The Happiness Function

If you like country cooking, colorful kitchen gadgets, shopping, grabbing a coffee, and bakery treats, then you’ll love visiting the The Pioneer Woman Mercantile in Pawhuska, Oklahoma.

The Merc (its nickname) is a charming place to visit with a down-home, rustic country atmosphere. It will make your heart sing.

I live in Oklahoma, and I’m sharing my favorite things to do while visiting The Merc and the Pawhuska area. Pablo and I enjoy heading to Pawhuska for the weekend to hike in the Tallgrass Prairie or at Osage Hills State Park and then stopping by The Mercantile for a coffee.

Visiting The Pioneer Woman Mercantile

Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman, has made Pawhuska, Oklahoma, world-famous with her southern ranch charm and country cooking. The first time my parents came to visit us in Oklahoma, they both said it was the first thing they wanted to do.

Pawhuska is a small town (I’m talking one stoplight). This charm is what makes visiting The Pioneer Woman Mercantile fun.

How To Get To The Pioneer Woman Mercantile From Tulsa

From Tulsa, The Merc is about an hour away.

Since we live in Tulsa, we take the backcountry route, which is about 56 miles. It is slower driving, and you get to see farms, the prairie, and views of the Osage Hills.

Once you get into downtown Pawhuska, you will notice how cute and quaint the town is, with old brick buildings lining the main strip.

Map Directions To The Merc From Tulsa

The Pioneer Woman Mercantile Hours

Visit The Pioneer Woman website to check out the latest updates on hours and seasonal fun.

Things To Do at The Merc

Browse the store, grab some food, visit the Drummond Ranch, walk downtown Pawhuska, or drive up to the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, Osage Hills State Park, or Bluestem Falls. Then, cozy up after a fun-filled day at The Boarding House.

Shopping

The Mercantile is packed full of awesome country kitchen dishes, cookware, and gadgets. It has books, candles, jewelry, clothes, home décor, and official swag.

Everything you buy gets wrapped like a present, too.

Eating at the P.W. Coffee Shop and Bakery

Food is a major part of The Pioneer Woman’s brand, and you are in for a treat.

While shopping and browsing, walk upstairs (or take the elevator) to The P.W. Coffee Shop and Bakery. There is seating upstairs with places to hang out and enjoy views of downtown Pawhuska.

The bakery offers The Pioneer Woman’s homemade baked goods, freshly baked pies, pastries, chocolate, and fancy coffee.

My favorite treat: is called the Spicy Cowgirl Coffee. They also offer gluten-free baked goods occasionally.

If you can’t stay long or are saving room for The Pioneer Woman Deli Restaurant (which is on the main floor), grab some goodies to go.

The Pioneer Woman Mercantile Deli Restaurant

This place is usually packed. I’m talking a 3-4 hour wait to eat at the restaurant, and reservations are not accepted. So, be sure to plan ahead if you would like to eat at the deli. The wait time tells you how awesome it is.

The Mercantile website says mornings and late afternoons have shorter waiting periods. We have yet to wait long enough to eat at the deli. Instead, we always opt for a delicious coffee and snack at the bakery.

Tour The Lodge at The Drummond Ranch

Guess what else? You can make a day out of visiting all The Pioneer Woman has to offer and go on a tour of the Drummond Ranch. Ree’s Food Network show is also filmed here.

Tickets are required to go on lodge tours and are available that specific day only.

Check out The Pioneer Woman website to see how you can take a tour of the Drummond Ranch.

Visit The Pioneer Woman Collection Store

There is another store next to The Merc to visit down the street with more products from The Pioneer Woman. It is called The Pioneer Woman Collection. It has kitchenware and clothes.

Stay at The Boarding House

If you are planning a weekend getaway, check out The Boarding House. It’s a cowboy luxury hotel by The Pioneer Woman brand.

When we stopped in to see, the front desk attendant said The Boarding House is booking at least six months in advance.

Other Things To Do in and Around Pawhuska

Visit the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve

North of Pawhuska, there is a 39,650-acre protected Tallgrass Prairie Preserve. It is the largest prairie preserve on earth. The Nature Conservancy has helped restore the tallgrass prairie ecosystem, and it is home to about 2,500 free-ranging bison.

Since I’m a biology and sustainability nerd, I love these kinds of places. Check it out. Hopefully, you’ll be able to see some buffalo when you go. There are some neat trails to hike in the area. In the spring, it’s fun to see the baby bison.

See Bluestem Falls

The are beautiful waterfalls to visit a few minutes from downtown Pawhuska. The area is called Bluestem Falls. They are easy to access and take pictures of.

Explore Osage Hills State Park

Osage Hills State Park is 20 minutes north of Pawhuska. It’s a great place to hike, camp, and stay in rustic cabins.

Final Thoughts

A stop at The Pioneer Woman Mercantile is a must. You’ll find all sorts of amazing food and goodies, and Ree Drummond herself might be on-site to chat with guests.

Have fun out there.

Ashlee & Pablo

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