The Blue Whale of Catoosa has been on my Route 66 bucket list for quite a while, and I'm glad we…read morefinally made the stop. At first glance, you might wonder why people travel miles to see a giant blue whale. Then you get there, walk through it, read the story behind it, and it all starts to make sense. What began as a whimsical anniversary gift from Hugh Davis to his wife Zelta has become one of the most recognizable landmarks on the Mother Road. The recent restoration is impressive. The visitor center does an excellent job sharing the history, the grounds are clean and well maintained, and the whale looks fantastic. Walking through the whale's mouth and out the tail brought out the kid in me, while the historical displays gave me a new appreciation for the people who created it. This isn't a place where you'll spend half a day--20 to 30 minutes is about right--but it's absolutely worth the stop. It's fun, nostalgic, family-friendly, and one of those Route 66 attractions you'll be talking about long after you leave. One piece of advice for fellow Oklahoma Route 66 Passport travelers: don't get so caught up exploring that you forget to get your passport stamped...like I did! ‍ No worries--the Blue Whale gave me the perfect excuse to plan another trip down Route 66.

The Blue Whale is a historic landmark along Route 66 in Catoosa, OK. It was a stop we wanted to…read moremake rain or shine during our Route 66 Centennial Celebration road trip in the Midwest. My eldest daughter and I did just that. Yes, it was raining cats and dogs. Unfortunately, we didn't get a chance to walk outside to be closer to the Blue Whale. We did our best to capture some photos from a far of its 20 feel tall and 80 feet long frame. There is a visitor center that holds the history of its loving story. We didn't get to walk inside the center either. It was slightly disappointing to come from a far and we didn't get to experience it the way we would have liked. Yes, we could have gotten out of the car and walked on over to the whale and center. However, we didn't bring an umbrella or any covering to keep us dry from the pouring rain. Lesson learned... bring an umbrella rain or shine! LOL No regrets... just fond memories of our wonderful experiences as it is meant to be. We just weren't meant to see the Blue Whale up close and personal. All good! I didn't know until after our trip that the Blue Whale of Catoosa was built in 1972 by zoologist Hugh Davis as an anniversary gift for his wife Zelta. It evolved from a private family swimming hole into a beloved free public attraction. If you ever get a chance to visit here, please give the Blue Whale a hug for me. Thank you!

Somber memorial in a park…read more The Memorial was erected in honor of of the citizens who perished during the tragic tornado that ripped through Joplin MO on the evening of May 22, 2011. The category EF-5 rated multiple-vortex twister devastated Joplin and killed 158 people. All their names were inscribed alphabetically by last name on the plaque. It was the deadliest U.S. tornado since 1947 causing billions in damages. The tornado was a mile-wide wall of black swirling wind... I couldn't even imagine. It's so sad. There were 1,150 injuries caused by the tornado as well. Next to the memorial is a fountain enclosed by a white fence. It was a little tricky to find it but near the children's park parking lot you have to go down a small slope and you will see the small memorial. It wasn't immediately visible to the eye as we were driving to look for it. Review #1950

fascinating history, sadly the corps of enineers tore down the old hotel tower a couple years ago…read more the amphitheater can be seen. moreso when the water is down, and a few foundations. nice to imagine, sad to actually see..

This is most certainly a local gem. Seeing a sunset here is truly magical - the gritty, spray…read morepainted building contrasts with the light reflecting off the water. The building itself is gated and locked off, so you can't explore inside, but it's still a very unique view from afar.

My Alltime MLB Player The "Commerce Comet" Mickey Charles Mantle!!!…read moreYes I added this to my Bucket List and Now I have done it Folks!!! Wow Small time Boy makes it to Big Ole New York City and becomes a Baseball Legend. Just think it started here in Tiny Commerce Oklahoma!!!

Hard to miss this beautiful building near downtown Bentonville with a historical marker out front…read more The marker reads, "Built in 1890 by Captain NH Henry. Captain Henry served in the Civil War as a member of General Stonewall Jackson's artillery. After the war Henry moved to Bentonville where he helped build Bentonville's first steam railway and served as a Treasurer for Benton County. The Henry House is built in the Italianate style and the main façade has been unaltered since construction. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988." It is a two-story brick structure with Italianate architectural details like trusses in the front-facing gable, a scrollwork balustrade on the main porch, and scrolled brackets on the hood over a side entrance. This 1890 construction is a good example of the late Italianate style brick homes that were constructed in Bentonville in large quantities between 1870 and 1895. I was able to find the Henry House on an apartment/short-term rental site. [Review 19801 overall - 277 in Arkansas - 774 of 2023.]

stayed 2 days in recently built, fabulously comfortable 2-bedroom apartment above garage. wish it…read morewere longer, we'll have to come back! Pristine, lovely, thoughtfully equipped, quiet, spacious. whoever did your design work, rose petals in their path!

