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If you’re thinking about spending your Spring Break, we’ve compiled 6 great adventure starters for you around town, maybe including some things you haven’t considered. 1. Shawnee Twin Lakes About eight miles west of town will take you to the Shawnee Twin Lakes, a lovely destination for both Shawnee residents and visitors looking to unwind at the waterfront. Go for a swim or grab your reel and go fishing. The lakes are stocked with bass, crappie, sand bass and channel catfish. There's even a fully enclosed fishing dock, so you can test your angling skills regardless of weather. Fishing is allowed in both lakes, but you'll need to purchase a permit. Make sure you check with the headquarters office; you can double check information about the lakes, as well as pay any fees for boating, camping, or fishing. If you happen to get lucky and are enjoying a warm-weather Spring Break, stop by Kayak Cove to rent a kayak and get out on the water without getting wet! 2. Citizen Potawatomi Nation Cultural Heritage Center If you're interested in learning more about Native American history, the CPN (Citizen Potawatomi Nation)'s CHC ( Cultural Heritage Center ), will tell you their story. Not only does the CHC have a research archive full of tribal information and records, they also display a museum full of exhibits curated to teach both tribal members and the public about the history of the CPN. Best of all, visiting this state of the art cultural center is completely free! After you've been awed by the story of this ancient people, take home a souvenir from the Potawatomi Gift shop ! 3. Coffee Break Shawnee has several local coffee shops, from sit-down and read vibes to paint and sip! Visit Comma Cafe in downtown Shawnee for a fine selection of handcrafted espresso beverages and a plethora of pastries. If you're on the other side of town, try Elevated Grounds ; in addition to coffee, they serve Asian hot teas and Boba teas. Coffee N' Crafts lets you paint while you sip, and Heavenly Grind's will keep you going without forcing you to leave your car; their "tornado" will deliver a deliciously bold dose of espresso. 4. Specialty Shopping Looking for something to do while you're resting up from all your exciting Spring Break outings? Bibliotech Books and Comics sells books and comics (hence the name!), but they also carry graphic novels, board games, and collectible trading cards. To browse a store full of kitchen gadgets and gizmos you didn't even know you needed and fine oils and vinegars, check out Savvy Bites ! 5. Indoor Adventures Not exactly feeling like spring outside just yet? We got you! Solve puzzles to solve a mystery or escape the room in less than an hour at House of Hints escape rooms, or practice your aim at Lumberjack Johnson's Axe Throwing & Smash Room just down the street. 6. Selfie Stops Explore Shawnee in a creative way by looking for the best places to take a picture. There are many scenic vistas around town, and whether you’re a selfie star or a photography enthusiast, there’s no shortage of great places to pose. Try one of our university campuses which feature buildings over a century old. Better yet, find your favorite painted horse sculpture around town and use it to make a statement. Tag your selfies with #VisitShawneeOK to be featured on our social media sites or your photo might even end up in one of our brochures! Explore other options for what do while you're here by looking at the various sections of our website or by following us on Facebook or Instagram ! Our visitor guide and maps are available at the Welcome Center located at 2820 N Kickapoo Avenue-- we’re open 9 am to 5:30 pm, Monday through Friday. See you soon in Shawnee!

