21 Best Things To Do In Lawton, Oklahoma

Nicole
Contributing Writer
Updated
| 10 min read
things to do in Lawton OK

Nesting in southwest Oklahoma, Lawton is a charming city with a vibrant culture, a rich heritage, marvelous landmarks, and interesting traditions. Some of the fascinating places you can find here is the Comanche National Museum and Cultural Center which features the Native American history through their galleries and exhibits, the Lake Helen, and Thomas Elmer Park where you can have some picnic time with your family or friends. While in Lawton, you might enjoy fishing and swimming in Lake Lawtonka. To learn more about its history and culture, explore the exhibits at the Museum of the Great Plains. Also, you can not end your Lawton adventure without testing your luck at the bustling Comanche Nation Casino. As for accommodations, there are a wide array of options here including inns, hotels, and Airbnb vacation rentals. For a more structured guide, here is a list of fantastic things to do in Lawton that might pique your interest.

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1. Explore the exhibits at Museum of the Great Plains

Great Plains Museum (Lawton, Oklahoma)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Jphill19 used under CC BY-SA 4.0

If you like learning about foreign cities’ culture and heritage, you should definitely visit the Museum of Great Plains when you come to Lawton. It bills itself as a unique kind of museum that features interactive exhibits, galleries, and holds fun events and educational activities that are self-directed. Through a tour in the historic museum, you will see a glimpse of the lifestyle at Oklahoma in the past. Starting with the arrival of the Paleo-Indians leading up to the present times. Visit the Museum of Great Plains and learn a few interesting points that you can share with other people.

Museum of the Great Plains

Address: 601 NW Ferris Ave, Lawton, OK 73507, USA

Website: Museum of the Great Plains

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 5pm; Sun: 1pm - 5pm

Price: From 9 USD

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2. Experience rock climbing at Venture 2 Climb

Bucket list item #25-Go rock climbing
Source: Photo by user Jane used under CC BY 2.0

Do you fancy extreme sports? Are you a fitness enthusiast? If so, you might like to experience rock climbing at Venture 2 Climb. It offers activities such as repelling, biking, rock climbing, and others in an outdoor setting. Whether you are a pro or new to the sport, the guides and instructors of Venture 2 Climb are always pleased to be of assistance. Gears and equipment are included in the activity, and you wouldn’t have to worry about anything. To top it all off, you’ll be given souvenir photographs with you during the highlight of the activity.

Venture 2 Climb

Address: Lawton, Oklahoma

Website: Venture 2 Climb

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3. Try your luck at Comanche Nation Casino

Comanche Nation Casino
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Jphill19 used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Do you miss the allure of Vegas? There is a fantastic Casino in Lawton too where you can test your luck and spend a day of luxury. Open 24 hours a day, you can choose whatever time you feel like you’re at you most lucky. Roll some dice, play in the roulette, or bluff on the poker table, After the fun games, you can enjoy the delicious food offered by the Mustang Sports Grill at the Comanche Nation Casino. It boasts of excellent burgers, sandwiches, breakfast meals, and more. Who knows, you might come as a regular guy and leave a millionaire.

Comanche Nation Casino

Address: 402 SE Interstate Dr, Lawton, OK 73501, USA

Website: Comanche Nation Casino

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

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4. Drop by the Comanche National Museum and Cultural Center

Comanche National Museum and Culture Center
Source: Photo by Flickr user Wesley Fryer used under CC BY 2.0

Another fascinating museum that you should see on your Lawton adventure is the Comanche National Museum and Cultural Center in Ferris Avenue. It features the history of tribes and culture that comes to life as you explore the galleries and displays. You will feel like you are walking in the shoes of the Comanche’s ancestors. Some of the highlights in the museum talk about three points, history, military, and religion. This historical museum also feature an interesting exhibit about the buffalo hunting culture of the city.

Comanche National Museum and Cultural Center

Address: 701 NW Ferris Ave, Lawton, OK 73507, USA

Website: Comanche National Museum and Cultural Center

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 8am - 5pm; Sat: 10am - 2am (closed on Sun)

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5. Go shopping at Central Mall Lawton

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account


Feeling a little blue? Why don’t you change your mood into a red by treating yourself to a day filled with mundane luxury? Come to Central Mall Lawton and gorge on excellent food offered by a plethora of exquisite restaurants at the mall. You can also treat yourself to a shopping spree with your global brands. Not only that, you can enjoy spa and salon services in the mall, bring your kids to the arcade and games center, and more. Everybody surely loves shopping and splurging on luxurious stuff, and don’t you just deserve to be pampered after all the hard work?

