Resort Grand Lake

Your Guide to Exploring Monkey Island, Oklahoma

If you’re looking for a vacation destination that’s equal parts relaxing and adventurous, look no further than Shangri-La Resort. Found at the tip of Money Island in northeast Oklahoma, our lakefront resort is the perfect place to unwind from the stress of everyday life while creating lifelong memories. We have gone the extra mile to ensure our grounds have everything you need for the ultimate getaway.

Nestled on the shores of Grand Lake, there are countless things to do both on-site and nearby. After dropping your bags off in your spacious accommodation, set off to discover how many incredible attractions and activities you can find. To help give you a head start, we’ve made a list of some of our favorite adventures. If you are planning on venturing away from the resort, call the concierge desk at 918-257-7705 to learn more about our shuttle service.

A Checklist of Things to Do on or near Monkey Island

  1. Play your way through 27 holes of championship golf. Our on-site courses: Legends, Heritage, Champions, and The Battlefield, are ideal for golfers of all skill levels.
  2. Pamper yourself to a day at the spa in Monkey Island, Oklahoma. Treatment options range from massages to facials to nail care.
  3. Spend a day out on the lake. Sail Grand Waterfront, located at our marina, offers a range of rentals, including pontoons, fishing boats, and ski boats. 
  4. Test your luck at Cherokee Grove Casino, found only 10 minutes from the resort. The Oklahoma casino has hundreds of electronic games that may lead to a big payday.
  5. Surround yourself with stunning Fall flora at Lendonwood Gardens. This natural attraction near Monkey Island, Oklahoma, is home to eight gardens, each with its own theme.
  6. Enjoy playing Pickleball at our indoor courts or improving your golf game on the TrackMan Simulator at The Anchor.
  7. End each day in Monkey Island, Oklahoma, watching a breathtaking sunset from one of the numerous vantage points at the resort. We highly recommend the lighthouse, marina, The Anchor, and along the lakeshore.

Discover even more fun things to do and see on Monkey Island, Oklahoma, and at Shangri-La Resort by booking your stay today!

Your Guide to the Best Route 66 Attractions

Route 66 is filled with iconic attractions and is among the most famous roads in the world. It spans over 2,400 miles and eight states, starting in the booming city of Chicago and ending on the Pacific Coast in Santa Monica. Since 1926, the Mother Road has brought people together on journeys through iconic United States destinations. The Oklahoma portion of Route 66 is a captivating journey through time, culture, and the American spirit. 

Shangri-La Resort is an enchanting Oklahoma resort to stop during your journey nestled on Grand Lake. Immerse yourself in a resort that seamlessly blends luxury, natural beauty, and exhilarating activities. We crafted each lodging option to offer modern comforts while showcasing the beauty of the natural surroundings. Relax after a day on the road in our rejuvenating spa or on one of our lakeside golf courses. You’ll also be able to indulge in a delectable culinary experience with our diverse dining options

Top Route 66 Attractions on the Ultimate Mother Road Trip

Illinois – Grant Park

Too many vintage attractions on Route 66 have been lost, but you can find the “End Historic Route 66” sign at the Jackson and Michigan Avenues intersection.

Missouri – Gillioz Theatre

This has been one of the greatest old theaters in the Midwest since it was built in 1926. 

Kansas – Brush Creek Bridge

Check out the last remaining fixed Marsh Rainbow Arch bridge on Kansas Route 66.

Oklahoma – Shangri-La Resort

Unwind by taking in the natural beauty of Grand Lake at our full-service marina, our luxurious spa services, or enjoy fine dining. You can also get out and spread your legs at our activity park featuring arcade games, simulator bays, virtual reality games, a wiffleball park, and so much more. We truly stand out as one of the most enchanting attractions in Oklahoma just a 30 minute detour from Route 66. 

Texas – McLean Commercial Historic District

This is one of the best Route 66 attractions to get a glimpse of what it was like in its full glory during the mid-20th century. 

New Mexico – La Bajada Mesa

Explore one of the most well-preserved and historically significant sections of El Camino Real

Arizona – Petrified Forest National Park

Venture through the largest concentration of petrified wood, historic structures, archeological sites, multi-hued badlands of the Painted Desert, and over 200 million-year-old fossils.

California – Broadway Theater and Commercial District

Step into a stunning example of Los Angeles and Southern California’s fast-expanding growth between 1900 and 1910.

Book your stay at Shangri-La Resort, one of Oklahoma’s most enchanting attractions just a 30 minute journey off of Route 66! 

A Birdwatchers Guide to the Oklahoma Birds

In northeastern Oklahoma, Monkey Island is a picturesque destination to watch for birds. Each bird species has its own story to tell, and through patient observation, you gain insights into their lives and survival strategies. Shangri-La Resort is a magnificent resort in Oklahoma for birders and nature lovers that promises an unforgettable experience of luxury and recreational activities. 

Enjoy our resort’s plush accommodations, fine dining, activity park, golf courses, luxurious spa, and so much more in Grand Lake, Oklahoma! Our renowned Grand Lake resort offers a sanctuary of relaxation and adventure, catering to the desires of travelers seeking a truly memorable escape. Below are some of our favorite birds you can find during your stay in Oklahoma! 