You don't have to spend a lot to experience a lot! And in some cases in Shawnee, you don't have to spend at all. There are many free things to do and see in the Redbud City -- learn about native cultures; see nature and the animals that inhabit it. Take a hike. See the arts! Here are 20 free things to do in or around Shawnee. 1. At the Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s Cultural Heritage Cente r learn about the historical and contemporary aspects of the tribe by seeing the newly renovated galleries which feature tribal history ranging from pre-contact history to present day. It’s free to visit, but you may want a commemorative item or two from the gift shop. 2. Also at the Center is the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Eagle Aviary . A permanent home for eagles (and other birds) that have sustained injuries serious enough that they cannot live in the wild, the Aviary shares with visitors the spiritual and cultural significance of these majestic animals. While free, this adventure does require booking in advance! 3. See art from nearly 100 Oklahoman artists at two different galleries, The Arts at 317 and Community Art Gallery (but we don't blame you if you find a piece of artwork you just HAVE to buy!) 4. While there’s a nominal fee to enter the Pottawatomie County Museum , the grounds are free to walk. See the Beard Cabin built in 1891, and iconic the Santa Fe Depot across the lawn! 5. Get outdoors at Shawnee's Twin Lakes Reservoir . Sure the fishing and boating require permits at a cost, but between the two lakes, there’s 25 miles of shore to explore which is free. 6. Also outdoor are the multiple parks in Shawnee. Sister City Park includes the Japanese Peace Garden; Dean Weigant Park features two playgrounds; Boy Scout Park a splash pad, basketball courts, pavilions, and walking trail! 7. The Arboretum on the campus of Oklahoma Baptist University includes 154 different species of trees and more than 630 trees and shrubs. Explore the campus and see the beauty of nature. 8. The Butterfly Garden at the OSU Pott Co Extension is where you can find, well, butterflies. There’s many species of butterflies and moths, bumble bees, and honey bees (Spring & Summer are the best times to visit). 9. Back on OBU’s campus is an 18-hole disc golf course . At each tee pad area, you will find a map for that particular basket number. An overall course map is also available. Sure you’ll need to invest in a disc or two, but play is free. 10. Look to the stars at Ten Acre Observatory at Tribbey. the primary viewing location of the Odyssey Astronomy Club, view the night sky using the 13" Coulter Optics and Starmaster 20" Telescopes. 11. Find all 34 of Shawnee's iconic Painted Horses ! 12. The MGMOA Gallery at SSM Health is located on the north side of the SSM St. Anthony's Shawnee Hospital. Artwork is displayed in the gallery by different local artists from around the region in diverse forms and genres. 13. Attend the Fireflight Balloon Festival the second weekend in August! Entry is absolutely free to the festival, including parking. There's also a free-to-enter Outdoor Expo that runs annually during the festival on the same grounds. 14. In April and early May, check out the scores of redbud trees blooming across the city, and see why Shawnee is the Redbud City of Oklahoma . 15. Explore more art by finding Shawnee's two dozen murals , tucked all around town. 16. Take the pups for a fun time at one of our pet-friendly parks and shops. 17. Attend Shawnee's legendary Halloween Festival, Monsters on Main (formerly Boo on Bell) for a downtown carnival, vendor fair, and trick or treat, and more. 18. See the prettiest, fastest, or most nostalgic cars and bikes at one of Shawnee's premier car shows and cruise-ins , most of which are free to onlookers. 19. Visit the Welcome Center for even more information and ideas on fun things to see and do in Shawnee, OK, USA! Work up an appetite with all the free fun? The money you saved allows you to grab a bite. Here's where the locals eat . And who knows, you may find there's too much to do in one day. Grab a hotel room and make a weekend of it! :)

Shawnee is an RV'ers paradise! With a wide variety of RV parks, RV and group friendly restaurants and attractions, we are a great weekend getaway just 30 minutes east of OKC on I-40 where you can bring your home away from home along for the adventure! Best Times to RV in Shawnee, OK One of the best times to travel to Shawnee in an RV is during the spring bloom of the Redbuds -- late March to early April. Another popular time is the second weekend in August, when many travel to attend the Fireflight Balloon Festival and Outdoor Nation Expo ! Shawnee is also especially welcoming in autumn, when we have over 50 fall festivals and trick or treats from September through early November, and the leaves at Oklahoma Baptist University's nationally recognized Arboretum are putting on an incredible show. Top RV Parks in Shawnee Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center's RV Park One of the state's largest with over 700 sites in 50 and 30 amp and four comfort stations in addition to a conference facility, catering, and other amenities to ensure your stay is a hit! Online reservation and check in available, and laundry service. 1700 W Independence | (405) 275-7020 | shawneeexpo.com/rvpark Rolling Stone Stables & RV Park Located just north of Shawnee on I-40 off a gravel road, this unique and beautiful park features rentable stables with RV spaces surrounding, alongside a 5 acre fishing lake. 5927 Fountain Lake Dr | (405) 318-3303 | rollingstonestables.com Shawnee RV Park Simple gravel RV park right off Hwy 18 just a few minutes north of I-40. Full hooks at every site, with 30 & 50 amp available. Coin-operated laundry. 8975 N Harrison St | (405) 878-5799 | shawneervpark.com Country Hollow Campgrounds Located on the south side of Shawnee minutes from downtown and Firelake Casino and Arena, Country Hollow is a gated park full of mature trees, with river access. Online reservation and check in available. 1703 E Farrall St | (405) 706-8472 | countryhollow.net Happy Acres 5 minutes north of I-40 featuring 62 concrete sites with full hookups! The park is beautiful and shaded with many mature trees, and also has some walking trails in addition to fire pits. Laundry & restrooms under construction. 9513 N Harrison Ave | (405) 434-9955 | visitshawnee.com/happyacres RV & Trailer Service in Shawnee Prestige RV Center 37311 W 45th St | (405) 275-3555 | prestigervcenter.com Trailer Depot 5 Westgate | (405) 214-2700 | oktrailerdepot.com Have your next RV Rally in Shawnee! Shawnee has over 1,000 RV spots to suit your needs; from small and quiet to big and lively we've got just the park for your group. We also have a menu of group-friendly restaurants and attractions and are here to support you in planning a successful RV Rally in Shawnee. For more information and assistance planning your rally in Shawnee, contact Stacy at (405) 275-9780 or tell us about your event via email at info@visitshawnee.com .