Central Mall Lawton

Address: 200 SW C Ave, Lawton, OK 73501, USA

Website: Central Mall Lawton

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 9pm; Sun: 12pm - 6pm

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6. Discover numerous army artifacts at the Air Defense Artillery Museum

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account


The Air Defense Artillery Museum is located in Bateman Road. It is a fascinating museum and attraction that revolves around the air defense of Oklahoma and the country, in general. It showcases old warcraft, weaponry, and other artifacts that were once used by the US government. It also features exhibits and old photographs that help guests better understand the history and heritage of the city. Visit with your family or friends for a fun day of learning and picture taking at the Air Defense Artillery Museum.

Air Defense Artillery Museum

Address: 1506 Bateman Rd, Lawton, OK 73503, USA

Website: Air Defense Artillery Museum

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 9am - 5pm (closed on Sun)

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7. Visit the historic Mattie Beal Home

Mattie beal house
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Crimsonedge34 used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Nesting in the peaceful and quiet neighborhood, the Mattie Beal Home showcases a stunning Neoclassical Greek Revival style with Baroque ornamentation. It is a beautiful home that was built in the early 1900s. Its owner was Mattie Beal Payne. She was a regular citizen until she won the land lottery in the 1900s. At present, this gorgeous historic building is considered one of the most marvelous landmarks in Lawton owned by the Lawton Heritage Association. Events such as weddings, anniversaries, and other celebrations take place at the Mattie Beal Home.

Mattie Beal Home

Address: 1008 SW 5th St, Lawton, OK 73501, USA

Website: Mattie Beal Home

Opening hours: Thu - Sun: 12pm - 3pm (closed from Mon - Wed)

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8. Find your favorite comic or table-top game at Carolina Comics

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Did you grow up reading and collecting comic books? If so, there’s a place that you will surely like to visit in Lawton - the Carolina Comics. The Carolina Comics is a marvelous mom and pop comic book store that features old and new saga of your favorite superheroes and villains. You may find here some back issues that other comic book stores don’t have. Not to mention, you might ask them in advance and they’ll pull some threads to give you the specific comic book that you need to complete your remarkable collection. This is a paradise for comic book lovers who like to relive their childhood obsession.

Carolina Comics

Address: 305 SW C Ave, Lawton, OK 73501, USA

Website: Carolina Comics

Opening hours: Wed - Sat: 11am - 7pm; Sun: 1pm - 6pm; Tue: 11am - 6pm (closed on Mon)

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9. Spend a day with kids at Comanche Nation Waterpark

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account


If you are thinking of a fun and exciting place to take your kids to during your Lawton adventure, you might like to give them a great time at Comanche Nation Park. It is a vast waterpark with multi-story giant slides, tunnels, a lazy river, and a picnic area. This is an attraction that both kids and kids at heart will surely enjoy. Watch as your kids have an unforgettable experience. Have your camera ready as every moment is a treasure.

Comanche Nation Waterpark

Address: 501 NE Lawrie Tatum Rd, Lawton, OK 73507, USA

Website: Comanche Nation Waterpark

Opening hours: Mon - Wed: 10:30am - 6pm; Thu - Sat: 10:30am - 8pm; Sun: 12pm - 6pm

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10. Plan a family picnic at Elmer Thomas Park

lake helen
Source: Photo by Flickr user frankieleon used under CC BY 2.0

If you’re done with all the sightseeing and the museum visits, you might like to relax and pause for a while at Elmer Thomas Park. It is a stunning park that has an excellent playground where your kids can run around and play, a covered picnic area where you can make lasting memories with your family and enjoy some snacks, a lovely pond, a splash pad, and more. It also has restrooms for its guests added convenience. You will never run out of things to do at Elmer Thomas Park.

