The Ultimate Guide to The Best Food and Attractions on the Oklahoma Stretch of Route 66
This article first appeared in Family Holiday Destinations’ digital magazine edition 6 as, “Get Your Food Fix on Route 66 Oklahoma.
Road trips and comfort food go hand in hand right? Well, you can’t beat the Oklahoma stretch of Route 66 for good old-fashioned American diners with friendly folk and oversized portions.
A Bit of Background on Route 66 …
Beginning in Chicago and ending in California, Route 66 stretches through eight states and three time zones. Oklahoma is the fourth state on Route 66 for those travelling east to west, with over 400 drivable miles (643 km) of the Mother Road within its borders. Officially commissioned in 1926, Route 66 was a raging success! However, by 1970 nearly all of the original route had been bypassed by four-lane highways.
Route 66 wasn’t going to fade away that easily though. Both private and government organizations fought to preserve the road and in 2006, the Disney/Pixar movies ‘’Cars’’ shone a spotlight back on the road and into the nation’s consciousness. The spirit of the Mother Road lives on well and truly in Oklahoma!
Oklahoma’s Route 66 can be divided into three distinct sections: The Eastern, Central, and Western Stretch. This makes it a lot easier to manage for those families short on time.
Credit – Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation
The Eastern Stretch
Starting in Quapaw, make a beeline for Dallas’ Dairyette for a fix of burgers and curly fries. Still run by the original owner, Dallas Wall, the folks at this little burger joint have been feeding locals and Oklahoma Route 66 travellers since 1969. Families can dine in and play tunes on the vintage jukebox or get their food fix to go.
Heading west to Commerce, don’t miss Dairy King, a cottage-style former gas station that sells burgers and softserve ice cream. Make sure to try the handmade Route 66 cookies … they’re delicious!
Baseball fans will want to check out the Mickey Mantle statue and the boyhood home of the legend himself. A little further down the Mother Road in Miami, families will love the Frozen Elephant Shaved Ice, which was started by 15-year old Eli Chenoweth in 2016. Operating from late March through to late August only, fans of ‘‘sour’’ might like the pickled flavoured shaved ice!
Credit – Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation
What is it with the pickles?
Waylan’s Ku-Ku Burger is a must-visit in Miami with made-to-order burgers, crispy fried pickle spears (what is it with the pickles?) and cherry limeades. Once a chain restaurant, the others disappeared in the late 60’s. You can’t miss the massive neon sign and cuckoo-clock bird mascot on Route 66 Oklahoma.
Afton is where you will find Darryl Starbird’s National Rod & Custom Car Hall of Fame Museum. Families can check out futuristic styling, bubble-top roofs and bright colours which are the hallmarks of the custom cars Darryl Starbird started designing in the 1950s. From late November through February, the museum is open by appointment only.
Take a break at Ed Galloway’s Totem Pole Park in Chelsea with it’s quirky, 90-foot carved concrete totem pole and museum of handmade fiddles. Then, cruise west to Claremore, where you will want to get a snack fix at the Route 66 Nut House. While you’re in the area, check out the Will Rogers Memorial Museum, American icon and cowboy philosopher. Here you can see memorabilia from his career, watch his movies in the theatre and pay respects at his tomb.
Credit – Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation
What’s a blue whale doing here?
Don’t miss the Blue Whale as you pass through Catoosa, an 80-foot-long concrete whale in a pond that draws in visitors with its toothy grin. Stop here for a picnic selfie!
As you head into Tulsa, get your phone camera ready for more selfies, beginning with the Oklahoma Route 66 Rising Sculpture. There is lots to see and do in Tulsa, but families are sure to love the Tulsa Air and Space Museum and Planetarium, where you can experience what it feels like inside the cockpit on a flight simulator. Alternatively, the Tulsa Zoo is the perfect way to spend an afternoon outdoors.
Cinnamon rolls? Yes please!
When you hear your tummy rumbling, head to Tally’s Cafe, which serves classic American comfort food. Don’t miss the icing-drizzled cinnamon rolls which are as big as the plate itself!