Shawnee's Twin Lakes Reservoir is located on South Deer Creek in Pottawatomie County, just 1 mile south of Grand Casino / I-40. Between the two lakes, you can boat, fish, ski, swim, hunt, and camp! Whether you need a fishing permit or you're planning to camp, consider this your resource for all the info on finding your adventure at Twin Lakes. Click a topic to skip to it: Parks at Twin Lakes Fishing Swimming Boating & Skiing Camping Hunting History of Twin Lakes Zebra Mussels Info Parks at Twin Lakes Twin Lakes features two multi-use parks, which are open daily from 7 am - 9 pm. Isaac Walton Park, established after the opening of Lake 1 in 1935, has a pavilion, 15 camp sites, 8 picnic areas with grills, swimming, restrooms, lighting, and parking. Glenn Collins Park (formerly called "Stonehenge") was developed by city crews, and is located between the two dams with a pavilion, picnic areas with grills, swimming, restrooms, lighting and parking. To reserve one of the covered pavilions, contact the Shawnee Parks Department at (405) 273-1960, or reserve it online here ! Fishing Fishing (according to the State of Oklahoma's fishing regulations) is allowed on both lakes, and a City of Shawnee fishing permit is required for anyone under 65. Juglines are permitted on Lake 2 only. Click the button below and then select the blue Shawnee Lakes tab to purchase your fishing permit online. If you'd like to host an event on the lake such as a fishing tournament, there is a special event permit for that which you can apply for online at VisitShawnee.com/event-permits. Swimming Shawnee Twin Lakes has two designated swimming areas located on Shawnee Lake 1. Swimming is only allowed in Lake 1 from 7 am - 9 pm, and is free of charge. Isaac Waltons Park located at the dead end of Lake Rd on the east side of Lake 1 Glenn Collins Memorial Park located on the West side of Shawnee Lake 1 All children 12 and younger must be accompanied by an adult before entering a swimming area; all children 8 and younger must wear a regulation life preserver when in the wat Boating and Skiing Motorized boating is allowed on both lakes, while skiing, tubing, and personal watercrafts are allowed on Shawnee Lake #1 only. All of these activities require a boating permit, which you can obtain by using the button below. Kayaks and canoes are allowed on both lakes and do not require a permit at this time (6/8/2022). Camping There are 15 designated primitive campsites located at Isaac Walton Park at the dead end of Lake Rd. Camping is limited to a maximum of 7 days. Campsites may hold up to 2 tents each. No reservations; first come, first serve. Occupy the site, then pay online at the link below, or use the onsite cash envelopes and drop box. These campsites and the restrooms onsite are not open all year (primarily they are closed in the winter). Call (405) 273-1960 for more information. Hunting Hunting is permitted within these boundaries on Lake 2 only, and a City of Shawnee permit is required for anyone under the age of 65. Hunting of deer, turkey, and geese is prohibited. History of Shawnee Twin Lakes Twin Lakes is a municipal reservoir owned and operated by the City of Shawnee! Lake #1 was built in 1935, covers a surface area of 1,336 acres and has 16 miles of shoreline. Lake #2 was built in 1960, has a surface area of 1,100 acres and 9 miles of shoreline. The lakes are connected by a 10-foot-deep canal constructed in 1962. Zebra Mussels Information Unfortunately, in April of 2022 it was confirmed that Zebra Mussels had gained a foothold in Shawnee's Twin Lakes Reservoir. Read more about Shawnee's response to zebra mussels in Twin Lakes here. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife recommends draining all bilge water, live wells, and bait buckets before leaving the lake, scrape off any zebra mussels or aquatic vegetation found on watercraft, and dry the boat for at least a week before entering another waterway. These precautions help stifle the spread of this invasive species. We appreciate your help in stopping the spread of zebra mussels.

Check out the calendar below for a list of all events taking place in historic downtown Shawnee! This downtown-only event list is excerpted from the calendar at VisitShawnee.com/events , which includes all events in the Shawnee area. New events are added every Wednesday, and anyone can add events to the calendar! Visit Shawnee is the City of Shawnee's Department of Tourism. We do not organize these events, but work to promote the events of organizers to a wider audience.

