Holidays are a time for celebration, and many of you may have family coming to town for the holidays. The number one reason people come to Muskogee is to visit friends and family. So, your guests are tourists. This year consider taking your guests on a tour of Muskogee's attractions and discover that there are a lot of things to do in your own backyard.

Whether it’s history, art, nature, entertainment, shopping or simply the wonder of discovering new things, Muskogee has something for every person in your group. First, check out the online Community Calendar at www.muskogeechamber.org to get the most up-to-date list of activities and details on every attraction.

To immediately impress your guests, start with the Garden of Lights, a winter celebration that includes a drive-through display of more than a million shimmering lights throughout Honor Heights Park. The lights are strung carefully to enhance the natural beauty of the park's gardens, waterfalls and ponds.

Then, follow the signs to the Christmas Kingdom of Inflatables at the Castle. This is a special treat for all ages with more than 1,200 holiday inflatables. At the end, stop in to visit the Christmas Village for some hot chocolate and shopping. Both of these attractions are free, however, donations are welcome. Both are open every night from Thanksgiving through Jan. 1.

One very unique attraction in Muskogee is the USS Batfish, a retired highly-decorated naval submarine. The Batfish sank three enemy submarines and 11 other vessels during her tenure in battle. In the park area you will find an army tank, cannons and missiles, and the Walk of Honor, a tribute to veterans.

Visit the Ataloa Lodge Museum on the campus of Bacone College. The lodge is nationally known for showcasing some of the most striking and prolific Native American artwork in the southwest. Then visit the Five Civilized Tribes Museum to explore the history and art of the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek and Seminole. The museum is dedicated to preserving and encouraging the cultures and traditions of the Five Civilized Tribes.

Located in the “Depot District” is Three Rivers Museum. Museum displays tell the story of the settlement and development of the Three Forks area. Across the street is the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame and Museum which celebrates musicians who have contributed to Oklahoma's rich musical heritage. Exhibits commemorate past inductees including Merle Haggard, Toby Keith, Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys, Roy Clark, Carrie Underwood and Vince Gill, just to name a few.

Muskogee Little Theatre productions are a great way to spend an evening with your guests. “Miracle on 34th Street” will run through the month of December. Check out their Web site for more information and ticket prices.

And to make sure your guests get the true Okie from Muskogee experience, shop for official Okie products at the Arrowhead Mall and go to the Muskogee Civic Center, where you can stand on the stage and see Muskogee through Merle Haggard's point of view. And yes, “We still wave ol’ glory down at the courthouse,” which make a great place to snap a group photo on the corner of Court and State streets.

No matter what the season, your guests will be welcomed with our famous Okie hospitality. Let's show your guests why we are proud to be “Okies from Muskogee!”