Stillwater (Oklahoma)

Stillwater, in the Frontier Country region of Oklahoma, is home to Oklahoma State University (OSU). It has a distinct small town feel combined with a uniquely welcoming mid-west atmosphere, and OSU brings a young diverse population further enriching the city's culture. The population of 50,000 (2019) varies depending on the time of year from a peak during OSU's homecoming football weekend to the less crowded summer when most students are on break. Stillwater has several districts each with their own unique atmosphere and places to enjoy. Whether you are looking to shop in Downtown Stillwater's boutique shops, enjoy outdoor recreation on the edge of town, or wanting to live it up at a famous bar on The Strip, Stillwater has a place for everyone.

Get in

From the Oklahoma City area, Stillwater can be reached in an hour's drive by travelling north on I-35 and then travelling east on Highway 51. The Cimarron Turnpike serves as the major thoroughfare to reach Stillwater from the Tulsa area, and Stillwater can be reached within an hour-and-a-half using this route.

The Stillwater Regional Airport provides air service for daily commercial flights through Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW) on American Airlines.

Get around

Stillwater, with its relatively small size and excellent pedestrian and public transportation systems, is an extremely easy city to get around. While Stillwater is a relatively small city, a car is typically the favored method of transport. The OSU operated bus system, walking, cycling, and ride sharing services are alternatives.

By bus

The Oklahoma State University Community Transit System provides excellent service for getting around town via 6 routes from 6:20AM to 7:15PM. Then the system operates a reduced route from 7:00PM to 10:30PM. It is also an excellent way to get across the OSU campus. Riders should check the live route map and OSU Transit website ahead of time to plan their trips. Fare is 75¢ per ride; 35¢ for children (5-18), seniors (69+), and the disabled; and free to OSU students and employees (with ID) and children under 5. Transfers from one route to another are free.

By car

Stillwater is also easily navigated by car, and the city has several car rental agencies. Highway 51 (6th Street) provides Stillwater's main crosstown East-West route, and US-177 (Perkins Rd.) serves as the main North-South route. Both offer quick travel from one end of the city to the other.

On foot

Stillwater is fairly pedestrian-friendly, especially near downtown and around campus, but lacks in handicap accessibility in the residential areas. The city is small enough to reach some places by foot, however increasing sprawl is making it less and less of a viable option.

By bicycle

Many streets are marked to be shared with bicycles, while others have dedicated lanes directly next to the road and a few dedicated routes. Visitors can rent a bicycle from OSU's OrangeRide program. Stillwater has two bicycle shops in town, District Bicycles and Cooper's Bicycle Center. View city bicycle route map

