What is Oklahoma Famous for?
Oklahoma is famous for its history, natural parks, attractions, and Southern-style food. Read more here!
Written by Brittni Brinn
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Home to the Oklahoma City Thunder basketball team,
Oklahoma
—also called the Sooner State—is the best place to try chicken-fried steak, okra, and cornbread right before heading to one of its many natural parks.Apart from being the name of a hit musical, Oklahoma is a southern state famous for its history, sports enthusiasts, and amazing food. From being the site of America’s first parking meter to hosting the mysterious Center of the Universe, the Sooner State has a lot to offer tourists and residents alike. The sooner you get there, the better (see what we did there?)!
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Let’s dive into what makes Oklahoma famous!
What is Oklahoma famous for?
The Land Run of 1889
Wondering where Oklahoma’s nickname came from? “Sooners” were settlers who hid in the area that would become Oklahoma so they could get first dibs on tracts of land. Once the “Land Rush” officially began, the prairie settlement of Oklahoma City grew to over 10,000 people in a single day.
Even though the term “Sooners” originally carried negative connotations, the University of Oklahoma took it on as the name of their football team in 1908. By the 1920s, Oklahoma happily adopted the nickname of the Sooner State.
Oil and mineral production
Oil is a big deal in Oklahoma—even the state capital building is located on top of an oil well! Oklahoma has had three major oil booms in the past 100 years.
The biggest impact of the state's oil history can be seen in its aviation and aerospace industries. Oklahoma is the birthplace of more astronauts than any other state, and the
Oklahoma Air & Spaceport
is one of 12 spaceports nationwide.In the mineral department, Oklahoma is the only place in the U.S. that produces iodine. Historically, the state's mining industry was also built around mining gypsum, lead, cadmium, alabaster, and zinc. The state is currently one of four that produces helium.
Its many natural parks and mountains
From
Chickasaw National Recreation Area
in Murray County to Robber’s Cave State Park
in Wilburton, Oklahoma is home to some beautiful natural areas that are fun for the whole family. With 200 human-made lakes throughout the state, Oklahoma has no lack of lakeside activities and natural splendor to enjoy.It may surprise you to know that this prairie state is also home to parts of four mountain ranges: the Ouachitas, the Arbuckles, the Wichitas, and the Ozarks. For the outdoorsy types, visiting Oklahoma’s various landscapes—whether it's
the highest point at Black Mesa
to the lowest point where Little River flows into Arkansas—is full of adventure!Pro Tip: If you’re driving in remote areas or are planning a mountain-side drive, look into addingroadside assistancecoverage to your insurance policy before you head out.
Its windy weather
Chicago
may have the distinction of being called the Windy City, but perhaps Oklahoma should be called the Windy State! During the 1930s, Oklahoma was part of the Dust Bowl, an area of the U.S. where it got so dry that windy conditions would lead to devastating dust storms capable of killing livestock and crops. On April 14, 1935, 3 million tons of topsoil blew off the surface of the Great Plains. Not even shut windows and doors could keep the dust outside.
But Oklahoma today is probably better known for tornados. Located smack-dab in the middle of Tornado Alley, the Sooner State sees an average of 54 tornadoes a year. The largest tornado ever recorded hit Moore, Oklahoma on May 3, 1999—and the wind speeds were 318 mph!
Its awe-inspiring (and sometimes bizarre) statues
You don’t want to miss these statues and attractions in Oklahoma!
- Popsis the home of America’s biggest pop bottle! If you’re driving down Route 66 near Acadia, you’ll see a massive, 66-foot-tall pop bottle that lights up at night. Make a stop at the restaurant and gift shop for a family-friendly celebration of soda pop.
- The Golden Drilleris a 76-foot tall figure of an oil worker standing in Expo Square in Tulsa. It’s the sixth-tallest statue in America!
- The Pioneer Woman Statue and Museumis located in Ponca City. A tribute to the women from all backgrounds who contributed to Oklahoma’s history, this museum is worth a visit!
- Durant, Oklahoma claims to be the home ofthe World’s Largest Peanut. Whether or not this is true, the peanut statue has become popular with tourists—and local teens, who repeatedly stole the peanut around 2010.