Credit – Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation
Stop and marvel at the Golden Driller for a selfie who at 76 feet (23 metres) tall, weighs nearly 22 tons. Then, head on over to Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios for another quirky statue selfie. If you’re not yet sick of photo opps, visit the Meadow Gold Dairy Sign which was first installed in the 1930’s and has since become an Oklahoma Route 66 icon.
But wait, there’s more selfie opportunities! The East Meets West Statue honours Cyrus Avery, who came up with the idea for the Mother Road, and is known as the ‘’Father of Route 66’’. The cool tribute statue shows the juxtaposition of old meeting new, with Avery and his Model T frightening two horses.
Families will find the Centre of the Universe fascinating. It’s a small acoustic oddity that you just need to experience for yourself! Stand on the 30-inch concrete circle, which is located in the middle of a large circle of bricks, and station your family outside the circle. When you speak, your words will echo back louder than what you spoke them but your family on the outside of the circle won’t hear the echo. Even weirder, your voice will be distorted if you try talking to your family outside the circle.
Credit – Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation
Can you handle the one-pound burger?
Before you leave Tulsa, make sure to pop into Hanks Hamburgers for old fashioned hamburgers with onions grilled directly into the meat. Hank’s Hamburgers have been a Tulsa landmark since 1949 and if you’re game, take on the Okie Burger. It’s a full one-pound (450 g) burger!
As you head further west into Oklahoma, pay a visit to the Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum at Sapulpa. This museum is a classic car lover’s paradise featuring everything from hot rods to military vehicles. You can’t miss the world’s largest gas pump at 66 feet (20 metres) tall. Spoiler alert … The gas pump is all show and no go!
Credit – Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation
Welcome to Central Oklahoma!
As you arrive in Stroud, hungry families should head straight to the Rock Cafe where they can get a food fix of classic diner fare and German-influenced dishes. Fans of the movie “Cars” will be excited to learn that cafe owner, Dawn Welch, inspired the Cars character Sally Carrera. There is plenty of cool Cars memorabilia adorning the walls.
Heading further west into Central Oklahoma, make sure you hit up the Butcher BBQ Stand when you arrive in Wellston. Everything on the menu is nothing short of amazing but they’re only open Friday through Sunday. Sometimes they even sell out!
When you hit the town of Arcadia, don’t miss your opportunity to visit Pops along Route 66 Oklahoma. Pops features a 66-foot (20 metre) tall soda pop bottle that travellers seeking selfies can’t resist … but this isn’t the best thing about it. Pops has over 700 types of bottled soda! If you can’t decide which to try, grab the local favourites Round Barn Root Beer or Triple AAA Root Beer.
Credit – Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation
Heading further west along Route 66, you’ve finally reached Oklahoma City itself. There is plenty to do here, but don’t miss these great attractions and eats!
The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum is home to a world-class collection of Western art and artifacts, including a gallery of firearms, John Wayne memorabilia and an outdoor area for experiential learning. Take a self-guided tour through the beautiful Oklahoma State Capitol building and when you get hungry, head to Kendall’s Restaurant in nearby Noble. If you’re up for it, take the Chicken Fry Challenge, an hour-long dare to devour a plate of three massive chicken fried steaks and more.
Riding rapids in the city … WOW!
Adventurous families will want to check out Riversport at the Boat House District for the opportunity to ride Class II to IV rapids in the heart of the city. Take a guided rafting trip or go it alone on a kayak, tube or riverboard. Kids will need to be at least eight years old.
Credit – Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation
For a more relaxed experience along Route 66 Oklahoma, head to the Winchester Drive-In and catch a double feature.
One unique and utterly fascinating museum to visit is the Museum of Osteology, where skeletons of every shape and size can be found, from a small mouse through to a humpback whale. The kids won’t get bored here but just in case, there is a scavenger hunt to keep them engaged!
