Blake Walsh

21 Best Things to Do in Duncan, OK

  • Published 2023/03/02

Did you know that Duncan is the largest city in Stephens County, Oklahoma?

Duncan is a dynamic community that offers residents and tourists cultural history, entertainment, arts, and much more.

Why should you visit Duncan, Oklahoma?

The museums, entertainment centers, restaurants, and unique getaways that reflect Duncan’s vibrant past are an adventure to cherish.

Rekindle your spirit of discovery with year-round activities, recreation centers, and outdoor pursuits.

Walk miles in another’s shoes and explore the life of an American cowboy.

Here are the best things to do in Duncan, OK:

Try Your Luck at Chisholm Trail Casino

Building sign of Chisholm Trail Casino

Kym Koch Thompson, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Chisholm Trail Casino will satisfy your need for thrills in their 22,000-square-foot casino.

Take your chances with the casino’s 600 electronic games.

The casino is a little less than 100 miles from neighboring gambling sites.

It also sits on the location of the famous Chisholm Trail cattle drive in Duncan, Oklahoma.

The Chickasaw Nation owns and manages several casinos, including Chisholm Trail Casino.

Chisholm Trail Casino offers the finest in gaming, with around 500 of the most popular and exciting electronic games, ranging from penny games to video poker.

Stop by their gift store to grab a souvenir.

Grab a Bite at the Wishbone Scratch Kitchen

Wishbone Scratch Kitchen offers an incredible variety of elevated cuisine.

Hard work and family tradition inspire the restaurant to produce a menu filled with regional Southern food that will bring back beloved memories.

Wishbone Scratch Kitchen features an attractive choice of meals, from the famous chicken fried steak to the unique apple dumplings!

Wishbone Scratch Kitchen also provides catering services where they will serve your parties and celebrations in their private dining area, which also has outdoor seating.

You’ll want to rush back for more once you’ve experienced Wishbone Scratch Kitchen!

Sample their delectable Southern cuisine.

Discover History at the Brittain-Garvin House

Built in the early 1900s, the Brittain-Garvin House is a Prairie School two-story home.

It is roughly L-shaped with a porte-cochere, enlarged in the 1930s with the addition of wooden awnings.

In 2000, the National Register of Historic Places added it to the record.

Learn more about this historic site in Duncan, Oklahoma.

Order Italian Meals at Napoli’s Italian Restaurant

Would you like to relax with a nice meal? Go to Napoli’s Italian Restaurant in Duncan.

Since 2008, Napoli’s Italian Restaurant has served traditional Italian dishes to their customers.

They serve chicken, veal, soups, salads, seafood entrees, and their ever-popular pizza, among other dishes.

Stop by Napoli’s Italian Restaurant for some delectable, original handmade Italian cuisine!

Read in Peace at the Duncan Public Library

Duncan Public Library first opened its doors in 1921, fostering lifelong learning by connecting people with ideas.

The library hopes to create a more literate, informed, and culturally sensitive community.

The Duncan Public Library welcomes you to explore the world of literature all while educating yourself.

Explore the Stephens County Historical Museum

The Stephens County Historical Museum houses an extensive collection of items from the area.

It’s only a few steps away from discovering prior events.

Authentic room vignettes reflect pioneer life in Oklahoma and showcase prized antiques, souvenirs, and other treasures.

Whether you’re interested in early photography, music, crafts, Indian tales, farming, or machinery, the Stephens County Historical Museum will pique your interest.

Check out their newest exhibit, Rythym & Routes Juke Box, which includes biographies and music of Oklahoma musicians.

Visit the Louis B. Simmons House

Exterior of Louis B. Simmons House

Crimsonedge34, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Louis B. Simmons House is among classic one- and two-story residences in Duncan.

Built in 1922, the house was a one-story home following the Mission/Spanish Revival style.

In 2001, the National Register of Historic Places added the house to its record.

This Spanish Revival home stands in sharp contrast to the conventional houses in the neighborhood.

The rooftop is flat and parapetted, with projection castellations corresponding to the building’s three original entrances and corners.

