Overview
Shawnee is in the Frontier Country region of Oklahoma.
While normally not on the sight-seeing itinerary of those who do not know someone already living there, Shawnee could prove to be an interesting day trip.
Shawnee is known for its numerous Native American casinos, maybe lesser-so that it is where Brad Pitt and Jim Thorpe hailed from or the origin of Sonic restaurants.
6 sights · 21 things to do · 6 places to eat · 5 bars & cafés · 4 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Shawnee
Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art
Includes works covering different periods and cultures like Egyptian, Renaissance, and Native American. Also be sure to see the St. Gregory's Abbey on the campus as well, with its elaborate interior design.
Aldrige Hotel
Once renowned hotel tower that has been internally restored by federal funding as housing for the indigent elderly.
Burial Plot of Brewster Higley
The now-deceased author of the western epic "Home on the Range" has his final resting place in Fairview Cemetery next to McDonald's on Harrison Street.
Pottawatomie County Museum
Old railroad station turned museum. Has working railroad tracks. Also with a 19th-century log cabin built by early settlers and caboose.
Citizen Potawatomi Nation Cultural Heritage Center
Showcases exhibits about this proud nation.
Round House Manufacturing
Three-story manufacturing site of Round House bib overalls for over 80 years. (The business moved outside city limits in 1995 when city code enforcement precluded expansion.) The Round House slogan still visible on side …
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Summer highs reach about 94°F; winter lows dip to about 29°F. Very hot (Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jun and May. (climate data from nearby Oklahoma City)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- OKC OKC Will Rogers World Airport, Oklahoma City — 38 mi away (major hub). Directions
- SWO Stillwater Regional Airport, Stillwater — 57 mi away. Directions
Practically the only method of getting in or out of Shawnee is on the highway. Taxi cabs can be hired by calling a taxi service to have them pick you up, although doing so from another city could prove expensive.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Burial Plot of Brewster Higley, Citizen Potawatomi Nation Cultural Heritage Center, Heart of Oklahoma Shawnee Expo Center
- Lunch Frateli's
- Afternoon Oklahoma Baptist University Theater, Shawnee Little Theater
- Dinner Bandana Reds Steakhouse
- Evening Chili's
Day 2
- Morning Aldrige Hotel, Pottawatomie County Museum, Cinema Center 8
- Lunch Abuelita's
- Afternoon Shawnee Airport Jogging Trail, Shawnee Public Library
- Dinner Vans
- Evening POTT County Liar's Club
Day 3
- Morning Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art, Round House Manufacturing, Oklahoma Baptist University Sporting Events
- Lunch Hamburger King
- Afternoon Shawnee Bowl Family Fun Center, Star Skate
- Dinner Robb's Smokehouse
- Evening Long Ears Club
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Like most towns of any size in Oklahoma, Shawnee is inundated with most of the fast food restaurants you can think of and also has many all-you-can-eat buffets (mostly Chinese food).
Most places to eat are either on the northern edge of town along interstate highway I-40, sprinkled along Harrison and Kickapoo Street, or downtown on the south side of Shawnee.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By car
Practically the only method of getting in or out of Shawnee is on the highway. Taxi cabs can be hired by calling a taxi service to have them pick you up, although doing so from another city could prove expensive.
There is an Enterprise Rent-a-Car in Shawnee and Shawnee Airport. Many visitors will rent at Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City.
Most traffic enters and exits Shawnee via Interstate Highway I-40, although State Highway 3 and US Highway 177 also pass through Shawnee.
By bus
Greyhound buses make daily stops in front of the American Colony motel on the far north side of Shawnee.
From there you will have to either call a taxi or arrange another form of pickup.
By train
Shawnee was established as a railroad hub, and still has many infrequently used rail tracks.
By plane
Chartered flights can fly you in to Shawnee airport, most likely originating from Oklahoma City or Tulsa. There are no commercial flight charter services based in Shawnee, so arrangements for your eventual pickup would have to be made as well.
On foot
While towns in Oklahoma are quite spread out, some have been known to hitchhike especially along I-40. Not preferred.
Get around
If you are a tourist, getting around in Shawnee means either calling a taxi cab service to pick you up or using a rental car.
Shawnee is very, very spread out and you will quickly abandon any thoughts of walking if you ever want to get where you're going.
