should be had at Nelson’s Buffeteria.
Flowers blooming in Philbrook gardens (Photo credit: Visit Tulsa)
Day Two: Rogers County
Morning
Your drive to Claremore will take only half an hour, so you can sleep in if you’d like. Take the time to nourish yourself with breakfast in Tulsa, or wait until you get to Claremore — Dots Cafe is an eclectic local favorite offering staples like pancakes and omelets.
You’ll then spend the morning learning about Will Rogers, an actor, entertainer, and writer known for his astute humor and piercing political observations. In many ways, Rogers symbolized the American Dream, and you’ll get a better sense of his legacy while touring the Will Rogers Memorial Museum.
The most iconic Roadside Attraction, the Blue Whale, was created by Hugh Davis as a gift to his wife, Zelta. Originally not planned for the public, the park quickly became a routine stop for travelers on Historic Route 66 as it is not every day you see a whale in Oklahoma. Now visitors can enjoy a picnic on the grounds, stretch their legs around the pond, and enjoy the new visitor center.
Statue of Will Rogers on horse outside Will Rogers Memorial Museum (Photo credit: Discover Rogers County)
Afternoon
Walking distance from the Will Rogers Memorial Museum is Hammett House, a restaurant famous for its chili, hearty sandwiches, and filling burgers. Otherwise, visit The Pink House if you’re craving the likes of a baked potato, quiche, or salad for lunch.
In fact, The Pink House is located on the first floor of our next stop: The Belvidere Mansion. Time your visit appropriately, and you’ll be able to wander around this Victorian masterpiece before it shuts at 2 p.m. We’re talking Italian tiles, turrets, a skylit roof, and a ballroom with stunning views.
Afterwards, there’s still plenty to see in Rogers County, including The Nut House, where you can stock up on fudge and pecans, as well as a motley assortment of souvenirs and gifts. Further along Route 66 is Ed Galloway’s Totem Pole Park, a marvelous example of environmental folk art. Stay the night in Chelsea, where you might grab dinner at Lindo Veracruz.
Interior of The Nut House, filled with gifts and home goods (Photo credit: Discover Rogers County)
Day Three: Vinita and Miami
Morning
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at Main Street Diner in Chelsea before hopping in the car for a short drive to Vinita. Your first two days in Oklahoma’s Green Country may have given you a historical and geographical primer of the area, but the Anna Mitchell Cultural & Welcome Center will answer many of your remaining questions about the land’s indigenous heritage. In addition to being a meeting and event space for the Cherokee Nation, this center hosts exhibits and installations where you can respectfully learn from art and artifacts.
Also worth visiting is the Eastern Trails Museum, where you can learn about such topics as frontier life and Vinita’s significance to Route 66. Insightful photographs and ranching artifacts abound, but the museum is small enough not to feel overwhelming.
Outdoor arrow installation at Anna Mitchell Cultural & Welcome Center (Photo Credit: Cherokee Nation)
Afternoon
Before leaving Vinita, grab lunch at Clanton’s Café, a family-run restaurant that has served the town since 1927. Burgers, sandwiches, chicken fried steak, and more are up for grabs. Once your belly is full, drive to the last stop on our itinerary: Miami.
As soon as you enter Miami’s downtown, your breath will be taken away by the Spanish Colonial Mission-style architecture of the Coleman Theatre Beautiful. Browse the regular productions on the theatre’s website if you’re interested in seeing a show here. Miami is also where you can find the Dobson Museum & Home, a spot to learn about local Indigenous tribes, mining history, and life as an early settler.
You could spend the night in Miami or make the 90-minute drive back to Tulsa. For dinner, we especially recommend finding a farm-to-table restaurant for a taste of what’s in season. FarmBar in Tulsa, for instance, offers upscale dining perfect for celebrating the last night of vacation.
Exterior of the Coleman Theatre Beautiful (Photo credit: Visit Miami, OK)
Ways to Extend Your Trip
Stop for the photo ops
Zany. Eclectic. Bizarre. These are just a handful of the words that have been used to describe Route 66 since its inception in 1926. One hundred years of evolution is preserved in roadside attractions like Froella, the Giant Elephant; The Nut House; Big Bill; and Stella Atom, the new space cowgirl in Tulsa. Take your time stopping at each of these iconic statues for a more leisurely trip.
Stella Atom, the space cowgirl in Tulsa (Photo credit: Visit Tulsa)
Embark on an overnight excursion
Tahlequah is a small town in Oklahoma’s Green Country that, in addition to being the capital of the Cherokee Nation, serves as a base for some of the state’s best canoeing. Various outfitters can be found in the area and trips range from a few hours to several days.
Spend another night in Tulsa
You could easily spend a week touring Tulsa’s zoo, museums, historical sites, and parks. Consider spending another night here to give yourself time to knock off your top bucket list items.
