Southeast Oklahoma: Forest Views & a Trip to Little Italy

Plan a three-day trip through McAlester, Krebs, Atoka, Durant, Calera, Hugo, Broken Bow and Hochatown in Southeast Oklahoma. The region is known for breathtaking vistas, especially in Beavers Bend State Park. You can even get a taste of Italy in Krebs at several legendary restaurants or shop for imported goods at Lovera's Italian Grocery.

Dig in to a pie at Grateful Head Pizza in Hochatown.
Photo Credit: Laci Schwoegler/Retrospec Films

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Day 1 - McAlester, Krebs

Start your day with small-batch coffee at Spaceship Earth before exploring the shops of downtown McAlester. Be sure to stop in the Harper & Grey House, a treasure trove and hosts Le Salt where you can grab some cookies for a snack. Hop in the car for the three-mile trek to Krebs, known as Oklahoma’s Little Italy. Stop at Lovera's to browse for Italian goods you can’t leave without. Indulge in lunch at one of the famous Krebs Italian eateries—Roseanna’s or Pete’s Place.

Drive to Atoka for small-town shopping and celebration of big-time local legends like Reba McEntire. Visit Frost Ranch Wear for western fashions and cowboy history honoring legendary bull rider Lane Frost. Get your steps in while browsing the shops downtown. Finish your shopping trip at Reba’s Place in the upstairs mercantile before enjoying a delicious Southern dinner, loads of Reba memorabilia, and possibly live music. Drive to Durant to rest up for Day 2.

Stay: Brick Street Hotel offers a boutique lodging experience in downtown Durant.

Day 2 - Calera, Durant, Hugo, Hochatown

Get an early start for a full day of exploration. Fuel up at Opera House Coffee before you experience the Choctaw Cultural Center in Calera. Have lunch in the Champuli Café where you can dine on recipes passed down for hundreds of years or choose something with modern flair. We suggest a Frybread Taco or Champuli Meat Pie, but make sure to follow it with Grape Dumplings. Head to downtown Durant to stroll shops like Kopper Kettle, see art along the Magnolia Mile Art Gallery, sip a brew at Lost Street Brewing, and marvel at the monument to the World’s Largest Peanut.

A short car ride to Hugo will bring you face-to-face with elephants at Endangered Ark Foundation before you wander through Showmen’s Rest at Mount Olivet Cemetery—the final resting place for rodeo greats, circus performers, and owners. Finish the day in Hochatown for dinner, then lay your head in one of Oklahoma’s loveliest state parks before another day of adventure.

Stay: Beavers Bend State Park Lodge is nestled among the trees and alongside the Mountain Fork River. For a unique experience, stay in Hugo at one of the cabins at Endangered Ark to have dinner delivered and breakfast with the elephants. Then travel to Beavers Bend in the morning.

Day 3 - Beavers Bend, Hochatown

Take an early morning hike at Beavers Bend for a short trail or spend the morning floating the Mountain Fork River in a kayak or canoe. Eat lunch at Grateful Head Pizza before ziplining through the forest at Rugaru Adventures. Girls Gone Wine provides a grown-up afternoon pause. Make sure to stroll through the Hochatown Trading Post & Coffee Co. for home goods, gifts, and apparel, and grab some treats for later at Loblolly Chocolates before indulging in dinner at the Buffalo Grill.

Stay: Beavers Bend State Park Lodge: Stay another night in the lodge or at the Endangered Ark cabins.

Planning note: Verify current hours, reservations, event calendars and lodging availability before travel.