Custer: Route 66, Museums and Nature Experiences
Accommodation in Custer
Custer combines the history of Route 66 with museums, historic sites and extensive nature experiences in Custer County. Anyone planning a trip with varied interests can choose between culture, short nature trails and active days outdoors. When looking for a vacation rental, the key question is therefore which travel focus should shape the stay.
Route 66 and Unusual Museum Experiences
Historic Route 66 is part of the region’s character: Clinton lies along this famous route, and the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum is located there. The exhibition takes visitors through the history and culture of each decade. Vehicles, music, artifacts, graphics and videos make the development of the road vivid. The tour begins with the so-called world’s largest cabinet of curiosities, featuring special treasures collected along the route.
Another cultural highlight is the Heartland of America Museum. Its exhibitions cover the history of wheat and cattle farms, Route 66 landmarks, local businesses, historic automobiles and tractors. Radio, television and technology, as well as music and art, are also among the topics. This makes the museum particularly suitable for travelers who want to learn about different aspects of regional history rather than just a single era.
The Stafford Air & Space Museum is named after Lieutenant General Thomas P. Stafford, who came from Weatherford. An original launch vehicle from a Titan II rocket is on display there. The Weatherford Wind Energy Center complements the technical impressions: opposite City Hall, it displays an original 122-foot-long wind turbine blade and offers a center with a brief description of the wind energy industry.
Local history is also well represented. The Western Oklahoma Historical Center oversees the Blair Log Cabin. The log cabin stood on the land claim filed by William Blair during the Land Run. McLain Rogers Park also contains an open-air amphitheater with 400 seats. It is one of only two remaining amphitheaters of its kind in Oklahoma. The park is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Nature, Trails and Days by the Water
The Washita National Wildlife Refuge is an 8,200-acre protected area on the northern part of Foss Reservoir and is located in Custer County. It is an area for outdoor activities. An approximately 0.54-kilometer accessible nature trail forms a loop through the refuge. Those who want to include a short nature segment in their travel plans will find a clearly defined route here, while the area also provides room for longer stays in the landscape.
Foss State Park has a different focus. Its equestrian camp has a multi-use trail for horseback riding, hiking and mountain biking. In addition, the state park offers hiking, cycling, disc golf, horseback riding, fishing and camping. This combination is suitable for a stay in which the days are not meant to consist exclusively of museums or sightseeing in town.
At Acme Brick Park, an approximately 1.6-kilometer nature trail runs around two stocked fishing ponds. The park was developed on the former site of the Acme Brick Plant after the City of Clinton purchased the property with its former factory buildings. A special experience is the replica of the C. P. Huntington: it takes visitors along an approximately 1.6-kilometer route across a bridge over the lake and through a dark tunnel.
Choosing the Right Travel Base
When choosing a vacation rental, you can first distinguish between three types of trips: Route 66 and museum history, nature experiences at Foss Reservoir, or active days with hiking, cycling and horseback riding. Travelers who want to combine culture and technology can include the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum, the Stafford Air & Space Museum and the Heartland of America Museum in their plans. Those who prefer spending time outdoors can focus their travel planning more on the Washita National Wildlife Refuge and Foss State Park. Interstate 40 opened up Custer County around the turn of the 21st century and is therefore also part of the region’s transportation history.
For the overarching travel overview: Oklahoma.
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