Stillwater (Oklahoma) – Travel guide at Wikivoyage (2024)

Stillwater, in the Frontier Country region of Oklahoma, is home to Oklahoma State University (OSU). It has a distinct small town feel combined with a uniquely welcoming mid-west atmosphere, and OSU brings a young diverse population further enriching the city's culture. The population of 50,000 (2019) varies depending on the time of year from a peak during OSU's homecoming football weekend to the less crowded summer when most students are on break. Stillwater has several districts each with their own unique atmosphere and places to enjoy. Whether you are looking to shop in Downtown Stillwater's boutique shops, enjoy outdoor recreation on the edge of town, or wanting to live it up at a famous bar on The Strip, Stillwater has a place for everyone.

Get in[edit]

From the Oklahoma City area, Stillwater can be reached in an hour's drive by travelling north on I-35 and then travelling east on Highway 51. The Cimarron Turnpike serves as the major thoroughfare to reach Stillwater from the Tulsa area, and Stillwater can be reached within an hour-and-a-half using this route.

The Stillwater Regional Airport provides air service for daily commercial flights through Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW) on American Airlines.

Get around[edit]

Stillwater, with its relatively small size and excellent pedestrian and public transportation systems, is an extremely easy city to get around. While Stillwater is a relatively small city, a car is typically the favored method of transport. The OSU operated bus system, walking, cycling, and ride sharing services are alternatives.

By bus[edit]

The Oklahoma State University Community Transit System provides excellent service for getting around town via 6 routes from 6:20AM to 7:15PM. Then the system operates a reduced route from 7:00PM to 10:30PM. It is also an excellent way to get across the OSU campus. Riders should check the live route map and OSU Transit website ahead of time to plan their trips. Fare is 75¢ per ride; 35¢ for children (5-18), seniors (69+), and the disabled; and free to OSU students and employees (with ID) and children under 5. Transfers from one route to another are free.

By car[edit]

Stillwater is also easily navigated by car, and the city has several car rental agencies. Highway 51 (6th Street) provides Stillwater's main crosstown East-West route, and US-177 (Perkins Rd.) serves as the main North-South route. Both offer quick travel from one end of the city to the other.

On foot[edit]

Stillwater is fairly pedestrian-friendly, especially near downtown and around campus, but lacks in handicap accessibility in the residential areas. The city is small enough to reach some places by foot, however increasing sprawl is making it less and less of a viable option.

By bicycle[edit]

Many streets are marked to be shared with bicycles, while others have dedicated lanes directly next to the road and a few dedicated routes. Visitors can rent a bicycle from OSU's OrangeRide program. Stillwater has two bicycle shops in town, District Bicycles and Cooper's Bicycle Center. View city bicycle route map

See[edit]

• 1 The Botanic Garden at Oklahoma State University (The OSU Botanic Garden), 3300 W 6th ave, ☏ +1 405 744-5404. Dawn-dusk. OSU's Botanic garden demonstrates gardening techniques and beautiful landscapes for all ages. free. (updated Feb 2018)
• 2 Oklahoma State University (OSU), 401 Whitehurst, ☏ +1 405 744-5000. The heart of campus is located between University Ave. Knoblock Ave. and Hall of Fame Ave. Take a daily week day or self guided tour. View campus map
• 3 National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum, 405 West Hall of Fame Avenue, ☏ +1 405 377-5243, info@nwhof.org. M-F 9AM to 4:30PM, Saturday 10AM to 2PM. $7. (updated Feb 2018)
• 4 Sheerar Museum, 702 S Duncan, ☏ +1 405 377-0359. Tu-F 11AM-5PM, Sa Su 1-4PM. Stillwater's an Payne Count's History Museum Admission by donation. (updated Feb 2018)
• 5 Oklahoma State University Museum of Art (Postal Plaza), 720 S Husband Street, ☏ +1 405 744-2780, museum@okstate.edu. Tu-Sa 11AM-4PM, Th 11AM-7PM. Formerly a post office, this museum opened in 2014 and shows internationally recognized exhibits. Free. (updated Feb 2018)
• 6 Boomer Lake Park. Largest park in town with a 3-mile (5-km) paved path around a lake. (updated Nov 2020)

