Located at the foot of the Arbuckle Mountains, on both the Sante Fe and Frisco railroad lines, this vibrant town of less than 5000 shimmers with hospitable spirits and a historical presence unique to any other. Home to the famous mineral water springs, Sulphur was first discovered by First Americans and became known as ‘The Land of Rippling Water’, believed to have natural healing powers. Word spread of the medicinal springs, thus creating a rapid influx of settlers to the area which ultimately led to the development of the town.

So, what makes Sulphur such a cool place to visit today?

Well, this southern-infused Indian and Cowboy town is off-the-charts with fabulous food, hip shopping, natural beauty and cultural bliss. Spring and summer are peak seasons for travel in Sulphur as the weather is warm, nature is in full bloom and the urge to get outdoors is met here with great attractions and activities to explore. Conveniently located off I-35 just 90 miles north of Dallas and 75 miles south of Oklahoma City, Sulphur is a lovely little road trip for regional travelers looking for that off-the-beaten-path retreat.

Below we’ve put together some great trip ideas for flocks of guys, gals, and of course, those legendary lovebirds. Pick and choose the perfect trip for you!

GUY'S GETAWAY

The richly diverse landscape of Sulphur makes it a true ‘Mancation Nation’ with its mountainous countryside, tail grass prairies, hardwood forests, trailed terrain, wild game and pristine bodies of water. Round up the guys and plan a trip to Sulphur for this upcoming spring or summer season!

We recommend renting a lakefront vacation home from Arbuckle Premier Properties. These beautiful rustic homes and cabins are nestled in the wilderness of the Arbuckle Mountains with the Lake of the Arbuckles located a couple miles down the road. With fifteen lodging accommodations to choose from, you are sure to find the perfect mancave for you and your buddies. Several of the homes are waterfront, surrounding a private 10 acre lake and offer a private dock for swimming and fishing as well as paddleboats and canoes. Other cabins feature private decks with hot tubs overlooking the lake. All homes are fully furnished with modern amenities and fully equipped kitchens, so all you need to bring is your coolers of man food, fishing gear, and such.

If you’re looking to spend days out on the water, be sure to check out Lake of the Arbuckles, one of the top ten bass lakes in Oklahoma, according to the State Dept. of Wildlife. With record large mouth bass, you’re sure to catch some hefty grill grub to take back to the cabin. If you didn’t bring your own water rides, consider renting paddleboats, canoes or a pontoon boat from Arbuckle Boat Rentals.

Dedicate a day to exploring the Chickasaw Nation Recreational Area, a national park boasting over thirty miles of hiking trails, freshwater springs and creeks, natural swimming holes and Veterans Lake, popular for angler fishing and recreational boating. Portions of the park are open seasonally for hunting. Bird watching, horseback riding and ATV off-roading are other popular pastimes for visitors at the CRNA.

After an active day outdoors, load up the gang and head over to Abuelita’s Mexican Restaurant for a guy’s night out accompanied by a few ice cold imports and some sizzling steak fajitas. This local hotspot serves up authentic Mexican food with knock out flavors in a lively, friendly atmosphere.

For the remainder of your trip, choose to hit the greens for a friendly round of golf at the Sulphur Hills Golf Course or horse around on the outskirts of town at the National Museum of Horseshoeing Tools. If your stay happens to fall on a Sunday, the Bivens Dog Trade is a must! Dating back to the early 40's, this popular flea market draws in hundreds of people on the hunt for dogs and other off-the-wall sales including goats and chickens, guns, tools, antiques and more. Let’s be real – it wouldn’t be a true Sulphur experience if you didn’t get a little loco with the locals!

GIRL'S GETAWAY

Put down the endless to-do lists, summer time is near and it’s time to shake up the fun jar ladies! Gather your besties and plan a girl’s getaway to Sulphur! Book a stay at the vintage-luxe Artesian Hotel, projected to open sometime this summer. Modeled after the original Artesian Hotel, one of the region’s most famed hotels of which burnt to the ground in 1962, the new Artesian Hotel will elicit the splendor of a bygone era with a splash of contemporary luxury. You and your lady friends will live like queens in this exquisite, yet shockingly affordable boutique hotel.

