Food scene
Delicious homemade Italian restaurant owned and operated by 4th generation local family. Entrees are served family style, and a full bar service is available. Pete's is also the owner of Choc Beer and Prairie Ale, which is brewed on site. Located in nearby Krebs, OK.
27 locals recommend
Pete's Place Restaurant
120 S West 8th StDelicious homemade Italian restaurant owned and operated by 4th generation local family. Entrees are served family style, and a full bar service is available. Pete's is also the owner of Choc Beer and Prairie Ale, which is brewed on site. Located in nearby Krebs, OK.
Fantastic coffee (it's roasted on site by the owners) also serving beer, wine and wine cocktails. Family friendly location just 6 blocks up the street in our historic downtown Choctaw Ave. shopping district. Thursday nights are known for food trucks and trivia and weekends often feature live entertainment.
9 locals recommend
Spaceship Earth Coffee
345 E Choctaw AveFantastic coffee (it's roasted on site by the owners) also serving beer, wine and wine cocktails. Family friendly location just 6 blocks up the street in our historic downtown Choctaw Ave. shopping district. Thursday nights are known for food trucks and trivia and weekends often feature live entertainment.
Locally owned brewery featuring a rotation of offerings and fun snacks. Family friendly indoor and outdoor areas with games and patio seating.
6 locals recommend
BierKraft
925 East Washington AvenueLocally owned brewery featuring a rotation of offerings and fun snacks. Family friendly indoor and outdoor areas with games and patio seating.
Delicious family owned Italian restaurant featuring homemade pastas, entrees and cheesecakes. Selections to fit all budgets with a beer and wine menu available. Located in nearby Krebs, OK.
Roseanna's Italian Food
205 East Washington AvenueDelicious family owned Italian restaurant featuring homemade pastas, entrees and cheesecakes. Selections to fit all budgets with a beer and wine menu available. Located in nearby Krebs, OK.
Locally owned steakhouse and seafood restaurant offering a wide variety of traditional and unique entrees. Full bar service is available.
10 locals recommend
Captain Johns Seafood & Cajun Grill
1216 S George Nigh ExpyLocally owned steakhouse and seafood restaurant offering a wide variety of traditional and unique entrees. Full bar service is available.
Locally owned coffee shop with three locations.Featuring a wide variety of drinks and sandwiches.
Harbor Mountain Coffee House
224 S 3rd StLocally owned coffee shop with three locations.Featuring a wide variety of drinks and sandwiches.
LOS 3 TARASCOS
307 South Main StreetTraditional Tex/Mex menu and full bar service.
Locally owned pizzeria featuring unique combinations and eclectic entrees.
6 locals recommend
The Compass Wood-Fired Kitchen
119 East Choctaw AvenueLocally owned pizzeria featuring unique combinations and eclectic entrees.
El Jalisco
119 North 1st StreetTraditional Tex/Mex Menu and full service bar.
Shopping
Locally owned gift shop and boutique featuring hand unique gifts, food and clothing. Located just blocks away in the historic downtown Choctaw Avenue shopping district.
Common Roots
111 East Choctaw AvenueLocally owned gift shop and boutique featuring hand unique gifts, food and clothing. Located just blocks away in the historic downtown Choctaw Avenue shopping district.
Wonderful selection of clothing, home and gift items. On trend and perfectly curated selections of brands and styles.
Harper & Grey House
110 E Choctaw AveWonderful selection of clothing, home and gift items. On trend and perfectly curated selections of brands and styles.
Large selection of home, snack and gift items for all ages. Located just blocks away in the historic Choctaw Avenue shopping district.
Yellow Gazebo
109 East Choctaw AvenueLarge selection of home, snack and gift items for all ages. Located just blocks away in the historic Choctaw Avenue shopping district.
Locally owned tasting room with a wide variety of gift items. Located just blocks away in the historic Choctaw Avenue shopping district.
Whispering Meadows Vineyards
34 E Choctaw AveLocally owned tasting room with a wide variety of gift items. Located just blocks away in the historic Choctaw Avenue shopping district.
Neighborhoods
Blocks of established boutiques, gift shops, coffee shops, restaurants, wineries and more.
Choctaw Avenue
Choctaw AvenueBlocks of established boutiques, gift shops, coffee shops, restaurants, wineries and more.
Attractions
Owned and operated by The Great Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, the casino features slots, some table gaming, a sports bar and restaurant.
Choctaw Casino-McAlester
1638 S George Nigh ExpyOwned and operated by The Great Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, the casino features slots, some table gaming, a sports bar and restaurant.
