We hope you have a fun & relaxing stay in Shawnee! Stop by or contact our Welcome Center for even more information on having your best Shawnee adventure. www.visitshawnee.com 2820 N Kickapoo Ave | (405) 275-9780 | info@visitshawnee.com

9/8/2021 -- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE A Film-Friendly Community presentation featuring guest speaker Yousef Kazemi from the Oklahoma Film & Music Office on what citizens can expect with film productions in Shawnee on Friday, September 10th from noon to 1:00 pm at 20 West Works Coworking Space, located at 20 W Main St, Suite 109 in downtown Shawnee. "This is the first of many opportunities to welcome citizens to the table to learn more about this new industry and the opportunities it holds for Shawnee. We're excited to bring in Mr. Kazemi, who guides this industry at a state level and has a lot of expertise on how rural communities can best benefit from productions." - Erica Bass, Travel Industry Communications Manager at City of Shawnee. Within the last year, Shawnee welcomed a variety of film and television productions. Shawnee has a history of working to cultivate the film, television and music industries within their community dating back over ten years ago as host of the former Southern Winds Film Festival to presently serving as home to companies like Outsiders Productions and Grand Casino’s Emmy Award-winning singer/songwriter series Play It Loud . "The Oklahoma Film & Music Office has a lot of resources for us, and we're excited for attendees to have the opportunity to learn about the film process, what sorts of services productions need while they're in town, and also what Shawnee's film permit process requires of productions so that we are ensuring the wellbeing of our citizens and businesses as we bring this industry into our city," - Stacy Cramer-Moore, Director of the Shawnee Film & Music Office. The talk will also include details about Oklahoma's new state-wide film incentives program, how to get your property listed on Shawnee's database of film locations, how to become an extra or crew member, and more. All are welcome, but there is limited space. Please RSVP to info@visitshawnee.com for distancing. For more information on the Shawnee Film and Music Office, visit www.visitshawnee.com/film . For more information on OF+MO’s Oklahoma Film Friendly Community program, visit okfilmmusic.org/filmfriendly . About the Oklahoma Film + Music Office: Under the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, the Oklahoma Film + Music Office (OF+MO) works to promote the state as a viable hub for film, television and music production as well as further develop opportunities for workforce, business and community growth within these sectors. For more information on the Oklahoma Film + Music Office, including the state's film incentives and additional resources, visit okfilmmusic.org .

Looking to romance your sweetie and try something new? We've got an awesome date planned for you! Want to treat yourself, or go out with friends? Try one of these outings to have a great time with them! Artsy Evening Order a coffee and a canvas (or seasonal ceramic!) to paint at Coffee N' Crafts' Wall of Paint on historic Main Street. Stop by Artzy Fartzy (just down the street) to create your own mini potted succulent at the "$10 buck succ" bar. Skip down the street to grab a burger at historic Hamburger King (tip -- don't skip the pie!) Foodie Fun Shop for cool kitchen gadgets at Savvy Bites downtown or at Ross inside Shawnee Mall! Enjoy a steak dinner for two (or try one of their famous vegan/vegetarian options like the Impossible Chopped) at Paul's Place Steakhouse ! Reservations helpful, but not required. Build your own dream cookie sandwich or designer ice cream flavor at Marble Slab/Great American Cookies , located at Bison Crossing on Kickapoo. Adventurous Evening Try to escape in less than an hour by solving puzzles and clues at House of Hints escape rooms, or test your aim at Lumberjack Johnson's Axe Throwing -- both in downtown Shawnee! Find a secondhand treasure at one of Shawnee's excellent vintage and antique stores (T-Box Antiques, 25 Thrift, and Rogers Vintage are all excellent choices; bonus points if you find your treasure at a shop you've never been to)! Try the sushi, udon, or any dish at Phoenix Asian Diner ! If you're feeling really fancy, order a sake. Historic Haunts Visit Oklahoma's oldest art museum and the home of OK's only mummies, the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art ! Fill up at Oklahoma’s oldest BBQ restaurant continuously owned & operated by the same family, Van's Pig Stand ! Visit the original location on Highland. Take a scenic and historic walk in pre-statehood downtown Shawnee and see the iconic Santa Fe Depot and Beard Cabin . Mall Madness Have a delicious meal of Japanese fare at Sakura or cowboy ranch food at Santa Fe Steakhouse . Race to earn the best prizes in At the Pier Arcade located in the Shawnee Mall. Order a confection to share with rolled ice cream artistry at The Rolling Cow (they have boba tea too!) 💸Free Fun Pack a picnic and enjoy it at the serene Japanese Peace Garden located alongside the Airport Trail; for best results, time it so you're finishing up with the sunset - it's a beautiful view! Play a round of Disc Golf at one of Shawnee's three, free public courses; just BYO discs! Find at least 15 of the 30+ Painted Horses in Shawnee! Download the list here . Have a great date!

