Discover the Oklahoma City That Looks Like a Hallmark Movie Set

At the beginning of my entertainment industry career, I worked on numerous Hallmark movies. It was enjoyable watching the wholesome scripts set in small-town America come to life. There's no doubt that Hallmark produces feel-good films with happy endings, and that's part of the reason why they are so popular. Despite whatever drama happens in two hours, you know the outcome will melt your heart! Another reason is the small-town setting with a community that's so close-knit, you feel as though you're walking down Main Street with one of the main characters. If you've ever wanted to visit a town with the look and feel of a Hallmark movie set, Guthrie is one place to consider for a day trip or a weekend getaway. Let's discover why Guthrie could star in one of our favorite Hallmark movies.

About Guthrie

Guthrie, with a population of just over 11,000, is actually a small city with a small-town feel. Its vast historic district, the largest National Historic Landmark District in the U.S., comprises well-preserved buildings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, lending to its charm and character. In fact, there are over 2,000 buildings within the Guthrie Historic District, an ideal destination for history buffs to explore.

Guthrie is one of those charming small cities in Oklahoma, and appears to have been plucked straight from the pages of a romantic Hallmark film. You can almost picture a main character, who now lives in a big city, coming home to visit family in this small town for a few days and bumping into their long-lost love on Main Street, lined with cafes and historic architecture.

Downtown Guthrie

Throughout Guthrie's downtown area, visitors will be delighted to discover nearly endless options for dining and shopping. For fine dining, you can't go wrong with Gage's Steakhouse, set inside the Old Santa Fe Train Depot in the historic district. If you prefer more casual fare, locals and travelers alike rave about C+C Eatery on Division Street as well as J9 Tavern on Pine Street. Of course, cafes are aplenty downtown, so pop in at a local spot like BlackWater Coffee Co. or Simone's Cafe for your caffeine fix. The downtown area is also filled with an array of eclectic shops with unique gifts, books, antiques, clothes, art, and handmade goods. You're bound to find some treasures to take home!

Annual Holiday Events in Guthrie

Throughout the year, the Guthrie community comes together to partake in the city's seasonal events. Among the most festive is the Territorial Christmas Celebrations, a Victorian-themed event featuring reenactments, a parade, local food and craft vendors, and live music. Holiday festivities continue with the annual A Very Merry Guthrie Christmas, with twinkling light displays, food trucks, craft vendors, fireworks, and more. Held between late November and Christmas Day, this is one event you can't miss!

The Ideal Hallmark Movie Town

When I think of a Hallmark movie setting, the small city of Guthrie provides the perfect backdrop with its small-town feel, strong sense of community, and local shops, cafes, and restaurants. Would you agree? If you have another favorite small Oklahoma town or city you think would be an excellent fit for a Hallmark script to come to life, please nominate it and tell us why—we would love to hear from you! You can also check out 12 more incredibly charming small towns in Oklahoma.

Feeling inspired? Try planning your own charming small-town Oklahoma trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.