Pumpkin patches, hot mugs of cider and small-town streets decorated for Halloween and harvest season signal a magical time in Oklahoma. If you’re seeking a little fall-themed magic, these Oklahoma towns are a surefire autumn hit with plenty of seasonal attractions, fantastic festivals and breathtaking local foliage.
Claremore
The delightful Route 66 town of Claremore pulls out all the stops when it comes to celebrating fall. Venture into the rolling hills surrounding Claremore and make your way to Shepherd’s Cross for their annual pumpkin festival. Held during each weekend in October, visitors are invited to enjoy hayrides, a petting zoo, hay maze and other activities that are fun for the entire family. For a bit of Halloween fun, grab the kiddos and head to the Will Rogers Memorial Museum for the “Halloween Night at the Museum” event where kids can trick or treat their way through the museum in their costumes.
The month of October also features Claremore Main Street’s Fall Festival and a Food Truck Festival, which features live, local musicians, a ton of food trucks, late night shopping, a free Kids Zone and a fun atmosphere.
If all of these activities leave you feeling hungry, hop over to The Hammett House Restaurant for a delicious assortment of soups (try the baked potato soup or famous navy bean!), stews and pies that will warm you up if there’s a chill in the air. Don’t miss The Nut House on Route 66, which is decked out in autumn decorations and also offers cool weather staples like gourmet coffee and fudge. When it’s time to see some beautiful foliage, head to the Rogers State University Conservation Education Reserve and walk the trails lined with changing trees.
For more information: Visit Claremore; Claremore Main Street
Shawnee
Shawnee is known for Monsters on Main, their huge fall celebration that helps usher in cooler temperatures and vibrant autumn colors. For three days, Shawnee’s adorable downtown area is taken over by carnival games, rides, a car show, pumpkin pie eating contest, costume contests and shopping. Kids love the Zombie Parade and Main Street Trick-or-Treat event.
If you’re feeling creepy, take part in a paranormal ghost tour that is part of Boo on Bell. Sunshine Shelly’s Pumpkin Patch is open through October for those seeking photo ops, a corn maze, pumpkin picking and family fun.
For more information: Visit Shawnee
Ponca City
The Marland Mansion & Estate, one of Ponca City’s biggest attractions, becomes even more breathtaking in fall. The grounds are extra pleasant to walk though in the cool air and the fall colors give the entire property a welcoming, warm feeling. Plan your trip at the right time and experience a flurry of German culture and excitement at Oktoberfest, held at the mansion each year. Visitors will enjoy all the classic Oktoberfest staples – live music, a beer garden and delicious food.
The Lester & Mary Cann Memorial Botanical Gardens are another special place for fall foliage, so stop by and enjoy the surrounding color show from the comfort of a gazebo. When you’re hungry, head to Danny’s BBQ Head Quarters for barbecue slathered in Oklahoma’s own Head Country BBQ sauce. You can also celebrate All Hallows’ Eve at the city’s Downtown Halloween Carnival with games, trick-or-treating and tasty snacks.
For more information: Ponca City Tourism
Sand Springs
For the ultimate pumpkin picking experience, head to Sand Springs just west of Tulsa. Plan to stop at the Sand Springs Pumpkin Patch for a variety of gourds, inflatables for the kids and seasonal movies on Saturdays. Sand Springs is also home to Pleasant Valley Farms Pumpkin Patch, one of the biggest pumpkin patches in the state. With over 90 varieties of pumpkins, a petting zoo and a ten-acre corn maze, it’s no wonder the Pleasant Valley Farms Fall Festival is a hit with families each October.
Sand Springs also tips its hat to Halloween during the annual Boo at the Box event. Enter your costumed pup in the pet costume contest or build your own box for the festival’s famous coffin races. Of course, there will be plenty of sweet treats, so dress the family up in their costumes and hit Main Street for this fun and festive event.
