At first glance, you could think there’s not much to do when driving through the small of town of Alva. It’s a tiny town in northwestern Oklahoma in the region known as Red Carpet Country with a population just under 5,000. History lovers, mural artists and museum seekers will be pleasantly surprised to find out it’s a little mecca for the arts. You could spend all day in this town and never run out of things to do. Here’s a look at all the places to check out the next time you’re in this charming town.
Alva is located in Woods County and is home to many attractions for northwest Oklahoma. Start your visit in Town Square — it’s beaming with music, art, and small-town charm.
Becky McCray/Flickr
Alva is known for its Mural District that features historical murals. There’s even an Alva Mural Society in charge of overseeing this aspect of town and they sponsor one to two new murals every year. This “Statehood Day” mural reinterprets the streets and buildings of Alva in 1907.
pcol/Flickr
It’s fascinating to see all the creativity in Alva. This mural depicts Robert Pershing Wadlow, the tallest man in recorded history, who visited Alva in 1940.
travelok.com
And this one is the “Charles Share” mural painted by artist Don Gray.
Wikipedia.com
If you remember the old Mckeever School, this mural showcases the one-room schoolhouse that was located along Highway 64, about 6 miles west of Alva.
Becky McCray/Flickr
One of the top attractions in the town is the Cherokee Strip Museum — home to the best collections of pioneer exhibits and Indian art and artifacts in Oklahoma. There are more than 40 rooms showcasing the history of Alva and the Cherokee Strip.
cherokeestripmuseum/Facebook Address: 901 14th Street.
The Alva Golf & Country Club is a great place to go if you’re looking to play a round of golf. It’s a nine-hole course with beautiful fairways, and golf carts are on-site for your convenience.
travelok.com Address: 44483 Jefferson Road.
Head back into town and check out the Graceful Arts Center — an arts exhibition and educational center. There’s artwork on display to purchase or you can enjoy viewing the talent of local artists.
GracefulArtsCenter/Facebook Address: 523 Barnes Avenue.
For a delicious meal, head to Northern Chophouse and enjoy a mouthwatering steak or burger at this family-friendly restaurant.
NorthernChophouse/Facebook
They even have a quaint spa — Spa Deco — for those looking to relax. Choose from a massage, facial, or other service and enjoy a day of pampering.
SpaDecoAlva/Facebook
Next, head over to the Alva Regional Airport Museum and take a look at the artifacts from the area’s flight and air history, along with pieces of history from the WWII prisoner of war camp formerly located in Alva.
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If you’re looking for something to do with animals, don’t worry they have the perfect place to go. The Menagerie —Bradt’s Mammals and More is a petting farm with chickens, donkeys, llamas, rabbits, highland cattle, a miniature zebu and more.
bradtsmenagerie/Facebook
These are just a few of the things to do in Alva. There are nearby parks and more outdoor activities that would keep you busy for days. For more information about Alva, check out the Oklahoma Tourism website.
Becky McCray/Flickr
pcol/Flickr
travelok.com
Wikipedia.com
cherokeestripmuseum/Facebook
Address: 901 14th Street.
Address: 44483 Jefferson Road.
GracefulArtsCenter/Facebook
Address: 523 Barnes Avenue.
NorthernChophouse/Facebook
SpaDecoAlva/Facebook
bradtsmenagerie/Facebook
Another charming small town to visit is located in southern Oklahoma — Pauls Valley. Check out everything we featured in this town in our previous article here.
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