Do[edit]

• The McKnight Center for the Performing Arts, 224 S Hester St, ☏ +1 405 744-9999, info@mcknightcenter.org. Tickets are available. (updated Jun 2019)
• 1 Oklahoma State University - Athletics, 398 W. Hall of Fame Avenue, toll-free: +1 877-ALL-4-OSU (255-4-678), tickets@okstate.edu. Oklahoma State University is known for its men's wrestling, football and basketball teams and its women's equestrian, soccer, and softball teams, meaning that most weeks, there is a match to see. Venue locations and prices vary. (updated Jun 2019)
• 2 Lake McMurtry - East, 30285 Bronco Rd, ☏ +1 405 533-1831, ​info@lakemcmurtry.org. Offers tent and RV camping, swimming, boating, rent kayaks and 28 miles of multi-use trails. 18 hole disc golf and plenty of wildlife. $6 Daily Use Permit per vehicle. $10 Tent Campsites. $15 Primitive / Gated Campsites. $25 RV Capsites.. (updated Jun 2019)
• 3 Lake McMurtry - West, ☏ +1 405 747 8085. (updated Jun 2019)
• 4 Lake Carl Blackwell, ☏ +1 405-372-5157. Offers equestrian and mountain biking trails, swimming, boating, skiing, fishing, and camping options. Owned and operated by OSU. $5 general admission/equestrian trails. $8 boating. $10 personal watercraft. (updated Jun 2019)

Buy[edit]

• University Store, OSU Student Union, ☏ +1 405-744-5237. M-Th 8AM-6PM, F 8AM-5PM. Find books and official OSU Cowboy (Pokes) memorabilia.
• Eskimo Joe's Clothes World, 507 W Elm Ave, ☏ +1 405-624-3249. M-Sa 10AM-9PM, Su 11AM-8PM. Located just to the west of the restaurant, is the place to buy a Joe's shirt and other memoribilia.

Eat[edit]

• 1 Eskimo Joe's, 501 W. Elm, ☏ +1 405 372-8896. M Tu 11AM-10PM, W-Sa 11AM-2AM, Su 11AM-9PM. The most famous restaurant and bar in town. It serves American style food and at night changes to a bar setting with live musical acts performing regularly.
• 2 Mexico Joe's, 311 E Hall of Fame, ☏ +1 405-372-1169. Sister restaurant to Eskimo Joe's.
• 3 Freddie Paul's Steakhouse, 1707 E 6th Ave, ☏ +1 405-377-8777.
• 4 Hideaway Pizza, 230 S Knoblock, ☏ +1 405 372-4777. M Tu 11AM–9:30PM; W-Su 11AM–10PM. Oklahoma's oldest pizzeria, founded in 1957. In 1977, the board game Pente, a variation on a traditional Japanese game, was invented here. Popular place for locals and visitors with coffee shop inside. If you can't decide on the best pizza, go for the special, which has a different topping on each slice. (updated Oct 2020)
• 5 Bad Brad's BBQ, 3317 E 6th, ☏ +1 405-377-4141. M-Th 11AM - 8:30PM, F Sa 11AM - 9PM. Great barbecue on the west side of Stillwater
• 6 El Tapatio, 825 S Perkins Rd, ☏ +1 405-533-2064. 11AM-9PM.
• 7 Chico's Mexican Grill and Cantina, 1711 N Boomer, ☏ +1 405-338-9227. Su-M & W-Th 11AM-9PM, F-Sa 11AM-10PM.
• 8 Red Rock Bakery & Deli, 910 N Boomer Rd, ☏ +1 405-377-3633.Su-Th 6AM - 8PM, F-Sa 6AM - 9PM
• 9 Tokyo Pot, 108 W 10th Ave, ☏ +1 405-372-8898. 6-8:30PM. This Japanese restaurant offers food similar is similar to fondue, except they use boiling broth. Expect dinner to take over an hour. Reservations are recommended.
• 10 Sushi House, 1409 S Western, ☏ +1 405-533-3399, sushihousestillwater@gmail.com. M-Th 11AM - 2:30PM, 5-9PM; F 11AM-2:30PM, 5-10PM; Sa noon-10PM. Located in Fountain Square, this is a hidden gem. Can eat a totally vegetarian meal. For mid-scale sushi one of the best values anywhere in the country.
• 11 Coney Island, 223 S Washington, ☏ +1 405 743-1262, contact@coneyislandok.com. M-W 11AM - 9PM, Th-Sa 11AM - 2:30AM. Cheap hot dogs and burgers, a favorite for college students to visit between bars.
• 12 Shortcakes, 219 N Main St (Main Street and Hall of fame), ☏ +1 405 624-1057. Always open. Best greasy spoon in Stillwater. Great after a long night of drinking on the Strip. Cheap, too.
• 13 Smokin' Joe's Stilly (The Pit Volleybar), 616 S Range Rd, ☏ +1 405 624-5454, smokinjoesstilly@gmail.com. T-Sa 11AM - 8PM. Fun barbecue place, has great brisket. Also has a sand volleyball court in the back. (updated Jul 2022)

