Highlights

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Itinerary

Day 1 – Wednesday – Oklahoma City, OK – First Americans Museum – Dinner at Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar

Arrive in Oklahoma City, OK this afternoon and start with a visit to the new First Americans Museum.  In one place, you will experience the collective histories of 39 distinctive First American Nations in Oklahoma today. First Americans Museum will share the cultural diversity, history, and contributions of the First Americans.

Only a few tribal Nations were indigenous to what is now the State of Oklahoma. All others were removed from homelands across the contiguous U.S. to Indian Territory. In 1907 Oklahoma became the 46th state to enter the union. The state’s name comes from two Choctaw words “Okla” and “Homma” meaning Red People.

Dinner is included this evening at Toby Keith’s “I Love This Bar” Restaurant. Named for the country singer’s hit single, Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill offers a down-home dining and entertainment experience right in the middle of OKC’s historic Bricktown. Come as you are for daily beer specials and good, old-fashioned country favorites like chicken fried steak, pork chops topped with homemade jalapeño peach jam – even calf fries! (D)

Day 2 – Thursday – Citizen Potawatomi Nation Cultural Heritage Center & Eagle Aviary – Chickasaw Culture Center – Chickasaw National Capitol Building – Chickasaw Council House Museum – Blake Shelton’s Ole Red – Chocataw Resort & Casino

Departing Oklahoma City, this morning, stop today in Shawnee, OK at the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Cultural Heritage Center & Eagle Aviary. Exhibits tell a complete narrative, beginning with Citizen Potawatomi oral traditions, continuing through early ways of life, conflict, and forced removals before examining more recent history, including our time in Kansas and Indian Territory, and ending with the Citizen Potawatomi Nation today.

The Citizen Potawatomi Nation Eagle Aviary offers a permanent home to eagles rescued from the wild that have been injured and cannot be rehabilitated and released. In Potawatomi culture, eagles are a sacred animal that fly so high they deliver prayers to the Creator. While only a handful of Native American aviaries exist in the U.S., this facility is the first of its kind to incorporate culturally significant elements into the facility design.

Next, stop in Sulphur, OK for lunch on own followed by a tour of the Chickasaw Cultural Center. The Chickasaw Cultural Center offers a world of opportunity to learn and connect with First American history. Watch the story of the Chickasaw people unfold before your eyes through live demonstrations, collections, and exhibits at one of the largest and most extensive tribal cultural centers in the United States. Take a guided tour to explore the grounds and exhibit center, visit the Chikasha Inchokka’ Traditional Village, and participate in a Chickasaw Stomp Dance.

The afternoon finds you in Tishomingo where you tour the Chickasaw National Capitol Building and the Chickasaw Council House Museum. The Chickasaw National Capitol serves as a museum and reminder that the Chickasaw people fought for their tribal identity and independence. The first Chickasaw Capitol House built in Indian Territory is preserved inside the museum along with a beautiful collection of pottery, jewelry, beadwork, artifacts, Chickasaw artwork and archives. The Chickasaw Council House Museum is located on Capitol Square in Tishomingo next to the Chickasaw National Capitol.

Enjoy dinner at Blake Shelton’s Ole Red.   Inspired by Blake Shelton’s No. 1 hit “Ol’ Red,” visitors are invited to paint the town red seven days a week while enjoying delicious food, great music and must-have souvenirs. Created by Shelton to promote local business in his hometown, Ole Red Tishomingo has become a tourist destination welcoming old and new friends from across the globe.

End the day in Durant, OK at the Choctaw Resort and Casino.  The Casino features 7,400 slot machines, over 100 table games, and a state-of-the-art poker room. Indulge in delicious dining at any of the 16 restaurants and take in the biggest names in entertainment at the Grand Theater and Gilley’s. Or play at The District, which features bowling, an arcade, and six movie theatres. Need to unwind? Visit The Spa or the pool location – Aqua at Sky Tower – furnished with private cabanas. (B,D)

Day 3 – Friday – Choctaw Cultural Center – Lunch at Reba’s Place – Cherokee National Tour – Claremore, OK

This morning, visit the Choctaw Cultural Center in Durant, OK.  The exhibits are immersive and told from the Choctaw perspective – honoring the physical and spiritual journey of the Choctaw people, the “Chahta Nowvt Aya.” The Center includes living exhibitions, a vast Living Village, a theater and more.

Next, stop in Atoka, OK at the NEW Reba’s Place Restaurant for lunch. Reba’s Place is a combination restaurant, bar, live music venue and retail store brought to life by country music superstar Reba McEntire. Constructed in a century old Masonic Temple, Reba’s place features two stories of dining space that open to a central stage which will regularly host live music performances. The menu includes scratch made versions of many of the dishes most popular in the region alongside favorites from other areas including Nashville, New Orleans and Mexico.

The afternoon features a Cherokee Nation Tour in Tahlequah, OK.  The Cherokee people were forced from their homes by the U.S. Government in 1836 starting what many would call “The Trail of Tears”. After walking over 5,ooo miles and crossing 9 states, the Cherokee were relocated to Oklahoma along with hundreds of other indigenous tribes. Today, the Cherokee Nation is alive & well and welcome visitors from all over the world to learn and experience their culture!  Your tour today includes visits to the Cherokee National Supreme Court Museum which showcases the history of the Cherokee judicial system, written language and the evolution of Cherokee journalism.  The Cherokee National History Museum, tells the Cherokee story through immersive exhibits and augmented reality.

End the day in Claremore, OK for a night of lodging and dinner at local restaurant. (B,L,D)

Day 4 – Saturday – Will Rogers Memorial Museum – Depart for Home

After breakfast, visit the Will Rogers Memorial Museum where you will be greeted by a Will Rogers impersonator. Today, the Museum houses the world’s largest collection of Will Rogers memorabilia and his entire collection of writings.

Rogers was also “The Cherokee Kid,” a nickname that stuck with the Cherokee Nation citizen who was born and raised in Oologah in the Cooweescoowee District of the Cherokee Nation.

Depart for home after the tour. (B)

Tour Map