Tourism and Area Attractions
Claremore Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB)
Tanya Andrews, Executive Director
(918) 341-8688 • 1-877-341-8688 toll free�
www.visitclaremore.org
Visit today and experience; Cowboys, guns, oil, American icons, wineries, a bule whale, the world’s largest totem pole, and a true Nut House. Travel the Mother Road (Route 66) and experience real Oklahoma hospitality and friendly folks.
Known for Oklahoma’s Cast of Legends, numerous area tourist attractions, annual Festivals and events, Claremore still has that small town charm, warm hospitality and friendly folks!
The CVB was established to promote, market, sell, and service Claremore as a meeting, event, and leisure destination…..so plan on visiting soon!!!
Claremore is a happening place….AKC Dog Show, Stampede Rodeo, Bluegrass & Chili Festival, Will Rogers Days, Dickens on the Boulevard, Ranch Rodeo, Gatesway Balloon Festival, Boots &BBQ, Destination Claremore, Lilac Festival and many more….there are to many outstanding events to do a complete list…please give the CVB a call or check the website for the latest updates!!!
Don’t miss the opportunity to also visit Rogers County Agri-Tourism entities: Swan’s Dairy, Oak Hills Winery, Roberdes Family Vineyard & Winery, Shepherd’s Cross, The Nut House, Moore’s Fish Farm, Air Castle Ranch, Skelly Lodge and more.
Meeting Planning
Planning a meeting…our area offers many choices in site locations, facilities, catering, convention and special event planners. Dedicated meeting and banquet spaces can accommodate 20 to 500 persons. These include: RSU Centennial Center, The Claremore Expo Center, Claremore Community Center, Will Rogers Downs, The Nut House, NTC-Claremore Campus, Elks Lodge, VFW, Comfort Inn, Eggbert’s Restaurant, Pizza Hut, Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Will Rogers Stampede Arena and Clubhouse and Talk of the Town Party & Event Center. The historic Will Rogers Hotel and the Belvidere also have special event rental space. Please contact the CVB for more information and let them assist you in finding the right location and services.
Tour Groups… There is much to do and see in Claremore… Trip itineraries are available.
Check our member directory for a list of additional service providers to make your event a memorable one and with less stress for you! Check our member directory for a list of additional service providers (restaurants, caterers, equipment rentals etc) to make your event a memorable one…and with less stress for you!
Will Rogers Memorial and Birthplace Ranch
(800) 324-9455 / (918) 341-0719 / www.willrogers.com
Steve Gragert, Executive Director
Claremore is the home of humorist philosopher, actor, and Oklahoma’s favorite son, Will Rogers. The multi-gallery Will Rogers Memorial Museum houses Rogers’ memorabilia including saddles, photographs, clothing, scripts, posters, and many other items relating to his life.
The memorial has three theatres, interactive exhibits, children’s museum, research library, archives, and original art by Charles Russell, Charles Banks Wilson, and others. The museum frames the Rogers family tomb in the sunken garden.
Open daily from 8 am to 5 pm, Adults $5.00, Seniors 62+ and military with ID are $4. Group rates are available. Admission to members and youth (17 and under)�
is free.
The Will Rogers Dog Iron Birthplace Ranch was built in 1875. The birthplace is authentically conserved and open daily from dawn to dusk. The ranch is a living history of Will’s rich Native American and cowboy heritage where longhorn cattle and farm animals still roam. Picnic facilities and a registered grass airstrip are available. Admission is by voluntary donation. Two miles northeast of Oologah near highways 88 and 169.
J.M. Davis Arms & Historical Museum
(918) 341-5707 / www.thegunmuseum.com
Wayne McCombs, Executive Director
A muzzle-loading shotgun given to John Monroe Davis by his father in 1895 was the beginning of the world’s largest privately owned gun collection. Mr. Davis transferred ownership of his collection to the J.M. Davis Foundation Trust, where in-turn the foundation entered into an agreement with the State of Oklahoma for preservation of the collection.
In addition to the over 14,000 firearms and related items, the museum houses Western, Native American, and Civil War artifacts, swords, knives, steins, hundreds of animal trophies, music boxes, instruments, political buttons, World War I posters, John Rogers’ Statuary, and more.
Over 50,000 items are on display for the entire family to enjoy. Located on Route 66, the museum is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5 pm and Saturday from 10:00am to 5 pm. Sunday 1p-5p (March through September), closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Admission is by voluntary contribution.
Lynn Riggs Memorial Museum/Claremore Museum of History
(918) 342-1127 www.rogerscountyhistory.org
The Lynn Riggs Memorial is closed for renovation with plans to re-open in the summer of 2012. The Rigs Memorial memorabilia will be combined with the newest endeavors of the Historical Society to create a Claremore Museum of History.
Riggs is best known for his play “Green Grow The Lilacs”, the basis for the famous musical Oklahoma. “If I weren’t for Claremore there would be no Oklahoma!” Visitors can view the original “surrey with the fringe on top,” at the J.M. Davis Arms and Historical Museum until renovations are completed.
Oklahoma Military Academy Museum (OMA)
918-343-7773 www.rsu.edu
OMA, once known as the West Point of the Southwest, was a leading military academy from 1919 to 1971. The museum is a tribute to the 10,000+ cadets who attended the academy. The museum collects preserves and exhibits items to the school’s history including a recreated cadet room.