Drink[edit]

Bars and taverns[edit]

• 1 Eskimo Joe's, 501 W. Elm, ☏ +1 405 372-8896. M Tu 11AM - 10PM, W-Sa 11AM - 2 AM, Su 11AM - 9PM. Has four bars inside the restaurant to serve the crowds of thirsty college students who frequent the establishment. A popular drink to order is the Skylab Fallout, but be careful!
• 2 Finnegan's Pub, 716 S Main St, ☏ +1 405-707-3031. An non-smoking Irish pub with a large beer selection located in the heart of downtown.
• 3 George's Stables, 502 W Elm Ave, ☏ +1 405 743-1978.
• The Strip. A length of Washington St. between University Ave. and Sixth St. that is the home to many bars including:
  • 4 Copper Penny, 408 S Washington St, ☏ +1 405-624-9799. 2PM - 2AM.
  • 5 J.R. Murphy's, 306 S Washington St, ☏ +1 405 743-2983.
  • 6 Willie's Saloon, 323 S Washington St, ☏ +1 405-377-7716. Famous for being the location of Garth Brooks' first public performance.

Coffee[edit]

• Aspen Coffee, 111 W 7th Ave (Downtown), ☏ +1 405 377-5282. A lively coffee house and roastery, offering fresh roasted coffee, espresso drinks, smoothies, and light cafe fare

Sleep[edit]

• Atherton Hotel at OSU (OSU Student Union), ☏ +1 405-744-6835. With a steakhouse.
• Wyndham Garden Stillwater, 600 E McElroy Rd, ☏ +1 405-338-7168. Indoor pool, restaurant, breakfast.
• Fairfield Inn, 418 E Hall of Fame Ave, ☏ +1 405-372-6300.
• Hampton Inn & Suites, 717 E Hall of Fame Ave, ☏ +1 405-743-1306.
• Holiday Inn & Suites Stillwater - University West, 715 S Country Club Rd, ☏ +1 405-372-2445.

Go next[edit]

• Boomer Lake provides recreation closer to Stillwater, located within Stillwater to the north on Main Street. Picnic areas, a disc golf course, and a lake with multi-use trails provides many recreational opportunities.
• Lake Carl Blackwell is a popular outdoor recreation area about 10 minutes west of Stillwater on Highway 51. Camping, horse trails, boating, fishing, and other activities are available. https://lcb.okstate.edu/
• Lake McMurtry is Stillwater's third major lake, about 10 minutes northwest of Stillwater. Lake McMurtry provides many recreational opportunities, as well, and is particularly known for its extensive mountain biking trails.
• Hoyt Park a smallish park in Stillwater. has a disc golf course, walking trails, and baseball diamond, as well as large green belts good for a variety of activities
• Oklahoma City lies a short hour's drive southwest of Stillwater and is a popular destination among Stillwater residents on the weekends.
• Tulsa is Oklahoma's second major city and is also very close, being only an hour-and-a-half drive northeast of Stillwater.

Routes through Stillwater

END ←	WE	→ merges onto → Sand Springs → Tulsa
Ponca City ← Jct W E ←	NS	→ Jct W E → Shawnee