The crisp air of fall signals that autumn has arrived in Oklahoma. As travelers venture out to enjoy leaves bursting with brilliant hues, patches filled with plump pumpkins and scary haunts, Oklahoma rolls out the red carpet with plenty of seasonal treats and fall festivities. Check out our list of the top 50 ways to celebrate fall in the Sooner State and get ready for a deliciously good time.
#1 - Pick a Perfect Pumpkin
Autumn in Oklahoma means a trip to the pumpkin patch. Find the perfect pumpkin to carve or decorate at these pumpkin patches in Oklahoma. Don’t forget your camera - pumpkin patches are the perfect backdrop for fall photos.
#2 - Go Hiking in the Woods
Hiking is best when the air is crisp and the leaves are changing. Hit the Ouachita National Recreation Trail System at the Ouachita National Forest in Hodgen to experience the beauty of the season. Make a weekend of it by pitching a tent in one of the many campgrounds.
#3 - Visit an Escape Room
Put your critical thinking skills to the test with a trip to one of Oklahoma's Escape Rooms. There are challenging escape rooms throughout the state, including The Escape OKC and The Escape Tulsa, where you can live out your dream as a spy, a pirate and more in their themed escape rooms.
#4 - See Vintage Crafts & Listen to Folk Music
Learn about turn-of-the-century crafts while munching on kettle corn at one of the season’s most anticipated events. The Beavers Bend Folk Festival & Craft Show in Broken Bow has something for everyone including a petting zoo for kids and the twang of banjos for folk music lovers.
#5 - Eat Thanksgiving Themed Dishes
S&B’s Burger Joint in Oklahoma City tops their sweet potato fries with marshmallow cream, dried cranberries and chopped pecans to create their signature Thanksgiving fries. You can also chow down on The Mule's specialty sandwich – The Tryptophantastic – only available in November. This local fall favorite includes Boars Head turkey, thyme aioli, cheddar and swiss cheese, and sage sausage stuffing drizzled with cranberry sauce.
#6 - Take the Scenic Route
Venture to southeastern Oklahoma and travel along the 54 miles of winding road that is the Talimena National Scenic Byway, a prime destination for fall foliage that begins in Talihina. During late October and early November, the changing leaves paint the roadside foliage in breathtaking reds, oranges and yellows, creating stunning panoramas in all directions.
#7 - Sip Imported Beer at Oktoberfest
German traditions come alive at Tulsa’s Oktoberfest each fall. Don’t miss your chance to sip on imported German beers, enjoy Bavarian-style entertainment and fill up on German food including schnitzel, bratwurst, hot pretzels and fresh apple strudel.
#8 - Tailgate at a Football Game
There’s nothing quite like grilling hamburgers and sharing your score predictions before a highly anticipated football game. Tailgate the Oklahoma way by heading to the University of Oklahoma in Norman for a Sooners game or to Oklahoma State University in Stillwater to cheer on the Cowboys.
#9 - Have Pumpkin Pancakes for Breakfast
Fluffy, golden pancakes await you at Cordell’s annual pumpkin pancake breakfast. Begin your day at the city’s Pumpkin Festival by filling up on this seasonal delight before enjoying the parade, pumpkin carving, costume contests and car show.
#10 - Experience the Paranormal
The Paranormal Investigation Team of Tulsa will be your personal guide through some of Tulsa’s spookiest sites on a Tulsa Spirit Tour. Take a party bus to sites including the Tulsa Cave House and Bloody 1st Street while hearing ghost stories from a paranormal investigator along the way.
#11 - Go Fly Fishing Amidst Fall Beauty
Learn the tricks of fly fishing at the Beavers Bend Fly Shop in Broken Bow, then wade out into the cool waters of the Lower Mountain Fork River to cast your line and soak in the beautiful colors of changing leaves for a day of ultimate relaxation.
#12 - Indulge in Caramel Apples & Seasonal Chocolates
There’s no better way to satisfy your craving for fall sweets than with a gooey, delicious caramel apple. Stop at Nouveau Atelier de Chocolat in Broken Arrow for a 1-pound, double-dipped chocolate caramel apple and pick up some autumn-shaped chocolates too.