Now that we’ve taken a look at Oklahoma as a whole, let’s get into its two major cities and what makes them famous.
MORE:How to check for Oklahoma road closures
What is Oklahoma City famous for?
The horse show capital of the world
Home of the NBA Oklahoma City Thunder team
The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum
The
National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum
preserves the history of Oklahoma’s role in the American West. The museum provides a diverse look at the history of America's Old West, featuring exhibits by historic and contemporary artists and running events the whole family can enjoy!Pro Tip Always be sure to plan ahead when visiting museums. Some have odd hours or are closed for special events. And make sure to give yourself a couple of hours before closing time!
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Its many sports teams—and fans!
Oklahoma City is home to some of the most enthusiastic sports fans you’ll ever meet. Whether you’re cheering for the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Sooners, or the Oklahoma City Dodgers, here are some of the best sports bars to catch the next game:
- Louie’s Grill and Bar: With a few locations throughout OKC, Louie’s has a come-as-you-are attitude and your favorite Oklahoma team games always on the big screen.
- Chalk Luxury Sports Bar: This upscale dining experience will have you cheering on your favorite team in a comfortable setting with delicious dining options—including a Sooner Burger!
Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum
The
Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum
is a memorial site for all the victims, survivors, and rescuers affected by the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995. The museum offers tours and interactive self-guided activities honoring the 168 people killed in the attack. This is its mission statement: “We come here to remember those who were killed, those who survived, and those changed forever. May all who leave here know the impact of violence. May this memorial offer comfort, strength, peace, hope, and serenity.”
What is Tulsa famous for?
The first oil capital of the world
Art Deco architecture
Birthplace of The Outsiders author S.E. (Susan Eloise) Hinton
Oklahoma-style brewing and cuisine
For some refreshing craft beer and Southern-style cuisine with a twist, you should check out these restaurants in Tulsa:
- American Solera: A place to try new and quirky craft beers, this award-winning brewery is worth a visit!
- Lone Wolf: A food truck-turned-restaurant, its award-winning Korean-fusion cuisine includes banh mi, kimchi fries, and fried rice bowls.
- Tulsa State Farmer’s Market: If you want to work up an appetite, take a walk through this outdoor market before chowing down on local fare grown right in Oklahoma!
The Black Wall Street Memorial
The completion of the
Black Wall Street Memorial
marks 100 years since the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. The memorial is dedicated to the hundreds of Black Americans who fell victim to racial violence during the massacre.Located in the heart of the Historic Greenwood Business District, the memorial features a park and educational exhibits to honor the 300 people who died in the massacre, as well as those who lost their homes, their businesses, and their community.
The largest praying hands in the world
On the campus of Oral Roberts University, you can find a 60-foot statue of praying hands. Weighing about 30 tons, the hands are the largest bronze statue in the world. The statue was designed by Oklahoma artist Leonard McMurry and was cast in Mexico in 1980.
The Center of the Universe
We’re going to finish off our tour of Tulsa with the
Center of the Universe
, a truly mysterious tourist attraction. If you stand in the middle of the circle built into the pavement, you will be the only one who can hear your voice echo—the people around you won’t hear it at all! Located near the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame and the Artificial Cloud statue, this can be your first stop on a tour through Tulsa’s other attractions as well.How to save money on car insurance in Oklahoma
Oklahoma may be famous when it comes to American history, bizarre attractions, and windy weather, but
Jerry
is definitely more famous when it comes to car insurance savings. The Jerry super app has helped over 2 million customers nationwide, earning a 4.6 out of 5 rating on the App Store.If you want to save some extra cash for your upcoming road trip across the Sooner State, all you need to do is download the Jerry app. With 55+ top providers across the nation to choose from, we’ll be able to match you with the coverage you want for less!
Once you’ve picked the custom quote that fits your budget, Jerry’s world-class team of experts will walk you through a sign-up process that’s so fast and pain-free, you might just forget you’re buying insurance.
But the savings are real: On average, Jerry users save over $800 a year on car insurance. With savings like that, you’ll feel famous yourself!
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