Things to Do in Lawton-Fort Sill Oklahoma
Filled with the gala spirit of celebration, the city is energized as everyone throughout the community pays tribute to the legacy of Fort Sill and its historic its 150th anniversary. If you’re visiting Lawton-Fort Sill or returning for a closer look, it’s the perfect time to delve into the region’s rich history.
“We want visitors and residents to know the meaningful place that Lawton holds in history as they visit our many points of interest,” said Logan Ralston, Conventions & Visitors Bureau projects officer.
Guiding visitors, the CVB created a themed, three-day itinerary to sites throughout the city. There’s a new monthly happenings calendar, too, posted on the Chamber’s website. It’s brimming with special events, concerts, notable historic sights and more. And don’t miss the Ware on C Block Party in historic downtown, featuring food vendors, music and shopping. It’s all happening on the first weekend of selected months. Time to get out and about and discover Lawton.
Attractions in Lawton-Fort Sill
Apache Casino Hotel
Accommodations are spacious and comfy. Find gaming options galore, including new additions and old favorites like slots, blackjack and ultimate Texas Hold ‘Em. Enjoy concerts and entertainment and delicious dining for a night on the town.
Bingo Country
Enjoy weekly promotions with guaranteed payouts and you could be a winner! Traditional bingo and games that benefit charity await. Hungry bingo players can choose from items on the on-site cafe menu, and food can even be brought to your table.
Cameron University Department of Music
There’s something for everyone. The public is invited to performances and lively concerts throughout the year. Thrill to season favorites, the jazz ensemble and more. Check the university calendar for dates and locations.
Comanche Nation Casino
Home of the million dollar jackpot, the excitement never ends at Oklahoma’s largest casino. Always open, the casino offers black jack, poker and entertaining table games. Grab some casual fare at the Mustang Sports Grill or head to the Casino Grill for appetizers, salads, hamburgers and sandwiches.
Comanche Red River Hotel Casino
Have a seat and join the fun with more than 1,000 interactive games. This pet-friendly destination is open every day so you can win big. The casino features tournaments, give-aways, drawings and special events. Stay the night and extend your fun.
Comanche Spur Casino
Make it your lucky day as you explore the casino, exciting slot machines and the newest interactive games. Enjoy a treat from the snack shop and visit the smoke shop for a great selection of cigars.
Historic Mattie Beal Home
Step back in time when you enter the gracious 14-room, two-story residence that preserves Lawton’s distinctive history. The neoclassical home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and was acquired by a generous Lawton family in the 1901 land lottery. Open Thursday through Sunday, noon to 3 p.m.
Holy City of the Wichitas
Hosting the longest-running passion play in the country and open daily, this historic landmark resembles old Jerusalem set among 66 acres of sweeping vistas in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge.
Kiowa Casino & Hotel
Join the fun while you stay and play at this winning destination. Sample fare at three unique restaurants and step up to play at more than 800 slot machines and nearly a dozen game tables.
Laugh Out Loud
LOL is the place for you to enjoy fun, food and friends. Our games and attractions are the best in the Lawton area. Laugh Out Loud hand tossed pizzas will tickle your taste buds. Our main attractions include Laser Tag, Skating, Mini Bowling, Ball-O-City, and video games.
Lawton Community Theatre
Since 1952 this beloved venue has served as the stage for dramatic performances that celebrate the human spirit. Enjoy contemporary theater, cutting-edge productions, comedies, musicals and more. Encore!
Lawton Philharmonic Orchestra
Experience the sounds of Mozart, Bach, Mendelssohn, Leonard Bernstein and other great composers. Holidays are made merrier with special ensembles showcasing seasonal music. Reserve seats for the entire season or choose favorites year-round.
Leslie Powell Foundation Gallery
Featuring regional, contemporary artists, this compact gallery retains a 1920s art deco flavor. Displaying multi-media works from photography and graphite drawings to paintings and sculpture, the gallery is a venue for high-profile lecturers and speakers who discuss and promote the arts.
