Hendrix OklahomaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Hendrix, Oklahoma.
1. Eisenhower Birthplace State Historical Park
PRESIDENTIAL HISTORY LANDMARK
Eisenhower Birthplace State Historical Park preserves the modest home where the 34th President of the United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower, was born in 1890. Visitors can tour the restored two-story frame house and learn about Eisenhower's early life through exhibits and guided tours. The site offers a glimpse into late 19th-century life in Texas and the humble beginnings of a man who would later lead Allied forces in World War II and serve two terms as president.
2. Red River Railroad Museum
HISTORIC RAILWAY EXHIBITS
The Red River Railroad Museum showcases the rich railroad heritage of Denison and the surrounding region. The museum features an impressive collection of artifacts, photographs, and memorabilia that tell the story of how the railroad transformed the area. Visitors can explore authentic railroad equipment and learn about the significant impact the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad (Katy) had on the development of North Texas.
3. Ivanhoe Ale Works
CRAFT BEER DESTINATION
Ivanhoe Ale Works is a popular craft brewery offering a diverse selection of handcrafted beers in a welcoming atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy flights and pints while learning about the brewing process through tours offered at select times. The taproom features regular events including live music and food trucks, making it a social hub for locals and tourists alike.
4. Homestead Winery at Denison
LOCAL WINE TASTING
Homestead Winery at Denison offers visitors a charming wine tasting experience in a historic setting near Hendrix. The winery produces a variety of Texas wines, from sweet to dry, using locally grown grapes and traditional winemaking techniques. Guests can enjoy tastings, take tours of the facility, and purchase bottles to take home as souvenirs of their visit.
5. Lake Texoma
OUTDOOR RECREATION PARADISE
Lake Texoma is a massive reservoir on the Red River that offers countless recreational opportunities for visitors to the Hendrix area. The lake is renowned for its excellent fishing, particularly for striped bass, as well as boating, swimming, and water sports. With numerous marinas, campgrounds, and parks surrounding its 580 miles of shoreline, Lake Texoma serves as the region's premier outdoor destination throughout the year.
6. Honey Springs Battlefield
CIVIL WAR HISTORIC SITE
Honey Springs Battlefield preserves the site of the largest Civil War battle fought in Indian Territory on July 17, 1863. The battlefield features six walking trails with interpretive signs that guide visitors through key areas of the conflict where Union forces defeated Confederate troops. The visitor center provides exhibits, artifacts, and educational programs that explain the unique nature of this battle where Native American, African American, and white soldiers fought on both sides.
7. Fort Gibson Historic Site
19TH CENTURY MILITARY POST
Fort Gibson Historic Site features a reconstructed log fort that was originally established in 1824 to keep peace among the tribes in Indian Territory. Visitors can explore the grounds including barracks, officers' quarters, bakehouse, and magazine, all furnished to represent military life from 1824-1890. The site hosts regular living history events where interpreters in period dress demonstrate various aspects of frontier military life.
8. Fort Towson Historic Site
FRONTIER MILITARY HISTORY
Fort Towson Historic Site preserves the remains of a frontier military post established in 1824 to protect the southern border of Indian Territory. The site features archaeological ruins, reconstructed buildings, and a visitor center with exhibits on military life and the fort's role in regional history. Visitors can take self-guided tours of the grounds and learn about notable figures who served there, including future Confederate generals Braxton Bragg and William J. Hardee.
9. Cabin Creek Battlefield
CIVIL WAR BATTLE SITE
Cabin Creek Battlefield preserves the location of two significant Civil War engagements fought in 1863 and 1864 along the Texas Road in Indian Territory. The site features interpretive signage that explains how Confederate forces attempted to intercept Union supply wagons traveling between Fort Scott and Fort Gibson. Visitors can walk the grounds where diverse forces including Native Americans, African Americans, and soldiers from both North and South clashed in these strategically important battles.
10. Oklahoma Route 66 Museum
HISTORIC HIGHWAY CELEBRATION
The Oklahoma Route 66 Museum chronicles the history and cultural impact of America's most famous highway. Visitors journey through six decades of Route 66 history with exhibits featuring vintage cars, road signs, diners, and the evolution of road travel. The museum captures the essence of the Mother Road through interactive displays, photographs, and audiovisual presentations that bring to life the heyday of this iconic American thoroughfare.
11. Will Rogers Memorial Museum
OKLAHOMA'S FAVORITE SON
The Will Rogers Memorial Museum honors the life and legacy of America's beloved humorist, actor, and writer who was born nearby in 1879. The museum houses the world's largest collection of Will Rogers memorabilia, including his saddle collection, personal papers, and photographs documenting his remarkable career. Visitors can view Rogers' artifacts, watch film clips of his performances, and learn about his profound influence on American culture during the early 20th century.
12. Tom Mix Museum
SILENT FILM STAR TRIBUTE
The Tom Mix Museum celebrates the life of Hollywood's first Western megastar who worked in Dewey as a marshal before finding fame in movies. The museum displays an impressive collection of Mix memorabilia including movie posters, personal items, and Tony the Wonder Horse exhibits. Visitors can learn about Mix's incredible career spanning 336 films and his lasting impact on the Western film genre that helped shape America's vision of the Wild West.
13. Oklahoma History Center
STATE HERITAGE SHOWCASE
The Oklahoma History Center is a world-class museum and research center dedicated to preserving and sharing the complex history of the state. The 215,000 square foot facility features five galleries with interactive exhibits covering topics from Native American cultures to aviation, oil and gas, and the Dust Bowl era. Visitors can explore both indoor exhibits and outdoor attractions including an outdoor oil field and a Red River Valley historical plaza that bring Oklahoma's past vividly to life.
14. Pioneer Woman Museum and Statue
FRONTIER WOMEN'S HISTORY
The Pioneer Woman Museum and Statue honors the spirit and determination of women who helped settle the American frontier. The museum features exhibits on women's roles in establishing homes, farms, businesses, and communities throughout Oklahoma's territorial and early statehood periods. Outside stands the impressive 17-foot bronze statue of a sunbonneted pioneer woman leading a child by the hand, which was unveiled in 1930 after a nationwide competition to create a monument to pioneer women.
15. Sod House Museum
PRAIRIE HOMESTEAD PRESERVATION
The Sod House Museum preserves the only remaining authentic sod house from the land run era, built by homesteader Marshall McCully in 1894. Visitors can step inside this rare dwelling constructed of prairie grass roots and soil to experience the primitive living conditions of Oklahoma's early settlers. The museum includes exhibits about homesteading, farming techniques, and daily life on the prairie during the territorial period when natural building materials were often the only option available.