#13 - Survive a Ghost Tour
Experience the mysterious past of Historic Fort Reno, one of Oklahoma’s most haunted places, during a Fort Reno Ghost Tour. A local paranormal investigation team will recount chilling tales from this military camp in El Reno that include anonymous footsteps, unexplained activity and eerie images captured on film.
#14 - Roast Hot Dogs & S’mores
Cozy up around a warm fire on a cool fall evening at Parkhurst Ranch & Pumpkin Patch in Arcadia and roast hot dogs and s’mores in their picnic area. It’s the perfect end to a day filled with hayrides, pumpkin picking and wandering through a cornfield maze.
#15 - Raise a Glass of Mead
Shimmy over to the Dancing Skeleton Meadery in Sapulpa to sample several varieties of mead, an alcoholic beverage made from fermented honey. These honey wines range in sweetness and have names like "Oklahoma Fall Harvest" and "After Midnight."
#16 - Stay in a Cozy Cabin
Fall is an ideal time for a state park cabin stay. Book your trip to Beavers Bend State Park in Broken Bow or Greenleaf State Park in Braggs and stay at one of the many quaint cabins surrounded by fall’s glorious foliage. Building a fire, wrapping up in a blanket and enjoying a cup of hot cocoa at one of these beautiful locations makes for the perfect fall getaway.
#17 - Relax at a Coffee Shop
Warm up on a cold autumn day with a cup of craft coffee or tea in Northeast Oklahoma. Stop in Tulsa's DoubleShot Coffee Company to watch the leaves fall from the modern barn's floor-to-ceiling windows, while you enjoy your favorite morning cup paired with a freshly-baked pastry. If you're in the Muskogee area, Erly Rush Coffee Shop can customize your coffee fix with specialty syrups like toasted marshmallow or a salty dog.
#18 - Feel Your Heart Race in a Spooky-Themed Escape Room
Explore three thrilling escape room experiences at The Sanctuary Escape in Oklahoma City. Feel your adrenaline pumping as you turn each corner and try to solve clues as you adventure into the Superstition Mountains, meet the Italian mafia or search for a paranormal team gone missing.
#19 - Navigate a Cornfield Maze
Bring the whole family and take on the challenge of navigating the P Bar Farms Corn Maze in Weatherford as quickly as you can. With over three miles of twists and turns and nearly 100 decision points, you may be tangled up in seven-foot corn stalks for nearly an hour.
#20 - Pick Up Pecans for a Pie
For a perfect pecan pie, buy fresh ingredients at the Route 66 Nut House in Claremore. You’ll also find delicious fudge, cookies, jams and breads. The Nut House also carries a variety of unique gifts including Route 66 souvenirs.
#21 - Get Festive at a Fall Festival
Celebrate all things autumn at the Robbers Cave Fall Festival at Robbers Cave State Park in Wilburton. Tempt your taste buds with caramel apples and barbecue sandwiches, ride along during the Fall Foliage Cruise and shop for homemade gifts ranging from pottery to cedar furniture.
#22 - Run Through Oktoberfest
Add some competition to your German heritage celebration at the Oktoberfest 5K in Fort Sill. Taking place the day after the Fort Sill Oktoberfest, you'll have the chance to work off the previous days brats and beer in an exciting competition with coveted prizes on the line.
#23 - Trick-or-Treat at the Zoo
Visit the Oklahoma City Zoo for a unique holiday experience during Haunt the Zoo for Halloween. Children are encouraged to wear costumes and explore different themed booths around the zoo to gather candy until their baskets are full.
#24 - Relish the Season on Horseback
Enjoy crisp fall weather, the great outdoors and riding trails at the Sequoyah Riding Stables in Hulbert. Schedule a guided fall horseback ride for a day of fun and exploration through Sequoyah State Park.