Elmer Thomas Park

Address: 501 NW Ferris Ave, Lawton, OK 73507, USA

Website: Elmer Thomas Park

Opening hours: 6am - 11pm (daily)

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11. Check out the interesting items at Antiques By Helen

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account


If you like fancy stuff and vintage items, you will surely find something that might pique your interest in Antiques By Helen. It offers lots of interesting items from pieces of furniture to trinkets to pieces of jewelry and more. If you want to see a glimpse of their offerings, view their website and see some of their fascinating items. Not to mention, the staff in the antique store is friendly and is always pleased to be of assistance. Visit now and score some quality finds at Antiques By Helen.

Antiques By Helen

Address: 412 SW Lee Blvd, Lawton, OK 73501, USA

Website: Antiques By Helen

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 10:30am - 5:30pm (closed on Sun & Mon)

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12. Enjoy a fun-filled day at Laugh Out Loud

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account


Laugh Out Loud is a paradise of fun and games. Located in Quanah Parker Trailway, this big playground has lots of facilities that will surely make the kids and the kids at heart cry happy tears. Laugh out Loud features a vast skating rink, a mini-bowling area, laser tag section, a Ballocity action arena, and a tiny town where youngsters can play and enjoy. To top it all off, Laugh out Loud offers rooms ideal for birthday parties. It also has an excellent onsite snack bar for its guests.

Laugh Out Loud

Address: 6720 Quanah Parker Trailway, Lawton, OK 73505, USA

Website: Laugh Out Loud

Opening hours: Sun - Fri: 12pm - 9pm; Sat: 12pm - 10pm

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13. Buy local produce from Lawton Farmers Market

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account


Planning to prepare a special lunch or dinner for your family? If so, head over Sheridan Road and explore the Lawton Farmers Market. Open only on Tuesdays and Saturdays, you can buy here your much-needed ingredients, fresh meat, fish, pork, organic vegetables, and more. Not only that, but you can also buy here premium wines, pastries, honey, soap products, plants, and a lot more. It is also a fun place to make friends with locals and get recipe and travel tips.

Lawton Farmers Market

Address: 920 SW Sheridan Rd, Lawton, OK 73505, USA

Website: Lawton Farmers Market

Opening hours: Wed & Sat: 8am - 12pm (closed on Mon Tue, Thu, Fri & Sun)

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14. Enjoy the adult's playground at Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account


Bored one afternoon while in Lawton? Make it a happy afternoon by having fun at the Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park located in Cache Road. Its a kid-friendly fun attraction with lots of facilities from trampolines to climbing beam, tubes playground, a mini zipline, warrior course, and more. You can jump up high or hang in the air at this big playground. Plus, this indoor trampoline park is an ideal place to celebrate a birthday party and family occasions.

Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park

Address: 5324 NW Cache Rd, Lawton, OK 73505, USA

Website: Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 4pm - 8pm; Fri - Sat: 10am - 11pm; Sun: 12pm - 8pm

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15. Stop by Twisted Escape Rooms with your squad

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account


Been brainstorming family activities that you might want to try that is not touristy while in Lawton? Check out the Twisted Escape Room and spend wonderful time solving riddles and finding clues in its incredibly detailed rooms featuring various themes. The game allows you an hour to find ways to get out of the room or the team loses. This is a fun activity to do with friends, family, or workmates on a team-building event. Plus, it is also an ideal place to spend a birthday.

Twisted Escape Rooms

Address: 4602, 201 SW C Ave ste b, Lawton, OK 73501, United States

Website: Twisted Escape Rooms

Opening hours: Fri: 6am - 10:30pm; Sat: 11am - 11pm; Sun: 2pm - 5:30pm (closed from Mon - Thu)

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16. Experience fine dining at The Silver Spoon

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account


Planning to spend a lovely family dinner or celebrate a friend’s birthday? You might want to experience fine dining at The Silver Spoon. Featuring an industrial interior design with excellent lighting and romantic ambiance, you will surely find yourself trying out lots of dishes and leaving piles and piles of finished plates. As people say, time flies when you’re having fun. It boasts not only great food but premium drinks and excellent service as well. While at the Silver Spoon, be sure to try some of its bestsellers such as Long Crispy Shrimp, Apple-Almond Chicken Salad, Turkey/Bacon/Provolone, Gourmet Burger, Chicken Fried Filet Mignon, and more.