Medicine Park Aquarium & Natural Sciences Center
Explore earth, sky and water inside this premier learning center. Observe sea life and electric eel feeding shows in the Marvels & Mysteries Gallery three times daily and visit Turtle Town to feed the turtles. Aquatic galleries house sunfish, catfish, trout, pike, perches, piranhas and more. Enjoy scenic vistas, too, with stunning views of Mount Scott. Open daily, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
New Vision Theaters Central Twelve Mall
Catch the latest shows and munch on a crispy bucket of popcorn and your favorite snacks. Enjoy new shows or classic films and $5 tickets on Tuesdays.
Patriot Theatres
It’s showtime! AMC CLASSIC Patriot Theatre is here to serve up movie memories with friends & family. Come enjoy Coca-Cola Freestyle and delicious menu items like pretzel bites, movie nachos, and annual refillable popcorn buckets, all at a great value.
Tour de Meers
Grab your helmets and ride along the beautiful Comanche and the Kiowa Indian Country. The Meers Volunteer Fire Department presents a wonderful ride with challenging hills and paths.
Tour of the Wichitas
Tour of the Wichitas and include the following text: Take a ride through the Wichita Mountains! Tour of the Wichitas is a premier biking event for the Lawton Fort Sill community that showcases the beautiful, serene Wichita Mountains and highlights the historical landmarks of Fort Sill.
Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
Take a guided tour by bus or hike for miles amid this 59,000-acre preserve. As home to a multitude of endangered species, more than 50 mammals and 806 plant species thrive. A scenic drive to Mt. Scott summit inside the park showcases breathtaking views of the Wichita Mountains. Excluding major holidays, the park is open daily.
Annual Events in Lawton
3 Mile Thursdays
Love the outdoors? Grab your gym shoes and join Classic Lawton Chevrolet as they present a three mile run. Runners will run south along 82nd street.
Armed Forces Day Parade
One of the largest military parades in the nation, this gala spring parade features high-stepping bands, community and business floats, military officials and veterans who pay tribute to all men and women who valiantly serve our nation. Pomp and circumstance is the order of the day!
Arts for All Festival
Held in Lawton’s Shelper Park on the second full weekend in May, Arts for All spans the weekend featuring sculpture, woodworking, glass art, painting and many forms of art to be enjoyed by all. Check out the food court and music on multiple stages. There’s fun for the kiddos, too.
Chamber on the Move
Join us for the exciting new extension of the Ware On C Block Party called Chamber on the Move! Chamber on the Move will take the fun activities, shopping, food and entertainment aspects of the Ware On C Block Party and MOVE to your favorite local businesses parking lots. To find out where the next MOVE will be, check out visitlawtonok.com.
International Festival
If you want to experience Lawton’s deep multicultural heritage, this is the event not to miss. The multi-day celebration includes ethnic foods of all kinds and music from jazz and polka to blues and reggae by top performers. Admission and parking are free.
Lawton Rangers PRCA Rodeo
Pull on your boots and head to the action-packed Lawton Rangers PRCA Rodeo. Thrill to the sounds and excitement of steer and bull roping, barrel racing, high-spirited bulls and team-roping competitions. Don’t miss the pageantry of the annual rodeo queen contest and check out pleasing vittles fit for all cowpokes and friends.
Longhorn and Bison Auctions
The sounds of hooves and snorts of longhorns and bison fill the air at these fall auctions, which are open to the public. Held at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, two separate auctions feature longhorns or bison in a day filled with sights and sounds of the west at its best.
Open Streets
Let’s play. This fun-loving concept turns streets into community parks for short times, encouraging friends, family and community to get moving and enjoy some fun, from board games to food trucks and farmers markets.
Spirit of Survival Race
Benefiting four Cancer Centers in Southwest Oklahoma, this race has more than 5,000 running enthusiasts hoofing their way to the finish line in this annual 5K, walk/run and kids marathon. You can fight the good fight with a longer race, too, by registering for a half- or quarter-marathon. This event now has a bike ride as well.