We stopped at the Walmart Museum in Bentonville, Arkansas, where we got a look at how Sam Walton's…read morelittle five-and-dime store grew into the retail giant we know today. Lots of history, old-school Walmart memorabilia, and a peek at the beginnings of a company that definitely knows a thing or two about saving money! It's a very interactive museum! We even got to make stickers! Best part..... it's free admission!

While visiting Bentonville, Arkansas, we stopped by the Walmart Museum, and it turned out to be a…read morereally interesting look at how one small-town store grew into one of the world's most recognizable retailers. Located in downtown Bentonville, the museum takes you through Walmart's history and the story of founder Sam Walton. One of the coolest parts is seeing a recreation/preservation of Sam Walton's office, filled with the everyday items and paperwork that make it feel like you've stepped back in time. There are plenty of nostalgic displays throughout the museum, including old Walmart merchandise, advertising, household products from decades past, VHS tapes and electronics. I especially enjoyed seeing the old Walmart pickup truck and all the little pieces of retail history that show how much shopping has changed over the years. The museum does a nice job of combining Walmart history, American retail nostalgia, and interactive exhibits. There's also a gift-shop area with Walmart-themed souvenirs and retro-style merchandise. If you're visiting Bentonville, this is definitely an interesting stop to add to your itinerary, especially if you enjoy American history, business history, or nostalgic memorabilia.

We had a great time touring the cave house. Linda does a wonderful time explaining the history and…read morequirks of this unique place. I especially love the stories of the key lady and the buttons. It was so much fun to explore and I loved the slide upstairs. Definitely put it on your list if visiting Tulsa!

You get quite a history lesson with your tour! Highly recommend it the owner is really nice and…read moregreat at telling stories.

Important and terribly unfortunate ;and shameful) part of American history. Need to learn more and…read morespend more time in this area. Very moving experience that should motivate all of us to learn to love each other and work to stomp out racism of all forms ...

What an amazing experience!! I had the opportunity to visit this museum with my daughter and my…read moremom. There is some street parking right in front of the museum and around the museum. Don't park in the parking garage right behind the museum. They will tow you. I was greeted when I walked in and purchased my ticket. After you buy your ticket, you walk into an area that has Maya Angelou "Still I Rise" playing along with images of black people. After the poem, you then walk into a room that starts breaking down the history. First, why black people, mostly freed slaves, are trying to escape the South, and migrated to Oklahoma. Then it shows you how and why these black towns were created (segregation). Then you walk to the "barbershop" and get to hear about some of the challenges that were starting to happen. Once you walk out of the barbershop and you see this large wall broken into 3 sections to show you how May 31, 1921, started and ended. It was powerful! Then, it breaks down the aftermath, the reconstruction and decline. I would recommend anyone who wants to learn about something historic. This is the place to do it. The museum is put together so well. It makes the information so consumable and impactful to anyone of any age and any ethnicity. They also offer tours and merchandise.

While my eldest daughter and I were in the City of Tulsa, OK, we had to swing by the icon statue of…read moreThe Golden Driller. It depicts an oil worker wearing a hard hat and holding a drilling derrick. It stands 76 feet tall and weighs 43,500 pounds. It captures the bold spirit and history of the region's oil boom in turn is a striking tribute to the petroleum industry. This statue is located right outside the Tulsa Expo Square. It is very easy to find. It's so tall and yellow. You can't miss it. It was rainy during our visit, but I was still able to capture some photos of the statue. I zoomed in to see the impressive scale and detailed craftsmanship of this super cool and giant landmark. Despite of the wet weather, it was still a fantastic stop for quick photos during our Route 66 Centennial Celebration road trip in the Midwest. Definitely a memorable roadside attraction for all visitors to enjoy. Thanks Golden Driller!

I stopped by the Golden Driller statue in Midtown Tulsa, OK, in honor of my dad worked in the…read moreoilfield for over 50 years. On July 25, 2025, the statue had no extras adorned on his person as I have seen in past photos, but he was still magnificently gold with "TULSA" on his belt. He was much taller than I expected - 76' tall! He weighs in at 43,500 pounds. Wow! It sits in front of the Tulsa Expo Center at Golden Driller Plaza. There was free parking. If you're traveling along the historic Route 66, stop by and show him and the men and women who have been in the petroleum industry some love. Works Cited https://www.travelok.com/listings/view.profile/id.16498