The Sooner State is full of history and with that comes secrets that have unraveled over time. From hidden places to little-known facts, and even secret tunnels in Oklahoma, here are 11 amazing Oklahoma hidden gems and secrets you never knew existed:

  1. A Chinese underground society once existed in tunnels under Oklahoma City.

Dominic Alves/Flickr Hidden passages below the city were filled with a rarely-seen Chinese community. Anti-Chinese sentiments drove the culture underground across the country, including Oklahoma City. During a flu epidemic during the 1920s, health inspectors stumbled across the Chinese underground. After their inspection, the inspectors were quoted as saying the nearly 200 residents were “in good health and surroundings and sanitary as all get out.” An entire network of tunnels downtown that link various buildings to each other still exists today. Oklahoma City, OK, USA

  1. This location in Oklahoma is hidden on Google Earth.

Screenshot taken from Youtube user Econ Cables It is U.S. Air Force AWAC’s parked at coordinates 35 25 27.60N 97 23 30.63W. Although it isn’t very secret if it’s on the big “G” is it? 35 25 27.60N, 97 23 30.63W

  1. The Heavener Runestone may prove that Vikings were the first Europeans to set foot in present Oklahoma.

Judah Morford/Flickr Although still controversial, it is very probable that the Vikings erected the 12 ft. tall stone pillar at the Heavener Runestone. Its inscription dates back to AD 600-900, making it one of the oldest “old rocks” in America. Heavener, OK, USA

  1. Oklahoma State University’s Stillwater campus has a vast network of steam tunnels that are part of the university’s utility distribution system.

George Thomas/Flickr Some of the tunnels date back to before the 1940s. In 1936, an explosion from a leaking natural gas line in one of the tunnels rocked OSU’s campus. Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA

  1. Oklahoma City’s City Place skyscraper has a spiral slide in a central shaft of the building that spans all 33 floors.

Doug Loudenback/Wikipedia The slide was part of the building’s original fire escape system and is still usable. City Place Tower, Oklahoma City, OK 73102, USA

  1. A secret cave exists in Stephens County that was once the hideout of the legendary outlaw Marlow brothers.

J. Stephen Conn/Flickr Legend has it, the Marlow brothers use to avoid capture from law enforcement by hiding in a cave on Wild Horse Creek. In June 2004 a city worker discovered the cave after the tire of his riding mower fell through a sinkhole. Stephens County, OK, USA

  1. The boathouse at Ponca City’s grandiose Marland Mansion, is connected to the main building by an underground tunnel.

Matt Howry/Flickr The Marland Mansion tunnel also connects the mansion to an art studio on the grounds. E. W. Marland Mansion, 901 Monument Rd, Ponca City, OK 74604, USA

  1. An underground tunnel system runs below downtown Tulsa.

Tours of Tulsa A system of secret underground tunnels was built in the late 1920s to connect many of Tulsa’s early skyscrapers. In all, the Tulsa tunnels connect eight buildings, three parking garages, an upscale hotel, and numerous cafés and small businesses. It’s possible to go from Fifth and Boston to First and Main while staying indoors the entire time. Shown above is The Vault located at 320 S. Boston - beneath the streets of downtown. 320 S Boston, Allen, OK 74825, USA

  1. A few floors up from street level on Automobile Alley is a collection of classic cars that would raise any car enthusiast’s eyebrows.

Georg Sander/Flickr Have you ever seen them? It sure would be a nice place to pick up a ride to this 1950s diner in Oklahoma. Automobile Alley, Oklahoma City, OK, USA

  1. Many Starbucks locations in the Sooner State have a secret menu.

Noel Reinhold/Flickr Starbucks allows customers to make their creations available as long as the location has the ingredients on hand and the barista knows the recipe. Try these suggestions: Butterbeer Latte or Frappuccino; Three C’s Latte; Fruity Pebbles Frappuccino; Chocolate Dalmatian; and Raspberry Caramel Macchiato. Oklahoma, USA