Our 7 Favorite Birds You Can Find in Oklahoma

  1. House Finch: Vegans will be fond of the birds you can find in Oklahoma. Something unique about them is that they feed their nestlings a plant-based diet. 
  2. White-Breasted Nuthatch: You can attract These lovely birds by offering them large nuts such as peanuts and sunflower seeds.
  3. European Starling: All of these bird species in North America can be traced back to the 1890s when 100 birds were set loose in New York’s Central Park. They were released so that all the birds Shakespeare mentioned in his works would be in America. 
  4. House Wren: These tiny travelers have one of the biggest ranges of all songbirds. You can not only find these birds in Oklahoma but also in Canada, West Indies, Central America, and South America. 
  5. Mourning Dove: These elegant birds sure have a healthy appetite. They will eat up to 20% of their body weight every day. Maybe that’s why the oldest recorded Mourning Dove was 30 years old! 
  6. Rock Pigeon: Egyptian hieroglyphics suggest that humans have domesticated pigeons for over 5,000 years. Rock Pigeons carried vital messages for the U.S. military during the World Wars.
  7. Pileated Woodpecker: These are some of America’s biggest and most stunning forest birds. These birds will be easy to spot while you’re in Oklahoma with their flaming red, white, and black coloring. 

Book your stay at Shangri-La Resort for an ultimate retreat that blends natural beauty with the finest modern luxuries!

Explore the Best Casinos in the Grand Lake, Oklahoma Area

Shangri-La Resort is one of the premier Oklahoma resorts near Grand Lake to visit this winter with an indoor activity park, plush spa, comfy accommodations, fine dining, and more. While you’re enjoying your dreamy vacation at Shangri-La Resort, take a trip to one of the best casinos in the Grand Lake, Oklahoma area. The team at Shangri-La Resort put together this guide to help you plan your vacation activity to one of the best casinos around the area. We can’t wait to welcome you to our luxurious Grand Lake resort!

The 4 Best Casinos in the Grand Lake, Oklahoma Area

  1. Cherokee Casino: Enjoy awesome live music and entertainment, special events, a booming nightlife, and of course awesome casino games. They feature a 3.8-star rating from over 1883 Google reviews. This is one of the best casinos in the Grand Lake, Oklahoma area and is only around a 15 minute drive from Shangri-La Resort
  2. Indigo Sky Casino: Come here for Bingo, gaming machines, live entertainment, Poker, and table games. They have a stellar 4.1-star rating from over 6682 Google reviews. This is one of the best casinos just a little over a half hour drive from Shangri-La Resort in Monkey Island, Oklahoma. 
  3. Downstream Casino: Head here for thrilling cash drawings, car giveaways, slot tournaments, and more. This is one of the best rated casinos in the Grand Lake, Oklahoma area with a 4.1-star rating from over 11889 Google reviews. This incredible casino is only a little under an hour away from Shangri-La Resort.
  4. Grand Lake Casino: This spot is open 24 hours and is where you can enjoy live music, entertainment, special events, and more than 500 slot machines. They have a 3.8-star rating from over 2515 Google reviews.  They are around a half hour drive from Shangri-La Resort.

Book your stay today at Shangri-La Resort for the vacation of your dreams!

Spend the Holidays in One of the Best Resorts in Oklahoma

The warm weather from fall and summer may have left us, but winter has its own unique charm. The holiday season is full of cheer and precious time spent with loved ones. This is also a great time to book your stay in one of the best resorts on Grand Lake in Oklahoma. 

Shangri-La Resort is nestled on Monkey Island, Oklahoma, and offers a memorable mix of luxury and adventure to guests no matter the weather outside. Some of the premium amenities & attractions you can enjoy at our Grand Lake resort are an activity park, fine dining, a spa, stunning golf courses, pickleball courts, and plush accommodations for your stay in Oklahoma. Book your stay today at Shangri-La Resort to fill your family holiday season with comfort, and priceless memories.

Enjoy Golfing Indoors at One of the Best Resorts in Oklahoma

You can enjoy your favorite outside sports in the comfort of indoors with Shangri-La Resort’s Simulator Bays. The two simulator bays feature golf and shooting activities and are located inside The Anchor. Enjoy a day of golfing at one of our TrackMan Professional Simulators that utilizes state-of-the-art technology. We have digitized Shangri-La Resort’s stunning Grand Lake golf courses, so our guests can enjoy them no matter the weather outside in Monkey Island, Oklahoma. Our guests, ages 16 and older, can also enjoy our resort’s hunting or enemy target shooting games. 

Your group can also rent out the simulator bays by the hour. Non-members can rent the simulator bays during the week for $40 per hour and $50 per hour Friday-Sunday. Members can rent the simulator bays for $30 per hour any day of the week. The simulator bays are open during the same times as The Anchor

  • Sunday – Thursday, 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
  • Friday – Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – midnight. 

Have a Blast at Our Resort’s Arcade on Grand Lake, Oklahoma

Explore the virtual reality and traditional games at our resort’s arcade during your holiday getaway to Grand Lake, Oklahoma. The Anchor has plenty of classic arcade games, such as skeeball or Space Invaders battles. Or you can embrace the advances of modern gaming and experience state-of-the-art virtual reality games. In our virtual reality games, you can fight zombies or race in a Ferrari on our CXC Racing Simulator!

You can find Shangri-La Resort’s arcade in The Anchor near the Fenway Wiffleball Field. You can have a blast playing our resort’s games during your Oklahoma holiday vacation by putting money on a special Anchor Game Card. The traditional arcade games average $1-2 per play, and the Virtual Reality games average $5-6 per play.

Book the holiday vacation of your dreams at Shangri- La Resort in Monkey Island, Oklahoma! 

You can also book The Anchor for your group at 918-257-5205!