Shawnee's pre-statehood Main Street and surrounding historic downtown is a pedestrian & cyclist friendly district with unique, locally-owned and operated restaurants and bars, boutiques, antique shops, art galleries, and more. Consider this your guide to the best Downtown Shawnee adventure!
Click a section to scroll to it:
Things to Do
Where to Eat
Where to Shop
White Fox Scooters
Downtown Shawnee is located 4 miles south of I-40 on Main St between Kickapoo & Harrison, and just a half-mile off of State Hwy 177. See it on a map here.
Things to do in Downtown Shawnee
Whether you're looking for a fun afternoon for the whole family, or a night out on the town with drinks, music, and dancing -- downtown Shawnee's got your favorite flavor! Here's a sampling of what you can do in downtown Shawnee:
Live Music & Entertainment
The Ritz Theater - Recently renovated 1920s theatre, The Ritz hosts music, comedy, mediums, & more from around the nation. Many believe some of the Ritz' patrons and employees never left.... See who's playing next at ritzshawnee.com!
Brickhouse Saloon - Classy 3-story downtown watering hole on historic, bricked Bell Street with top acts in country, rock, and more every weekend, including comedy & other adult shows throughout the year. See the event calendar at brickhouseshawnee.com.
Theo's Backyard - In the "backyard" of Theopolis Social Club is a small outdoor venue that features some of Oklahoma's finest talent in cozy shows year-round (there's even a heated tent in winter!) Find out who's playing every Friday on their Facebook page @TheopolisSocialClub .
Monsters on Main - Every fall, downtown comes alive with a multi-day Halloween festival featuring a carnival, live performances featuring music and dance, a trick-or-treat, and more (formerly Boo on Bell). Check out the details here.
Family Friendly Fun
Coffee N' Crafts - Enjoy a classic coffee shop experience all on its own, or purchase a canvas with your coffee and paint a masterpiece with the complimentary art supplies. coffeencraftsok.com
House of Hints - This escape room experience and paint splatter room opened in downtown Shawnee in February of 2022 and has been puzzling and entertaining ever since! New puzzles and rooms introduced regularly. houseofhintsshawnee.com
Lumberjack Johnson’s Axe Throwing - Test your strength and aim; the axes are waiting! lumberjackjohnsons.com
Shawnee Splash Waterpark - Shawnee Splash is a waterpark open each summer featuring three pools that include a lazy river, kid's play zone (pictured), diving area, and slides in addition to a splash pad. facebook.com/shawneesplash
The Arts at 317 - A hub of Oklahoman artists, this home for the arts displays works from fine oil paintings to handmade glass night lights, in addition to holding workshops taught by professional artists each week. theartsat317.com
The Guilded Grayland - your friendly neighborhood game store with a library of board, card, and other games for play and for purchase, or check out from the game library. Multiple events and tournaments each week whether you're into Pokemon or Magic the Gathering, and everything in between! theguildedgrayland.com
Monuments & Museums
Pottawatomie County Museum Complex - Seated onsite of the iconic Santa Fe Depot downtown, the museum houses an eclectic collection of artifacts & a scale model of downtown in the Milburn Center, and is also home to Beard Cabin, one of the oldest structures in the state. pottcountymuseum.org
Painted Horses - In 2007, the "Horses in the City" project began to celebrate Shawnee's part of Oklahoma's centennial. Today, nearly three dozen of these "painted horses" stand proud throughout Shawnee, hand-painted by local artists. Several are located downtown. Get the list of horses here.
Oklahoma Veterans Memorial - Patterned after a five-point star with each point representing a branch of the military. Features a granite wall inscribed with the names of every known Oklahoman killed in action since the Spanish-American War, in addition to other war-time artifacts. bit.ly/okvetsmemorial
"Shawnee's got that small-town feeling with big-city culture. I love taking my guests downtown to look at the art galleries with a stop-off at one of the great downtown restaurants!" - Ashley Neel, Local Guide & Adventurous Young Executive
Restaurants in Downtown Shawnee
Grab a bite or beverage at one of more than a dozen unique eateries located in this historic downtown district. Here's the quick list-- click for more info on each:
"I've lived in seven countries in my short 22 years, but I moved to Shawnee for college and fell in love with this wonderful community. The city's fun downtown is great for all ages! Most of all, I love how they welcome their guests from all across the world, myself included." - Sayde Charis, Local Guide & World Traveler
Where to Shop in Downtown Shawnee
From antique and vintage treasures to the newest maternity & baby gear, kitchen gadgets and fine olive oils, to hand-made, one of a kind night lights -- downtown Shawnee's unique shops have everything you wanted & more. Here's what you can find:
Map of Downtown Shawnee
Ready to be on your way? Get the lay of the land and find your picks with ease with this map of downtown Shawnee, OK:
Upcoming Events
There is so much to do, see, eat, and play in downtown Shawnee. Book a hotel and make it a whole weekend's adventure!