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Shawnee, Shawnee, OK

Photo: Starman1776, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

SightseeingLocal GemHistory Buff

Shawnee

· Shawnee, OK

Why you should go…

Shawnee is a city of about 30,000 in central Oklahoma, located on I-40 between Oklahoma City and Tulsa near historic Route 66. It is home to four Native American tribal nations, Oklahoma's oldest art museum, and several casinos. Visit Shawnee is the city's tourism department, which opened a new welcome center in 2021.

  • #history
  • #museum
  • #route 66
  • #family
  • #small town

Good to know

General sightseeing guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • The forecast is part of the ticket

    Haze, low cloud, and rain flatten a view. Clear-day visits are worth rearranging your plans for.

  • Golden hour sells out first

    Sunset slots at observation decks and cruises are the first to go, so book those further ahead.

  • Dress a layer warmer

    It is always breezier up high and out on the water than it feels at street level.

  • Timed entry is common

    Plenty of landmarks release tickets in windows rather than at the door, so check before you walk over.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Shawnee, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Experience Midwest City

    Free

    The convention and visitors bureau for Midwest City, Oklahoma, just east of Oklahoma City.

    26 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    Family Favorite

    Norman

    Free

    Official visitor guide to Norman, Oklahoma, home to the University of Oklahoma and its museums.

    30 mi awayMore like this

  • Eat & Drink
    Quirky Fun

    Pops 66

    Free

    Stop on Route 66 for a diner meal, hundreds of bottled sodas and a 66-foot LED soda bottle out front.

    30 mi awaySwitch it up: Eat & Drink

  • Museums
    History Buff

    First Americans Museum

    Under $25

    Explore galleries telling the stories of the 39 tribal nations in Oklahoma today, then eat at the on-site 39 Restaurant.

    31 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Six Flags Frontier City

    $50+

    Ride roller coasters and water rides in a Western-themed amusement park that includes the Wild West Water Works water park.

    32 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Oklahoma City Tourism Information Center

    Free

    State-run welcome center off I-35 offering free Oklahoma travel guides, maps and trip-planning help.

    32 mi awayMore like this