#25 - Cruise the Haunted Oklahoma River
Take part in the ghoulish tradition that is the Oklahoma River Cruises' annual Haunt the River. Ride down the Oklahoma River that runs parallel to the Bricktown Entertainment District in downtown Oklahoma City dressed in your best costume. On the cruise, you'll enjoy drinks, appetizers, music and festive decorations.
#26 - Gobble Up Pumpkin Cupcakes
For the best seasonal cupcakes in the Oklahoma City area, visit two local sweet shops for a sugary treat. Choose between pumpkin spice, pumpkin latte, pumpkin brûlée and pumpkin s'mores cupcakes at the ButterSweet Café, or enjoy the classic spiced pumpkin with maple cupcake at Green Goodies.
#27 - Take a Motorcycle Ride
A refreshing nip in the air makes fall weather ideal for motorcycling riding. Take your bike along the Kiamichi Trace that runs through Hugo for a picturesque path full of pine forests and dazzling leaves in autumn hues. As an added bonus, this highway will take you through some of Oklahoma’s best camping spots.
#28 - Search for Antique Treasures
Across the state, antique stores with hidden gems are just waiting to be discovered. Explore the popular Recollections Antique Mall in downtown Guthrie or Auntie Mae's Antiques in Purcell to begin your antiquing adventure in Oklahoma. Or visit the town of Jenks, known as the Antique Capital of Oklahoma.
#29 - See the Headless Horseman
For a bit of Halloween fun, grab the kiddos and head to the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore for the "Halloween Night at the Museum" event. Kids can trick or treat their way through the museum in their costumes and the whole family can end the night with a screening of "Headless Horseman" starring Will Rogers.
#30 - Make Memories on a Hayride
Each fall, Annabelle's Fun Farm in Welch welcomes families to tour their farm on a hayride. For an experience you won’t soon forget, explore your surroundings while seated on a hay bale. You’ll feel the cool fall breeze as you take photos and admire the pumpkin patch, petting zoo and corn maze.
#31 - Sip on an Old Fashioned
Order a classic fall cocktail at Sidecar Barley & Wine Bar in OKC's Automobile Alley. Their smokey Old Fashioned combines the flavors of muddled fruit, Angostura bitters and bourbon whiskey in a glass that's smoked with cedar for an enchanting beverage that is sweet and warm with a subtle bite. Complement it with a brat on a pretzel bun or the butcher's board, a cheese and meat plate packed with great harvest vibes.
#32 - Marvel at Hot Air Balloons
Pick a prime viewing spot, set out your lawn chair and take in the sights as hot air balloons float high in the sky at the Poteau Balloonfest. Take a tethered balloon ride and enjoy all that this fall festival has to offer. As the sun goes down, the balloons ignite one final time for the balloon glow that lights up the autumn night sky in Poteau.
#33 - Get into Costume
Dress up in your favorite costume and celebrate the creepiest holiday of the year at the Haunted Castle Halloween Festival at the Castle of Muskogee. During the month of October, explore the castle’s Trail of Blood, Casa Morte and the Bates Motel in Muskogee for a scary good time.
#34 - Feast on Pumpkin Treats
Roll by Farrell Family Bread in Tulsa during autumn and pick up a loaf or three of their classic artisanal bread. The bakery also features a great selection of seasonal specialty breads like pumpkin cranberry.
#35 - Go Hunting in Deer Season
For a short time during October and November, hunters head out for a special time of year known as deer season. Make your experience comfortable and worry-free with a stay at Red Rock Ranch in Marland where you can stay in a convenient lodge and go on guided hunts.
#36 - Spend the Night in a Haunted B&B
Head to Guthrie and plan to stay at the Stone Lion Inn, a beautiful early-1900s Victorian mansion. While you’re enjoying luxurious amenities including claw-footed bathtubs and decorated guest rooms, you may see the ghosts of residents past. For an extra scare, play your part in murder mystery dinners held every weekend.
#37 - Snap Pictures of Fall Foliage
Grab your camera and hike around the Chickasaw National Recreation Area in Sulphur to capture colors in nature that only come around once a year. Photos of fiery reds and oranges from changing leaves and towering pines make excellent keepsakes.
#38 - Gather Seasonal Produce
Fall brings a new palette of flavors full of herbs, squash, sweet potatoes, jams and special salsas. The Cherry Street Farmers Market in Tulsa’s Cherry Street District has everything you need to make your favorite dishes as the weather gets colder and the holiday season approaches.
#39 - Tell Ghost Stories Around the Campfire
Gather up your friends and family for a camping trip to Lake Murray State Park in Adrmore or Tenkiller State Park in Vian. Spend the evening huddled around a campfire after the sun goes down telling ghost stories and making s’mores underneath the changing leaves.
#40 - Celebrate Halloween Shawnee Style
For family-friendly Halloween fun, dress in costumes and attend the Enchanted Woodland Halloween & FallFest in Shawnee.Take part in family-friendly activities, play games and enter pets and kids in the costume contests.
#41 - Delight in Seasonal Brews
Fall beers offer delicious combinations of spices, honey, fresh hops and malty flavors. Sample Choc Beer’s Choctoberfest autumn microbrew at Pete’s Place in Krebs and chow down on some authentic Italian food for a filling meal that will keep you coming back year round.
#42 - Warm Up with a Bowl of Chili
Take the bite out of the air and warm up with a bowl of piping hot chili from Ike’s Chili House in Tulsa. Their spicy and hearty blend of this Midwestern favorite has been around since the late 1800s. Order it by the bowl or as a topping on spaghetti, corn chips or even a coney dog.
#43 - Go Apple Picking
Bundle up and bring a basket to go apple picking at Livesay Orchards in Porter. U-pick apples are available from late August to early October. Gather the whole family and get ready to make new memories as you stock up on plenty of fresh, ripe finds right from the tree.
#44 - Dine in a Haunted Restaurant
The Pink House in Claremore is located on the first floor in the Belvidere Mansion, a building that once housed the Cinnabar Hospital where the original owner passed just before the mansion's completion. While waiting to dine on delicious quiche, casserole and the legendary baked fudge dessert, head up the squeaky staircase to the second floor of the mansion, which is outfitted in early 1900s furnishings and artifacts of the original owners.
#45 - Celebrate Native American Heritage
November marks Native American Heritage Month, and Oklahoma offers numerous ways to celebrate and learn about the state’s original citizens. The First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City features artifacts and exhibits from the state’s 39 First American Nations, while the Choctaw and Chickasaw Cultural Centers provide in-depth information about their specific tribes. This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the rich American Indian culture waiting to be discovered in Oklahoma.
#46 - Shop at STASH
Ranging from the unique to the downright unusual, STASH in Norman is a one-of-a-kind find in Oklahoma. Combining internationally curated fair trade crafts and artwork with Made In Oklahoma decor pieces, you’ll find framed butterflies, animal skulls and Pendleton blankets you’ll want to take home to match the season.
#47 - Take a Haunted Train Ride
Get in the spirit of Halloween with tickets to Oklahoma Railway Museum’s spooky Halloween train. Children and adults alike are welcome to take part in the festivities. Don’t forget to dress up and receive a costume discount for this once-a-year ride.
#48 - Find Magnetic Hill
On Pioneer Road in Springer, a strange phenomenon occurs that you can try out for yourself. If you stop at the bottom of Magnetic Hill and put your car in neutral, you will get the unfamiliar sensation that your car is being “pulled” back up the hill. In this case, seeing is definitely believing and you might just find yourself more than a little creeped out.
#49 - Savor the Sweetness of the Sorghum Harvest
Remember the past in the town of Wewoka at the annual Sorghum Festival. Production of the molasses-like sweetener sustained the city’s economy and is now celebrated with a day full of parades, food, sorghum mill demonstrations, live entertainment and handmade crafts each October.
#50 - Bring a Vampire Book Series to Life
If you’re into novels about vampires, read the Tulsa-based House of Night series by Oklahoma authors P.C. and Kristin Cast. Then, tour some of the character’s favorite places using our “House of Night Tulsa Tour” guide.