It's pretty often we get asked, "What's new in Shawnee?" Right now, what's new & happening might not be what you'd expect. Disc Golf has been gaining popularity across the U.S. for years, and it is really happening here in Shawnee! Disc Golf Courses in Shawnee There are three public disc golf courses open year-round in Shawnee; one at Oklahoma Baptist University , the IBC Disc Course , and another smaller course at Boy Scout Park . Disc Golf Gear In summer 2022, Rattle My Chains opened up as a gear shop in downtown Shawnee dedicated to providing high-quality disc-golf gear locally, right on our historic Main Street. Since then, their inventory and demand has only grown! Located inside The Arts @ 317 , Rattle My Chains is your one-stop shop for first-timers to pros for discs, baskets, disc carts, and accessories. You can also find excellent new & used disc golf gear at another locally-owned sporting goods store, Play It Again Sports . Disc Golf Events In October 2022, Shawnee hosted its first-ever PDGA tournament, with many more PDGA events expected to follow. Click here to see what disc golf events are coming up!

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 Downtown Map Upcoming Events 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: Coney Island Comma Cafe Hamburger King Healthy Hive The Lunch Box The Original Van's Pig Stand The Owl Shoppe Phoenix Asian Diner Sunnyside Up Theopolis Social Club "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: Elements Cigars Oak, Ash, & Thorn Savvy Bites Wall's Big Dig Doggie Spot Bibliotech Comics Guitar Vault Crow's Market on Main 25 Thrift Pappa Grape The Inkwell Gallery T-Box Antiques & More Salvation Army Thrift Store Facets Fine Jewelers Shepherd's Men's Wear Uncommon Threads 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 Click here to see the calendar of events in downtown Shawnee! There is so much to do, see, eat, and play in downtown Shawnee. Book a hotel and make it a whole weekend's adventure!

A visit to Shawnee is more than our art, historic sites, and Native American culture. It’s daytrips to see more of Oklahoma. Plan to spend an extra day or two. Within an hour of Shawnee, here’s our favorite historic and off-beat sites to see northeast of the Redbud City. Seaba Station Motorcycle Museum, Warwick. Seaba Filling Station is listed on the National Register of Historic Places having been built in 1921. It is now filled with more than 65 vintage motorcycles from 1908 to present – including a bike like Captain America rode! One visitor has said, “this place really captures the essence of what it's about to travel on Route 66. A quick stop at roadside museum or attraction to gain a little knowledge and get a good photo op is at the heart of the Route 66 travel experience.” Website 405-258-9141 Route 66 Interpretive Center, Chandler. It’s not your typical museum. It’s “more than a display of chrome and neon. Route 66’s tale is told through an interesting array of interactive videos portraying the huge part Oklahoma has played in forming the sights and sounds along the “Mother Road.” Website 405-258-1300 Mural, Chandler. Depicting Chandler’s history, this mural is located On the south side of the downtown area, just south of 13th street on Route 66 1301 Manvel Ave Lincoln County Museum of Pioneer History, Chandler. See murals, Native American artifacts, the memorabilia from legendary Lincoln County U.S. Marshal William (Bill) Tilghman, a member of the famous Oklahoma “Three Guardsmen,” and the Outhouse. (Believe us!) Website (405) 258-2425 Brick Paved Broadway Street, Davenport. Located on the famous Route 66 "Curve" midway between Okla. City and Tulsa, Davenport is a bustling little town where travelers can still drive on one of the few strips of original Portland cement that was laid for the Mother Road highway. It’s on the National Register of Historic Places. Read the historic marker in front of the post office and see the two large murals on downtown buildings. Ozark Trail Obelisk, Davenport. The Ozark Trail obelisk in Stroud is one of only two remaining Oklahoma monuments of the historic motor trail that predates Route 66. The Ozark Trail was established in 1913 and routes were originally marked with 21 green and white obelisks from Missouri to New Mexico and Texas. Nationally, only seven obelisks remain. This 21-foot-tall structure in Stroud was originally erected along Main Street, but was later relocated to its current location closer to Davenport. Website Sparks Vinyard and Winery, Sparks. Featured on Discover Oklahoma and voted one of the best wineries in Oklahoma by the OKC Gazette, the winery is perfect for this discovery journey, wine trailing, fact-finding, and thirst quenching. Website 918-866-2529 UFO, Shoe Tree and Metal Dinosaur, Stroud. Tucked away on the sides of old Route 66 in Stroud are is a collection of metalwork . There’s a couple of skeletal cows, a cactus, and a child-sized train called the Lincoln County Express. It was the work of Paul Hicks, a pipeline welder who started creating this collection in the 1970s. Yard artist Craig McGuire created a UFO. Tip: there is a sign that says "UFO" right before the gravel driveway. And the Shoe Tree ? It’s a tree with shoes hanging from it. (We don’t know either.) Bohemian Hall, Prague. The Bohemian Hall, built in 1917 and listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings, was the center of the rich culture of the Czechoslovakian gatherings whether it be for dancing, song, performances, or simply the warmth and friendship of sharing their familiar heritage. After a fun day of sight-seeing and exploring, grab a bite , then settle into your hotel room in Shawnee and rest up for your next day of fun or travels home.