We hope you have a fun & relaxing stay in Shawnee! Stop by or contact our Welcome Center for even more information on having your best Shawnee adventure. www.visitshawnee.com 2820 N Kickapoo Ave | (405) 275-9780 | info@visitshawnee.com

9/8/2021 -- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE A Film-Friendly Community presentation featuring guest speaker Yousef Kazemi from the Oklahoma Film & Music Office on what citizens can expect with film productions in Shawnee on Friday, September 10th from noon to 1:00 pm at 20 West Works Coworking Space, located at 20 W Main St, Suite 109 in downtown Shawnee. "This is the first of many opportunities to welcome citizens to the table to learn more about this new industry and the opportunities it holds for Shawnee. We're excited to bring in Mr. Kazemi, who guides this industry at a state level and has a lot of expertise on how rural communities can best benefit from productions." - Erica Bass, Travel Industry Communications Manager at City of Shawnee. Within the last year, Shawnee welcomed a variety of film and television productions. Shawnee has a history of working to cultivate the film, television and music industries within their community dating back over ten years ago as host of the former Southern Winds Film Festival to presently serving as home to companies like Outsiders Productions and Grand Casino’s Emmy Award-winning singer/songwriter series Play It Loud . "The Oklahoma Film & Music Office has a lot of resources for us, and we're excited for attendees to have the opportunity to learn about the film process, what sorts of services productions need while they're in town, and also what Shawnee's film permit process requires of productions so that we are ensuring the wellbeing of our citizens and businesses as we bring this industry into our city," - Stacy Cramer-Moore, Director of the Shawnee Film & Music Office. The talk will also include details about Oklahoma's new state-wide film incentives program, how to get your property listed on Shawnee's database of film locations, how to become an extra or crew member, and more. All are welcome, but there is limited space. Please RSVP to info@visitshawnee.com for distancing. For more information on the Shawnee Film and Music Office, visit www.visitshawnee.com/film . For more information on OF+MO’s Oklahoma Film Friendly Community program, visit okfilmmusic.org/filmfriendly . About the Oklahoma Film + Music Office: Under the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, the Oklahoma Film + Music Office (OF+MO) works to promote the state as a viable hub for film, television and music production as well as further develop opportunities for workforce, business and community growth within these sectors. For more information on the Oklahoma Film + Music Office, including the state's film incentives and additional resources, visit okfilmmusic.org .

Looking to romance your sweetie and try something new? We've got an awesome date planned for you! Want to treat yourself, or go out with friends? Try one of these outings to have a great time with them! Artsy Evening Order a coffee and a canvas (or seasonal ceramic!) to paint at Coffee N' Crafts' Wall of Paint on historic Main Street. Stop by Artzy Fartzy (just down the street) to create your own mini potted succulent at the "$10 buck succ" bar. Skip down the street to grab a burger at historic Hamburger King (tip -- don't skip the pie!) Foodie Fun Shop for cool kitchen gadgets at Savvy Bites downtown or at Ross inside Shawnee Mall! Enjoy a steak dinner for two (or try one of their famous vegan/vegetarian options like the Impossible Chopped) at Paul's Place Steakhouse ! Reservations helpful, but not required. Build your own dream cookie sandwich or designer ice cream flavor at Marble Slab/Great American Cookies , located at Bison Crossing on Kickapoo. Adventurous Evening Try to escape in less than an hour by solving puzzles and clues at House of Hints escape rooms, or test your aim at Lumberjack Johnson's Axe Throwing -- both in downtown Shawnee! Find a secondhand treasure at one of Shawnee's excellent vintage and antique stores (T-Box Antiques, 25 Thrift, and Rogers Vintage are all excellent choices; bonus points if you find your treasure at a shop you've never been to)! Try the sushi, udon, or any dish at Phoenix Asian Diner ! If you're feeling really fancy, order a sake. Historic Haunts Visit Oklahoma's oldest art museum and the home of OK's only mummies, the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art ! Fill up at Oklahoma’s oldest BBQ restaurant continuously owned & operated by the same family, Van's Pig Stand ! Visit the original location on Highland. Take a scenic and historic walk in pre-statehood downtown Shawnee and see the iconic Santa Fe Depot and Beard Cabin . Mall Madness Have a delicious meal of Japanese fare at Sakura or cowboy ranch food at Santa Fe Steakhouse . Race to earn the best prizes in At the Pier Arcade located in the Shawnee Mall. Order a confection to share with rolled ice cream artistry at The Rolling Cow (they have boba tea too!) 💸Free Fun Pack a picnic and enjoy it at the serene Japanese Peace Garden located alongside the Airport Trail; for best results, time it so you're finishing up with the sunset - it's a beautiful view! Play a round of Disc Golf at one of Shawnee's three, free public courses; just BYO discs! Find at least 15 of the 30+ Painted Horses in Shawnee! Download the list here . Have a great date!

