Lawton, OK getting to be a tuff city.

[Skiluvr03]

I would advise anyone attending the Gun Show in Lawton July 14th & 15th to leave anything of value at home or locked in you trunk. Clean out your pickup bed or they'll do it for you. Don't park up next to the barns or buildings. "Been There Got the T-Shirt" but it got stolen the next night out of my room at the Ramada Inn..

I wouldn't leave anything of value in the bed of my pickup at the Waterford Hotel or anywhere else saying, steal me, steal me, LOL. I wouldn't park my truck at Ramada Inn overnight.

 

[hipshot]

Are there any decent places to stay at there that is safer than others as far as burglary or vandalism goes? I am probably going to Superdaves show there and would really rather not have my truck broken into or messed up!!
Also what about decent places to eat, movie theatres, or other activities after the show on saturday?

 

[ignerntbend]

You should hire an armed man to gaurd your truck if you park it in Lawton. The place is a mad house, an urban hell hole. Don't get caught out after dark. Move in crowds. Keep an eye out. Leave your family at home where it's safe. You probably won't be able to hack it in Lawton. Especially if you come from a highly advanced utopian paradise like Oklahoma City.

 

[Skiluvr03]

You should hire an armed man to gaurd your truck if you park it in Lawton. The place is a mad house, an urban hell hole. Don't get caught out after dark. Move in crowds. Keep an eye out. Leave your family at home where it's safe. You probably won't be able to hack it in Lawton. Especially if you come from a highly advanced utopian paradise like Oklahoma City.

LMAO! That is great!!!

 

[mugsy]

I sense a little too much paranoia about Lawton. It does have a high crime rate but simple math (lots of people only one you) says that you still aren't likely to become a victim of any crime. I am not a local - I came here for work and was not impressed by the place at first glance but it kind of grows on you. having said that I have to admit that we moved to the north side of Ft Sill on Lake Lawtonka.

Now here is some practical advice:
Places to stay that are decent (not wonderful) are clustered around the Gore Blvd (Exit 37) exit including Comfort Suites, Holiday Inn Express, Homewood, etc. There are also a Cracker Barrel and Mike's Sports Bar located right there.
I would avoid any motel on Cache Rd between the highway and Sheridan Rd - those tend to be trouble on the weekends.

There are clusters of fast food and some non-fast food around the town - some common areas to eat are Sheridan and Gore area (including the east branch of a local favorite Wayne's Drive-In). There is also a decent (for pizza) Italian restaurant named Luigi's.

Oh, if you need to be a little more budget conscious try the Super 8 or ABVI on the West side of I-44 between Exit's 39 and 40 and there is a decent Greek restaurant (a tad pricey) next to the Super 8.

Look, Lawton is not for haute Cuisine and luxury hotels but it isn't a horror show either.

If any OSA'ers want to gather on Friday or Saturday shoot me a PM and I will start a separate thread if there is enough interest. There is a good burger place, Meers, north of town that is worth trying if you like big (and I do mean big) burgers.

Oh, BTW - I wouldn't leave anything of value in my car overnight if you can avoid it. Lock it up and don't be obvious/flashy. Husbands keep an eye on your wives (likewise fathers/daughters) this town does have a high violence against women crime rate - though most is domestic and prevalent in challenged families.

 

[Skiluvr03]

If you go down Cache Rd and head to the West Side of town, that is where the Chili's, Red Lobsters, Applebees, Olive Garden, Outback, and all those type places are. If you're a gambler, this place has Casinos everywhere now. They have done a lot in the last 10 years to "clean up" the town and try to get rid of the "Little Chicago" nickname he had for years. If you like outdoors, you definitely need to go to the Wichita Mountains and stop by Meers that was mentioned for lunch.

 

[dwkennedy]

They have (or had) good surplus stores. I bought a big grocery sack full of M9 magazines in a pawn shop right outside of Ft. Sill... this was right after the AW ban way back in the 20th century.

I haven't been surplussing in Lawton for a long time so I don't know if that's still the case. I would usually stop by on the way back from visiting the Wichita Mtns wildlife refuge.

 

[Cowman]

I live 40 miles north. Lawton in the 70's and 80's I feel overall was tougher. The Old Bus Stop area close to where the Mall is now was a snake pit. There were more strip bars then. The Gang stuff is worse now. I used to serve process down there. Just like any town. Some places you just dont want to go into after dark.

 

[Seadog]

Man. I grew up in Elgin and lawton. The place is way mellow compaired to how it was in the 80s. All the strip clubs have been run out of town. 3 left to be talked about. Not as many bars as there use to be but there is still a plehtora. Violent crime went up when we got all those nice people that were transplanted from Katrina. Other than that its same ol same ol. It grows on you. I like it better than the OKC. I live up there nowa days and dont care for it. To each thier own.

Mugsy gave some good recomendations on places to stay and eat. There is also a big casino across the highway Commanche, and FT Sill Apache a little further down the road going east.

 

[David2012]

After the gun show.. go visit "Uncle Sam's" gun shop on old Ft. Sill Blvd.. It is diagonal across from the cemetery. Best deals on guns in SW Oklahoma. Large selection of new & used pistols, rifles & shotguns. New Glock 23's 3rd gen for only $419. New G19 gen 3 9mm $399. Gen 4 Glock 23 w/ police discount for $425. Hi Point 9mm @ $189 / 40 cal @ $199. 30 rd metal AR mags w/ Colt Mfg stamp only $10 new... $7 used. Pretty good selection of holsters. If you need a magazine, this is the place to check with... as they have a good selection.