Looking for a place to get the perfect selfie or photo? Then you’ve come to the right place! Shawnee, Oklahoma is home to an impressive number of scenic views and fun places to get lost. Let Visit Shawnee help you get lost in the right places—especially places where you can get that Insta-worthy pic for your timeline. The painted horses all throughout Shawnee are an easy stop you can make almost anywhere in town. The project was started by former Shawnee mayor Chuck Mills in correspondence with the Oklahoma State Centennial, and new painted horses are popping up even today! Pick your favorite and go grab a photo. We would ask you to be mindful of the horses, and not to climb on top of or strike them while taking photos. They’re more fragile than they look! There are several bison statues on OBU’s campus , like the painted bison at Peitz Plaza or the nail sculptures at the corner of Kickapoo and MacArthur. Being OBU’s mascot, the bison is also emblematic of the area in town known as Bison Hill, a place where the bison roamed and ranged historically. Keep an eye out at sporting events—you may even be able to score a selfie with “Shaz”, the OBU Bison mascot ! Of course, it would be a mistake not to include the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art on our list. The potential here for a great selfie is endless. Capture a photo with Oklahoma’s only ancient Egyptian mummies, or the strikingly life-like, life-size painting of Pope Pius X. But please—remain respectful of the art and artifacts and do your best to not accidentally touch them! Want to get a great photo while you’re out shopping? Then you should check out the Shawnee Snaps wall at the Shawnee Mall . Located at Center Court, the hand-painted scene changes seasonally so guests can stop in year-round to show off a new look on Instagram. Make sure you use the hashtag #shawneemallsnaps, because you never know when a prize might be given away! There are plenty of other places to go hunting for a photo op. Think outside the box, and tag your photos with #VisitShawneeOK so we can share them with all of our followers.

A visit to Shawnee is more than our art, historic sites, and Native American culture. It’s daytrips to see more of Oklahoma. Plan to spend an extra day or two. Southwest of the Redbud City, it's an outdoor and natural wonders adventure all within an hour of Shawnee. Lake Thunderbird on the east side of Norman is the closest State Park to Shawnee and features two marinas - Calypso Cove Marina and Little River Marina , nine boat ramps, and two swim beaches. It’s a hiker’s and off-road cyclist’s delight with the Clear Bay Recreation Area Trail System offering 18.5 miles of trails. Discovery Cove Nature Center at Lake Thunderbird features displays of native snakes and animals, furs and artifacts. The Cove offers programs throughout the year, including fishing clinics, Dutch oven cooking, trail hikes, and animal tracking. Lake Stanley Draper is just west of Shawnee on I-240 and features activities such as camping, hiking, mountain biking, fishing, waterskiing, jet skiing, boating and sailing. The two trail systems are a destination for hikers and cyclists. A 13-mile paved trail loops the lake. A 13-mile off-road trail offers various lengths for mountain bikers and those out for a hike. Oklahoma Motorsports Complex offers four tracks for motocross and karting. Rent karts and go for a spin around the .7 mile, 13 turn asphalt track in Norman. Sam Noble Museum of Natural History on the OU campus in Norman offers six breathtaking galleries that give you an in-depth tour of more than 500 million years of Oklahoma's fascinating natural history. Explore Oklahoma's indigenous people, native landscapes and dinosaurs including the world’s largest Apatosaurus and a Guinness-World-Record-Holding Pentaceratops. The Special Exhibitions Gallery offers several traveling exhibitions through the year, so there is always something new to see. Fred Jones Jr Museum of Art also on the OU Campus in Norman showcases the Weitzenhoffer Collection of French Impressionism, 20th century American painting and sculpture, traditional and contemporary Native American art, art of the Southwest, ceramics, photography, contemporary art, Asian art and graphics from the 16th century to the present. Temporary exhibitions are mounted throughout the year that explore the art of various periods and cultures. The museum of art is free to visit. Once it reopens to the public, at the National Weather Center , go behind the scenes, experience the forces of nature, and see the newest technology in action. More than 550 scientists, meteorologists, climatologists, students and staff from The University of Oklahoma and multiple federal and state agencies work together at the Center to improve the understanding of the Earth’s atmosphere and severe weather events. Tours are available for the public Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 1 p.m. Weather buffs will also want to visit the National Weather Museum and Science Center in Norman. It offers an opportunity to learn more about weather and science along with a gallery of historical meteorological instruments. You’ll want to see the plane and try your skill as a test pilot. While we bleed OBU Green in Shawnee, with OU so close, take in the excitement of an OU football, basketball, or softball game. Gymnastics and wrestling meets are a spectacle as well! The Museum of Osteology celebrates vertebrate life and provides visitors an engaging adventure viewing hundreds of skulls and skeletons from all corners of the world. You’ll need a hotel room in Shawnee to rest in after your day-trip! Order a visitors guide or call one of the friendly travel ambassadors to start planning your visit to Shawnee!