  1. A Roller Coaster Road exists in Seminole County.

Wil C. Fry/Flickr If you haven’t discovered this road in Oklahoma yet - go now! The technical name of this road is “County Road NS 366.” It’s one mile west of “Old Highway 56, and about 1.5 miles west of State Highway 56, just north of Wewoka, Oklahoma. If you’re prone to car sickness, bring a brown paper bag. Seminole County, OK, USA

Fast forward to 2:45 to see this Oklahoma location that is hidden on Google Earth:

Dominic Alves/Flickr

Hidden passages below the city were filled with a rarely-seen Chinese community. Anti-Chinese sentiments drove the culture underground across the country, including Oklahoma City. During a flu epidemic during the 1920s, health inspectors stumbled across the Chinese underground. After their inspection, the inspectors were quoted as saying the nearly 200 residents were “in good health and surroundings and sanitary as all get out.” An entire network of tunnels downtown that link various buildings to each other still exists today.

Oklahoma City, OK, USA

Screenshot taken from Youtube user Econ Cables

It is U.S. Air Force AWAC’s parked at coordinates 35 25 27.60N 97 23 30.63W. Although it isn’t very secret if it’s on the big “G” is it?

35 25 27.60N, 97 23 30.63W

Judah Morford/Flickr

Although still controversial, it is very probable that the Vikings erected the 12 ft. tall stone pillar at the Heavener Runestone. Its inscription dates back to AD 600-900, making it one of the oldest “old rocks” in America.

Heavener, OK, USA

George Thomas/Flickr

Some of the tunnels date back to before the 1940s. In 1936, an explosion from a leaking natural gas line in one of the tunnels rocked OSU’s campus.

Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA

Doug Loudenback/Wikipedia

The slide was part of the building’s original fire escape system and is still usable.

City Place Tower, Oklahoma City, OK 73102, USA

J. Stephen Conn/Flickr

Legend has it, the Marlow brothers use to avoid capture from law enforcement by hiding in a cave on Wild Horse Creek. In June 2004 a city worker discovered the cave after the tire of his riding mower fell through a sinkhole.

Stephens County, OK, USA

Matt Howry/Flickr

The Marland Mansion tunnel also connects the mansion to an art studio on the grounds.

E. W. Marland Mansion, 901 Monument Rd, Ponca City, OK 74604, USA

Tours of Tulsa

A system of secret underground tunnels was built in the late 1920s to connect many of Tulsa’s early skyscrapers. In all, the Tulsa tunnels connect eight buildings, three parking garages, an upscale hotel, and numerous cafés and small businesses. It’s possible to go from Fifth and Boston to First and Main while staying indoors the entire time. Shown above is The Vault located at 320 S. Boston - beneath the streets of downtown.

320 S Boston, Allen, OK 74825, USA

Georg Sander/Flickr

Have you ever seen them? It sure would be a nice place to pick up a ride to this 1950s diner in Oklahoma.

Automobile Alley, Oklahoma City, OK, USA

Noel Reinhold/Flickr

Starbucks allows customers to make their creations available as long as the location has the ingredients on hand and the barista knows the recipe. Try these suggestions: Butterbeer Latte or Frappuccino; Three C’s Latte; Fruity Pebbles Frappuccino; Chocolate Dalmatian; and Raspberry Caramel Macchiato.

Oklahoma, USA

Wil C. Fry/Flickr

If you haven’t discovered this road in Oklahoma yet - go now! The technical name of this road is “County Road NS 366.” It’s one mile west of “Old Highway 56, and about 1.5 miles west of State Highway 56, just north of Wewoka, Oklahoma. If you’re prone to car sickness, bring a brown paper bag.

Seminole County, OK, USA

It turns out there are a lot of hidden mysteries and secrets in OKC we didn’t know about. Were you surprised to find out about any of the secret tunnels in Oklahoma, or the delightfully delicious hidden menu items at Starbucks? Tell us about your favorite Oklahoma secrets with a comment – just don’t say it out loud, they are secrets after all.

