Claremore has a quality of life unique to itself.
Located just on the outskirts of the Tulsa metro, it is home to fun events, annual festivals and outdoor recreation including a lake, parks and mountain bike trails. The downtown and university districts have an array of restaurants, coffee shops and boutiques. Northeast Oklahoma is vibrant and active with sights to see in each direction. There are attractions for the whole family, world class entertainment and cultural experiences throughout the region.
On campus, students enjoy a true college experience. Every week there is something happening. Students can attend a variety of college athletics events, live entertainment and student events or relax by taking a break at the coffee shop or taking a walk through the beautiful nature reserve.
Named for a towering and enlightening chief, Claremore holds stories of the Osage, the Cherokee and the cowboy alike. Great storytellers like Will Rogers and Lynn Riggs shared our humor with the world and made everyone fall in love with Oklahoma. We are a community of museums that commemorate and preserve our history. Discover the place we call “Home on the Hill.”
Claremore is Happening
Claremore is a happening college town! Claremore is a place that values community, service, hospitality and small town charm. From the arts, to exciting experiences, to local cuisine, everyone can find something they love.
Shop antiques and charming boutiques in our quaint, recently revitalized downtown, the Lilac District. Boat or ski at one of our many area lakes, featuring hundreds of miles of shoreline. Eat at one of our many restaurants. Claremore boasts of a variety of local eateries as well as about every national chain imaginable, many of which are located near campus. Even more retail and food establishments are located just a few miles away in Owasso – a major shopping hub of northeast Oklahoma.
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Claremore is Historic
While your visiting Rogers State University, take some time to visit some Claremore’s historic sites.
Oklahoma Military Academy Museum
You don’t have to travel far from the RSU campus in Claremore to visit several nationally recognized historic sites. In fact, you don’t have to leave the campus. The museum is located on the second floor of Meyer Hall and tells the story of the more than 10,000 cadets who attended the esteemed institution (the predecessor of RSU) from 1919 to 1971.
Will Rogers Memorial Museum
Located just across the street from the campus, the museums are one of Oklahoma’s top tourist attractions. This is the seminal museum on America’s favorite son and features exhibits of art, artifacts, and memorabilia (including original paintings by Charles Russell, Charles Banks Wilson, and others); internationally recognized library and archives; the Rogers family tomb; statues of Will Rogers; theaters; and a special children’s museum. The Will Rogers Birthplace and Ranch are located nearby in Oologah, Okla. (RSU and the Will Rogers Memorial and Museums are presently discussing a merger of the two institutions.)
J.M. Davis Arms & Historical Museum
Home to the unique collection of J.M. Davis of over 12,000 firearms and thousands of non-firearm artifacts ranging from Old West saddles and spurs, John Rogers statuary, Toby mugs and Beer Steins, World War I posters, and local Claremore and Rogers county history. Multi-media exhibits for a family-friendly walk through history.
Claremore Museum of History
The Claremore Museum of History showcases multiple collections of artifacts from Claremore’s notable individuals, including Lynn Riggs, Andy Payne, Patti Page, Stuart Roosa, and Helen Robson Walton. The museum’s mission is to create engaging experiences that celebrate history, connect community, and inspire creativity.
Belvidere Mansion
The “belle” of Rogers County, the Belvidere Mansion stands proudly on the corner of 4th and Chickasaw in historic Claremore, Oklahoma. Breaking ground in March and completed by Christmas of 1907, the mansion was created by entrepreneur, businessman, and financier John Melville Bayless for his wife, Mary Melissa, and their children – Francis, Guy, Earle, Bland, Ross, Bourke and Wayne.
Shepherd’s Cross
Shepherd’s Cross is the name of the Dickinson family farm located just north of Claremore, off of Scenic route 66, and Heart of the Shepherd is the Christin Public Non-Profit (501-C3) that operates at the farm.
Swan Bros. Dairy
Swan Bros. Dairy is a family owned and operated fourth generation dairy farm nestled in the northeast corner of Oklahoma. We offer our premium handcrafted cheeses and fresh milk at our farm store located in Claremore, Oklahoma.
- City of Claremore
- Claremore Chamber of Commerce
- Claremore Expo Center
- Claremore Convention & Visitor Bureau
More Around Claremore
There are historic and quirky tourist destinations nearby, especially along the famous Route 66.
Blue Whale
One of the most recognizable icons on Route 66, the attraction was built by Hugh Davis in the early 1970s as an anniversary gift to his wife Zelta, who collected whale figurines. An absolute must stop!
Totem Pole Park
Totem Pole Park in Foyil/Chelsea, Oklahoma, owned and operated by the Rogers County Historical Society, is a frequent Route 66 destination. The World’s Largest Concrete Totem Pole located in this unique sculpture park is most impressive. This icon is the creative genius of Ed Galloway who developed the park as a monument to Native Americans.
Maritime Education Center/Port of Catoosa
The Maritime Education Center is a free exhibit that features interactive video kiosks teaching visitors about the Port’s history and economic impact on Oklahoma. The Maritime Education Center is a one stop shop to learn about the 25, 000 miles of inland river system in the United States, barge transportation, the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System and the Tulsa Port of Catoosa.
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Claremore is Healthy
Claremore is nestled in the heart of Green Country, a popular nickname for northeast Oklahoma that stems from the region’s green vegetation and relatively high number of hills and lakes compared to central and western areas of Oklahoma. RSU students maintain a healthy and active lifestyle with access to walking trails, lakes, the recreation center and many hiking and biking trails.
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Best of Both Worlds: Claremore and Tulsa
When it comes to describing Claremore, an apt description might be: The Best of Both Worlds.
Claremore retains the friendly, small-town atmosphere that native son Will Rogers would certainly recognize today. But as one of Oklahoma’s fastest-growing communities, Claremore (population 25,000) and Rogers County (population 80,000) also offer an array of amenities that you would expect from a larger city.
Located on historic Route 66, Claremore strikes a balance between the charms of urban and rural life. Nestled in the green, rolling hills of northeastern Oklahoma, residents are only minutes from the outdoor recreation provided by Claremore Lake and nearby Lake Oologah.
Yet, residents are also only 25 minutes from Tulsa – a major metropolitan area of more than 800,000 people. In fact, many people consider Claremore an extension of Tulsa. And with the rapid growth of RSU, Claremore is quickly becoming a “college town” with all of the benefits that come from that distinction.
Bartlesville and Pryor
RSU also has campuses in Bartlesville and Pryor, which are both unique and interesting communities in their own rights. For more information on attractions in those communities, visit these chamber of commerce and tourism sites: