Start you vacation in Stillwater at The Oklahoma State University campus. The Alumni Visitor is an great place to head to first. The staff (all students) will offer advice and pointers for your vacation. Call (405) 744-2509 or visit the website for additional information (see Resources below).
Visit The OSU Herbarium and Vertebrate Collection. The collections include dried and pressed plants, and many species of birds, reptiles and mammals. Call (405) 744-9558 to schedule your visit to the Herbarium and (405) 744-555 to visit the Vertebrate Collection. The Student Union is the largest in the country. It has a theater, informal and formal dining, souvenir shops, hair salons and a hotel, as well as other businesses. Call (405) 744-5231 for all the information. Theta Pond is located at the corner of University and Monroe. It was built in 1895 and is still home to many species of wildlife. This is a great spot to enjoy the wildlife in the heart of this small college town.
See the museums in Stillwater. The Countryside Studio and Gallery is a working gallery, rock shop and studio. While there, be sure to cut, polish and tumble rocks. You will also be able to make glass beads. Call (405) 377-4766 to schedule your tour or visit countryside-studio.com for more information. The Gardiner Art Gallery is located on the Oklahoma State University campus. It has both permanent and traveling exhibits. Admission is free. Call (405) 744-6016 to learn what exhibits will be available while you are in Stillwater.
Visit the largest community art center in the state of Oklahoma. The Multi Arts Center has workshops, classes and exhibits. All ages will enjoy the weaving, quilting, glass blowing and jewelry making. Call (405) 533-8539 for the prices for the classes. The National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum features the Wall of Champions and Hall of Founders. The museum pays tribute to amateur and Olympic wrestling champions. Not far from the Hall of Fame and Museum, just east of Boone Pickens Stadium, is the Spirit Rider Statue. The OSU Spirit Rider and his horse, “Bullet,” is a must-see in Stillwater. See Resource section for additional information.
Stop by the Stillwater Airport Memorial Museum. It highlights the history of aviation from 1918. The Stillwater High School Museum is an interesting look at the education history of the Stillwater Public School system since 1901. Admission is free. Call (405) 743-1466 for more information. Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders is one of the many featured exhibits that you can see at the Washington Irving Trail and Museum. It also features many of the interesting people in Oklahoma’s history. Call (405) 624-9130 for additional information (see Resources below for the website link).
Enjoy the many activities available in Stillwater. Frontier Lanes, Stillwater’s only bowling alley, is open 7 days a week. Call (405) 372-5854 for hours of operation and prices. Game On Sport Center has basketball courts, indoor batting cages plus an indoor Jumpshot Trampoline. Call (405) 533-3883 for more information. Be sure to eat some pizza while there; many claim it is the best pizza in town. Children will love Pistol Pete’s Pursuit, a scavenger hunt over the OSU campus for youngsters. Call (405) 744-5358 to schedule a hunt. Glow-in-the-dark miniature golf is available at Swick’s Pizza Mini Glow Golf. All fans of miniature golf will enjoy it. Call (405) 533-200 for more information and hours of operation. White Barn Estates also has miniature golf. It also has a bumper boats, a water slide and inflatables. Call (405)-385-0270 for additional information.
Enjoy outdoor activities in Stillwater. There are many lakes surrounding Stillwater. Boomer Lake Park, Lake McMurtry, Whittenburg Lake and Lake Carl Blackwell are a just a few. Visit stillwater.org/parksandrec.com for information on reservations, and camping and fishing permits. Many of the lakes offer picnic tables, playgrounds and paddle boats. Swimming is available is specific areas, as are equestrian and hiking trails. Boating is also permitted in certain areas. Be sure to check the local laws for the specifics concerning any boating you will be doing.
Drive by all the sites on the historic register in Stillwater. Citizens Bank Building, the Payne County Courthouse and Stillwater Opera House are just a few sites you can visit. Have lunch at A Place in Time Tea Room located in The Berry House. The David L. Payne Memorial Monument honors the man who worked diligently doing the 1880s to open Oklahoma unassigned lands for settlements. Pleasant Valley School House is also on the historic register. This is an original one-room school that was used from 1899 to 1943. Admission is free and tours are available by appointment. Call (405) 377-2774 for more information. No trip to Stillwater would be complete unless you drive by 227 Duck Street. This is the former home of Garth Brooks. Also visit Willie’s Saloon, the place that Garth Brooks first played in Stillwater.
Play some golf. Named a “Five Star” facility by "Golf Digest" and “Top 100 Courses You Can Play” by "Golf" Magazine, Karsten Creek Golf Club is an excellent choice for a round of golf. Call (405) 743-1658 for tee times a week in advance. A driving range, pro shop and professional instruction are a few of the amenities available at the Lakeside Golf Club. Carts and clubs can be rented. Call (405) 372-3399 for more information and prices.
Spend the day with the OSU Animal Farm Tours. Tours are available by appointment only. You will be able to see modern technology and practices for the care of cattle, sheep, horses and swine. Call (405) 744-6060 to set up your tour.
Take a look at early farm equipment, buck board wagons and a 1914 Model T Ford at the Pfeiffer Farm Collection at the Payne County Expo Center. Admission is free and tours are by appointment only. Visit payncountyexpocenter.org or call (405) 377-1275 for more information and hours of operations.
Go to Eskimo Joe’s, Stillwater’s Jumpin’ Little Juke Joint. People come from all over the world to eat at Joe’s. Big screen TVs, pool tables and live bands with dancing are just a few of the things available at this restaurant and bar. If you are looking for a more kid-friendly environment, visit Eskimo Joe’s during the day. Check out Eskimo Joe’s Clothes World Headquarters next door. Be sure to buy a shirt--everyone else does, and the shirts have been seen all over world. Call the restaurant at (405) 372-8896 or clothing headquarters at (405) 624-3249 for more information.
