Claremore City
Oklahoma city home to the Will Rogers Memorial
Claremore hosts the Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Route 66 nostalgia and a walkable downtown of diners and antique shops - a quiet base for exploring Oklahoma’s hills and local history.
At a GlanceKey facts, why go and what's on now
Claremore at a Glance#
Costs: $70-$140 / day - affordable small-city costs; lodging and dining moderate.
Safety: Moderate safety, typical small city - some property crime; standard urban awareness recommended.
Best Time: March-May, September-November - mild spring and fall weather for outdoor visiting.
Why Visit Claremore?#
Known for its ties to Will Rogers and prairie heritage, this Oklahoma town attracts history and culture travelers to the Will Rogers Memorial Museum and the eclectic J.M. Davis Arms & Historical Museum. Downtown Claremore features historic storefronts and local eateries, while nearby Oologah Lake offers boating and lakeside relaxation. Visitors interested in Route 66-era Americana and regional museums find a concentrated taste of Oklahoma life here.
Things to DoTop sights, bucket list and day trips
Best Things to Do in Claremore#
Claremore Bucket List#
Will Rogers Memorial Museum - Extensive exhibits about Will Rogers’ life, career highlights, and personal memorabilia on display.
J.M. Davis Arms & Historical Museum - Extensive private firearms collection alongside curios, Western artifacts, and historic displays.
Claremore Downtown Historic District - Shops, cafés, and murals reflecting local heritage along Rogers Street and nearby blocks.
Rogers State University campus - Walk the historic campus grounds and catch student performances and occasional public events.
Claremore Lake Park - Quiet fishing spots, picnic areas, and walking trails offering a peaceful local retreat.
Local antique and collectibles shops - Small storefronts showcasing regional antiques, memorabilia, and other unique finds worth browsing.
Tulsa - Thirty-minute drive for museums, dining, the Philbrook Museum, and scenic River Parks.
Oologah Lake - Boating, fishing, and shoreline picnics less than thirty minutes north of Claremore.
Nearby Cities #
When to GoSeasons, weather and festivals
Best Time to Visit Claremore#
Aim for late spring (May) or early fall (September-October) for mild temperatures and lower humidity. Summers are hot and stormy; spring has severe‑weather (tornado) potential-stay weather aware.
December - February
-3-10°C (27-50°F)
Cold, sometimes snowy winters; days can be crisp with clear skies but occasional arctic shots bring subfreezing lows-expect bundled layers and possible icy roads.
March - May
8-23°C (46-73°F)
Verdant, changeable weather with warm sunny stretches interrupted by heavy thunderstorms and occasional tornado risk-perfect for wildflowers, but stay weather-aware and check forecasts.
June - August
20-35°C (68-95°F)
Hot, humid, and often storm-prone afternoons; long sunny mornings give way to strong thunderstorms-air conditioning essential, outdoor plans best early or late in the day.
Claremore's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 34°C. Abundant rainfall (1096 mm/year), wettest in May.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Acceptable | -4° - 8° | -2° | 43 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 4.1 m/s | 0.4 low | 9.8h |
| February | Good | -2° - 12° | 2° | 53 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 4.2 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 10.7h |
| March | Very Good | 4° - 17° | 10° | 94 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 4.7 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Very Good | 9° - 22° | 16° | 105 mm | partly cloudy | 74% | 4.7 m/s | 1.4 high | 13.0h |
| May | Very Good | 14° - 27° | 20° | 136 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 4.0 m/s | 1.8 very high | 14.0h |
| June | Excellent | 19° - 31° | 25° | 122 mm | some cloud | 76% | 3.8 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 14.5h |
| July | Very Good | 22° - 34° | 30° | 85 mm | some cloud | 68% | 3.4 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 14.2h |
| August | Very Good | 21° - 34° | 29° | 77 mm | some cloud | 66% | 3.2 m/s | 1.9 very high | 13.4h |
| September | Excellent | 16° - 29° | 23° | 125 mm | some cloud | 68% | 3.3 m/s | 1.5 high | 12.3h |
| October | Excellent | 9° - 24° | 17° | 97 mm | some cloud | 71% | 3.7 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 11.1h |
| November | Very Good | 3° - 16° | 7° | 96 mm | some cloud | 74% | 4.1 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 10.1h |
| December | Good | -2° - 10° | 1° | 63 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 4.0 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.6h |
Getting There & AroundAirports, trains and local transport
How to Get to Claremore#
Claremore is most easily reached via Tulsa International Airport with a short drive or shuttle from there. Local travel is dominated by car, regional buses and taxis; there is no passenger rail service in town.
