Now that the Will Rogers Medallion Award weekend has moved to Oklahoma, we know some of you might not be familiar with the area. Sometimes our guests arrive early (or stay later!) and have the opportunity to see the sites and enjoy all Claremore and Tulsa have to offer. See some suggestions below to make your award weekend even MORE memorable!

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1. The Blue Whale of Catoosa (Catoosa) has become a beloved historic landmark along Route 66. The Blue Whale was originally built by Hugh S. Davis, a zoologist and family man who envisioned the whale as a special place where his grandchildren could play and swim in the nearby pond. His sketches of the mammal grew until they reached 20 feet tall and 80 feet long. With the help of a friend, Harold Thomas, the duo spent two years welding the metal framework and applying the hand-mixed cement, one five-gallon bucket at a time. After the whale's completion in July 1972, it attracted visitors from all over and became a place where people swam, fished and picnicked. It is still owned and operated by Davis' daughter, though swimming is no longer available. Over the years, there have been many efforts to refurbish the whale with new paint and facilities. Pack a picnic lunch and head to the Blue Whale for a fun-filled day of fishing. This quirky attraction also has seasonal restroom facilities. Explore the different angles of this jovial concrete mammal and you'll find a small ladder leading into a secret compartment in the whale's head. This area has been a family favorite for generations and continues to be a must-see for any traveler on Route 66. (Unfortunately, the Whale will be closed for renovations during our stay but you can see it from the road!)

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2. Claremore Museum of History (Claremore): Claremore Museum of History is a history museum located in the former Will Rogers Library, inside of Lynn Riggs Park near downtown Claremore, Oklahoma. The Claremore Museum of History showcases multiple collections of artifacts from Claremore’s notable individuals, including Lynn Riggs, Andy Payne, Patti Page, Stuart Roosa, and Helen Robson Walton. The museum’s mission is to create engaging experiences that celebrate history, connect community, and inspire creativity. You can even take a photo in front of the actual "Surrey with the Fringe on the Top" from the movie "Oklahoma!" Admission is free, but donations are welcome. Open 7 days a week, 11 AM - 5 PM. 121 N Weenonah, Claremore, Oklahoma 

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3. The Belvidere Mansion and the Pink House (Claremore): 

The Belvidere Mansion is a large four story house built in Claremore in the late 1800s and has the Pink House restaurant built inside. It's a very neat place to tour and grab lunch. You can walk up to the 4th floor and see the dance floor. Ghost stories abound. The second and third floors of the mansion are open for self-guided tours. Mansion is open Monday - Saturday, 11 am - 2 pm while the Pink House is open. 121 North Chickasaw Avenue, Claremore, Oklahoma Phone: (918) 342-1127  

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4. Will Rogers Hotel (Claremore): The former Will Rogers Hotel was launched in 1930 with 68 rooms, seven apartments and a Spanish Mission style bell tower. Among other amenities it offered radium mineral water baths even into the 1970s. It was also used as a bomb shelter during World War II. It went out of business as a hotel in 1991 reopening in 1997 as the Will Rogers Center and Apartments after a 38 apartment partial restoration. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994.  

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5. J.M. Davis Arms & Historical Museum (Claremore): The largest privately-held firearms collection in the world. Home to the unique collection of J.M. Davis of over 12,000 firearms and thousands of non-firearm artifacts ranging from Old West saddles and spurs, John Rogers statuary, Toby mugs and Beer Steins, World War I posters, and local Claremore and Rogers county history. Multi-media exhibits for a family-friendly walk through history. This is a free museum. This is really neat place with over 12,000 unique firearms and lots and lots of WWI artifacts. Closed on Mondays, open 10-5 the rest of the week.

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6. Philbrook Museum of Art (Tulsa): This large museum features collections of American, Native American, and European art, along with stunning gardens and a diverse vision for the future of Tulsa. 

 

7. Bob Dylan Center (Tulsa): A dedicated museum showcasing the life and work of the legendary American singer-songwriter, Bob Dylan. 

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8. Greenwood Rising  (Tulsa): Black Wall Street History Center: This history center honors the legacy of Black Wall Street and tells the story of the Greenwood community and the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. 

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9. Gilcrease Museum (Tulsa): Currently undergoing major renovations, it houses one of the world's largest collections of art and artifacts of the American West and Native American art. 

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10. Tulsa Air and Space Museum & Planetarium (Tulsa): Explore aviation and space history at this museum, complete with a planetarium. 

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11. Woody Guthrie Center (Tulsa): A specialty museum that provides a thorough overview of the life of folk music icon Woody Guthrie, including his writings, drawings, and music. 

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12. The Outsiders House Museum  (Tulsa): A museum dedicated to the classic novel and film The Outsiders, offering a unique experience for fans. 

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13. The Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art  (Tulsa): This museum focuses on Jewish art and culture. 

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14. 108 Contemporary  (Tulsa): A museum dedicated to contemporary art. 

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Learn more about Claremore at Visit Claremore.

 

Learn more about Tulsa at Visit Tulsa. 

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Learn more about Route 66 here. 

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