See

Do

Buy

Eat
  • 🌍 Eskimo Joe's, 501 W. Elm, ☏ +1 405 372-8896. M Tu 11AM-10PM, W-Sa 11AM-2AM, Su 11AM-9PM. The most famous restaurant and bar in town. It serves American style food and at night changes to a bar setting with live musical acts performing regularly. 
  • 🌍 Mexico Joe's, 311 E Hall of Fame, ☏ +1 405-372-1169. Sister restaurant to Eskimo Joe's. 
  • 🌍 Freddie Paul's Steakhouse, 1707 E 6th Ave, ☏ +1 405-377-8777. 
  • 🌍 Hideaway Pizza, 230 S Knoblock, ☏ +1 405 372-4777. M Tu 11AM–9:30PM; W-Su 11AM–10PM. Oklahoma's oldest pizzeria, founded in 1957. In 1977, the board game Pente, a variation on a traditional Japanese game, was invented here. Popular place for locals and visitors with coffee shop inside. If you can't decide on the best pizza, go for the special, which has a different topping on each slice. (updated Oct 2020)
  • 🌍 Bad Brad's BBQ, 3317 E 6th, ☏ +1 405-377-4141. M-Th 11AM - 8:30PM, F Sa 11AM - 9PM. Great barbecue on the west side of Stillwater 
  • 🌍 El Tapatio, 825 S Perkins Rd, ☏ +1 405-533-2064. 11AM-9PM. 
  • 🌍 Chico's Mexican Grill and Cantina, 1711 N Boomer, ☏ +1 405-338-9227. Su-M & W-Th 11AM-9PM, F-Sa 11AM-10PM. 
  • 🌍 Red Rock Bakery & Deli, 910 N Boomer Rd, ☏ +1 405-377-3633. Su-Th 6AM - 8PM, F-Sa 6AM - 9PM
  • 🌍 Tokyo Pot, 108 W 10th Ave, ☏ +1 405-372-8898. 6-8:30PM. This Japanese restaurant offers food similar is similar to fondue, except they use boiling broth. Expect dinner to take over an hour. Reservations are recommended. 
  • 🌍 Sushi House, 1409 S Western, ☏ +1 405-533-3399, . M-Th 11AM - 2:30PM, 5-9PM; F 11AM-2:30PM, 5-10PM; Sa noon-10PM. Located in Fountain Square, this is a hidden gem. Can eat a totally vegetarian meal. For mid-scale sushi one of the best values anywhere in the country. 
  • 🌍 Coney Island, 223 S Washington, ☏ +1 405 743-1262, . M-W 11AM - 9PM, Th-Sa 11AM - 2:30AM. Cheap hot dogs and burgers, a favorite for college students to visit between bars. 
  • 🌍 Shortcakes, 219 N Main St (Main Street and Hall of fame), ☏ +1 405 624-1057. Always open. Best greasy spoon in Stillwater. Great after a long night of drinking on the Strip. Cheap, too. 
  • 🌍 Smokin' Joe's Stilly (The Pit Volleybar), 616 S Range Rd, ☏ +1 405 624-5454, . T-Sa 11AM - 8PM. Fun barbecue place, has great brisket. Also has a sand volleyball court in the back. (updated Jul 2022)

Drink

Bars and taverns
  • 🌍 Eskimo Joe's, 501 W. Elm, ☏ +1 405 372-8896. M Tu 11AM - 10PM, W-Sa 11AM - 2 AM, Su 11AM - 9PM. Has four bars inside the restaurant to serve the crowds of thirsty college students who frequent the establishment. A popular drink to order is the Skylab Fallout, but be careful! 
  • 🌍 Finnegan's Pub, 716 S Main St, ☏ +1 405-707-3031. An non-smoking Irish pub with a large beer selection located in the heart of downtown. 
  • 🌍 George's Stables, 502 W Elm Ave, ☏ +1 405 743-1978. 
  • The Strip. A length of Washington St. between University Ave. and Sixth St. that is the home to many bars including: 

Coffee
  • Aspen Coffee, 111 W 7th Ave (Downtown), ☏ +1 405 377-5282. A lively coffee house and roastery, offering fresh roasted coffee, espresso drinks, smoothies, and light cafe fare 

Sleep

Go next
  • Boomer Lake provides recreation closer to Stillwater, located within Stillwater to the north on Main Street. Picnic areas, a disc golf course, and a lake with multi-use trails provides many recreational opportunities.
  • Lake Carl Blackwell is a popular outdoor recreation area about 10 minutes west of Stillwater on Highway 51. Camping, horse trails, boating, fishing, and other activities are available. https://lcb.okstate.edu/
  • Lake McMurtry is Stillwater's third major lake, about 10 minutes northwest of Stillwater. Lake McMurtry provides many recreational opportunities, as well, and is particularly known for its extensive mountain biking trails.
  • Hoyt Park a smallish park in Stillwater. has a disc golf course, walking trails, and baseball diamond, as well as large green belts good for a variety of activities
  • Oklahoma City lies a short hour's drive southwest of Stillwater and is a popular destination among Stillwater residents on the weekends.
  • Tulsa is Oklahoma's second major city and is also very close, being only an hour-and-a-half drive northeast of Stillwater.
Routes through Stillwater
END ←  W  E  → merges onto → Sand Springs → Tulsa
Ponca City ← Jct W E ←  N  S  → Jct W E → Shawnee


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