MuskogeeUSA » Attractions

Azalea Arts and Crafts Show

admin — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 13:50:45 +0000

Lawns are beginning to green, trees are putting on leaves, dead skunks are littering the roads, and… arts and craft shows. All these are signs Spring is looming.

The Muskogee Civic Center is preparing for the Azalea Arts and Crafts Show on April 2 and 3 from 9am – 5pm. They are asking potential vendors to reserve booth space now. Call 684-6363 to secure your space.

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Muskogee: What’s so good about it anyway?

admin — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 22:30:03 +0000

A person I work with asked me today about the positive things Muskogee has to offer. So, I started thinking about this. I know Muskogee isn’t perfect, and, quite a bit of this is my opinion, but, that’s the way it is.

Education

Muskogee has 2 public school districts, Muskogee Public Schools and Hilldale Public Schools. Both schools have excellent teachers and are actively using new technology in the classroom. Indian Capital Technology Center is a public vocational and technical school situated in Muskogee. Northeastern State University (4 year) and Connors State College (2 year) both have campuses in Muskogee and are both public colleges. The oldest college in the state of Oklahoma is the private four-year Bacone College.

Crime

According to Wikipedia, the overall crime rate has fallen 45% since 1995 in Muskogee. The Muskogee Police Department keeps their officers well-trained and boasts a higher number of officers per-capita than most other cities and towns in Oklahoma.

Attractions / Points of Interest

Muskogee has a very unique history which is reflected in many of its points of interest. Muskogee hosts a total of 18 parks listed on its web site: Honor Heights Park, Spaulding Park, Beckman Park, Bill Pool Park, Civitan Park, Douglas-Maxey Park, Elliot Park, Grandview Park, Gulick Park, Love-Hatbox Sports Complex, King Park, Langston Park, Optimist Park, Palmer Park, Robison Park, Rooney Park, Rotary Park, and Turner Hill Park. Each park has its own unique attributes including play areas, trails, splash pads, pools, shelters, and more.

The River Country water park at Love-Hatbox Sports Complex allows people to float the Lazy River, fly down a water slide, or just soak up some rays. The water park has something for kids of all ages. The sports complex features 10 lighted baseball fields, 8 lighted softball fields, 2 lighted football fields and 13 soccer fields. There also is an outdoor skate park and the 3.1 mile Centennial Trail.

Museums include: Three Rivers Museum, Ataloa Lodge Museum, Five Civilized Tribes Museum, USS Batfish (WWII submarine) and the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.

The Farmer’s Market is held twice weekly in the parking lot of the Muskogee Civic Center.

Fort Gibson Lake is just 15 minutes away, so if fishing, boating, camping and swimming are your thing, Muskogee has what you need and want. Three Rivers Harbor is located just East of the Arkansas river and provides a state-of-the-art marina and boat launching right out to the river.

Shopping

Muskogee is a regional shopping hub with Arrowhead Mall, WalMart Super Center, Best Buy, K-Mart, and several shopping centers. Muskogee has several national chain restaurants such as Applebee’s, El Chico, Golden Corral, Western Sizzlin, as well as some more local flair such as Okies, Mahylon’s Barbecue, My Place Barbecue, Zollies Restaurant and nearby Martin’s Restaurant in Okay. You will never go hungry at El Charro, Gino’s, Beacon Drive-In, Little Italy, Hunan Chinese Restaurant, Napoli’s, and more.

If you can’t find it in Muskogee, Tulsa isn’t too far away.

Entertainment

Muskogee has 2 movie theaters with a total of 16 screens showing a wide variety of movies. The Muskogee Little Theater has several stage plays throughout the year featuring local talent – and boy does Muskogee have talent. Muskogee Skate Center is the perfect place for the young and young-at-heart to enjoy some indoor physical activity. If skating isn’t your thing, then come bowl a few lines at Green Country Lanes.

The Roxy Theater in downtown Muskogee hosts several variety shows a year. The Muskogee Civic Center features larger shows such as the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, Shrine Circus, Tough Man and various concerts. There is usually something going on every week at the Civic Center.

Newly re-opened Thunderbird speedway in Muskogee gives race fans a night of fun. Also close by is Outlaw Motor Speedway, just a few miles South of Muskogee, with a wide variety including NASCAR.

The Muskogee Fair has returned in recent years and gets better each year.

Economy

While the East and West coast were floundering in this current recession, Muskogee was holding its own. Muskogee saw only a small impact while the coasts saw huge downturns. The economy here is much more stable than other regions of the US. The cost of living is much more affordable here than most other places.

It’s just a great place to live, work and play

If I thought Muskogee wasn’t a great place to live, work and play, I would not have raised my family here, sent them to school here, or work here. A large part of my summer is spent at Lake Fort Gibson. I do most of my shopping locally, most of my eating out locally, and most of my entertainment locally. So, what’s so great about Muskogee? Almost everything.

