The hometown of Brad Pitt, Shawnee lies about 45 minutes south-east of Oklahoma City. Named after the native American tribe, it grew rapidly in the first years of the 20th century but eventually eased off into the small city that it is now. Its downtown area still retains many of the historical buildings, and there are enough interesting attractions to make for a day trip from Oklahoma City. You can check out this list of top Airbnb vacation rentals available in Shawnee, and stay a couple of days to explore this area.
1. Guestroom near renowned university (from USD 50)
The Oklahoma Baptist University is probably the most significant institution in Shawnee, being among the top-ranked universities in the state of Oklahoma in recent years. The campus is built on a small hill in the north-western part of the city, and naturally, there are many nearby cafes, restaurants and shop fronts serving the student population. Most of the students live on the campus, but some of the residences nearby, offer room rentals for them too. Even if you are not a student, this is a good place to base yourself, with all the eateries conveniently located close by.
Shawnee, Oklahoma, United StatesSuperhost Accommodates: 2
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
great value with breakfast and coffee includedthe room was very comfortable and convenientgreat spaces wonderful touches and great light breakfast choiceCleanliness:
clean and well keptthe room was very clean and well appointedsuper clean convenient comfortable and a great valuethe room was comfortable and cleanbeds were super comfortable and the bathroom was very cleanHost:
great room in a lovely home with amazing hostswanda and tyrone were wonderful hostswanda and tyrone are wonderful hostwanda & tyrone were great hostswanda and tyrone are gracious hostsRead more reviewsLocation:
staying in this location is always like coming homeeasy to find location with a great room which was very cleangreat place to stay everything was perfectwe can’t say enough good things about wanda and tyrone’s placewanda & tyrone’s place is perfect
2. Homely accommodation perfect for families (from USD 60)
This is a perfectly serviceable accommodation that is spacious enough for a large family. With two bedrooms and three beds, it can comfortably host up to seven guests on its premises. It also has all the necessary amenities like laundry supplies, kitchen and bathroom. Best of all is its backyard, which is big enough for kids in the family to enjoy running about. The whole place has a great homely feel to it, and that is exactly why families on vacation will like it: when you are busy managing your kids as you travel, the last thing you need to worry about is dealing with kids anxieties when they are in unfamiliar places.
Shawnee, Oklahoma, United StatesAccommodates: 7
Top guest reviews
Cleanliness:
paul was awsome house was very clean nice and cozyRead more reviewsLocation:
great location and quiet neighborhood
3. Outdoor fun at Shawnee Twin Lakes (from USD 68)
The Shawnee Twin Lakes west of the city offers a superb countryside area for recreational activities. One lake is reserved for fishing and angling, while the other can be used for water skiing and jet skiing. This guestroom is right on the lakeside, offering beautiful vistas during sunrise or sunset. There is a pier on the premises if you want to launch your boat or canoe. A great choice if you are among those who adore the outdoors.
Shawnee, Oklahoma, United StatesSuperhost Accommodates: 4
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
breakfast was delicious and we ate out on the deck overlooking the lakeshe remembers guests dietary restrictions and provides a nice little breakfast in the lake view dining roomCleanliness:
the room and bath are very clean and niceit was clean quiet and comfortablethe house is beautiful and very clean even the dogs were clean and friendlyher house was clean and aesthetically awesomei cannot stress enough how clean our room and bathroom wasHost:
the host really opens her home and makes you feel very welcomejo was a lovely host very accomodating and kindjo is a fantastic host that makes sure all the details are taken care ofher two dogs are friendly and a pleasure to spend time withjo was very friendly nice and helpfulRead more reviewsLocation:
the dock is a great place to unwind away from the hustle and bustlewhat a wonderful place to stayvery relaxing place to bea wonderful place to stay
4. Vintage guestroom for solo travellers (from USD 50)
One interesting recent development in Shawnee is the opening of casinos around the outskirts of the city. These establishments market themselves as “Vegas-style” casinos with entertainment shows. This charming guestroom for one is located in a vintage 1940s home near the Oklahoma Baptist University campus, a great option for solo travellers with breakfast provided. If casinos are your cup of tea, then you’ll have some decent entertainment options with their regular musical gigs.
