This charming town is one of my favorite small towns in Oklahoma, due to it’s magnificent historic church, beautiful murals, and proximity to Gloss Mountain State Park, one of my favorite state parks in Oklahoma. If you find yourself in Okeene (or you’ll be passing through), here are the best things to do in Okeene, Oklahoma!
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How to Get to Okeene, Oklahoma
Like most places in Oklahoma, you will need to drive. If you won’t be driving your own car, I have tips below for renting a car in Oklahoma that you can pick up at the start of your journey.
The drive from Oklahoma City to Okeene is about an hour and a half. We went north on I-35 and then west on Highway 51, but you can also take I-40 west to US-281 N to OK-8 N.
From Tulsa, the drive is two and a half hours. You can take Highway 51 west. If you go this way, you’ll pass right through Yale, Ingalls, and Stillwater, some of my favorite places in Oklahoma. Seeing a few of these in a day would make a great day trip from Tulsa!
If you’re coming from another part of the state, just keep your GPS or navigation on. Okeene is well-marked.
Do You Need a Car for Your Trip?
It’s awfully hard to get around Oklahoma without a car. If you need to rent one, I use Discover Cars. You’ll be able to pick up a car at the airport or in your hometown.
Check availability and get a quote for a rental car for your trip.
5 Reasons to Visit Okeene, Oklahoma
We visited on our way to Gloss Mountain State Park. I saw the spires of the church rising above the town, and I just had to pull over and see what this beautiful church was. But there’s many great reasons to visit Okeene!
First, the town has several buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, including the aforementioned Roman Catholic Church. It’s a great place to visit if you’re interested in Oklahoma history.
Second, the town has great murals and public art. For a small town, it’s colorful and vibrant!
Third, I love an Oklahoma pun (or two!), and the town’s name is just peachy Okeene.
Fourth, it celebrates it’s early German heritage with pretzels and biersteins every year!
And finally, Okeene is a great place to visit on your way to (or from) nearby Roman Nose State Park and Gloss Mountain State Park.
The Best Things to Do in Okeene, Oklahoma
Here we go!
Take a Moment to Awe at St. Anthony’s of Pauda
This site is what initially drew me to the town, and I’m sure it will draw you in as well! St. Anthony of Padua is a Roman Catholic Church. The parish dates back to 1904, and this wonderful building was constructed from 1921 through 1924. While the building cost about $84,000 to build at the time, that equates to about $1.3 million dollars today.
If the building is closed and you can’t see inside, still walk around to find the small shrine to the Virgin Mary on the side of the church.
Grab a Pic with the Okeene Logo Mural
This colorful mural is huge and dates back to 2014. It’s a great place to snap a photo and appreciate it’s beauty. The mural is based on the official town logo, so you can glean a bit of Okeene history from it as well.
If you love street art and murals, there’s also a History of Okeene mural in town that you can find! This one depicts important moments from the town’s history as well as symbols of today.
Shop at The Corner in Okeene
The town’s tourism office is also a great place to find an Okeene or Oklahoma souvenir or gift (or two or three). If you love the Okeene Logo mural, there are items for sale with the Okeene Logo that you can bring home with you!
Meet Otis the Bison
Bison statues dot Oklahoma. This one is in front of The Corner and is painted with symbols of the town, including the rattlesnake. It’s a perfect place to take a selfie before you go in and shop.
Grab Some Grub
Some of the best Oklahoma food can be found at the diners and dives around the small towns in the state. In Okeene, check out T-Mac’s and Burger Station. You won’t be disappointed!
Find the Most Instagrammable Places in Okeene
If you love photography, go on a walk around town to find the best photography locations in Okeene. I love the historic downtown and Main Street, the old gas station on Highway 51, and the old mill.
Enjoy a pretzel at Germanfest
The town is famous for it’s annual Germanfest, which celebrates the German immigrants who were some of the town’s earliest immigrants. You’ll find pretzels, bier steins, costume contests, music, and more. Think of it as Okeene’s own little Oktoberfest, but you don’t need to fly transatlantic to get there!
Oklahoma Travel Resources
Coming soon!
Pin this Guide to Okeene, Oklahoma for Your Oklahoma Adventures!
Stephanie Craig is a born-and-bred Oklahoma mom and travel expert who has been to over fifty countries. After traveling all over the world, Stephanie moved back to Oklahoma to explore more of her own backyard. Her favorite things to do in Oklahoma include visiting the Blue Whale of Catoosa, the Arcadia Round Barn, and the Talimena Scenic Byway.