Between Oklahoma City And Little Rock Is A Welcoming Midwest City With A Quaint Downtown And Cultural Flair

It pays to get off the beaten path. In the southeastern corner of Oklahoma sits McAlester, a charming little city of 18,000, whose downtown hits above its weight with cool shops, tasty restaurants, and a calendar packed with exciting events. Within an easy drive of four major cities — it's 130 miles from Oklahoma City, 266 miles from Little Rock, 90 miles from Tulsa, and 170 miles from Dallas — McAlester is more than worth a day trip, or even an overnighter at one of its many homes available for rent.

As part of Choctaw Nation, McAlester has a fascinating history. The town started as Perryville in 1838, where it was founded at the junction of two major routes, serving as a stopover for travelers headed west to California or south to Texas. Like Atlanta, Perryville was burned down during the Civil War — a few years later, a former Confederate officer named J.J. McAlester established a trading post on the grounds of Perryville, and that quickly grew into the town that bears his name. Today, McAlester is a small but adorable city full of large turn-of-the-century brick buildings and nestled deep in the American heartland, with an exciting downtown packed full of arts and culture.

McAlester's highly walkable downtown may be modest, but its offerings aren't. Whether you're looking for new gifts and apparel or antiques, its stores present many enticing options. And its restaurants run the gamut from comfy Southern favorites to beloved diner classics and delicious Mexican delicacies.

If you're looking for gifts for your friends or family, or just something to remember your trip to McAlester, there are several stores you should hit downtown. Common Roots sells unique, locally-inspired shirts and sweatshirts, as well as jewelry, home goods, and assorted knick-knacks from popular companies. Find apparel and accessories at The Olive Branch, or clothing, beauty products, and kitchenware at Harper & Grey House. If you're looking for something with a little more history to it, McAlester has a number of antique vendors downtown. Main Street Junction has been selling restored items since 1994, while the McAlester Antique Mall is a sprawling network of over 40 dealers selling all kinds of vintage finds. Like so many Oklahoma towns, McAlester is a treasure trove of antique stores and old-country charm.

When you inevitably work up an appetite with all that retail therapy, head to one of Downtown McAlester's many enticing eateries. Lucy's Two may be the most beloved restaurant in town, with a 4.8 rating on TripAdvisor and a 100% recommendation score on Facebook, after almost 60 reviews — it serves up classic diner food like sandwiches, soups, and salads, along with homemade cake and pie. Joe's Yardbird is celebrated for its fried chicken sandwiches and also serves burgers, Philly cheesesteaks, and more. And if you want something a little spicier, El Jalisco is a longtime local favorite with numerous readers' choice awards from the McAlester News-Capital.

Downtown McAlester stays busy throughout the year with festivals, fairs, and cultural celebrations honoring its history and people. Whether it's food, music, or something as niche as country-themed steampunk, McAlester is always humming with cultural flair.

Yukon may be Oklahoma's live music capital. However, McAlester is no slouch either. Since 2021 The Dancing Rabbit Music Festival has brought artists from a wide range of styles to the streets of Downtown McAlester. The festival soundtracks McAlester with rock, country, hip-hop, and more, from local artists and national touring hitmakers alike. Recent shows have featured the pop-punk band Van Full of Nuns, '90s alt-rock breakouts Marcy Playground, and platinum-selling Grammy winners Switchfoot. The Southeast Jam Foundation Music Series also brings music to McAlester, focusing on gospel.

Outside of music, McAlester hosts an annual grilling celebration and competition called Grillmarks. Grillers flood downtown with delicious meats, vying to be recognized as the true King of the Grill. McAlester's Italian population celebrates its heritage — and its food — at the annual McAlester Italian Festival. If you wish life were a little more fantastic, check out the sci-fi flourishes of steampunk with a cowpoke edge at SteamPunk Stampede, where vendors and artists ply steampunk-inspired wares and cosplayers compete for top prizes. If you've ever wondered what a clockwork buffalo looks like, wonder no more. And if you want to celebrate the true settlers of McAlester, the annual Indigenous Peoples' Day celebration lets you explore the culture of the Choctaw Tribe every October. McAlester's cultural events bring the past to life, whether it's the real one or a sci-fi version filled with gears and goggles — it's part of why this quiet Oklahoma town with laid-back vibes is worth going out of your way for.