Sightseeing
One of the world's largest man made lakes, Eufaula has endless miles of beaches, ramps, and docks and is home to world class fishing. The town of Eufaula hosts floating restaurants at the marina and wonderful dining and shopping.
13 locals recommend
Eufaula Lake
One of the world's largest man made lakes, Eufaula has endless miles of beaches, ramps, and docks and is home to world class fishing. The town of Eufaula hosts floating restaurants at the marina and wonderful dining and shopping.
This picturesque community approximately 30 miles north offers food trucks, pop up shopping, and boardwalk strolling through gorgeous neighborhoods. You will also experience one of the best photo moments you will ever see at the lookout entrance.
7 locals recommend
Carlton Landing
This picturesque community approximately 30 miles north offers food trucks, pop up shopping, and boardwalk strolling through gorgeous neighborhoods. You will also experience one of the best photo moments you will ever see at the lookout entrance.
A scenic 40 minute drive away and home of amazing rock formations rumored to be the hiding place for many an outlaw, Carlton Lake and Robber's Cave offer some of the most gorgeous scenery and hiking in Oklahoma. Carlton Lake is swimmable and offers seasonal attractions such as paddle boating and nature classes. Horse back riding, trail rides and festivals are also wonderful family attractions. Be sure to call the park office for hours and offerings.
34 locals recommend
Robbers Cave State Park
2084 NW 146th RdA scenic 40 minute drive away and home of amazing rock formations rumored to be the hiding place for many an outlaw, Carlton Lake and Robber's Cave offer some of the most gorgeous scenery and hiking in Oklahoma. Carlton Lake is swimmable and offers seasonal attractions such as paddle boating and nature classes. Horse back riding, trail rides and festivals are also wonderful family attractions. Be sure to call the park office for hours and offerings.
City/town information
McAlester (locals call it Mac) is a diverse, picturesque town in the heart of The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma's Reservation boundaries. With a population of 20, 000 we are definitely a small town, but with so much to offer. Many of our restaurants and shops are owned by local, vibrant entrepreneurs eager to serve and welcome you. Our little sister city, Krebs, is full of Italian heritage and delicious food. Eufaula Lake begins just minutes north on 69 highway. It's the perfect short drive for all things fishing and water sports or just some Sunday driving and taking in the scenery and beaches.
8 locals recommend
McAlester
McAlester (locals call it Mac) is a diverse, picturesque town in the heart of The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma's Reservation boundaries. With a population of 20, 000 we are definitely a small town, but with so much to offer. Many of our restaurants and shops are owned by local, vibrant entrepreneurs eager to serve and welcome you. Our little sister city, Krebs, is full of Italian heritage and delicious food. Eufaula Lake begins just minutes north on 69 highway. It's the perfect short drive for all things fishing and water sports or just some Sunday driving and taking in the scenery and beaches.
Traveler advice
Getting around
McAlester is an easy town to drive around
Parking is plentiful and free in our area. Rover Taxi service utilizes electric vehicles and is fast, friendly and affordable. 69 highway is currently under construction, so it's a great idea to check your navigation apps for detours if heading out to the east or southbound areas.
Don't miss
Puterbaugh Gardens
Located just two blocks from the home, the Puterbaugh and Ardeneum Garden area is filled with charming vintage paths, rock formations, plants and nature. It is the perfect place for photo moments and casual strolling.
What to pack
All four seasons
McAlester experiences the beauty and temperament of all 4 seasons. Plan on checking a weather app and possibly layering for different times of day.
Don't miss
Walking tour of historic architecture
McAlester is home to several historically significant buildings within a few city blocks of each other. The Pittsburg County Courthouse, Masonic Temple, Rainbow Temple, Grand Avenue Church, "Old High School" where the world's largest lump of coal and World War II German Pow Camp Castle sculpture are outside, and Okla Theater are all picturesque and fun to walk by.
Customs and culture
Mcalester is within the Choctaw Nation of OK tribal boundary
Many of our local streets are named after Native American Tribes, and we host many Native events. Many of our residents are enrolled tribal members and access local Native Health Care, Community Centers, and tribal government offices including law enforcement.
Don't miss
Christmas Lights
Our downtown transforms into a little Festival of Lights from Thanksgiving until New Year's Day. Either by car or by foot, be sure to travel down Carl Albert Parkway, Choctaw Avenue, and the corner of 2nd and Cherokee Avenue.
Getting around
Food Delivery
Our local food delivery apps are fast and easy. Download either of these for food:
McAlester2Go: Restaurant and grocery
Texoma Delivery: Restaurant
Door Dash: Restaurant
Rover Taxi: some deliveries