Things To Do In Durant, Oklahoma

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Places to visit in Durant, OK.

There are many things to do in Durant, Oklahoma. There are historical sights, a fun restaurant, and a beautiful art gallery. All of these attractions are great for the entire family. If you want to learn more about the history of Durant, check out the Three Valley Museum. It’s a fantastic museum that will educate you about the rich history of Bryan County.

Best tourist attractions in Durant, Oklahoma

If you’re planning a trip to Durant, Oklahoma, there are many things you can do to make your stay memorable. Whether you’re looking for a historical landmark, a family-friendly attraction, or a place to shop, there’s something for you in Durant.

Choctaw Cultural Center

Choctaw Cultural Center is a cultural destination in Durant, Oklahoma. The complex offers an array of interactive exhibits and a living village. In addition, it features the Hvshi Gift Shop, Champuli Restaurant, an auditorium, and state-of-the-art classrooms.

The center opened on July 23, 2021. It results from a decade of research and a design plan approved by the Tribal Council.

Best Places to visit in Durant, Oklahoma

Visitors to the Choctaw Cultural Center will explore the rich history of the Choctaw people. There are interactive exhibits, demonstrations, and hands-on activities. They can learn about 600 generations of the Choctaw people. These immersive exhibitions convey the story of the Choctaw people through artwork, authentic landscapes, and audiovisual presentations.

Visitors can visit the Hvshi Gift Store, which offers a wide variety of hand-made items made by Choctaw tribal members. In addition, visitors can participate in art workshops and cooking workshops.

Fort Washita Historic Site

The Fort Washita Historic Site in Durant, Oklahoma, is a great place to learn about the area’s history. It is a free museum open to the public. The Chickasaw Nation and the Oklahoma Historical Society run it. Visitors can take tours of restored buildings or participate in fun events.

For instance, the site hosts a Fur Trade Era Rendezvous each year. This event is a great way to get a glimpse of the early days of the fur trade. There are also outdoor movies and storytelling events throughout the year.

The historic fort at Fort Washita was built during the 1840s. It was the southwestern-most military post in the United States at the time.

During the Mexican-American war, Fort Washita grew in activity. It was a central staging point for the war. The fort’s garrison grew from 150 to 2000 troops.

Three Valley Museum in Durant

The Three Valley Museum is a great place to learn about the history of southeast Oklahoma. It is located in the heart of the red, blue, and Washita river valleys and is the home to an impressive collection of artifacts. Several exhibits are themed to specific periods, such as the early 1900s or 1930s. Aside from the artifacts themselves, the museum also houses several historic vehicles, such as a pre-war passenger car.

A visit to the museum is something you’ll remember for a long time. The museum is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 1 pm to 4:30 pm and by appointment on Saturdays and Sundays. In addition to the historical displays, the museum hosts a few nifty community events. For example, during the summer, the museum hosts the annual Bryan County Fair, which is worth checking out if you’re a fan of all things merry-making.

Semple Family Museum of Native American Art

In honor of the Semple family’s legacy, a Semple Family Museum of Native American Art dedicated to the Choctaw people was built in Durant, Oklahoma. The museum’s art collection is comprised of many pieces from a variety of Native American tribes.

The Choctaws were a significant influence on Durant’s history. There are several historically essential structures in the area. For example, the Oklahoma Historical Society converted Fort Washita into a museum in 1962.

Things to do in Durant, Oklahoma

The museum’s art collection also includes paintings, sculptures, and pottery. Most of the art was created by tribal members. Many paintings represent 26 Indian tribes in Oklahoma, but some represent other tribes in the US.

The museum’s primary goal is to educate the public about the history of the tribes. In addition, guest speakers will discuss the significance of the native heritage.

World’s Largest Peanut in Durant, Oklahoma

The World’s Largest Peanut is a statue that sits outside Durant, Oklahoma’s City Hall. The figure is dedicated to the Bryan County peanut growers and processors. It is a fun and exciting sight to see.

World's Largest Peanut, Durant, Oklahoma — World’s Largest Peanut, Durant, Oklahoma

The World’s Largest Peanut is a cast metal sculpture of a peanut that stands about three feet tall. The statue is soldered to a granite monument at the corner of N 3rd Ave and Evergreen St. This sculpted peanut weighed about 50 pounds of aluminum.

There is more to this sculpture than just the peanut. In addition to the sculpted peanut, the statue includes a time capsule buried in 1973. That time capsule is due to be opened in 2023.