It's pretty often we get asked, "What's new in Shawnee?" Right now, what's new & happening might not be what you'd expect. Disc Golf has been gaining popularity across the U.S. for years, and it is really happening here in Shawnee! Disc Golf Courses in Shawnee There are three public disc golf courses open year-round in Shawnee; one at Oklahoma Baptist University , the IBC Disc Course , and another smaller course at Boy Scout Park . Disc Golf Gear In summer 2022, Rattle My Chains opened up as a gear shop in downtown Shawnee dedicated to providing high-quality disc-golf gear locally, right on our historic Main Street. Since then, their inventory and demand has only grown! Located inside The Arts @ 317 , Rattle My Chains is your one-stop shop for first-timers to pros for discs, baskets, disc carts, and accessories. You can also find excellent new & used disc golf gear at another locally-owned sporting goods store, Play It Again Sports . Disc Golf Events In October 2022, Shawnee hosted its first-ever PDGA tournament, with many more PDGA events expected to follow. Click here to see what disc golf events are coming up!

A visit to Shawnee is more than our art, historic sites, and Native American culture. It’s daytrips to see more of Oklahoma. Plan to spend an extra day or two. Within an hour of Shawnee, here’s our favorite historic and off-beat sites to see northeast of the Redbud City. Seaba Station Motorcycle Museum, Warwick. Seaba Filling Station is listed on the National Register of Historic Places having been built in 1921. It is now filled with more than 65 vintage motorcycles from 1908 to present – including a bike like Captain America rode! One visitor has said, “this place really captures the essence of what it's about to travel on Route 66. A quick stop at roadside museum or attraction to gain a little knowledge and get a good photo op is at the heart of the Route 66 travel experience.” Website 405-258-9141 Route 66 Interpretive Center, Chandler. It’s not your typical museum. It’s “more than a display of chrome and neon. Route 66’s tale is told through an interesting array of interactive videos portraying the huge part Oklahoma has played in forming the sights and sounds along the “Mother Road.” Website 405-258-1300 Mural, Chandler. Depicting Chandler’s history, this mural is located On the south side of the downtown area, just south of 13th street on Route 66 1301 Manvel Ave Lincoln County Museum of Pioneer History, Chandler. See murals, Native American artifacts, the memorabilia from legendary Lincoln County U.S. Marshal William (Bill) Tilghman, a member of the famous Oklahoma “Three Guardsmen,” and the Outhouse. (Believe us!) Website (405) 258-2425 Brick Paved Broadway Street, Davenport. Located on the famous Route 66 "Curve" midway between Okla. City and Tulsa, Davenport is a bustling little town where travelers can still drive on one of the few strips of original Portland cement that was laid for the Mother Road highway. It’s on the National Register of Historic Places. Read the historic marker in front of the post office and see the two large murals on downtown buildings. Ozark Trail Obelisk, Davenport. The Ozark Trail obelisk in Stroud is one of only two remaining Oklahoma monuments of the historic motor trail that predates Route 66. The Ozark Trail was established in 1913 and routes were originally marked with 21 green and white obelisks from Missouri to New Mexico and Texas. Nationally, only seven obelisks remain. This 21-foot-tall structure in Stroud was originally erected along Main Street, but was later relocated to its current location closer to Davenport. Website Sparks Vinyard and Winery, Sparks. Featured on Discover Oklahoma and voted one of the best wineries in Oklahoma by the OKC Gazette, the winery is perfect for this discovery journey, wine trailing, fact-finding, and thirst quenching. Website 918-866-2529 UFO, Shoe Tree and Metal Dinosaur, Stroud. Tucked away on the sides of old Route 66 in Stroud are is a collection of metalwork . There’s a couple of skeletal cows, a cactus, and a child-sized train called the Lincoln County Express. It was the work of Paul Hicks, a pipeline welder who started creating this collection in the 1970s. Yard artist Craig McGuire created a UFO. Tip: there is a sign that says "UFO" right before the gravel driveway. And the Shoe Tree ? It’s a tree with shoes hanging from it. (We don’t know either.) Bohemian Hall, Prague. The Bohemian Hall, built in 1917 and listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings, was the center of the rich culture of the Czechoslovakian gatherings whether it be for dancing, song, performances, or simply the warmth and friendship of sharing their familiar heritage. After a fun day of sight-seeing and exploring, grab a bite , then settle into your hotel room in Shawnee and rest up for your next day of fun or travels home.