Beavers Bend State Park area in Broken Bow, Oklahoma has become one of the top travel destinations in the US. As a South Arkansas local who has spent a lot of our “playtime” this summer exploring things nearby, we ventured over to Hochatown and Beavers Bend State Park, more than once a month. We’ve introduced some friends to our favorite attractions and thought we’d share them with you!
This past spring, Trip Advisor listed Broken as one of the top 5 destinations for spring break in a list with destinations like Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, and Naples, Florida. Another list included it as the second fastest-growing destination in the US. And, earlier this year it toped Vrbo’s list as the top drivable US travel destination.
So, what is it about Broken Bow, Oklahoma, and Hochatown that makes it so popular?
In my opinion, it is a couple of things:
- it’s totally drivable from lots of places in the heart of the contiguous United States
- It’s so family-friendly
- Its easy and chill
- It’s a great destination for lots of travel styles
- Creativity abounds – one of just about every popular modern travel attraction exists here – escape room, wineries, tap rooms, luxury cabins, great coffee, party decks, guided fishing trips, quiet woods, and boutique shopping
- It can be a pretty cheap stay
- It’s a beautiful area smashed between the Red River and the Kiamichi Mountains and Ouachita National Forest
At our current stage of life (insert preschooler), we are always looking for trips that go beyond “family-friendly.” We are asking the question, “is it fun for families with littles?” And, when I say littles, I mean babies to preschoolers. This is such a hard stage of life to travel through. Preschoolers need (read, “want”) busy all the time. They don’t really have “chill” mode and therefore families don’t really have a vacation mode. But, for us, vacationing means making memories and when you live in a small town, it’s finding the kinds of things that meet your kid’s interests and helping them explore new skills and experiences.
Broken Bow, Hochatown, and Idabel, Oklahoma check all those boxes!
Favorite activities for families with toddlers and preschoolers in Broken Bow, Oklahoma (listed in order of our favorites
- Gutter Chaos – this has become our FAVORITE thing to do in Hochatown – hot days, rainy days, with cousins, or grandmas – we all love it – bowling, billiards, and arcade.
- Beavers Bend Train Depot and Pony Rides – this has long been our favorite stop and always a day trip when friends come to visit. It sure gets hot in the summer, but the rest of the year its great. We often see deer and wildlife along the way and horses and pony rides are perfect for preschool age. We usually take a picnic lunch or snack and hit the playground across the street.
- Museum of the Red River | Idabel – dinosaur display is the reason to go and this makes a great rainy day activity. Under the same roof is a large collection of Native American art, and a small kids activity room and library. The museum itself is free and open to donations.
- Beavers Bend Mining Company – such a fun spot and now that they’ve added a pirates cove and golf course we are making more visits. Just ask questions, there are lots of options and combinations – but beware, theyhave a great gift shop and your kids will want all the things.
- Beavers Bend Wildlife Museum and Out of African Safari exhibit – a local taxidermist has turned his love of big game hunting and profession to a great attraction for families. Another great rainy day or hot day activity, but we can visit over and over. With littles it doesnt take long ot walk through the exhibit, but with bigs and adults you get a headset with a walking audio tour. But its so cool to see wild animals from Africa and Newfoundland. It make stories and books come to live when you can get up close and personal with a buffalo, zebra or elephant.
- Hochatown Rescue Center & Petting Zoo – I’ll be honest it kinda gives me the heeby-jeebies, but slimy animals usually do that. But, kids LOVE this place and again, they get to see animals that part of their everyday life unless they live in the woods. This place rehabs reptiles and mammals that are often found locally, hurt or damaged. Its a really great thing what this center does to rehab animals and in the process introduce them to new children.
- Beavers Bend State Park Nature Center – always a fun stop to see nature, animals and sneak in a little learning. Kids are always mesmerized by low exhibits where they can see new creatures.
- Beavers Bend Swimming hole – this land and water park has has access to a large swimming area, paddleboats, kayaks, and canoes. Great place for family day. Call ahead about life jackets and swimming vests.
- Frisco Station | Idabel – built in 1912 and added to the Naitonal Register of Historic Places in 1979, its a great walk around for train lovers. Stop at Jake’s Bricktown Grill for a meal with a train station view.
- Hochatown Thrills Bumper cars, Hochatown Amusements, Big Foot Speedway – theses all exist and honestly its just your personal preference on how early is too early to get a kid in a bumper or race car. For me, dad has to be around and they have ot be able to be together, but know there are options if this is your thing.
- Multiple Mini Golf spots – Old West Town Mini Golf, Mining company Pirate Golf – again around 3 is a really fun age to start exploring mini golf and its something fun to do outside together!
Kid-friendly places to eat in Broken Bow, Hochatown, and Idabel
- Grateful Head Pizza – can’t go wrong! Inside and outside options, its usually less crowded at lunch or an off time of day. Outside is fun, often there is someone singing and its ok for kids to be loud.
- Corndog stand – we have family who owns the big fair truck but kids always love corndogs
- Rock Bottom Boys BBQ
- Foggy Bottoms Kitchen – we love the patio and being surrounded by the trees. Its a beautiful place inside the park.
- Buffalo Grill – general “grill” food, but it was super chill inside and had a nice deck and is totally approachable food with littles.
- Lots of picnics!
- Abednigo’s is our favorite place to eat in Hochatown. We have taken our kid there and it was nice, but our real suggestion is to leave him with Grandma and go there for a date instead!
If you are planning to come to Broken Bow and stay in a cabin, we highly recommend stopping for a grocery pick up at Pruett Foods or Walmart in Idabel. Then, stay in and cook your own meals.