Tulsa International Airport (TUL): The nearest major airport to Claremore is Tulsa International (TUL), about a 25-35 minute drive depending on traffic. Rental cars, taxis and rideshare services are available at the airport and are the usual way to reach Claremore.
Claremore Regional / local airfields: There are smaller general aviation fields in the region for private flights; commercial passenger service will typically use Tulsa.
Train: There is no Amtrak service directly serving Claremore; the nearest long-distance rail or major bus hubs are in Tulsa.
Bus: Regional bus and shuttle services run between Claremore and Tulsa and other northeast Oklahoma towns; services can be infrequent so check schedules ahead of travel.
How to Get Around Claremore#
Expect to rely on a car, rental or taxi in Claremore; limited regional buses and shuttles connect the town to Tulsa and other nearby centres but are less frequent than driving.
- Car / rental (US$35-80/day) - Driving is the primary way to get around Claremore and surrounding Rogers County; a rental car from Tulsa gives the best flexibility for visiting nearby attractions and small towns.
- Taxi / rideshare (US$10-60) - Taxis and rideshare services operate between Claremore and Tulsa and within town for local trips. These are convenient for short journeys or when you don’t have a car but can be costly for longer transfers to the airport.
- Regional bus / shuttle (US$2-20) - Some regional bus routes and private shuttles connect Claremore with Tulsa and other nearby communities; schedules and coverage are limited compared with urban areas, so plan ahead.
- Local transit / paratransit (US$1-5) - Claremore’s local transit options include limited fixed-route buses and demand-response services for residents; useful for short trips within town but not frequent for visitors.
- Walking - Downtown Claremore is compact and walkable for shopping and dining; outlying residential and industrial areas require a car or transit.
Where to StayThe best areas to base yourself
Where to Stay in Claremore#
Downtown / Route 66 corridor - $60-110/night
Small motels and budget chains clustered near downtown Claremore and the highway. Good for quick stays and visiting local attractions; choices are limited.
Quality Inn Claremore - Affordable, basic rooms close to Route 66.
Super 8 by Wyndham Claremore - No-frills, budget-friendly with parking.
Near Claremore Museum District - $110-160/night
Comfortable mid-range chains and a few locally run inns. Good value for family visits and business stays; more variety in nearby Tulsa if needed.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Claremore - Chain comfort, free breakfast, modern rooms.
Comfort Inn & Suites Claremore - Reliable mid-range option, amenities for families.
Claremore / Tulsa area - $150-300/night
Claremore itself has few true luxury hotels. For upscale stays, look to nearby Tulsa (25-35 minutes) where full-service hotels are available.
Courtyard by Marriott Tulsa - Higher-end option in Tulsa, about 25-30 mins away.
Hilton Garden Inn Tulsa Downtown - Upscale downtown Tulsa hotel, short drive from Claremore.
Eat & DrinkStreet food, restaurants, bars and nightlife
Where to Eat in Claremore#
Claremore leans on family diners, barbecue joints, and simple comfort food - flavors rooted in local Oklahoma tradition.
- The Blue Bell Cafe - Classic diner breakfast and lunch
- BK’s Bar-B-Q - Smoked meats and homestyle sides
- Randall’s Pastrami & BBQ - Sandwiches and smoked specialties
Expect burger joints, sandwich shops, and classic dessert stops - easy, unfussy meals for families and road-trippers.
- The Blue Pork Grill - Burgers and casual plates
- Pastime Doughnuts - Classic doughnuts and morning treats
- Route 66 Ice Cream - Family-friendly sundaes and cones
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Claremore’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Claremore#
Nightlife in Claremore is low-key, consisting of local bars, family restaurants and occasional live-music nights. There are no large nightclub districts; evenings are more about casual dining and community events.
For a wider range of late-night options, residents often travel to larger nearby cities.
ShoppingMarkets, malls and souvenirs
Shopping in Claremore#
Shopping in Claremore is focused on local shops, strip malls and a handful of regional retailers. You’ll find everyday goods and some specialty stores, but major mall-level shopping requires a short drive.
Tourist-focused attractions like the Will Rogers Memorial attract visitors, but they’re not shopping districts.