Water, walks, regional history, art and recreation offer different ways to shape a trip to Mcalester. McAlester Lake, the arboretum, museums and public art provide specific places to explore. You can tailor your search in Mcalester to your travel interests without following a set itinerary for these locations.
McAlester Lake and the Arboretum
McAlester Lake has a 20-mile shoreline. The lake features a covered fishing area, boat ramps and docks. The fishing area offers a different focus from the ramps and docks. If you’re interested in water and fishing, you’ll find a different kind of experience here than on a walk through the arboretum.
The McAlester Arboretum covers 25 acres and includes the one-mile Mike Deak Walking Track. Trees growing on the grounds include Contorted Oak. For metric context: 25 acres is about 10 hectares; one mile on the Mike Deak Walking Track is about 1.6 kilometers. These measurements help distinguish the lake from the walking path: 20 miles refers to the shoreline, while one mile refers to the track in the arboretum—two very different distances.
History and Art
The Tannehill Museum tells the story of southeastern Oklahoma through artifacts ranging from the pre-statehood era to the 1973 prison riots. Exhibits include historic weapons, memorabilia from the Oklahoma State Penitentiary and the decommissioned electric chair “Old Sparky.”
The McAlester Community Mural highlights collaboration and painting technique: in 2011, local artists Anita Caldwell Jackson and Ted Welch created the mural together with other artists from the Southeastern Oklahoma Fine Arts Association. They used the trompe-l’œil style, which plays with painted illusions and spatial effects. The XL Cattle Drive Memorial offers a sculptural contrast. Erected in 2009, the sculpture consists of twelve pieces and is dedicated to prominent cattleman Freddie Browne of Pittsburg. The mural was created in 2011, two years after the 2009 memorial.
The OKLA Theater also has a clear historical reference point: it reopened as the OKLA Theater on July 10, 1931. During restoration, tours were available by appointment. This opportunity to visit applied during the restoration period.
Wine, Food and Recreation
The selection of seasonal wines changes at Country Aire Estates Winery. The shop carries local cheeses and artisan foods.
There are different options for recreation: the Great Balls of Fire Family Entertainment Center has a 16-lane bowling center. Route 69 Roller Dome is a venue for public roller skating on weekends. Check before visiting to see whether this offering is currently available.
For an overview of the wider area: Pittsburg County.
