From Dining to Entertainment: Best of Chickasaw Country Winners Unveiled
Chickasaw Country, Okla. - The Best of Chickasaw Country awards annually recognize the outstanding businesses in south-central Oklahoma. The 11th annual “Best of” awards highlight 17 locally-owned dining and shopping destinations, hotels and attractions, as well as entertainment and events that make this Oklahoma region a popular stop for travelers.
At the start of the year, more than 3,600 nominations were submitted in the 17 categories. Those were narrowed to 91 finalists for voting. The public cast more than 29,000 votes to determine one winner in each category.
“Chickasaw Country prides itself on having a great mix of businesses, from dining and retail to lodging and entertainment,” said Paige Williams Shepherd, director of tourism for the Chickasaw Nation. “These awards allow for the public to recognize their favorite businesses, or locations where they frequent and may have had exceptional experiences. It’s always a very close competition as we have so many great places to discover as well as wonderful people who own and operate these establishments.”
The 2023 Best of Chickasaw Country winners are:
Best Antique Shop: Auntie Mae’s Antiques, Purcell
Best Attraction: Chickasaw Cultural Center, Sulphur
Best Barbecue: Smokin Joe’s Rib Ranch, Davis
Best Boutique: Serendipity on Main, Ada
Best Casino: WinStar World Casino and Resort, Thackerville
Best Coffee Shop: Bedré Cafe, Sulphur
Best Family-Friendly Attraction: Chickasaw National Recreation Area, Sulphur
Best Festival: Chickasha Festival of Light, Chickasha
Best Golf Course: WinStar Golf Club, Thackerville
Best Lake: Lake Texoma, Kingston
Best Live Performance Venue: The Doghouse at Ole Red, Tishomingo
Best Lodging: Artesian Hotel, Casino & Spa, Sulphur
Best Museum: Chickasaw Cultural Center, Sulphur
Best Overall Dining: Punkins BBQ & Catfish Restaurant, Pauls Valley
Best Run or Ride: Fireball Classic, Ada
Best Wedding Venue: The Wildflower, Tishomingo
Best Winery/Brewery: Rusty Nail Winery and Tasting Room, Sulphur
To learn more about the winners selected for this year’s Best of Chickasaw Country, visit us on the web. Explore more of the vast offerings in Chickasaw Country and plan a stay with the official Chickasaw Country 2023 Travel Guide.
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About Chickasaw Country
Nestled in the south-central region of Oklahoma, Chickasaw Country is a regional tourism organization representing 13 of Oklahoma's 77 counties. A division of the Chickasaw Nation, Chickasaw Country is a tourism resource for visitors and communities in the region, promoting local attractions, experiences and events. South-central Oklahoma is an easy, versatile, friendly and beautiful escape packed with First American and Western culture, outdoor recreation, local dining, breathtaking landscapes and one-of-a-kind festivals. For adventure-seekers, cultural lovers and everything in between, Chickasaw Country is uniquely positioned as a go-to, spur of the moment, easy-to-get-to, ever-changing vacation, for a day, a weekend, a week or longer.
Contact: Kelli West
Tourism Communications Officer
Chickasaw Country
580-272-5849
[email protected]