Shawnee, Oklahoma, United StatesSuperhost Accommodates: 2
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
coffee and snacks for breakfast were perfectwe had a large bedroom with a fabulous mattress and a beautiful bathroomthey also had coffee and breakfast items that guests could help themselves tovery comfortable quiet place to stayCleanliness:
their house was beautiful clean and very welcomingthe house itself has a lot of charm and is kept very cleanit's spotless and perfectly furnishedthe house is lovely and cleanthe room was comfortable and clean as well as the rest of the houseHost:
lovely home and lovely hostsi couldn't have asked for better hosts or a better homethey are truly kind people with a lovely home and willing to help with any needs you havewonderful place and wonderful hosts wanda and tyrone are very thoughtful and helpfuli only had the pleasure of staying one night but i experienced warm and friendly hospitalityRead more reviewsLocation:
the location of house is very central and we found it very easy to get around townthe location is perfect and the rooms are so comfythe kitchen has everything you need plus a lovely corner with a daily food surprises
5. Comfortable guestroom amid peaceful suburbs (from USD 52)
Shawnee’s suburban areas are usually quiet and peaceful, with residences well spread out. Airbnb accommodations here are therefore ideal for those who crave for some serenity away from the urban bustle. This guestroom for three offers all the necessary amenities for a comfortable stay, with the convenience of eateries and convenience stores nearby. Best of all, the famous hospitality of Midwest America is evident among the hosts, who welcome you to join them a for chat or watch the evening news with them.
Shawnee, Oklahoma, United StatesSuperhost Accommodates: 3
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the delicious breakfast with choices and array of goodies warms up the morningthe bathroom was updated nicelythe room was cute and cozy- great for a few nights or morethe room is large and private with hardwood floors and a beautifully remodeled hall bathCleanliness:
everything was clean and comfortablethe house is super clean and quietthe house is clean warm and welcomingthe bedroom was really clean and the bed was super comfortablefrom there warm welcome to comfortable and clean accommodationsHost:
amazing hosts great homewonderful hosts best hosts we have hadkind and trustworthy people (:wanda and tyrone were delightful hoststhey were wonderful hosts and made us feel at home right awayRead more reviewsLocation:
i can't imagine finding anything better than wanda and tyrone's place near oklahoma cityit was good to find a place away from the city that was so finein the morning we were left breakfast items (coffee bagels fresh fruit oatmeal and yogurt)loved staying at wanda & tyrone's placewanda was really accommodating with our pretty late arrival (on our long road trip) at close to 11pm
6. Easy reach of Oklahoma City's attractions (from USD 40)
Oklahoma City is by far the most cosmopolitan city of the state and worth a couple of days to check out its various attractions. Must-see attractions include the heartrending Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum which honours those lives who were affected by the 1995 Federal Building bombing, the Oklahoma City Zoo and the Frontier City amusement park. These attractions are less than an hour away from Shawnee, so you can enjoy cozy suburban comforts such as this no-frills guestroom and not miss out on the joys of the cosmopolitan city.
Shawnee, Oklahoma, United StatesSuperhost Accommodates: 1
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
it was just true to the description tea coffee and breakfast were providedthe options for breakfast were great though i only had coffee while staying therethe bathroom was clean and had all the amenities a traveler would needcomfortable room and bedCleanliness:
the neighborhood is clean quite and beautifultheir house is beautiful and spotlessthe place is comfortable and clean and loved the breakfastwanda and tyrone were great their house is gorgeous and extremely clean and tidythe beautiful remodeled bathroom looks like something you would see on hgtv and was also spotlessHost:
wanda & tyrone are wonderful hosts they were so welcoming and friendlywanda was an excellent hostwanda and tyrone are great hostsshe and her husband are kind gracious and thoughtful hostswanda and tyrone are always great hostsRead more reviewsLocation:
very comfortable and cozy and the location was perfect for mei definitely recommend staying here as it's a perfect location to rejuvenate outside of oklahoma citysuch a comfortable bed and a quiet lovely place in a wonderful neighborhoodabsolutely a great place to stayif you're looking for a place to stay that's welcoming wanda and tyrone's house is the best choice
7. Farmhouse near recreational lakes
Between the cities of Shawnee and Oklahoma City are a few lakes that offer great recreational activities such as hiking, fishing and even jet-skiing. This charming farmhouse is situated amid the Kudo’s Medicinal Herb Farm near Lake Thunderbird, 30 minutes away from Shawnee. There is wifi available but no TV and the host has kindly included simple continental breakfast for your stay. Take the opportunity to enjoy the nearby State Park, which offers picnic areas, playgrounds and even an archery range.