For more information: Sand Springs Area Chamber of Commerce
Edmond
Located just north of Oklahoma City, the town of Edmond attracts visitors during autumn with a full festival roster. Visitors will find fresh produce, fun and seasonal games at the Edmond Farmers Market. Fall also provides perfect weather for Edmond’s monthly street festival, Heard on Hurd, where the live music and food trucks can’t be beat.
There are also plenty of ways to celebrate Halloween in Edmond. Storybook Forest transforms paths around Lake Arcadia into a magical wonderland full of fairy tale characters and trick or treating for young children. If you prefer celebrating Halloween with a show, "Machinal" at the Mitchell Hall at UCO will deliver a spine-chilling story.
For more information: Visit Edmond
Broken Bow Area
Southeastern Oklahoma is the quintessential place to see autumn in Oklahoma at its absolute best. From the Talihina Fall Foliage Festival to the Beavers Bend Folk Festival & Craft Show at Beavers Bend State Park, this area has some of the greatest fall festivals in the state surrounded by beautiful displays of color-changing trees. Since this is bigfoot country, no fall trip would be complete without a stop at the Honobia Bigfoot Festival, a can’t-miss event for Sasquatch enthusiasts and storytellers.
Scratch “road trip” off your bucket list by traveling down the Talimena National Scenic Byway, the preeminent fall foliage drive in the state, or the Kiamichi Trace, a scenic section of Highway 271 that meanders through Choctaw Country. If you prefer to take things easy, rent one of the many cabins in the area and settle in for bonfires, hot chocolate and fresh air. Be sure to book your trip early to this popular fall hot spot!
For more information: McCurtain County Tourism Authority
Hobart
Located in scenic southwestern Oklahoma, the quaint town of Hobart becomes a prime destination for fall fun with their headlining autumn event, the Hometown Harvest Day. During this October festival, Hobart's downtown area turns into a thriving community-oriented gathering! The kids can jump and bounce inside the inflatables, while all ages watch the kiss the pig contest unfold. Cap off the evening with a slice of homebaked pie paired with a hayride, and get into the full fall spirit.
Hobart also offers three antique malls where you can scour for hidden treasures with a group of friends, as well as beautiful fall foliage at Quartz Mountain State Park, which is located nearby. Don’t forget to stop off at Frisco Creek Barbeque for delicious smoked meats and warm cobbler.
For more information: Hobart Main Street
Bartlesville
Head to Bartlesville during the month of October and join Main Street Bartlesville for their annual Ghost Walk, an award-winning tour that couples spooky ghost stories with the beautiful, historic buildings scattered throughout town. For family-friendly fall activities, bring the kids to Kiddie Park’s Spook-a-rama for rides, costumes and trick-or-treating.
While in Bartlesville, take a peaceful autumn stroll down the town’s Pathfinder Parkway, a 12-mile paved trail that winds through wooded areas bursting with fall color. Bring a picnic and your camera – you’ll find a beautifully arched suspension bridge over Caney River, as well as locals fishing or feeding the ducks. If you need a warm up after your time outside, stop into Frank & Lola’s for a big bowl of their famous pork green chili topped with cheddar cheese and served with a fluffy, warm flour tortilla (Bonus: Frank & Lola’s is also rumored to be haunted)!
For more information: Visit Bartlesville
Muskogee
The Castle of Muskogee takes celebrating the fall holidays to the next level. In the span of just two months, the castle hosts the Haunted Castle Halloween Festival and the Boare’s Heade Feaste. But that isn’t all Muskogee has to offer. The Amish Country Store & Restaurant and Hattie’s House & Vintage Market offer both warm comfort food and great seasonal shopping.
For more information: Greater Muskogee Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism
Stillwater
The town of Stillwater has a little bit of everything when it comes to fall-themed fun. Visit the city’s Downtown Halloween Festival for costume contests, trick-or-treating and plenty of games. After hiking along the shores of Lake McMurtry to view the area’s fall foliage, wear your best orange gear and root for the home team at an Oklahoma State University football game.
For more information: Visit Stillwater
