Catoosa, Oklahoma isn’t the first town that comes to mind as a good day trip. But, it has some neat attractions that can be put together to create a great itinerary that is also kid-friendly. Here is a list of the best things to do in Catoosa, Oklahoma.
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Things to Do in Catoosa, Oklahoma
1. Blue Whale of Catoosa
The most popular attraction in Catoosa is the Blue Whale. It is a Route 66 icon. The Blue Whale was built in 1972. At the time of opening, it was a recreational area for people to swim, fish, and relax.
Even though swimming isn’t allowed anymore, it is still a great spot to stop off, stretch your legs, and take a few pictures. You can even have yourself a little picnic at the quirky picnic tables.
Visiting the whale is absolutely free. It is open from 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM and located at 2600 U.S. Route 66, Catoosa, OK 74015.
In the summer, there is a souvenir and concession stand open. The Blue Whale is in the Oklahoma Route 66 Passport book. This is a fun way to see Route 66 by collecting passport stamps at stops along the route.
2. D.W. Correll Museum
Another thing to do in Catoosa is visit the D.W. Correll Museum. This museum is housed in two buildings. The main building contains a huge collection of rocks, gems, fossils, minerals, seashells, coral, jewelry, bottles, and decanters. Each piece is labeled with the name and country of origin. That extra information is a nice touch to give you more background information on what you are seeing.
Turn off the lights in the black glow room to see some rocks glow neon colors. There are coloring pages of old cars set out for kids to color on.
The second building is all about vintage automobiles. It houses numerous antique cars, carriages, and an antique toy collection ranging from the 1800s to 1948. Some of their vehicles were featured in the movie Killers of the Flower Moon which was filmed in Pawhuska.
The museum costs $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, and $2 for children. It is located at 19934 E Pine Street, Catoosa, OK 74015, and is only 2 miles from the Blue Whale.
The museum is open on Tuesday & Thursday from 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
3. Catoosa Historical Museum
The Catoosa Historical Museum is a free museum that shares the history of Catoosa, which is more interesting than I expected. Outside of the buildings is a bright red train car as well as train crossing gates.
The main building houses items from the early years of the town. The backroom discusses the more recent history through pictures on the walls and a large display of various important events and places. One of the major events for the town was the opening of the Port of Catoosa.
Once you have learned about the town, walk to the other building on the premises. There is a replica of the early 1900s post office that was used in town. They have the old furniture and even the 1931 Model A Ford used to deliver rural mail. It feels like you are stepping back in time.
The museum is open from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM on Tuesdays and Fridays.
4. Oklahoma Maritime Education Center
The Maritime Education Center is a completely free exhibit that teaches you about the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System and the Port of Catoosa.
Charley Border is a towboat on display outside of the Maritime Education Center. You are allowed to climb up on the deck and explore.
To get to the center, you have to enter the Port of Catoosa. There is a security guard building at the entrance. You may be asked where you are going. Don’t let this deter you from visiting.
This attraction is completely free. It is open from 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM and located at 5350 Cimarron Rd, Catoosa, OK 74015.
Update: The Maritime Education Center is currently closed. You can still climb on the towboat.
5. Redbud Valley Ecological Preserve
UPDATE: The preserve is closed indefinitely.
If you want to add a little nature to your trip, definitely check out the Redbud Valley Ecological Preserve. This place is one of the best hikes around Tulsa. There is only one main area with trails. The trail follows a general 1-mile loop, but you have a few options on which path to take.
There are a few things that you should know before your visit. Redbud Valley is not stroller-friendly. There are some areas that smaller kids might need help and are not marked well.
The preserve is free. The trails are open Saturday and Sunday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. The visitor center is open Saturday and Sunday 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Check their website for the latest updates.
6. Curtis Conley Memorial Park Splashpad
If you are looking for things to do in Catoosa, Oklahoma during the summer, let the kids play at the splash pad. There are benches around it to rest while the kids run off their energy. If you aren’t visiting in the summer, there is a nice park next to the splash pad with a large covered picnic area.
The splashpad is free and located at 209 S Bluff Street, Catoosa, OK 74015.
Final Thoughts on Catoosa, Oklahoma
If you’re looking for a fun day trip for the whole family, Catoosa is the place to go! There’s something for everyone in this small town, located just outside Tulsa. You can enjoy the natural beauty of the area, see some unusual sights, learn about some interesting rocks, and learn about the Port of Catoosa.
- Looking for other things to do in the Tulsa area? Check these out:
