# Sulphur (Oklahoma)

Sulphur is in the Chickasaw Country Region of Oklahoma.

## Understand

Sulphur has a history dating back before Oklahoma's statehood in 1907. The town was formed largely due to the popularity of the healing Sulphur Springs in the Chickasaw National Recreation Area, formerly Platt National Park.

## Get in

Sulphur is easily accessible from I-35. From I-35, take exit 55 east toward Davis and continue through Davis on Highway 7 until you reach Sulphur.

## Get around

Sulphur is mostly a car town, but you can grab a bike at the bike share at the Chickasaw Visitor Center at Hwy 177 and Hwy 7.

## See

* 34.433611-97.0277781 Lake of the Arbuckles (in the Chickasaw National Recreation Area). This lake serves as a reservoir for Murray County. Fishing is available for varieties of catfish, perch, bass and crappie. Located within the Chickasaw National Recreation Area, there are several camping grounds and RV camps available to rent. Facilities include campgrounds, trailer spaces, picnic areas, shelters, tables, public restrooms, drinking water, boat docks and boat ramps. (updated Aug 2015)
* Vendome Well (just off Highway 7 near downtown Sulphur in the Chickasaw National Recreation Area). A symbol of the namesake of Sulphur, Oklahoma, the Vendome Well is a mineral spring that always runs. Visitors once came from everywhere to drink the mineral waters from the well. There is a spigot where you can still drink the water (if you can get over the egg smell). (updated Aug 2015)
* 34.4928-96.99582 Chickasaw Cultural Center, 867 Cooper Memorial Dr., ☏ +1 580 622-7130. (updated Nov 2017)

## Do

* 34.5006-96.97221 Chickasaw National Recreation Area. Mineral springs, streams, lakes and waterfalls attract visitors from all over the world. (updated Aug 2015)
* Chickasaw Visitor Center, 901 W 1st Street, ☏ +1 580-622-8050. 9AM-6PM. The Chickasaw Visitor Center stands at the entrance to the Chickasaw National Recreation Area and houses the National Park Service. The center offers public restrooms, free refreshments, a bike share program and plenty of travel information and maps for the area if you need ideas on where to go and what to do. The small gift shop has a nice selection of souvenirs, including Chickasaw Country products, Native American jewelry and gifts. The Chickasaw Visitor Center hosts regular cultural demonstrations as well as a rotating featured artist with art on display and available for purchase. (updated Aug 2015)
* Artesian Arts Festival, downtown Sulphur, ☏ +1 580-272-5520. This annual arts festival takes place every Memorial Day weekend in downtown Sulphur. Artwork is available from Native and Southwestern artists from across the country. Live music from local and traveling artists takes place all day along with a variety of food and retail vendors throughout the festival. Art activities and classes are available throughout the day for visitors. Free entry. (updated Sep 2015)

## Buy

* Third and Broadway (Downtown). A small boutique with unique "country" gifts and clothing. (updated Aug 2015)
* Spice and Tea Exchange of Sulphur, 8 West Muskogee Ave, ☏ +1 580-622-3770, sulphur@spiceandtea.com. Su 11AM-5PM, M-Th 11AM-6PM, F Sa 11AM-7PM. A local franchise of a larger chain, Spice and Tea Exchange has a wide variety of unique spices including salts, sugars, peppers, spice blends and teas. They also have a small selection of cooking tools available. (updated Aug 2015)
* Luxe at the Artesian, 1600 Division (on the east side of the Artesian Hotel), ☏ +1 580-622-8908. Su–Th 9AM–9PM; F Sa 9AM–11PM. This boutique shop carries several high-end designers and has a nice variety of clothing and fashion accessories for men and women. (updated Aug 2015)
* The Mix Mercantile, 300 West Muskogee, ☏ +1 580-232-2260 ext 1. Tu-Sa 10AM-5:30PM. Family-owned boutique in the downtown district that sells apparel, jewelry, accessories, home décor and gourmet food items. (updated Sep 2015)

## Eat

* Flower Bluff Mansion Steakhouse, 329 W Muskogee Ave (Downtown), ☏ +1 580 622-4005. W-Sa 5-9PM. High-end dining. The classy atmosphere provides an intimate dining experience. Reservations recommended, walk-ins welcome. (updated Aug 2015)
* Springs at the Artesian (Springs), 1001 W. 1st Street (inside The Artesian Hotel), ☏ +1 580-622-8106. Su-Th 7AM–10PM, F Sa 7AM–10PM. This restaurant offers southern comfort food in a fine dining setting. Dishes include items like chicken-fried steak, fried green tomatoes, and catfish. Reservations are recommended due to high-volume traffic on weekends. (updated Aug 2015)
* Bedré Cafe, 14 West Muskogee (Located on the south side of the Artesian Hotel), ☏ +1 580-622-8020. Daily 6AM–8PM. This diner-themed café offers deli sandwiches, soups, salads and desserts. They also carry the full line of Bedré Fine Chocolate and have a wide range of ice cream products. (updated Aug 2015)

## Drink

* The Rusty Nail Winery, 218 W Muskogee Ave, ☏ +1 580 622-8466. Tu-Sa noon–8PM. The Rusty Nail is a family-owned boutique winery and gift shop. The name comes from the former resident at the same location, which was a hardware store. They don't grow their own grapes, but instead ferment their wine from juice blends and offer sweet and dry wines as well as white, blush and red. There is a small food menu available. (updated Aug 2015)
* The Fountain Club (Inside The Artesian Hotel), ☏ +1 580-622-8107. Su-Th 3 PM-midnight, F Sa noon–1:30AM. Beer, wine and classic cocktails with live entertainment every Friday night. They also have a limited food menu available. (updated Aug 2015)

## Sleep

* 34.5075-96.96811 Artesian Hotel, Casino & Spa (The Artesian), 1001 W. 1st Street, ☏ +1-855-455-5255. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: noon. This hotel is a revival of an iconic historic hotel destroyed in the 1960s by fire. Rebuilt and reopened by the Chickasaw Nation in 2013, the hotel's architecture mimics that of the original hotel. Amenities include an on-site spa, restaurant, bar, casino, fitness center, two pools, a bath house and a wide variety of boutique shopping options. Rooms start at $139. (updated Aug 2015)
* Chickasaw Retreat and Conference Center, 4205 Goddard Youth Camp Road, ☏ +1-855-899-8260. Located just outside the Chickasaw National Recreation Area, this hotel offers excellent views of the surrounding Arbuckle Mountains. Amenities include fitness center, swimming pool and bar. The center provides several offerings for business and family groups. Prices start at $129. (updated Aug 2015)
* Echo Canyon, 350 Lawton Avenue, ☏ +1 580-421-5076. Locally owned spa resort. (updated Aug 2015)

## Go next

* Davis
* Ardmore
* Ada
* Chickasaw National Recreation Area