Blue Whale of Catoosa, Oklahoma
Photo: Wikimedia Commons — see author and license on the file page.

Blue Whale of Catoosa, Oklahoma

The Blue Whale of Catoosa, in Catoosa, OK, is a whale-shaped structure sitting at the water's edge just east of town, right on the old Route 66. It is now among the most recognizable attractions anywhere on the road. For many travelers crossing Oklahoma it is a fixed stop: a place to stretch, grab a picture with the whale and enjoy a bit of classic roadside fun.

What is Blue Whale of Catoosa?

As the name says, it is a blue whale, built as a waterfront structure rather than a statue on a pedestal. Its setting beside the water is part of the charm, and a camera is the only gear needed for a visit.

Few roadside attractions on the old highway are as widely recognized, which makes it a natural anchor for a day of driving between Claremore and Tulsa.

Visiting Blue Whale of Catoosa: tips

The whale sits on the old road itself, so there is no detour to plan. Allow 20 to 30 minutes for pictures and a short walk. Restrooms are on site, and it is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Gas is about 0.2 miles away and a pizza place about 0.3 miles away if you need a break. Farther along, the Tulsa Air and Space Museum & Planetarium is about 9.1 miles away and the Will Rogers Memorial Museum is about 10.4 miles off, so the whale fits neatly into a day between Claremore and Tulsa.

Practical info

Address
2600 OK-66, Catoosa, OK 74015
Hours
Mon–Wed, Fri, Sat 9–4:30 · Thu 9–7 · Sun 11–4:30
On site & nearby

Sources: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · Wikidata · official site — may be outdated. Suggest a fix

Where to eat near Blue Whale of Catoosa

All diners on Route 66 →
  • Mother Road Market in Tulsa, OK
    Diner & restaurant

    Mother Road Market

    Tulsa, OK · 13.0 mi from Blue Whale of Catoosa

    Tulsa's first food hall, a nonprofit on Route 66 with food and retail tenants and a mini golf course.

On the map

Full map

Blue Whale of Catoosa with the 6 closest stops and a place to eat (fork and knife). Tap a marker for details.

Tap a dot to see that stop here.

Stops near Blue Whale of Catoosa

All of Oklahoma
Tulsa Air and Space Museum & Planetarium, Oklahoma

Tulsa Air and Space Museum & Planetarium

Tulsa, Oklahoma · 3.2 mi from Route 66

Vintage aircraft, hands-on exhibits and a full-dome planetarium at the edge of Tulsa's airport.

MuseumPhoto credit

9.1 mi from Blue Whale of Catoosa

Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore, OK

Will Rogers Memorial Museum

Claremore, Oklahoma · 1.1 mi from Route 66

Claremore's museum and resting place for entertainer Will Rogers, with films, letters and his tomb.

MuseumPhoto credit

10.4 mi from Blue Whale of Catoosa

Claremore Auto Dealership, Oklahoma

Claremore Auto Dealership

Claremore, Oklahoma · 0.1 mi from Route 66

A 1930 Art Deco dealership in Claremore that made the National Register but appears to be gone.

Historic buildingPhoto credit

10.5 mi from Blue Whale of Catoosa

J. M. Davis Arms and Historical Museum in Claremore, OK

J. M. Davis Arms and Historical Museum

Claremore, Oklahoma · on Route 66

More than 20,000 guns and related items, plus beer steins, music boxes and frontier oddities.

MuseumPhoto credit

10.7 mi from Blue Whale of Catoosa

Tulsa Zoo, Oklahoma

Tulsa Zoo

Tulsa, Oklahoma · 3.3 mi from Route 66

An 84-acre city zoo inside Tulsa's huge Mohawk Park, home to the Lost Kingdom exhibits.

Nature & parksPhoto credit

11.0 mi from Blue Whale of Catoosa

Sinclair Service Station in Tulsa, OK

Sinclair Service Station

Tulsa, Oklahoma · on Route 66

A 1929 Spanish-style gas station with a tiled roof, standing on Tulsa's original Route 66 alignment.

Retro roadsidePhoto credit

11.9 mi from Blue Whale of Catoosa

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