Rush Springs, OK

Rush Springs is a town of less than 1,000 residents, however, each summer, it becomes THE place to be as 20,000 people assemble for the Rush Springs Watermelon Festival. The beloved annual tradition has been held in this welcoming town every second Saturday in August since 1948.

What to Do 

To learn about the rich history of Rush Springs, stop by the Hampton House Museum on the main strip.

Want to go on a shopping spree? Visit one of the many cozy boutiques and shops in Rush Springs, including Sissy's Antiques and Vintage Treasures and The R.E.M. (Resource, Entrepreneur and Mercantile), an antique store sponsored by Southern Baptist Church.

When heading into town, keep your eyes peeled to spot the Dinosaur Roadside Ranch on US Highway 81. This attraction features junkyard metal artwork including two giant dinosaurs, an airplane with a tin can man pilot, an assortment of smiley face-themed pieces and more. One of the dinosaur pieces was built out of an old horse trailer and originally used as an animated parade float. It's a great pitstop to snap a photo!

And of course, you can't visit Rush Springs without eating Oklahoma's official state vegetable -- the watermelon! (And yes, Oklahoma considers watermelon a vegetable.) Delighting folks every summer, the Rush Springs Watermelon Festival features a seed-spitting contest, an arts and craft fair featuring over 100 vendors, carnival rides, live entertainment, stage shows, on-site food vendors and a classic automotive show!

Where to Eat 

Drive down Blakely Avenue to eat at Smokin' Joes Rib Ranch. Their mouth-watering barbecue meats and signature Mama's Heavenly 'Nanna' Puddin' are fan favorites! If cobbler is more of what you crave, try their cobbler of the day served with ice cream!