Epic Route 66 Stops in Oklahoma: OKC to TulsaReady for an epic Route 66 road trip in Oklahoma? Travel the longest driveable stretch of the Mother Road across the the Sooner State and stop at all these incredible sites along between OKC and Tulsa! Plus, find out where to stay from retro motels to boutique hotels along the way. AuthorsSteller
DestinationsOklahomaItinerary

Things To Do in OKC

Lake Overholser Iron Bridge
A historic 748-foot steel-truss bridge built in 1924, the Overholser Bridge served as the original Route 66 crossing over the North Canadian River. Although bypassed in 1958, it remains a beloved Mother Road landmark today; it was restored in 2011 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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Myriad Botanical Gardens
Escape in this 145-acre garden. Just a short walk from the OKC Memorial.
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National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
See more than 28,000 pieces of Western and American Indian art and artifacts here.
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Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum
An absolute must-visit when in OKC. This powerful site honors the victims, survivors, and rescuers of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, located on the former site of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. With its contemplative outdoor memorial and museum exhibits, it provides a solemn, moving stop for anyone exploring OKC’s history.
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First Americans Museum
The First Americans Museum (FAM) brings together the collective histories, cultures, and contributions of all 39 First American Nations in Oklahoma. This 175,000-square-foot museum features state-of-the-art exhibitions, live programs, a family discovery center, Native-inspired dining, and a curated store showcasing works by premier First American artists. Visitors also learn the broader national story—from the Indigenous tribes originally in this region to the many Nations forced to relocate to Indian Territory—and how Oklahoma came to be.
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Tower Theatre
Originally opened in 1937 and iconic for its Art Deco auditorium and neon marquee, Tower Theatre was a classic movie house on old Route 66. After decades of decline, it was restored and reopened in 2017 as a vibrant live-music and event venue—a great example of blending historic charm and modern culture.
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Will Rogers Theatre Special Event Venue
This is a cool place to stop for a photo with retro vibes and lots of neon on Western Avenue in OKC. Originally, the Will Rogers Theatre was a single-screen theater built in the mid-1940s. Inside, an 18-foot mural that shows the history of Oklahoma, as well as the story of Will Rogers' life and death.
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Cheever's Cafe
Make sure you eat here! Located inside a former 1930s floral shop, Cheever’s Cafe serves creative comfort food in a historic building that retains its vintage Art Deco details. It’s a beloved local institution and the perfect stop for a meal that mixes Oklahoma flavor, local charm, and a bit of Route 66 nostalgia.
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Craig's Curious Emporium
If you can't get enough of the weird and wonderful places along Route 66, then be sure to add Craig's Curious Emporium to your must-visit list. Located in the Paseo District, this place was once a small gift shop. Over the past 25 years, it has turned into a curiosity warehouse—part store, part museum of oddities—that you can spend hours exploring.
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Places to Stay in OKC

Classen Inn
The Classen Inn is a super quirky and cool retro chic motor motel that was built in 1963 and then renovated in 2020. The motel is a perfect example of Googie architecture from the early to mid-20th century. Colorful rooms, custom murals, and kitschy knick-knacks make this place super fun to stay in. Bonus: Every room has a kitchen!
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Fordson Hotel - The Unbound Collection by Hyatt
This boutique hotel in downtown Oklahoma City’s West Village District neighborhood is located inside a century-old building and has 135 loft-like rooms that mix vintage details with contemporary furnishings and luxurious amenities. Tip: Even if you don't stay here, Mary Eddy's Italian Grill in the hotel is a super-charming place to have dinner.
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The Ellison, Oklahoma City, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
If you love a new hotel, this spot features 120 rooms that celebrate Oklahoma's spirit and character. The Ellison Rooftop Pool & Bar makes the stay extra special. And, this is another place that is worth visiting for the hotel restaurant, Milo, for Oklahoma-inspired cuisine! Tip: The rooftop bar and terrace are also seasonally open to the public!
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Orr Family Farm
If you want to stay in complete comfort in a teepee or a wagon, then go glamping at the Orr Family Farm just outside of OKC. The Conestoga wagons here were patterned after the pioneer wagons that were used in the 19th century, and the stunning teepees feature incredible hand-painted murals on the exterior. Enjoy access to the farm's 15-plus outdoor activities, a big central campfire (as well as your own fire pit), a swim spa, and more! Bonus: In addition to accommodations, the Orr Family Farm also has a variety of agri-tainment experiences, a zip-line, and a fully-restored 1974 vintage carousel!
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OKC Side Trips

Jobe's Country Boy Drive-In
Just outside of OKC in El Reno, Jobe's is a classic burger joint that is famous for its fried onion burgers and char burgers with homemade onion rings. Established in 1958, this place is just oozing with retro vibes!
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Lucille’s Roadhouse
Another great spot to eat on the way out to Clinton or Elk City is Lucille's Roadhouse, a Route 66-themed restaurant with a 1950s aesthetic—polished chrome, colorful lighting, and glass brick, vintage gas pumps, and more. Enjoy classic diner food like burgers, homemade mashed potatoes, and chicken-fried steak.
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Oklahoma Route 66 Museum
Located in Clinton, the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum serves up a slice of pure Americana. See all the fun oddities, vehicles, and attractions that make Route 66 so great as you listen to legendary sounds by Woody Guthrie and others.
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National Route 66 Museum and Transportation Museum
Just past Clinton in Elk City, this museum displays artifacts, antique cars, and rare historical documents that capture the spirit of Route 66 in all eight states. See everything from giant roadside attractions and pioneer life to cowboy memorabilia and an old-fashioned general store.
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Places to Stop Between OKC & Tulsa

