Oklahoma’s highways are dotted with quirky, larger-than-life, and downright bizarre roadside attractions. Here are ten of the weirdest—and most memorable—stops worth adding to your next Sooner State road trip:
1. Blue Whale of Catoosa
A giant, smiling blue whale built in the 1970s as a swimming platform for the creator’s grandchildren, this Route 66 icon is now a beloved photo stop. Visitors can walk inside the whale and picnic by the pond, though swimming is no longer allowed.
2. Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios on 66
This space cowboy “Muffler Man” statue in Tulsa is a kitschy tribute to Route 66’s retro-futurism. Buck Atom stands tall outside a souvenir shop, making it a must-stop for fans of Americana and quirky photo ops.
3. Pops 66 Soda Ranch (Arcadia)
Home to a 66-foot-tall neon soda bottle and over 700 varieties of soda, Pops is both a gas station and a soda lover’s paradise. The glowing bottle is especially striking at night, and the shop’s rainbow wall of sodas is a Route 66 classic.
4. Arcadia Round Barn
This perfectly round barn on Route 66 is an architectural oddity and a piece of Oklahoma history. Built in 1898, it’s open daily for visitors to admire its unique construction and beautiful domed ceiling.
5. The Golden Driller (Tulsa)
Standing 75 feet tall, this massive statue of an oil worker is one of the tallest free-standing statues in the U.S. and a tribute to Oklahoma’s oil heritage. It’s a surreal and imposing sight at the Tulsa State Fairgrounds.
6. World’s Largest Concrete Totem Pole (Totem Pole Park, Foyil)
Artist Ed Galloway’s Totem Pole Park features the world’s largest concrete totem pole, standing 90 feet tall and covered in vibrant folk art. The park is filled with other hand-carved creations, making it a true roadside oddity.
7. The Center of the Universe (Tulsa)
This mysterious spot is an acoustic anomaly: stand in the center of a brick circle, and your voice echoes back much louder than it should. The cause remains unexplained, drawing curious visitors to test it for themselves.
8. The Cave House (Tulsa)
Originally a 1920s speakeasy, the Cave House is a bizarre, cave-like structure with winding staircases and odd architecture. Guided tours reveal its colorful, eccentric history and hidden nooks.
9. Alien Landing Yard Art (Stroud)
A backyard UFO landing site made from satellite dishes, metal scraps, and CDs, this whimsical display is visible from Route 66. It’s a quirky and creative salute to extraterrestrial lore.
10. Buddy the Blue Hippo (Edmond)
A fiberglass blue hippo that’s become a local legend, “Buddy” is a favorite target for high school pranks and has even been filled with concrete to prevent theft. He’s a quirky mascot for the town and a fun, unexpected stop.
These attractions showcase Oklahoma’s love for the offbeat and the unforgettable, making any road trip through the state a true adventure.
Sources:
- https://oklahomawonders.com/best-oklahoma-roadside-attractions/
- https://www.worldatlas.com/places/7-great-road-trips-to-take-in-oklahoma.html
- https://www.travelok.com/article_page/roadside-oddities-along-route-66
- https://www.travelingcheesehead.com/roadside-attractions-in-oklahoma/
- https://www.metrofamilymagazine.com/oklahomas-top-roadside-oddities/
- https://www.travelok.com/roadside_oddities
- https://www.atlasobscura.com/things-to-do/oklahoma/roadside-attractions
- https://www.pinterest.com/pin/108508672261354606/
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