More photo opportunities …
Head to the Milk Bottle Building for a photo opp! This small brick building has been around since 1930 but the milk bottle ‘’topper’’ was added in 1948 and has been repainted numerous times over the years to advertise different dairy businesses. This charming building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The whole family can stock up on Western gear at Historic Stockyards City, a Western district offering over 70 businesses specializing in Western wear, furniture, ranch needs, and fine dining. Listed on the National Register of historic places, visitors will be charmed by the original brick buildings.
See the largest stocker/feeder cattle market in the world and if you visit in December, don’t miss the annual Cowboy Christmas Parade on the first Saturday of the month. I’m sure you’re hungry by now, right? Roll into Smokin’ Joe’s Rib Ranch for a barbecue fix including smoked ribs, chopped beef and smoke brisket, pulled pork and a one-of-a-kind dessert, Strawberries on a Cloud.
Credit – Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation
As you make your way towards the Western stretch with a full belly, pass through the towns of Bethony, Yukon, El Reno, Calumet and Geary. Make sure to stop in to get your food fix, your passport stamps, and experience the warm hospitality. More details on the Oklahoma Route 66 passport are found a little further down.
The Western Stretch of Route 66 in Oklahoma
You’re on the final stretch of Route 66 Oklahoma now! Families can take a break from the road to enjoy hiking, fishing and camping at the picturesque Red Rock Canyon Adventure Park. If you explore the California Road Trail here, you can see actual wagon wheel ruts made by settlers travelling to California in search of gold in the 1840’s and 1850’s.
A little further into the Western Stretch of Oklahoma’s route 66, pay a visit to the ultimate corn maze at P Bar Farms the Maze in Weatherford. Fall is the time to visit to experience one of the oldest corn mazes in Oklahoma. Families can also enjoy a petting zoo, train ride, sunflower field and hayrides here.
When your stomach starts rumbling again, head to Jigg’s Smokehouse in Clinton and snap a selfie with the Woolie Burger. It’s a two-pound, big-as-your-head ham and sausage sandwich! This is the place to stock up with beef jerky and if you’ve got room, try out their most popular sandwich, the BBQ Beef.
When the sun in shining …
When the sun is shining, Foss State Park is the place to be! Relax on Foss Lake’s sandy swim beach or go for a leisurely hike. Heading west to Elk City, stop by the National Route 66 Museum which features what is believed to be the world’s largest Route 66 sign out front. Don’t forget to snap a selfie with Myrtle, a 14-foot (4.3 metres) tall Kachina Doll made from oil drums and scrap metal who has proudly resided along Route 66 since 1962. The museum is amazing too of course!
Credit – Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation
Before leaving Elk City, get your food fix at the Country Dove Gift and Tea Room where you can stop for sandwiches and soup. Each meal is served with a secret recipe square of creamy lemon jello.
You made it! Texola is your last town on Oklahoma’s Route 66 and with a population of under 40, you can’t miss the Tumbleweed Grill & Country Store. Stop here to get your last food fix on Route 66 Oklahoma and meet the owner, Masel Zimmerman who will make you feel right at home with delicious food. Mmmm… comfort food!
Grab Your Oklahoma Route 66 Passport
Before you set out on your epic family road trip, make sure to pick up your free Route 66 Passport, or alternatively, have it posted to you before you leave. Stop at each of the 66 stops in the book, have their friendly people stamp the corresponding page for you, and score a collectible Route 66 coin at the end.
Psst. If you’re looking for more USA road trip inspiration, check out our Nevada page!
Credit – Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation
Resources for Booking Your Oklahoma Getaway
Getting to Oklahama
Search for a great deal on flights to Oklahoma across different airlines on Trip.com.
Getting Around Oklahoma on a Road Trip
Oklahoma is built for road-trippin’ but if you don’t have your own RV, try RVShare, a company that connects RV owners with renters.
Prefer to hire a car and stay in accommodation? Find a great deal on car hire with DiscoverCars .
Where to Stay in Oklahoma
If getting around in an RV, check out the Travel Oklahoma website for a great list of RVParks.
If you’re planning on staying at hotels, use the search map below to get a great deal.
Booking.com