Idabel is known as the “Dogwood Capital of Oklahoma” and is full of beautiful blooming dogwood trees. The city is the county seat of McCurtain County. Idabel was established in 1902 by the Arkansas and Choctaw Railway (later part of the St. Louis and San Francisco Railway. For more history on the Red River, you can go to the Museum of Red River and look at the amazing ethnographic art from North, Central and South America. Artifacts and related materials dating from prehistoric to contemporary times are collected and the museum also houses the official state dinosaur of Oklahoma, whose fossils were found 10 miles from the museum. Immerse yourself in the local wildlife at the Red Slough Wildlife Management area, with its thousands of acres of wetlands designed to restore hydrology in the area. You can also explore the animal kingdom that lives near Kiamichi Country through the Little River National Wildlife Refuge.
The Beavers Bend State Park also offers facilities for camping and a variety of outdoor recreational activities such as biking, horseback riding, fishing, boating, golfing and swimming. Take a walk in the boots of soldiers of all past wars past with a trip to McCurtain County Veteran's Memorial Museum where memorabilia, artifacts and stories of the veterans are on display. On the grounds in front of the museum is a World War II Memorial. Another must-see museum is the Muscle Car Legends Museum which has everything from the 1964 Pontiac GTO to the last muscle car to roll off the assembly line, the 1974 Super Duty Trans Am. And there’s plenty of ultra-rare big high performance in between. Shopping in Idabel would include destinations like the Choctaw Village Shopping Center and The Jumper Shopping Center. For a more relaxing time, the Idabel Country Club features a driving range, tennis courts and a delicious restaurant. You can also try your luck at the Choctaw Casino and see if you can strike it big! Wherever your interests lie, you can find them in Idabel. Hotels in the area are a great option when looking for a place to stay. Choice Hotels in Idabel, OK offers cozy rooms in convenient locations to ease all your travel worries.