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 one of those iconic Route 66 stops. Built…read moreby a man in the '70's as a gift for his wife. I'm guessing she likes whales. They have a gift shop and a welcome center. I could see huge fish and also turtles in the pond. When it's not too hot - this would be a very pure, peaceful picnic spot for a family. He has that "old-time feeling" vibe.

This is a wonderful Art Deco site, built in 1929. The building was designed by B. Gaylord Noftsger…read moreof Oklahoma City. I love the brilliant polychrome terra cotta ornamentation. Home Depot bought the site in the 90s, thankfully saved the facade and rebuilt a building for a million dollars! Way before my time, I read this site was McNulty Baseball Park where Babe Ruth and the Yankees played! I also didn't know the building had been Club Lido in the 30s. Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway performed there! It is in all the Art Deco books!

Another one of my favorite buildings downtown! It is made up of three interconnected buildings that…read moreshare a lavish lobby built in the shape of a "T" for Tulsa. It was originally 9 stories, 4 more stories were added shortly after completion. It was supposed to complement (not compete visually with) the Philtower. A tunnel connects the two buildings. You can also find the WP initials. The zig zag designs of the glass and bronze insets above the entrances are very characteristic and the architecture shows the Art Deco style in Tulsa. It had naturalistic motifs outside and inside (flowers, vines, and animals). The penthouse was added in 1937 as Waite Phillips' primary residence. The rooms have hardwood paneled walls and ornate decorative Art Deco details. Besides it's awesome historical significance, it is where Mod's coffee and crepes is located as well as the awesome Deco District shops (Picklesworth, The Bookerie, Okie Crowe and Made).

The Philcade building was built by Waite Phillips with Leon Senter as the architect. The building…read moreopened in 1930 with 259 suites of offices and 28 shops. It has a beautiful, classy lobby that is probably the most beautiful lobby in Tulsa. I love the fan traceries of the Philtower, but that is gothic! I have never been past the first floor, but hear the second floor and penthouse are fabulous art deco examples. It is on the National Register and in all the Art Deco books!

Wonderful museum and gift shop dedicated to the painful indigenous history of removal as well as…read moremodern indigenous art and joy. It's located in an old historic building, which they share the history of, and keep community going through tart contests. There are a plethora of art pieces, books, and jewelry for sale in the gift shop. A nice little outing and rich history for those interested.

Very small but extremely informative museum. It's a short drive from Tulsa. I'm interested in…read morehistory. This museum presents American Indian history in a very informative way. Two stories filled with many interesting tools and insights to their history. Answered many questions for me. If you are in the area, I would recommend a visit. It's and hour or so if you are though. But I think well worth it,

This was on Trip Advisor to check out!!!…read more It states it was Closed on the website but the gate was open... If you want to cheat death go ahead and take a walk over this Bridge (like my hubby did). I stayed back as someone has to take care of our dog!!!! There is a reason it is Closed!! Boards need to be replaced and it just isn't safe!!!! Hopefully the City of Pawhuska will fix it because I am sure it is pretty cool to walk over!!!

Fun side stop but the bridge needs serious repairs. We crossed but had to be very careful to avoid…read moreholes. The locks added to the fencing was a fun touch. Proceed with caution!

Just a brief stop on a turnaround. Neat looking statute, very detailed and interesting. Quite on an…read moreearly Sunday morning.

A great stop for anyone interested in the history of the Mother Road. The Route 66 Memorial is well…read moredone, with thoughtful displays and a nostalgic vibe that captures the spirit of the journey. It's not huge, but it's meaningful and worth the visit. A solid tribute to a legendary highway.

Notable Art Deco building designed by R.D. Stephens and completed in 1931. The exterior walls are…read morevariegated Bedford Stone. There are elements of Zigzag and Streamline Art Deco. Currently the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame is located in the building. Famous Art Deco Building in all the Art Deco books!

Shout out to Michael who greeted me outside. He provided me with information about the trails, the…read morecolor coded flags on the trees, points of interest to watch for, such as the tree that grows sides ways, sandwiched between large boulders. He was super helpful! I hiked The Falls Trail, which is 3.5 miles and rated difficult, and the rating is absolutely accurate. The trails are well marked and easy to follow. All of them begin to the left of the visitor center as you walk toward the Fire Road. To reach The Falls Trail, you walk about a quarter mile on the Fire Road, and the trail is the second access point on the left. It's clearly marked with signage, so you won't miss it. Near the butterfly garden, where the trails split to take The Falls Trail or the Wilson Trail, there's a water jug with cold water available, which is a thoughtful touch. The first half of The Falls trail is fairly easy, mostly flat, and a nice warmup. Eventually the terrain shifts to rocky sections and larger boulders. You're not rock scrambling, but there are a few places where the step up or down is high enough to make you slow down and choose your footing. The second half is where the difficulty really sets in. It's mostly incline, and mile markers 118 and 119 were the toughest for me because of the steep grade. It took me three and a half hours to complete the trail, longer than I expected. I'm out of shape and still adjusting to Oklahoma humidity, so I needed several breaks on the return route. The entire trail is under a thick canopy, which keeps you shaded but also blocks most of the breeze. It's a blessing and a challenge at the same time. One thing I really appreciated was the park's safety protocols. Color‑coded flags on the trees help keep you on the correct trail, and the mile markers include location numbers. If you ever have an emergency, you can relay that number so rescuers can find you quickly. No one expects to need help, but it's reassuring to know the system is in place. There are also a couple of spots marked with blue flags that indicate the quickest way out to the Fire Road, which is helpful if you need to exit the trail fast. The visitor center is a great place to cool down after a long hike. There are misters out front, and I stood under them when I finished because I was overheated and exhausted. They felt amazing. There are also rocking chairs outside, and inside you'll find clean bathrooms and a small selection of souvenirs including magnets, pins, keychains, beanies, and T‑shirts. I picked up a sticker and a pin. They really thought of everything to make your visit a good one. From having wood hiking poles you can borrow inside the Visitor Center, to the misters and rocking chairs, the water jug, the color coded flags. Highly recommend visiting Keystone Ancient Forest.

There is a decent sized parking lot for free parking. There is a small welcome center with decent…read morebathrooms before you hit the trails. There are several loop options of various lengths. For my first experience, it was really nice. It was kind of chilly but really perfect weather for a hike and to explore. It was quiet and we didn't see many people while we were out hiking. The trails are well marked as well. It's a nice location to get out and enjoy the outdoors.