Please note: Some images were not available and a similar photo was substituted in its place. (Like the Starbucks drinks, everyone must have slurped them down so fast they forgot to take a photo)

 

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Secret tunnels and tasty treats: More Oklahoma places to discover December 19, 2022 Chris Muras What are some secret places in Tulsa? Tulsa, Oklahoma has many hidden gems from restaurants, hotels, and underground tunnels, to the most delicious sweets in town. Whether you are looking for new places to explore or tasty treats, here are a few secret places in Tulsa only the locals know about:

  1. Bull in the Alley: A back alley bar and restaurant with the best steaks in Tulsa.
  2. Muhanna Sweets: Since 1935, the best baklava can be found at the secret (or not-so-secret) shop off of 71st and Sheridan in Tulsa.
  3. Cobbler Mom: This local secret offers a scrumptious cobbler with a dash of ice cream that will have you licking the plate for more.
  4. A Gathering Place For Tulsa: A 66.5-acre park in Tulsa designed from the ground up to be the best park in Tulsa.
  5. The Cave House: This 1920s stone house looks like it popped right out of the Flinstone’s cartoon.
  6. The Mayo Hotel: No, not that kind of Mayo. This mysterious hotel built in 1925 was abandoned in 1981 and left for rubble (not Barney Rubble). It has been restored to its former glory and is one of those secret places to stay in Tulsa that will leave you breathless. If your idea of secret places falls more in line with fairy tale gardens and enchanting natural landscapes here are eight hidden gardens in Oklahoma you will absolutely love.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Secret tunnels and tasty treats: More Oklahoma places to discover

December 19, 2022

Chris Muras

What are some secret places in Tulsa? Tulsa, Oklahoma has many hidden gems from restaurants, hotels, and underground tunnels, to the most delicious sweets in town. Whether you are looking for new places to explore or tasty treats, here are a few secret places in Tulsa only the locals know about:

  1. Bull in the Alley: A back alley bar and restaurant with the best steaks in Tulsa.
  2. Muhanna Sweets: Since 1935, the best baklava can be found at the secret (or not-so-secret) shop off of 71st and Sheridan in Tulsa.
  3. Cobbler Mom: This local secret offers a scrumptious cobbler with a dash of ice cream that will have you licking the plate for more.
  4. A Gathering Place For Tulsa: A 66.5-acre park in Tulsa designed from the ground up to be the best park in Tulsa.
  5. The Cave House: This 1920s stone house looks like it popped right out of the Flinstone’s cartoon.
  6. The Mayo Hotel: No, not that kind of Mayo. This mysterious hotel built in 1925 was abandoned in 1981 and left for rubble (not Barney Rubble). It has been restored to its former glory and is one of those secret places to stay in Tulsa that will leave you breathless. If your idea of secret places falls more in line with fairy tale gardens and enchanting natural landscapes here are eight hidden gardens in Oklahoma you will absolutely love.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Tulsa, Oklahoma has many hidden gems from restaurants, hotels, and underground tunnels, to the most delicious sweets in town. Whether you are looking for new places to explore or tasty treats, here are a few secret places in Tulsa only the locals know about:

  1. Bull in the Alley: A back alley bar and restaurant with the best steaks in Tulsa.
  2. Muhanna Sweets: Since 1935, the best baklava can be found at the secret (or not-so-secret) shop off of 71st and Sheridan in Tulsa.
  3. Cobbler Mom: This local secret offers a scrumptious cobbler with a dash of ice cream that will have you licking the plate for more.
  4. A Gathering Place For Tulsa: A 66.5-acre park in Tulsa designed from the ground up to be the best park in Tulsa.
  5. The Cave House: This 1920s stone house looks like it popped right out of the Flinstone’s cartoon.
  6. The Mayo Hotel: No, not that kind of Mayo. This mysterious hotel built in 1925 was abandoned in 1981 and left for rubble (not Barney Rubble). It has been restored to its former glory and is one of those secret places to stay in Tulsa that will leave you breathless.

If your idea of secret places falls more in line with fairy tale gardens and enchanting natural landscapes here are eight hidden gardens in Oklahoma you will absolutely love.