Choctaw Country Destinations
By Christian ToewsFrom the Jan. 2022 Biskinik
With the holiday season behind us, it’s the perfect time to slow down and relax with your partner or a friend. A weekend away from the hustle and bustle might be what you need to start this new year right.
Choctaw Country has exactly what you need for a relaxing weekend, no matter what that looks like to you. If you want entertainment, escape from the world, or a unique getaway, southeast Oklahoma has you covered.
Durant is home to a newly opened 21-story luxury Sky Tower Hotel. This tower is part of Choctaw Casino & Resort – Durant and is the perfect place to unwind with your partner if you want to live in the lap of luxury. Not only are the rooms immaculate, but excellent restaurants are just a short walk away. If you want to get even deeper into relaxation, book a couples massage and spa day at the world-class spa, see the latest releases at The District Cinema, go bowling, or sit down and have a few cocktails in one of the luxury lounge areas. With this many options for entertainment and relaxation in the same place, you don’t need to bring anything other than your favorite person. For more information on amenities and booking, visit choctawcasinos.com.
Perhaps you are looking for a more outdoorsy adventure where you break away from flashy entertainment and enjoy some peace and quiet in nature. If that sounds like something you’re interested in, look no further than Hochatown, Oklahoma, and the surrounding area. Hochatown sits just a few miles from Broken Bow and borders Beavers Bend State Park. The area has a seemingly endless number of cabins available for rent and more are being built every year. Some of these cabins are extremely well furnished with a hot tub, fire pit and other amenities. This area is the perfect location for cozying up with your partner to read books, see wildlife, get away from your routines, and enjoy nature.
Jim and Valerie Tarpley have visited this area many times. They said they often use this area as a retreat. “We love going to Beaver’s Bend and that area. It has become a yearly tradition for our family towards the late summer and early fall. The destination often is where we aim for an anniversary trip. The pines, hills, trails, rivers and lakes offer plenty of seclusion and escape to nature. There is a wide array of outdoor recreation as well,” said Jim.
This area is unique to Oklahoma. With towering pine trees and large rolling hills with vista views, it’s a far cry from the waving wheat plains covering other parts of the state. The Tarpley’s said they appreciate that aspect of the area. “Being from North Texas, we recommend it as a quick getaway destination. After a picturesque, under two-hour drive, you don’t have to spend all day traveling. Once there, the change in the terrain and landscape fosters a sense of traveling much further,” said Jim.
Maybe it’s time for you and your significant other to break away from the routine and sample what this part of Oklahoma has to offer. Many of these cabins are listed on Airbnb or VRBO, and a quick google search will point you to cabin rentals or more information on the area.
If you are looking for something in between both options, you should consider Carlton Landing on Lake Eufaula in Pittsburg County. This destination is on the other side of Southeast Oklahoma but has its own unique beauty. Carlton Landing is an idyllic lakeside community that boasts many rentals available for visitors looking to get away. This is the perfect combination of luxury and amenities within walking distance. With a pizza parlor and a pub-like restaurant called The Meeting House built right into the community, you don’t have to look far for amenities. Why not watch the sunset on the lake and then head to get a drink, spend some time in the hot tub, or take a walk along the lakeshore? Carlton Landing is a great option if you are looking to get away from the norm and start your new year right. If you want to find out more information or book a rental, visit carltonlanding.com.