Route 66
Americana, Oklahoma

Tulsa is the hub of Northeast Oklahoma’s Green Country. A modern urban blend of history and culture, Tulsa sits at the intersection of historic Route 66, now Interstate 44, US Highway 75 and US 412. Tulsa is called the arts center of Oklahoma, justified by the Gilcrease Museum, Philbrook Museum, two symphonies, the Tulsa Opera and the Tulsa Ballet, among the city’s cultural highlights. Fall and winter means sports, and Tulsa is no exception. Home to Tulsa Oilers Hockey, Arena Football's Tulsa Talons, WNBA’s Tulsa Shock, the NBA D-League Tulsa 66ers and the Tulsa Drillers, the city has a full sports calendar.

Basketball fans in Tulsa enjoy the 2011 – 2012 66ers season November through the beginning of April. Don’t miss the 66ers home opener at the Tulsa Convention Center Arena on December 3rd. Tulsa hosts 24 home games this season, with 16 on the weekends – catch the 66ers spirit this winter.

The Tulsa Oilers are in the heat of the 2011 – 2012 season, hitting the ice at the BOK Center through March for hockey fans. The BOK Center, on Denver Street in downtown Tulsa, is also home to the Tulsa Shock who wrapped up the season in September and the Tulsa Talons who start the 2012 season, in March. Sports fans have plenty of entertainment options in Tulsa.

The multi purpose BOK center hosts the month-long Winterfest 2011, beginning November 25th. Join the fun in downtown Tulsa featuring outdoor ice-skating, horse drawn carriage rides and the city’s Segway Santa for photo ops with the kids. Winterfest hosts weekly live music at the ONEOK outdoor stage. It's always free and open to everyone, don't miss this festive and fun holiday activity.

Broken Arrow, a growing suburb southeast of Tulsa off Highway 64, offers convenient access to Tulsa’s big city attractions, in the comfort of a nice suburb. The Performing Arts Center brings the Broken Arrow community its 2011 – 2012 Spotlight Series, featuring Ernie Haase and the Signature Sound in December and for the New Year, Elvis Lives and Blast. The Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center is a community gathering place, hosting Broken Arrow High School Choir and Band Concerts, as well as middle and public school performance events.

North of Tulsa the community of Grove delivers a taste of Northeast Oklahoma’s fantastic outdoor resources. A thriving community on the shores of Lake O’ the Cherokees, visitors enjoy down-home Oklahoma hospitality and outstanding fishing and wildlife viewing. Bass fishing doesn’t get better than Lake O’ the Cherokees and it has also been called the crappie capitol of the world. Take your pick of urban or small town adventure on your visit to Tulsa and Northeast Oklahoma.

Oklahoma City Skyline

It’s Winter in Oklahoma City, however there is plenty of fun and activities to keep visitors moving. Destinations like the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, events at the University of Central Oklahoma or Civic Center Music Hall, provide a full calendar of Oklahoma City events. This is the season for OKC sports. It's hockey season for the Oklahoma City Barons, the Oklahoma City Thunder are in action at Chesapeake Arena and Oklahoma City Redhawks season is just around the corner. The 2012 Oklahoma High School Wrestling and Basketball seasons are wrapping up with state championships on tap at the Oklahoma State Fair Park.

Escape the cold inside at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Take advantage of free admission with Museums on Us, the first full weekend of the month. Hosted by Bank of America, BofA customers are welcome with free general admission. For the shoppers in the crowd, the National Cowboy Museum Store holds its 2012 sidewalk sale March 10th through the 24th. The museum sidewalk sale is a great time to pick up a unique and special gift or souvenir.

Classic winter fun? Take in Oklahoma City Barons Hockey at Cox Convention Center. The 2012 season is the second for the Barons in Oklahoma City. Come see the rising staffs of the Edmonton Oilers on the ice. Regular season home games run through April 13th when the Barons host Houston’s Aeros. An ideal family event, check the Baron’s schedule for post game autograph sessions and post-game skates with the players.

The Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association hosts the 2012 Oklahoma State High School Basketball Championships, March 1st through 3rd and March 8th through the 10th. After an exciting season of High School Basketball playoffs across the state, the excitement culminates with the finals at Oklahoma State Fair Park near the intersection of Interstate 40 and Interstate 44 west of downtown Oklahoma City.

Long winter? The Oklahoma City Redhawks season is light at the end of winter's tunnel – the Redhawks begin their 2012 season April 5th. Catch opening day in downtown Olkahoma City at 2 S Mickey Mantle Drive - Redhawks Field at Bricktown. The warmth of Chesapeake Energy Arena keeps basketball fans heated with the OKC Thunder on the court through April. Catch the last two 2012 regular season home games in downtown Oklahoma City on April 24th and 25th, when the Thunder host Sacramento and Denver.

Keep up the winter training for the 12th Annual Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. Whether you’re a member of the Oklahoma City Landrunners or training on your own, set your goal for April 29th, 2012. Events range from the kids Marathon, where the young ones complete the last 1.2 miles of a marathon distance, and the Memorial 5K to the Half Marathon, Marathon Relay and Memorial Marathon. Join the excitement of the Oklahoma Memorial Marathon start on Harvey Avenue, west of the Oklahoma National Memorial for a full day of fun and activity.