In the summer of 2011 a Killed in Action Memorial was dedicated to the 100 cadets who gave their lives for their country. The Memorial is located on the campus of Rogers State University between Preparatory Hall, the institution’s first building and Meyer Hall, its second facility which originally served as the OMA barracks. Both buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Historical buildings, sculptures of three US Presidents and the military museum are all a must see. The Museum is located in Meyer Hall at Rogers State University, it is open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. Closed on major holidays. Admission is free.
Claremore Main Street Inc.
(918) 341-5881 Office / (918) 342-0663 Fax
mainstreet@claremore.org
www.downtownclaremore.org
Cindy Bissett, Executive Director
Named an official Main Street Community in 2002, The Main Street program is a volunteer driven, nonprofit organization designed to improve all aspects of the downtown business district, producing both tangible and intangible benefits. Improving economic development, strengthening public participation, and making downtown a fun place to visit are as critical to Main Street’s future as recruiting new businesses and rehabilitating historic buildings.
Downtown Claremore continues to see vast improvements in aesthetics and advances in marketing and economic revitalization. Over a dozen of the downtown’s historic buildings have received façade improvements and several more are in the works. A major streetscape project by the City of Claremore was completed providing infrastructure improvements, sidewalks and historic lighting.
Claremore Main Street is home to over 300 antique and collectible dealers, as well as a variety of one-of-a-kind specialty stores. Claremore Main Street Inc. currently hosts promotional events, seminars and workshops during the year. Events include a spring heritage event the Lilac Festival paying homage to author and playwright Lynn Riggs. Fall events include the Dickens of A Ride (family fun bike ride the first weekend of October) and Dickens on The Boulevard Christmas Celebration, a unique Victorian festivity on the third weekend in November.
The Will Rogers Hotel While visiting downtown Claremore don’t miss the Will Rogers Hotel and the Belvidere Mansion. The Will Rogers Hotel was dedicated in 1930. The six-story hotel contained 78 rooms and seven apartments, décor was in the Spanish style reminiscent of Will Rogers home in Santa Monica. The hotel was famous for the mineral water baths and the quality of service. The hotel closed in 1991 but was reopened in 1997 following a major renovation. Three of the famous mineral water tubs are preserved, and the lobby and ballroom are fully restored and open to the public. Senior citizens apartments and offices are housed in the remainder of the hotel
The Belvidere Mansion construction began in 1902 before statehood. The Victorian mansion was to be the home of John and Mary Bayless. John was successful in banking, railroads, hotels and land development. He was president of the Bank of Claremore at the time of his death. Unfortunately Mr. Bayless died before his mansion was completed in 1907. The mansion is furnished in period furnishings and has a full third floor ballroom. The Rogers County Historical Society purchased the mansion in 1991 and spearheaded the restoration efforts. Each year the mansion hosts Christmas at the Belvidere. The home is open for tours. (918) 342-1127. The Rogers County Historical Society office is located in the Belvidere. The genealogy group meets every Monday from 5p.-7p. at the Will Rogers Library.
www.rogerscountyhistory.org
Claremore’s Expo Center
(918) 342-5357
Ron Burrows General Manager
www.visitclaremore.org
The City of Claremore dedicated the facility in December of 1999. Since its opening, the 55-acre complex has become home to a wide variety of annual and special events including concerts, trade shows, equestrian events, rodeo, festivals and many other family events. The Expo Center is also home to RSU Basketball.
The facility offers an expo hall, meeting room, indoor dirt arena, outdoor covered arena, stall barn, and a 44-space recreational vehicle park.
Will Rogers Stampede Outdoor Arena
918-798-3201 or 918-341-8699�
www.willrogersstampede.com
For over 50 years the arena has hosted the Will Rogers Stampede PRCA Rodeo in May and numerous other special events annually.
Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs
(918) 283-8800
www.cherokeestarrewards.com
Is the home to live and simulcast racing, electronic gaming, entertainment, dining, dancing, banquet facilities, meeting rooms and a 30,000 square foot Expo Building. WRD is also Oklahoma’s largest RV Park facility. The KOA Campground offers full hook-ups and available meeting space. Located just east of Claremore on Hwy. 20.
B & B Theatre
www.bbtheatres.com
The Claremore Cinema 8 Theatre features 8 screens with state of the art digital sound, stadium seating, daily matinees, family arcade, birthday parties, theatre rental, on-screen advertising opportunities, hearing impaired and handicap accessible, gift certificates and more.
B&B Theatres circuit wide hae completed their newest digital and sound revolution, with major improvements for crisp, clear picture, high resolution movies, video and 3-D opportunties. Their sound has been upgraded to a Dolby 7.1 system….add the best smelling popcorn and you can enjoy a totally immersed theatrical experience.
24 Movie Hotline: 342-2422 for other info: 342-4739
Rogers County Attractions
Just when you think you have seen everything … surprise … Rogers County, within minutes of Claremore, has a number of historical and interesting things to see and do:
- Will Rogers Raceway
- Oak Hills Winery
- Roberdes Family Vineyard
- Area Golf Courses: Heritage Hills, Gordon Golf Course,
Cherokee Hills Golf - Talala Historical Museum
- Andy Payne Statue
- Houge House in Chelsea
- Historic downtown Oologah
- Port of Catoosa
- Oklahoma Maritime Educational Center & Park, Port of Catoosa
- The Blue Whale in Catoosa
- World’s Largest Totem Pole in Foyil
- Arkansas River Historical Society Museum
- The Nut House on Route 66
- OMA Memorial
- Skelly Lodge
- Air Castle Ranch
- Shepherd’s Cross
- Swan’s Dairy
- Roller World Skating Rink