Chickasaw, Oklahoma

Oklahoma, just a couple of hours north of the Dallas/Fort Worth area, is a great getaway especially during the Fall months.  Particularly when the flaky weather in Texas seems to go straight from summer to winter, with not much to see with respect to foliage. The change in leaf color is best seen around Halloween into mid November. However, check current conditions before heading out, so you’re not left disappointed!

While Broken Bow seems to be the choice of most especially for those with large groups, the Chickasaw National Recreation Area, and the surrounding towns of Ardmore, Sulphur and Davis are perfect for a quick and almost unplanned getaway with your smaller unit. This is a perfect place for a 2 night stay and you can cover some of it even if you have just one day here.

D & S have gone here between the ages of 3 and 6 years old.

TRANSPORTATION:

Your trusty car with everything tuned up and packed with plenty of roadtrip snacks should suffice.

Our route: Dallas-Ardmore-Davis-Wynnewood-Sulphur-Tishomingo

STAY:

While we’d like to book a lodge or cabin, we’ve been happy staying at the Chickasaw Retreat and Conference Center inside the Recreation Area (formerly a National Park). However, note that there are no restaurants nearby and the only option for dinner is a pizzeria that will take a good hour to get to you. Grab dinner beforehand and enjoy the sunset view right from the hotel. Since it is nestled within a forested area, don’t count on finding your way out after dark!

EAT:

1. Bedre Fine Chocolates, Davis: Kids will enjoy watching the chocolate-making process. You don’t have to book a tour either. Bedre Cafe in Sulphur also carries their chocolate if you cannot make it to the facility in Davis.
2. Arbuckle Mountain Fried Pies, Davis: Watch fresh fried pies being made and stop and stare for a moment at the dinosaur & rooster on the roof of the place. Everything here is good, especially the apple.
3. Two Frogs Grill and Cafe Alley, Ardmore: You won’t have a bad meal here.
4. Abuelita’s Mexican Restaurant, Sulphur
5. Joe’s Pizza and Pasta, Sulphur: This isn’t quite a recommendation for the place, just a suggestion if you are out of other options. The food was decent.
6. Aimpa’ Cafe at the Chickasaw Cultural Center for delicious native food, that is really hard to find elsewhere

   

DO:

1. Lake Murray State Park in Ardmore for watersports. This a perfect spot for a girls or guys weekend away. Rent a floating cabin (how cool is that!), and dine in the village. If you are just passing through and not staying over, there are play areas for the kids to burn off some of that energy
2. Shop at this really cute, kitschy, fun store called Cloverleaf Boutique. I hate the word “curated”, because so many places undeservedly use it, but the things at this store are most definitely curated in the best possible way. Even if you find absolutely nothing to purchase, everyone in your party will be greatly amused by all of the colorful bicycles, flamingoes and antiques that welcome you on the outside. D & S think the antiques are fun. for H & I, they bring back fond memories from our childhood.

   

3. Lake of the Arbuckles is a beautiful lake area to picnic in, unwind and take in the beautiful foliage changing color

   

   

   

4. Veteran’s Lake is not far away and is where we try to catch at least one sunset. There is something so peaceful about watching the sun go down over the placid lake

   

    

5. Chickasaw Nation Welcome Center in Davis.
6. Chickasaw Visitor Center in Sulphur. A quick stop at this and the above, is perfect.
7. Chickasaw Cultural Center (fourth Chickasaw we have mentioned, and yet each one is different) is our favorite must-do in the area. It is a beautiful, modern campus that tells the story of the Chickasaw people. Approach respectfully, learn and appreciate all of it. Kids and adults alike will love the fish-feeding. View the exhibits, watch a show, and eat at the Aaimpa’ Cafe that serves Chickasaw food.

   

   

8. Kids will LOVE seeing the herd at Bison Viewpoint off Route 177. The bison/buffalo even come up close to the fence.
9. Woodbine Farms Pumpkin Patch in Ardmore. It’s fall and what better way to spend an October evening than to sit in a pumpkin patch?
10. Lincoln Bridge

    

11. Turner Falls, Davis: The falls are pretty neat to go up to. Kids love dipping their toes in the cool stream. There are also ruins of some old structures, called the “Castle” that they love climbing and exploring.

    

12. Panther Falls (see the featured picture) is a small but gorgeous waterfall in the area,
13. Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge is also beautiful, and is recommended for those who like to kayak or fish, but it was a bit deserted when we went.
14. The Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park: This is a YMMV place. Not every loves it, but we came away feeling that all the animals there were very well loved and cared for. Prepare to see unheard of breeds such as ligers (Napoleon Dynamite?), liligers, tiligers and everything cross-breed of great cats. The Park also gives you the opportunity to have close and safe encounters with animals like lemurs, camels and the cubs bred there.

NOTES:

Stop and explore some of these other spots en route to Oklahoma:

1. Denton: This college town has a fun center with plenty of great food and things to do. We never miss Beth Marie’s Old-Fashioned ice cream if we are in the area.
2. Lavender Farm , Gainesville: If you are in the area during harvest season, stop by to sip, see and shop here. Note that the roads aren’t the best leading to this place.
3. Winstar Casino: Gambling is not my jam, but H loves it. While he pops in for a bit, I keep D & S entertained with the tractors and the very interesting facade of the casino. Some parts of the casino are open to little kids, for a quick peek.
4. Though not on the way, we also enjoyed Oklahoma City and it’s riverwalk area when we had an extra day to spare.

Happy road-tripping and be courteous to your fellow drivers!