Ware on C
Downtown Lawton’s block party is sure to get you talking about shopping local and having fun. Come check out shops and vendors on C Ave, where you’ll also find quality entertainment and awesome food and drink. Ware on C has it all! Go to visitlawtonok.com for the next Ware on C date.
Museums
Air Defense Artillery Museum
Spend hours or days exploring artifacts, exhibits and artillery, old and new. The Air Defense Artillery Museum preserves the history of the U.S. Army and Air Defense. Artillery in a fascinating showcase of weaponry, tools and uniforms. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Comanche National Museum and Cultural Center
More than three decades in the making, the Comanche National Museum and Cultural Center fosters understanding and appreciation of Comanche history, culture and fine art. Learn the fascinating history of the Code Talkers who helped defeat Hitler’s army on D-Day. Admission is free.
Fort Sill National Historical Landmark and Museum
Stroll this enormous museum that occupies 38 buildings filled with vast holdings and exhibits that include more than 235,000 objects and artillery and artillery that dates from the Revolutionary War and much more.
Museum of the Great Plains
Explore the human history of the Great Plains at one of Lawton’s top attractions. Three distinct galleries, indoor and out, hold treasures and artifacts of bygone days. Interactive exhibits fascinate with demonstrations of working life on the Plains, including home craft, tool making and cattle work. Reenactments bring all to life.
U.S. Army Artillery Museum
The U.S. Army Artillery Museum tells the story of artillery from 1775 to the present with more than 70 guns and artillery pieces and other artifacts from head gear and ammo to small arms and uniforms. Cannon demonstration firing, World War I program and historic weapons firing demonstrations.
LAKES, FISHING & OUTDOOR RECREATION
Lake Elmer Thomas Recreation Area (LETRA)
Grab a fishing pole and head to the 5,600 acre Lake Ellsworth for a day on the water. Lawton is brimming with outdoor destinations for hiking, kayaking, biking and nature viewing. Cast a line at Lake Lawtonka for smallmouth bass or head to Lake Elmer Thomas Recreation area to lounge on a sandy beach, swim and paddle or play a round of miniature golf.
Places to Stay in Lawton
Apache Casino Hotel
2315 E Gore Blvd. 580-248-5905
www.apachecasinohotel.com
Baymont Inn & Suites
1203 NW 40th St. 580-353-5581
www.baymontinns.com
Best Western Plus Hotel & Conference Center
1125 E Gore Blvd. 580-353-0200
www.bestwesternlawton.com
Candlewood Suites
940 NW 38th St. 580-354-9906
www.candlewoodsuites.com/lawtonfortsill
Comfort Suites
201 SE Interstate Drive 580-248-2200
www.CSLawton.com
Days Inn
601 NW 2nd St. 96
800-329-7466
Echo Canyon Spa Resort
350 Lawton Ave., Sulphur,
580-421-5076
www.echocanyonmanor.com
Fairfield Inn & Suites By Marriott
201 SE 7th St.
580-248-5500
www.marriott.com/lawfi
Hampton Inn & Suites
2610 NW Cache Road
580-355-8200
www.hamptoninn.com
Hilton Garden Inn & Lawton-Fort Sill Convention Center
135 NW 2nd St. 580-280-2100
http://hiltongardeninn3.hilton.com/en/hotels/oklahoma/hilton-garden-inn-lawton-fort-sill-LAWFGGI/index.html
Holiday Inn Express & Suites
209 SE Interstate Drive 580-248-4446
www.hiexpress.com/lawton
Homewood Suites By Hilton
415 SE Interstate Drive 580-357-9800
www.lawton.homewoodsuites.com
LaQuinta Inn & Suites
1408 NW 40th St.
580-355-6800
www.lq.com
Motel 6
202 E Lee Blvd. 580-355-9765
Sleep Inn & Suites
421 SE Interstate Drive 580-353-5555
www.sleepinn.com/ok170
Springhill Suites By Marriott
3 SE Interstate Drive 580-248-8500
www.marriott.com/lawsh