Whether you're looking for hard-to-find parts at a classic auto swap meet, or you want to show off your ride at a cruise in or car show, Shawnee hosts events for every autophile all year long! Find your next car show adventure here: Car Shows in Shawnee Knights Auto Club Car Show | Late June Annual show each June hosted at Boy Scout Park on Main St. Family-friendly event featuring 2-300 show vehicles! Win door prizes and awards for a winning ride. Enjoy the show as a spectator for free. Park is well shaded by mature trees and also features a splash pad so the kiddos can play while you enjoy the cars. Downtown at Sundown Car Show | Mid-July Car show in historic downtown Shawnee by Downtown Auto Body. This event is free not just to attend but also to enter cars & trucks as well. Cash prizes & custom trophies will be handed out to winners while show goers will enjoy giveaways, games, prizes, live music, food trucks, & more! Event kicks off at 4pm right in front of Downtown Auto Body on main street in Shawnee Oklahoma with prizes & other events scheduled up until dusk. ​Firelake Casino Car Show | Mid-October Big Prizes & beautiful rides annually in October at Firelake Casino. Cruise-ins & Bike Nights in Shawnee Cruise the 'Poo | Summer A classic cruise-in that meets at the historic Brown Derby Drive-in! Family friendly event, all cars + spectators welcome. Due to tornado damages on April 19, 2023, the Brown Derby drive-in was destroyed. Please check Cruise the 'Poo's Facebook page to confirm locations / dates for now. Car Auctions and Swap Meets in Shawnee Almost Ready to Cruise Swap Meet | Early March Automobile and motorcycle marketplace held annually in March at Shawnee Expo. OK Classics Car & Memorabilia Auction | 2 times a year. Classic car lovers dream of the OK Classics Car & Memorabilia Auction! View (and raise your paddles!) for vintage signage, classic cars, and other memorabilia in this indoor auction that takes place at Firelake Arena twice a year. Bring your car club or event to Shawnee! With multiple indoor and outdoor venues available that accommodate car shows & swap meets and staff that specialize in helping events thrive in Shawnee, we would love to host your next automobile event in Shawnee! We are also able to provide assistance for clubs to plan a group trip to Shawnee, including assisting in getting a hotel block, arranging activities and restaurants to accommodate your group, and more. For event planning assistance, email Stacy at info@shawneeok.org.

Monsters on Main is a newly-reimagined Halloween Festival you may remember as Boo on Bell -- Shawnee's annual spooky season celebration, held in historic downtown on the brick-lined Bell and Main Streets and now hosted by Community Renewal of Pottawatomie County ! Carnival open Oct 26 - 28, 2023 Halloween Festival Oct 28th, 11 am - 7 pm Held each October, Monsters on Main welcomes guests from around the region for a carnival, vendors, children's activities, and a Main Street-wide trick or treat. 2023 Festival Schedule Thursday, Oct 26 and Friday, Oct 27 6 - 10 pm Carnival Rides open at 7th and Bell St Saturday, October 28 11 am - 7 pm Artisan Vendors & Food Trucks open at Bell & Main 11 am Carnival rides open 1:15 pm Dance Showcase at the Bell Ave stage 1:30 pm Pet costume contest at the Bell Ave stage 1:45 pm Costume Contest (4 categories; Infant - 3, 4-7, 8-12, and Family) 3 - 5 pm Trick or Treat on Main Street (red balloons mark candy stops) 5 - 7 pm Live Music / Dance Party at the Bell Ave stage 11 pm Carnival rides close Vendor Information Want to have a booth at Monsters on Main? Register here.