See
See Burial Plot of Brewster Higley
The now-deceased author of the western epic "Home on the Range" has his final resting place in Fairview Cemetery next to McDonald's on Harrison Street.
Architecture
Many old buildings from Shawnee's early years still remain, although most have changed facade or fallen into disrepair. However, Shawnee has revitalized a three-block section of Bell Street, one of Shawnee's oldest roads and site of the Aldrige Hotel and former Round House Building.
See Aldrige Hotel
Once renowned hotel tower that has been internally restored by federal funding as housing for the indigent elderly.
- Santa Fe Depot from above, at 614 E Main St.
Do
Do Oklahoma Baptist University Sporting Events
Do Oklahoma Baptist University Theater
Do Shawnee Bowl Family Fun Center
Do Shawnee Public Library
Golfing
Do Shawnee Golf and Country Club
Collared shirt and appropriate golf attire required. 18-hole course, pro store, and club house dining available.
Do Fire Lake Golf Course
18-hole course; usually considered to Shawnee's budget golfing: "Golfing for the price of a gordita", Miniature golf located nearby.
Public parks
Since Shawnee's many public parks are used infrequently by locals, a quiet and serene environment can usually be expected.
(Exceptions noted below)
Do Briscoe Rotary Boy Scout Park
Lighted public tennis courts, great place for pick-up basketball games (not recommended after dark).
Do Woodland Park
(mPublic swimming pool available in summer months, lighted public tennis courts.
Shawnee's Twin Lakes
Shawnee's Twin Lakes offer enjoyable avocation and adventure to anyone who likes to experience the outdoors and water related leisure.
One lake is reserved for fishing and angling.
Its counterpart lake is for those who wish to swim or take part in non fishing related activities such as water skiing, jet skiing, or drinking. Consuming alcohol while fishing can be dangerous to yourself and those around you; it is strongly discouraged.
Due to pervasive droughts and low water levels, Shawnee Twin Lakes are often closed during the summer.
Casinos
Shawnee is surrounded by gaming establishments who advertise to be "just like Vegas". For smokers, these establishments offer the convenience of having their own smoke shops, which are not subject to local tobacco tax statutes.
Native American casinos offer card games along with their slot machine mainstays.
Buy
As a classic example of middle sized town Americana, Shawnee boasts a variety of shopping opportunities, both budget and luxury oriented.
Books and magazines
Eat
Like most towns of any size in Oklahoma, Shawnee is inundated with most of the fast food restaurants you can think of and also has many all-you-can-eat buffets (mostly Chinese food).
Most places to eat are either on the northern edge of town along interstate highway I-40, sprinkled along Harrison and Kickapoo Street, or downtown on the south side of Shawnee.
Shawnee also has many pizza kitchens, although many of these are carry-out/delivery only.
Eat Frateli's
If you're wanting something more special, authentic Italian cooking with menus that go way beyond pizza and spaghetti can be found at Frateli's, just south of OBU on Kickapoo.
Eat Abuelita's
Perhaps the best Mexican menu in town is at Abuelita's.
Eat Hamburger King
A fun diner. Orders are placed using phones located at each booth.
Eat Robb's Smokehouse
The 2nd most popular BBQ place in town.
Drink
Bars
Sleep
Go next
Shawnee's surrounding area can offer almost as much to see as the city itself, if one knows where to look:
- Cowtown USA, bar and dance hall with country/western theme, a little outside of town on Hwy 177 South, +1 405 275-0108
- Jim Thorpe's burial site between Shawnee and nearby Prague.
- Fireworks stands Just outside city limits in almost every direction (usually open around the Fourth of July)
- Buddhist Temple about 20 miles outside Shawnee off I-40, an extreme rarity in the Oklahoma area.
- Curtis Watson's Restaurant can be found off of I-40 between Shawnee and Oklahoma City.
- Carl Hubbell Museum and burial site are north on Highway 18 in Meeker, Oklahoma, a treat for fans of old-time major league baseball.
Nearby
Seminole
City / town · 2 listings · 17 mi away
Chandler
City / town · 4 listings · 25 mi away
Davenport
City / town · 2 listings · 27 mi away
Midwest City
City / town · 9 listings · 27 mi away
Wewoka
City / town · 4 listings · 28 mi away
Norman
City / town · 46 listings · 29 mi away
Del City
City / town · 3 listings · 29 mi away
Moore
City / town · 3 listings · 31 mi away
My experience
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