Pops
This place is easy to spot on the way from OKC to Tulsa. Just look for the 66-foot-tall soda pop bottle. A Route 66 icon. Stay and try a soda—there are more than 700 varieties of bottled sodas! 🥤
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Arcadia Round Barn
Built in 1898 from native bur oak, this unique 60-foot-diameter barn was later enveloped by Route 66 and is now the only truly round barn in America. After a collapse and community-led restoration in the 1990s, it’s become a beloved historic landmark and one of the most photographed spots on Route 66.
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Route 66 Interpretive Center
Stop here en route to Tulsa and time-travel from the 1920s to current-day Oklahoma via the Mother Road interactive video experience, from Model-A Fords to the days of "Neon Nights." Fun fact: The center is located inside the historic Chandler Armory, which was constructed originally in 1937 as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal.
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Tee Pee Drive-in Theater
Catch a flick on this retro Route 66 drive-in that first opened in 1950. You can also stay here in one of their authentic 1950s Spartan trailers! Tip: On Wednesdays, the theater features a more affordable 410 ticket price for the whole "carload," and Open Caption screenings for accessibility.
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Happy Burger
Stop at this old-fashioned burger joint and soak up all the Route 66 vibes! Happy Burger is the oldest restaurant in Sapulpa and has been serving burgers and chicken baskets to travelers along the Mother Road since 1957.
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Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum
This nonprofit museum preserves and showcases classic cars, memorabilia, and the spirit of the Mother Road with free admission for kids under 12. It’s a must-see for car lovers and Route 66 fans alike, complete with a photo op by the world’s tallest gas pump outside.
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Sapulpa Historical Museum
The Sapulpa Historical Museum, which was originally built as a hotel in 1910, features exhibits that include a turn-of-the-century kitchen, a 1894 Egan Brothers General Mercantile store, dioramas of early-day Frisco Railroad and 1929 Sapulpa town site, Euchee Mission Boarding School, livery stable, 100-year pictorial history of Sapulpa, Native American and African-American photo histories, and more.
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Things to Do in Tulsa

Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios on 66
A fun place to stop and shop that is inside the former site of a 1950s PEMCO gas station! You can't miss it—just look for the 21-foot-tall Muffler Man, Buck Atom, space cowboy, and his 19-foot-tall friend, Stella Atom, space cowgirl out front. Vintage vibes galore!
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Meadow Gold Sign
This restored 1930s neon sign is one of Tulsa’s most beloved Route 66 icons. Once threatened by redevelopment, it was saved and preserved, and today it shines as a nostalgic reminder of the city’s vintage roadside heritage. Its glow marks a neighborhood where classic charm meets modern energy.
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Bob Dylan Center
The ultimate stop for Dylan fans with more than 100,000 items from over his career, including handwritten lyrics and never-before-seen film performances and photographs.
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The Outsiders House Museum
This is the original Tulsa home where the 1981 hit move "The Outsiders" was filmed. Fun fact: Rapper Danny Boy O'Connor of House of Pain operates this quirky museum!
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The Church Studio
Shelter Records and Leon Russell used this studio, which was the heart of Tulsa Sound. Incredible artists from Willie Nelson, Eric Clapton, Tom Petty, Bob Marley, and George Harrison all recorded here. Now a museum, the Church Studio is also still an active recording studio!
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Philbrook Museum of Art
A 72-room Italian Renaissance-style mansion, which was once the home of oil tycoon Waite Phillips, is a great spot for some feed-worthy pics.
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Circle Cinema
This historic theater is also Tulsa's only non-profit arthouse cinema, which has been open since 1928 on the original alignment of Route 66. Inside, find four movie theater auditioriums, an art gallery, a gift shop, and a concession stand.
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Mother Road Market
Set inside a revamped 1939 warehouse, this lively food hall anchors Tulsa’s Market District with a constantly changing mix of local eateries, artisans, and live entertainment. It’s a place to eat, shop, and connect with locals while experiencing the creative pulse of the city. Best of all, you’re enjoying it right along historic Route 66.
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Tulsa Side Trips

Blue Whale of Catoosa
Worth the trip: The Blue Whale of Catoosa is only about 20 minutes outside of the city and is one of the most iconic stops on Route 66!
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Clanton's Cafe
Be sure to make the drive to the oldest family-owned restaurant on Route 66, Clanton's Cafe, which was featured on "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives." Around since 1927, this must-visit cafe is famous for its chicken-fried steak, which was featured in "Gourmet" magazine! It's about an hour from Tulsa and completely worth it.
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Places to Stay in Tulsa

The Mayo Hotel
The Mayo originally opened in 1925 and has played host to many famous guests, including President John F. Kennedy, Babe Ruth, and Charlie Chaplin.
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Harwelden Mansion
You can stay in this luxury English Tudor-style B&B if you want to splurge. It was built in 1923 by wealthy oilman Earl Harwell and is a 15,000-square-foot mansion and gardens that occupy a full city block and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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21 1/2 Boutique Hotel
This is the perfect place to stay in Tulsa's Arts District if you plan to be in town for at least two nights. The boutique hotel includes 12 newly redesigned studio apartments.
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