Ada City Guide
Image by kennethaw88 via wikipedia

United States

Ada City Guide

Oklahoma

Ada, Oklahoma, is a small city with a quiet vibe and a close community. It houses East Central University and a regional hospital. Basic amenities are easy to find, but it lacks big-city features.

Lifestyle🍽️

🍽️
Food Scene
Good
6

Food centers on American comfort and Southern BBQ. Some Mexican and Asian options exist. Vegetarian and vegan choices require effort. Most places close by 9-10 PM.

Local Dishes:
Oklahoma-style BBQ
International Cuisine:
Mexican, Asian
🌙
Nightlife
Poor
3

Nightlife is minimal, mainly a few local bars and pubs. It isn’t lively or varied.

Coffee Culture
Good
6

Local coffee shops and chains exist, but specialty roasters and unique culture are limited.

💰
Tipping
Required
15%

Tipping is expected for most services, generally 15-20% at restaurants and on rideshares.

Top Attractions
Wintersmith Park
Nature
A park with a lake, walking trails, and playgrounds.
Ada Arts & Heritage Center
Culture
Museum showcasing local history and art.
East Central University
Education
University campus with cultural and sports events.
Lake Texoma
Outdoor
Boating, fishing, and camping about an hour away.
Chickasaw National Recreation Area
Outdoor
Hiking, natural springs, and swimming, 45 minutes away.
SIM Cards

SIM cards are available at AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile stores. A valid ID is needed for activation. eSIMs are offered depending on carrier and device.

Available at:
AT&T Store
Verizon Store
T-Mobile Store
Recommended Apps
Uber/Lyft(Transportation)
DoorDash/Grubhub(Food Delivery)
Google Maps(Navigation)
Yelp(Local Services)
AccuWeather/The Weather Channel(Weather)
KXII News/KTEN News(News)

Services & Infrastructure

Street Cleanliness
Good
7

Ada’s streets are generally clean with city waste and recycling services.

24/7 Services
Limited
4

Some 24/7 fast food and gas stations, but few 24-hour pharmacies or clinics.

Groceries
Walmart Supercenter
Homeland

Walmart Supercenter and Homeland cover most grocery needs. International foods are limited. Hours run roughly 6-7 AM to 10 PM-midnight, including Sundays.

Cashless Payments
Widely accepted

Most businesses accept major credit and debit cards, so carrying cash is often unnecessary.

ATMs

ATMs are common at banks like Arvest and BancFirst, plus grocery and convenience stores. Using out-of-network ATMs can cost around $2.50 to $3.50 per transaction.

Schools
Local only

Ada Public Schools serve the city with instruction mostly in English. There are no international schools.

Available Schools:
Ada Public Schools

Work & Digital💻

Coworking Spaces
Not Available
Work-Friendly Cafés
Good
Starbucks
National chain with Wi-Fi and seating.
The Daily Grind
Local coffee shop good for work.
McDonald's
Offers Wi-Fi and casual seating.
24/7 Access
Panera Bread
Comfortable café with Wi-Fi.
Subway
Some locations provide Wi-Fi.
Alternatives:
Ada Public Library
Quiet space with free Wi-Fi.
East Central University Library
May allow guest access for a quiet work area.
Hotel lobbies
Some offer seating and Wi-Fi for casual work.
Digital Nomad Community
Poor
1

There is no active digital nomad community or co-living spaces in Ada.

Nature & Activities🌿

Green Spaces
Good
7

Wintersmith Park offers good green space with trails and a lake.

Running
Good
7

Good running routes in Wintersmith Park and safe residential areas.

Gyms
Available

Several gym options are available including community and university facilities.

Available Gyms:
Ada Family YMCA
Planet Fitness
Ada Health & Fitness
East Central University facilities
Tennis
Good
6

Tennis courts at Wintersmith Park and East Central University. Bring your own equipment.

Padel
Poor
0

Padel courts are not available in Ada.

Yoga
Good
6

Yoga studios like Ada Yoga & Wellness offer classes with English-speaking instructors.

Martial Arts
Good
6

Martial arts schools like Ada ATA Martial Arts offer classes in styles like Taekwondo and Karate.

Skiing
Poor
0

No skiing nearby.

Water Sports
Good
6

Lakes nearby offer kayaking, paddleboarding, boating, and fishing. Rentals available at marinas.

Surfing
Poor
0

No surfing options as Ada is inland.

Diving
Poor
1

Limited diving at Lake Texoma, but it's not a prime dive site.

Health & Safety🏥

Healthcare
Excellent
8

Mercy Hospital Ada offers good healthcare with English-speaking staff. Pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens stock common meds and may stay open late.

Hospitals:
Mercy Hospital Ada
Pharmacies:
CVS
Walgreens
Tap Water Safety
Safe to drink

Tap water meets federal and state standards and is safe to drink.

Common Scams
Online phishing scams, Tech support scams, Grandparent scams

Community & Family

Family Friendly
Good
7

Playgrounds and parks like Wintersmith Park are great for families. Baby supplies are easy to find at retailers. Family-friendly spots are available but limited.

LGBTQ+ Friendly
Limited
5

LGBTQ+ friendliness is moderate with few dedicated venues or events.

Pet Friendly
Good
6

Pet-friendly outdoor spaces and vet clinics exist, but limited pet-friendly accommodations and dining.

Communities
Ada, Oklahoma Community Facebook Group (Social)
Ada Buy, Sell, Trade Facebook Group (Marketplace)
East Central University social media (Education)
The Ada News (News)

Quick Facts

Population
16,481
Power Reliability
Excellent
8/10

Power is reliable with occasional outages mostly from storms, usually fixed quickly.

Mountains
Available

Arbuckle Mountains lie about 30-45 minutes west, offering hiking and scenic views.

Languages
English(95%)
Emergency
911
Emergency Services

⚠️Natural Disasters Risk

🌊
Tsunami
Very Low Risk
0
🏔️
Earthquake
Moderate Risk
6

🌦️Seasonal Issues

Severe storms and tornadoes
April, May, June
Tornado risk is high, especially in spring. Thunderstorms can cause power outages.
Hot and humid summers
June, July, August
Summers get hot and humid, so stay hydrated and plan indoor activities if possible.
Occasional ice storms
December, January, February
Winters are mild but can have ice storms that affect travel and power.

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