Windmills, Oklahoma Panhandle

Called Red Carpet Country, Oklahoma’s Panhandle and Northwestern plains regions are set for fall and winter. Fall brings ideal weather for a round of golf at Guymon’s Sunset Hills Golf Course or a walk around Thompson Park’s Sunset Lake. A hub of commerce for the Panhandle of Oklahoma, Guymon brings life to the region once called “No Man’s Land”. Guymon hosts the Pioneer Days PRCA Rodeo, Oklahoma’s richest rodeo. Located nearly mid-way between Beaver Dunes State Park and Black Mesa State Park, Guymon is a common rest stop for travelers. Outdoor recreation enthusiasts find the Panhandle’s wide-open spaces and high mesas ideal for ATV riding.

Leaving Guymon and the Oklahoma Panhandle region, travelers pass the town of Beaver, which put itself on the map with the National Cow Chip Throwing Championships. You’ll have to wait until April for the fun, but visit any time of year for practice.

Enid, northwest Oklahoma’s largest community, sits at the intersection of the Chisholm Trail and route of the historic Oklahoma Land Run into the Cherokee Strip. A vibrant Oklahoma city, Enid features a historic downtown centered around the town square. A delightful place to browse unique shops and have a bite to eat.

The 17th Annual Enid Lights up the Plains, begins the day after Thanksgiving. This holiday tradition kicks off he holiday season with Santa’s arrival, live entertainment and food vendors, along with the Grand Lighting Ceremony. One of Oklahoma’s largest seasonal light displays, "Enid Lights up the Plains", runs through the holidays and New Year's.

Vance Air Force Base is located south of Enid off of US Highway 81. The area's largest employer is home to the 71st Flying Training Wing and its support teams. With a mission to train world-class pilots for the US Military and Allies, Enid embraces, and is proud to support the success of Vance Air Force Base.

Interstate 40 splits Oklahoma’s north and south regions and provides travelers with convenient and historic stopping points along its route. El Reno, Weatherford and Elk City are a few of the cities along west I-40 ready with comfortable Best Western hotel accommodations, historic landmarks and friendly communities. El Reno, 30 miles west of Oklahoma City and 6 miles east of historic Fort Reno sits at the crossroads of historic route 66 and the Chisholm Trail.

Fort Reno, the former military camp established itself during the Oklahoma “Indian Wars”. Home of the original Buffalo Soldier’s Calvary units, Fort Reno also played an important role in keeping order in the Oklahoma Land Rush. December Visitors enjoy the Wreath Laying ceremony at Fort Reno Cemetery on the 17th and the Fort Reno Christmas Guns Celebration on December 18th. Enjoy a festive and historic fall in Northwest Oklahoma.

Southern Oklahoma

Southern Oklahoma, a diverse region encompassing the Great Plains Country of Southwestern Oklahoma; Central Oklahoma’s Frontier and Arbuckle Country; and Amichi Country of Southeast Oklahoma. East – West Interstate 40 forms a northern border for the region and makes travel convenient and easy. Diverse landscapes offer outdoor enthusiasts endless activities, from the trails of the Wichita Mountains and fun on Lake Texoma, to the premier fishing waters of Eufaula Reservoir. Destinations like the Chisolm Trail Heritage Center, Washita Valley Winery and Durant’s Indian Territory Art Gallery capture the heritage and culture of historic and modern Southern Oklahoma.

The Goddard Center in Ardmore is a hub of performing and visual arts for Southern Oklahoma. An Exciting 2011 – 2012 performance Calendar includes the Holiday Extravaganza performed by the University Chorale of the University of Oklahoma School of Music. DANU, a traditional Irish ensemble visits the Goddard in March, with Oklahoma’s Bravo Brass Quintet closing the season with a May concert.

The Goddard Center holds the Annual All Schools Exhibit 2012 in April. This popular Ardmore exhibit showcases the artwork of Ardmore and Southern Oklahoma students. The 43rd Annual Juried Exhibition 2012 at the Goddard Center runs May 8th through June 2nd featuring entries from Oklahoma and surrounding states. The Goddard Center brings heart and soul to Ardmore.

Eufaula, south of Interstate 40 in eastern Oklahoma on Highway 69, is surrounded on three sides by Lake Eufaula, Oklahoma’s largest lake. With Arrowhead State Park and Lake Eufaula State Park nearby, Eufaula is an outdoor enthusiasts’ paradise. The Lake Eufaula State Park Marina includes an enclosed and heated fishing dock – enjoy fishing in Oklahoma's coldest weather.

For hometown fun visit the Plumb Theatre in Eufaula, home of Longtown Opry. The Plumb hosts free Gospel Music on Friday evenings, with traditional Country music on Saturday nights. See Paul Maloy and the Upright Band along with local and regional performers. Enjoy authentic Oklahoma entertainment at Eufaula’s Plumb Theatre.

Southwest of Oklahoma City, Lawton sits along Interstate 44. Home of Fort Sill Military Reservation, the city is often referred to as Lawton Fort Sill. Pick up a Discovery Trail card at the Lawton Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce to start an Oklahoma adventure. Visit Lawton’s top six attractions, have your Discovery Card stamped and receive a souvenir at each site. Among the sites, you’ll see the Fort Sill National Historic Landmark, Comanche National Museum and the Museum of the Great Plains.

The Comanche County Fairgrounds in Lawton is home to the Great Plains Coliseum, a popular event venue for Southern Oklahoma. The Coliseum hosts the Wichita Mountains Classic Heifer Show and Pig & Lamb Show. Spearheaded by the Lawton Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Committee, these shows feature livestock raised by the youth of Southwest Oklahoma and surrounding states. Check the Great Plains Coliseum calendar for current events on your visit to Lawton.