The Silver Spoon

Address: 529 SW C Ave, Lawton, OK 73501, USA

Website: The Silver Spoon

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 11am - 9pm; Mon: 11am - 3pm (closed on Sun)

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17. Have a few drinks at Red Dirt Reloaded Bar & Grill

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account


Whether there is an important occasion to celebrate or just a regular weekend night, it won’t cause any harm to relax for a while and enjoy a few drinks. If you agree with the idea, you might want to try Red Dirt Reloaded Bar and Grill at Cache Road. It features a modern pub-type interior design with a friendly ambiance. It has pool tables and dartboards that everyone is welcome to take advantage of. But that’s not all, what they are known for most are their great food and fantastic beers.

Red Dirt Reloaded Bar & Grill

Address: 6425 NW Cache Rd, Lawton, OK 73505, USA

Website: Red Dirt Reloaded Bar & Grill

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 4pm - 2am; Sat - Sun: 2pm - 2am

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18. Go bowling at Thunderbird Lanes

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account


Thunderbird Lanes is an excellent bowling site in Lawton. It features lots of lanes for everyone, a friendly ambiance, and a clean and organized establishment. Lots of people come here with friends or with the family to make lasting memories. Some people even celebrate their birthdays and special occasions here. Not only does it offer a wonderful time playing bowling but they also have delicious snacks that you can gorge on while having fun.

Thunderbird Lanes

Address: 4405 NW Cache Rd, Lawton, OK 73505, USA

Website: Thunderbird Lanes

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 9am - 12am; Sun: 11am - 12am

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19. Get a relaxing massage at The Rose Rock Spa

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account


Is your body starting to take its toll on you after days of city walks, museum visits, and shopping sprees? If so, you might like to pause for a while and gift yourself a pampering treatment. If you agree with the idea, try the Rose Rock Spa. Featuring a refreshing ambiance and excellent facilities, you will surely leave the place rejuvenated, refreshed and happy. Some of the services they offer include a variety of massage types, skin treatment, nail care, saunas and salt therapy, and others.

The Rose Rock Spa

Address: 401 W Gore Blvd, Lawton, OK 73501, USA

Website: The Rose Rock Spa

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 9am - 7pm; Sun: 10am - 4pm (closed on Mon)

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20. Admire works of art by local artists at Leslie Powell Gallery

Leslie Powell Installation (detail)
Source: Photo by Flickr user stevenbhilton used under CC BY 2.0

If you want to dig deeper into the art scene of Lawton, there-s one place in the city that you should not miss checking out - the Leslie Powell Gallery. It is a fascinating mini-museum of artworks showcasing exhibits of photographs, paintings, and other artwork. The Leslie Powell Gallery collects masterpieces from regional contemporary artists and gave them a venue where they can showcase their talents and be made available to the public’s eyes. Aside from exhibits, the art museum also holds events such as talks and lectures about art and techniques that everyone is free to join whether you are a professional artist or a budding talent.

Leslie Powell Gallery

Address: 620 SW D Ave, Lawton, OK 73501, USA

Website: Leslie Powell Gallery

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 12pm - 4pm (closed on Sat & Sun)

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21. Put on your dancing shoes at Brix Nightclub

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account


Do you consider yourself a social butterfly and the life of the party? Brix Nightclub is a paradise for you. Dance to the beat of live entertainment, drink premium beers or cocktails and enjoy delicious food, these are the recipe for a great night. Not to mention, the Oklahoma crowd are wonderful partygoers. If you are not more of a dancer, you may spend your time playing pool or darts at the game area.

Brix Nightclub

Address: 1924 South, US-277, Lawton, OK 73501, United States

Website: Brix Nightclub

Opening hours: Wed - Sun: 9am - 2am (closed on Mon & Tue)

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Fascinating Lawton

Lawton, about 1.5 hours southwest of Oklahoma City is a fascinating city with remarkable landmarks and delightful attractions. It is also rich in history and features a culture and traditions that are unique to them. It also boasts breathtaking landmarks such as hiking trails and enchanting rivers. If you are planning a trip to the beautiful city of Lawton any time soon, use this article as your guide when organizing an itinerary. May you have a memorable experience in Lawton when you visit.

Some other attractions in and near Lawton are Gray Warr Park, Kid’s Zone at Greer Park, Lawton Community Theatre, and Twin Oaks Bowling Center in Fort Sill.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Nicole, a writer and traveler, also identifies herself as a free spirit with a wild heart. She is dedicated to telling authentic stories in a relatable manner. Nicole also enjoys exploring new,...Read more

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