An angled imitation tile roofing underneath the roofline and over the porch is made of red S-shaped sheet steel.

Taste Famous BBQ at Billy Sims Barbecue

Billy Sims is a wealthy entrepreneur and talented athlete who holds multiple high school, university, and pro records.

In the early 2000s, Sims met Jeff Jackson, his business partner, businessman, and retail guru.

Jackson also hailed from a barbecue-loving region.

Billy Sims Barbecue specializes in a classic backyard barbecue, including pulled pork, brisket, sausage, bologna, St. Louis-style ribs, and boneless turkey and chicken.

They smoke their meat fresh every day on seasoned pecan wood for the optimum balance of heat and smoke.

Enjoy the Outdoor Activities at Duncan Lake

You’ve come to the right place if you’re looking for a fun day with memories worth treasuring.

Duncan Lake is the city’s central lake, with four miles of coastline and 550 acres of water teeming with catfish, crappie, sunfish, and largemouth bass.

Enjoy hiking, hunting, sailing, swimming, fishing, skiing, etc.

The area in Duncan Lake also has tents and RV camping spots with facilities including 44 plug-ins, bathrooms, garbage stations, a pavilion, and a picnic area.

Relax with a Snack at Aces Sports Grill

Find your favorite meals and beverages at Aces Sports Grill if you’re hungry.

You can chill with a cold beverage at the bar, play bar top games, and watch the big game.

Aces Sports Grill is the ideal tourist hot spot to relax while staying close to the fun.

Check out their brand-new menu, chock-full of delectable treats.

This full-service bar and restaurant are open seven days a week.

The Aces Sports Grill features seven 42-inch and 60-inch high-definition TVs in their full-service bar, excellent for watching the big game.

Learn about Locomotives at Rock Island 905 Railroad Museum

What makes a tour to Duncan enjoyable and educational?

The Rock Island 905 Railroad Museum Depot (Rock Island Colors) is a full-scale duplicate of the 1892 Rock Island Depot in Duncan.

The Museum offers a historic environment for the restoration, exhibition, and learning of Rock Island 905 locomotives.

They also arrange personal visits, schools, and other tour groups, suited to age and purpose, including linked exhibitions with docents to offer explanations.

Learn about the shift from steam to diesel locomotives and the developments in the railroad sector with the advent of the highway system.

Relax with Hot Coffee at Viridian Coffee

Shay and Lindsay Hayes are the creators and proprietors of Viridian Coffee.

Their goal is to bring culture and community together around a good cup of coffee.

Their coffees are made entirely of Arabica beans and then air-roasted to perfection.

Feel free to try each one with your family and friends.

They roast all of their coffee in-house, make all of their pastry goods by hand, and run four full-service espresso bars in Duncan, Lawton, and Chickasha.

Come by for a morning coffee run or chill with pals after work!

Buy Souvenirs at the Rustic Trail Gift Shop

Do you want to learn more about The Rustic Trail?

The Rustic Trail Gift Shop is inside the Chisholm Trail Casino.

You can buy clothing and items from Luxury for Less, Corkcicle, Chisholm Trail trademark tees, plus Girlie Girl Original Tees.

The store also offers a delightful selection of unique gifts, everyday basics, and on-the-go snacks.

Your visit to the Chisholm Trail Casino is incomplete without stopping by this charming store.

Grab a Hearty Meal at the Boomarang Diner

Boomarang Diner provides excellent cuisine and service.

They began as the East Side Diner in Muskogee, Oklahoma, 25 years ago.

Boomarang Diner soon grew from humble beginnings to 53 sites across Oklahoma.

Each branch pursues the simple objective of delivering the tastiest burger possible day after day.

They have kept true to their neighborhood origins since fantastic cuisine never falls out of style.

This Diner has always been a family-managed business; they also want each guest to feel like family.

Word of mouth attracted thousands of customers to the restaurant.

The fantastic cuisine and outstanding service at Boomarang Diner will have you and your company coming back for more.

Bring Your Dog to the Jack Wininger Dog Park

Jack Wininger Dog Park is a lovely enclosed dog park with giant trees, benches, fire hydrants, water fountains, and plenty of room for both big and tiny dogs.