8. Solitude in rustic cabin
Head north out of Shawnee, and it quickly becomes the Great Plains countryside. You can travel for miles without much change in scenery, but at the same time, you will appreciate the sheer expanse of the heartland of America. If you really wish for some solitude, then check out this rustic cabin on an 80-acre property near the tiny town of Meeker, 20 minutes north of Shawnee. There are new beds, kitchen and bathroom. However, there is no wifi nor TV, giving you the opportunity to go for some outdoor fun like hiking, fishing or even horse riding.
9. Studio loft in the heart of the city
Shawnee has some interesting museums to check out. The Citizen Potawatomi Nation Museum and Cultural Heritage Center houses artefacts of the native American tribe, while the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art collects art from different eras including Egyptian, Medieval and Renaissance. This cozy studio loft for two is conveniently located in the heart of the city, giving you easy access to the attractions available. While there is no wifi on the premises, the loft is spacious and there are stoves and ovens in the kitchen to cook up delicious meals in your free time.
Shawnee, Oklahoma, United StatesTop guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
it was a very private nice place with a kitchen and washer/dryer that makes longer stays easierbeautiful comfortable space the fold-up dining table acted as the perfect desk for me for the month i stayedthe kitchen is well-appointed and the bed is very comfortablei would recommend for anyone looking for cozy place to stayCleanliness:
well kept clean comfortable apartmentvery comfortable and clean accommodationsamanda's place was clean quiet and comfortablegreat communication with host and nice clean spaceit was nice and cleanHost:
the host was warm and helpfulthank you amanda and steve for being such great hostvery gracious friendly accommodating hostnever got to talk much to hosts but what interaction we had was very nicevery kind & courteous did their best to make me feel welcomed & accommodate my needsRead more reviewsLocation:
it's very close to the university and it's a very comfortable placeit was in a nice residential neighborhood in central oklahomaanyone looking for a space in the central oklahoma area i recommend this spacecozy-warm-comfortable great location i was very happy with my stay at amanda’s loft
10. Studio apartment near exposition center
Probably the biggest and most interesting event on Shawnee’s annual calendar is the International Finals Youth Rodeo tournament at the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center. Known as the world’s richest youth rodeo, it attracts the best high school rodeo athletes from around the world to compete in events such as barrel racing, goat tying, bull riding and bareback riding. This studio apartment is just a seven-minute drive from the Exposition Center and has a queen-size bed, well-stocked kitchen and even a small porch. A decent accommodation choice if you’re planning to see the Youth Rodeo.
Shawnee, Oklahoma, United StatesAccommodates: 2
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
we were pleasantly surprised about the comforts of the apartmentthe space was just as described and made for a very comfortable visitwe really liked having our own little kitchen for coffee and breakfasteasy check-in parking wi-fi full kitchen and laundry in the unit are all a++i was also happy to see there was a night light in the bathroomCleanliness:
everything was clean and comfortableeverything was very clean and comfortablea clean private comfortable place to staythe place was very clean and comfortablethe loft was clean and neatHost:
host was very responsivejulie was a great hostjulie was an outstanding hostjulie & robert were fantastic hosts from start to finishjulie was so sweet and helpfulRead more reviewsLocation:
nice place close to campusthis location is perfect for thatit’s so perfect great location quiet and comfortablebeautiful place perfect location we came into town for an event at the heart of oklahoma exposition centerjulie’s place was great the location and accessibility were great
Quietly fascinating detour
Shawnee makes for an interesting detour for those planning to visit Oklahoma City, yet it is quietly fascinating with its rich history, great outdoors and quirky entertainment. Enjoy your stay in Shawnee!