Upon arrival, take a refreshing swim or soak up some sun in the indoor/outdoor pool and lounge area. Or, enjoy a rejuvenating body treatment at the hotel’s world class spa facilities. Also, be sure to embark on a little therapeutic shopping spree in the hotel’s 11,000 sq. ft. boutique shopping area.

There’s no need to leave this luxury island to satisfy your cravings after a full day of fun. The Artesian’s onsite restaurant services all three meals and features a creative parade of high-end yet culturally-inspired cuisine. Feel free to feast in elegance in the grand dining room or go al fresco and fare on the charming outdoor patio. If your stay falls on a Sunday, don’t miss out on a delightful morning brunch with the ladies.

And, nightlife has never been so easily entertained, with glamorous gaming opportunities only a few steps away at the casino hotel. If gaming isn’t your thing, slip on some sparkling stilettos and head over to the Rusty Nail Winery for an exciting evening of wine tasting. Enjoy sipping a variety of high quality custom made wines, creatively labeled after women’s shoes featuring the rusty nail as a heel. Be sure to company your wine with some tasty bites from the Rusty Nail Bistro. Before calling it a night, check out the Rusty Nail gift shop and purchase a souvenir of your favorite bottle to take home – possibly the watermelon flavored Mary Jane White Merlot or Peachy Peep Toe Chardonnay? We’ll let your taste buds decide!

With a convenient and cost-effective trip like this, you won’t be heading home with an empty purse, but we dare you to try (wink, wink) by ending your girl’s getaway with some downtown shopping at adorable local boutiques like Pamper Me Too, The Mix Mercantile and 3rd and Broadway.

COUPLE'S GETAWAY

Plan a trip to Sulphur for you and your honey this spring or summer and we guarantee the love butterflies will be flittering all over. Book a stay at the ultra charming Echo Canyon Spa Resort, where you will experience a fantasia-style getaway in a secluded forest surrounded by beautiful Oklahoma flora and fauna. The two of you will have access to all of the resort’s luxurious amenities including a 5000 sq. ft. spa area, 5 Star Baron of Beef Restaurant, full service bar and elegant lounge area.

Make a daytrip to the historic downtown area to check out some cool shops and mingle with the Sulphurites. Stop by the Artists of the Arbuckles Art Gallery and admire the showcased artwork of professional and amateur local artists. Then, head over to Arbuckle Historical Society Museum and relive the fascinating history that made the town what is today. If it’s a summer Saturday night, end your evening cuddling under the stars while watching a movie projected on the side of a historic building at the main plaza downtown.

During your stay, be sure to set aside a day to explore the Chickasaw Cultural Center. As the largest tribal cultural center in the US, this state-of-the-art campus sits over 109 acres of beautiful native landscape. The tranquil atmosphere, indigenous vibes and heartwarming stories of Chickasaw life and people give visitors a sense of the simplicity and pureness of life that too often gets lost in the chaotic world we live in. Using modern technology, theatrical environments and interactive media stations the message you receive here is personal and captivating – far from a traditional museum-like setting. At a very reasonable rate of $10, you can spend the day exploring the Cultural Center’s exhibit center, outdoor amphitheater, large-format theatre, research center, sky pavilion, traditional village, spiral crop garden and campus gift shop. Oh, and don’t forget the fabulous food! You must try the some of their famous Indian tacos, Indian fry bread, grape dumplings and pishofa at the campus café.

Now that you know about all that jazz located in Sulphur, Oklahoma, what’s not to love about this Chickasaw Country Featured Town of the Month? Check out Sulphur’s seasonal events and annual celebrations below. Always colorful and soulful, these community festivities make for some pretty fabulous family-friendly outings. Plan a vacation around one of these events or try out one of the pre-planned itineraries above. Whatever’s clever in your trip planner – we promise your visit to Sulphur will be one for the scrapbooks!