Tourism and Area Attractions
Claremore Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB)
Tanya Andrews, Executive Director
(918) 341-8688 • 1-877-341-8688 toll free • (918) 342-0663 Fax
www.visitclaremore.org
Claremore is located on historic Route 66 and is known for its numerous area tourist attractions, festivals and annual events. The CVB was established to promote, market, sell, and service Claremore as a meeting, event, and leisure destination. Claremore still has that small town tradition, warm hospitality and the excitement that represents our “Cast of Legends” ..so plan on visiting soon!!!
Claremore is a happening place….Mid-South Hunting and Tackle Show, AKC Dog Show, Stampede Rodeo, Bluegrass & Chili Festival, Will Rogers Days, Dickens on the Boulevard, Green Country Calf Fry, Ranch Rodeo, Gatesway Balloon Festival, Boots &BBQ, 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:
Route 66 Banquet Room, 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, etc. Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Belvidere Mansion, and Will Rogers Hotel have special event rental space. Please contact us for more information and let us 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!
Will Rogers Memorial and Birthplace Ranch
(800) 324-9455 / (918) 341-0719 / www.willrogers.com
Steve Gragert, 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 every day from 8 am to 5 pm, admission is by voluntary contribution.
The Will Rogers Dog Iron Birthplace Ranch was built in 1875. The birthplace is authentically conserved and open every day 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, grass airstrip, and RV hook-ups 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, 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. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. Admission is by voluntary contribution.
Lynn Riggs Memorial Museum
(918) 342-1127 www.rogerscountyhistory.org
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,” and other mementos and memorabilia. Open Monday through Friday from 9 am-12 Noon & 1p-4p Free admission.
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, while paying tribute to more than 100 cadets who gave their lives for their country. Located in Meyer Hall on the Rogers State University, it is open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. Closed on major holidays. Free admission.
Claremore Main Street Inc.
(918) 341-5881 Office / (918) 342-0663 Fax
mainstreet@claremore.org
www.downtownclaremore.org
Cindy Bissett, Director
In 2002 Claremore was named an official Main Street Community. 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 in May 2007. Along with infrastructure improvements, the downtown now has new 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), Crazy for Crafts Fest the first weekend of November 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. On a haunting note…there has been many a visitor and Belvidere volunteer who has reported sightings of the Bayless family roaming the mansion. 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 www.rogerscountyhistory.org
Claremore’s Expo Center
(918) 342-5357 / 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
For over 50 years the arena has hosted the Will Rogers Stampede PRCA Rodeo and numerous other special events.
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. 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
- Thunder Bowl Bowling Alley
- Oak Hills Winery
- Roberdes Family Vineyard
- Area Golf Courses: Heritage Hills, Gordon Golf Course,
Cherokee Hills Golf, Scissortail Golf Club
- Talala Historical Museum
- Andy Payne Statue
- Houge House in Chelsea
- Historic downtown Oologah
- Tulsa’s 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