The Jack Wininger Dog Park has replaced the Playday Bark Dog Park.

In 2020, the Playday Bark Dog Park was renamed in honor of Jack Wininger, a long-time community member and son of Floyd and Patty Wininger.

Bring your dogs to this park for some exercise.

See the Latest Blockbuster at the Palace Theatre

Do you want to see a movie? Go to the Palace Theatre in Duncan’s historic downtown.

You’ll enjoy the theatre because of its affordable tickets, helpful personnel, and the comfiest seats in the neighborhood.

Grab delicious snacks such as popcorn, hotdogs, small pizza, and chocolates.

They also serve drinks you can enjoy throughout the movie.

Likewise, the Palace Theatre hosts birthday parties, family reunions, fundraisers, pageants, field trips, and plays.

Play a Round of Golf at Duncan Golf & Tennis Club

Make your Duncan vacation more memorable with a trip to Duncan Golf & Tennis Club for a well-deserved game.

Since 1921, this semi-private golf facility boasts a classic golf layout by architect Perry Maxwell.

The seamless blend of traditional fairways and refreshing foliage offers a calming atmosphere on your golfing adventure.

Still new to golf?

There’s no need to worry!

The golf course has a putting and chipping green for you and other novice players.

This site also has a pool and a tennis court for those with other sports preferences.

Duncan Golf & Tennis Club is on North Country Club Road.

View the Exhibits at Chisholm Trail Heritage Center

Chisholm Trail Heritage Center is your best bet for a nature and history trip.

Situated north of the Red River, this interactive museum focuses more on cowboys.

With its sensory theater and bucking bronco attractions, there’s a little bit of everything that tells the story of the Wild West.

Its exhibits are also worth taking a look at.

There’s also a gallery onsite.

Garis Gallery of the American West puts a spotlight on Western sculptures, paintings, and artworks.

Take your historic excursion to the next level at Chisholm Trail Heritage Center on Chisholm Trail Parkway.

Skate Your Day Away at Sk8Xpress Duncan

Sk8Xpress Duncan is not your usual skating rink.

This indoor facility is also a nostalgic power trip back to the 70s and 80s.

With booming decade music and strobing lights, skating around the rink can feel like you’re back in the past.

Opened in 2010, this rink also comes with arcade games and spectacular venue rentals.

So, if you’ve got a birthday or business milestone celebration coming up, this place has the right amenities to keep you and your guests entertained.

You can find Sk8Xpress Duncan on South Highway 81.

Let Your Child Ride the Attractions at Kiddieland Park

Located along Beech Avenue and Highway 81, Kiddieland Park is a kid’s definition of heaven on earth.

This public park is one of Duncan’s historic parks, serving the community for as long as 50 years and more.

Though it’s only open seasonally, many families wait around to have their turn at the local park’s amenities.

Its rides and attractions include a tilt-a-whirl and a merry-go-round.

Let your kid ride the miniature train to see all the fun sights and nooks of the park.

What are you waiting for?

Make your kid’s vacation in Duncan fun-filled when you make a stop at Kiddieland Park.

Take in the Scenery at Heritage Park & Arboretum

Need a bit of a break from the buzz and hustle of downtown Duncan?

Heritage Park & Arboretum has your back!

This public recreation site has a copper sundial that serves as its entrance marker.

And all throughout, the place features a grassy area and native Oklahoma trees at every corner.

There’s also a time capsule that pays tribute to the Bicentennial commemoration of the city in 1976.

Feel your stress flow away with the simple but breathtaking scenery of the place.

Heritage Park & Arboretum is between Bois D’Arc Avenue and South Highway 81.

Final Thoughts

Duncan is a one-of-a-kind destination because of its breathtaking environment, educational offerings, and main street shopping.

Duncan’s rich past remains alive in its vast downtown core boasting historic landmarks and a diverse selection of stores.

You can also find game centers, wonderful places to eat and drink, and other unique tourist attractions in the city.

Start planning your Duncan trip today!

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