Ardmore (Oklahoma)

Sadly, like many Mid-West cities, a vehicle is almost a necessity in Ardmore; there is no public transportation and with the exception of the few blocks of historic downtown, most of the city is not walkable (in some places, there aren't even sidewalks). Most of the hotels and many restaurants and services are clustered either around the freeway or around Commerce Avenue, some way from the historic part of the city.

Ardmore has a number of regional performing arts centers, where you can catch a show. (The nearby casinos, especially Winstar, also have concerts).

• There is a weekend farmer's market in the summer.
• Greater Southwest Historical Museum, 35 Sunset Dr, ☏ +1 580 226-3857. Tu-Sa 10:00-17:00. A museum about Oklahoma; also includes a military museum FREE. 

• Lake Murray State Park, 3323 Lodge Rd (southeast of Ardmore along OK 77S.), ☏ +1 580-223-4044. Daily 8AM-4:30PM. Offers fishing, boating and recreational opportunities. 🌍 Tucker Tower - this tower built by the WPA in the 1930s that looks something like Sauron's Tower is a unique experience to climb and visualize Lake Murray from atop. It has a nature center and geology museum at its base. 
• Turner Falls Park, at I-35 & US 77 north of Ardmore, has a magnificent horsetail-type of waterfall, camping, a lodge, and outdoor activities.

• For in-town recreation, Ardmore has a newly updated movie theater, a roller skating rink, and a community water park.
• 🌍 Gold Mountain Casino, 1410 Sam Noble Parkway, ☏ +1 580 223-3301. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Features 8,620 square feet of gaming floor with about 300 electronic gaming machines. The casino is a short distance from attractions like the Ardmore Convention Center and the Hardy Murphy Coliseum. (updated Aug 2015)
• Black Gold Casino, 288 Mulberry Lane Wilson, OK (East of Ardmore on Highway 70), ☏ +1 580 668-4415. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Black Gold Casino has over 200 e-games and is also a Chickasaw Travel Stop that offers fuel, snack foods, tobacco products and beverages. (updated Sep 2015)

Ardmore sports several sit-down restaurants as well as fast food.

• Casa Romo, 120 West Main St (From I-35 take exit 31A and stay on this road which is Broadway (HWY 70) and will eventually turn into Main St. It is about 2 mi east from exit 31A to Casa Romo), ☏ +1 580 224-9526. Family owned with a lunch buffet and lunch specials 11:00-14:00 along with a full menu available all day. One of the most popular Mexican restaurants in Ardmore. 
• 🌍 Mill Street Tavern, 24 Mill St, ☏ +1 580 798-4287. Pub that features Oklahoma beers on tap as well as a full menu, sports on TV, and occasional live music. (updated May 2016)

Ardmore offers many hotels, mostly along I-35 on the western edge of town. They may be fully booked when there is an event in town or during heavy travel periods (such as the holidays).

• Davis (Oklahoma) has a 1500-acre park run by the city, which includes the largest waterfall in Oklahoma, as well as many springs, recreation areas, and some important geological features
• G.W. Exotic Animal Park, located west of Wynnewood. This is a 16-acre park and has exotic animals such as tigers, lions, bears, reptiles and monkeys. It is also a refuge for many species.
• Thackerville- Home of WinStar World Casino, the world's largest casino