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New baby buffalo at Sequoyah Bay

admin — Sat, 01 May 2010 22:06:10 +0000

Sometime between last Sunday evening and Monday morning (4/25 – 4/26), a new buffalo was born at Sequoyah Bay State Park. I waited until I got pictures before I posted anything. Not sure yet if it is male or female since mom and dad are VERY protective and won’t allow anyone near.

But, the light brown calf was happily romping between mom and dad this afternoon allowing us to get some great photos. No news on a name, yet, but as soon as I hear, I’ll post a follow-up.

If you get a chance and live close, come on out and see the new baby.

GPS: LAT 35.886261, LON -95.277530

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Christmas time in Muskogee

admin — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 04:39:53 +0000

It's Christmas time here in Muskogee.
There's much to do for all us Okies.
Gifts to buy sure keeps us hoppin',
So off to Walmart to do the shoppin'.

Just when you think you've bought it all,
Now you're off to Arrowhead Mall.
To Sears, Dillards and JC Penney,
For family and friends, there are so many.

You take a break, go see some shows,
But first a snack at Twisted Joes.
The money you spend can sure be shocking,
Stuff from the dollar store fills the stockings.

Grab the kids and go downtown,
To see the parade and lose that frown.
Afterwards head to Honor Heights
For ponds and trees with Christmas lights.

If the traffic there wasn't a hassle,
Go see Christmas Kingdom at the Castle.
The Christmas season couldn't end,
Unless the Home Tour you did attend.

Winter weather can be real iffy,
Changes come fast, in a jiffy.
One day sun and the next day snow,
It could rain and hurricane blow.

Will the weatherman get it right,
Will this Christmas really be white?
If it did, he'd be a hero,
But it could be 80, or it could be zero.

Now the big night, it finally gets here
Santa's visit is drawing near.
Milk and cookies and Christmas lights.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

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Vacation or Staycation? Muskogee Offers Fun Close By! Part 1

admin — Mon, 18 May 2009 19:45:51 +0000

With most of us still reeling from the economy and waiting for the rebound, we wonder if there is a vacation in our future, or if we will be keeping closer to home. The word staycation may not be in the dictionary, but it is certainly in the news … a lot!

Vacations are nice. It is fun and relaxing to go somewhere you’ve never been and seeing and doing new things. Most of us, however, have been to some great places but are ignorant of our own back yards. The Muskogee area, Green Country, Oklahoma and surrounding states all have fun things to do that will not break the bank.

In part 1, we will be exploring attractions in or near Muskogee.

Muskogee area:

City Parks are great places for an afternoon outing. Bring a picnic lunch and watch the kids play or swim. For more information, see the Muskogee Parks website.
River Country Water Park at the Love Hatbox Sports Complex will provide an afternoon of cool water fun. Adults can enjoy the water park as well by floating the lazy river. Lifeguards are on duty to keep everyone safe. For more information, see the Muskogee Parks website.
Three Rivers Museum at the old Midland Valley Depot is a wonderful learning experience for the entire family. Exhibits show the development of Muskogee and its role in the Indian Territory and statehood. Adult admission is $3 and children are only $1.50.
Ataloa Lodge Museum is located on the Bacone College Campus at 2299 Old Bacone Rd., This museum contains a vast privately-owned collection of Native American art.
Five Civilized Tribes Museum contains exhibits on the art, history and culture of the Five Civilized Tribes housed at the historic Union Indian Agency Building at the top of Honor Heights Park.
Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Oklahoma and Muskogee have a rich musical heritage that is celebrated each year at the induction ceremony.
USS Batfish War Memorial Park Museum is Muskogee’s very own submarine. The USS Batfish sank three enemy subs and eleven other vessels during her commission. Located at the Port of Muskogee, visitors can tour the submarine and war park.
Fort Gibson Historical Site was established in 1824, Fort Gibson served as a starting point for several military expeditions that explored the west and sought peace between the tribes in the region. Tour the fort and historical site for only $3 for adults and $1 for students. Seniors are $2.50 and children 5 and under are free.
Fort Gibson National Cemetery is located in Muskogee County, one mile northeast of Fort Gibson, Okla. It is situated on land that was once part of the military reservation and is within the limits of the Cherokee Nation. Records indicate the area was probably called Ketona prior to 1824.
Fort Gibson Lake is nearby to provide camping, boating and swimming activities for all. Sequoyah Bay State Park, Western Hills Guest Ranch and Sequoyah State Park and Corps of Engineers camping and sporting activities. Campsites are clean and accessible, bath houses are clean, and boat ramps are plentiful.

There’s plenty to do right around home and the best part is you don’t have to pay for a hotel room. However, if you are visiting Muskogee from out of town, we do have plenty of hotels to fit your needs and your budget.

Check back for Part 2 of this series where we will venture out a little further from Muskogee and see what’s there.

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