Review of Free WiFi Hotspots/ Free Internet in Tahlequah, Oklahoma

I will be providing a list of the various wifi hot spots in Tahlequah as I discover them and have time to experience their services. As you scroll through the list, you will find extensive coverage of the various Tahlequah wifi spots, including hours, connectivity, price, etc. At the bottom of this article you will also find additional places that have wifi which I have not explored. Finally, the last item on this list includes places that I explored that did not have wifi access or would not allow non-registered users to get online.

Rest assured, if a Tahleqauah wifi spot is listed and detailed here, you can be assured of getting online there.

Please note: None of these free internet locations are 100% guaranteed. I have personally experienced about a 50/50 successful connection rate at any of the listed destinations. If you need a reliable connection, I suggest purchasing an internet service that goes on your own cell phone or by satellite service.

1. Iguana Cafee - Free Internet Access in Tahlequah, downtown

Iguana Cafee is located just south of the NSU campus, traveling toward the downtown area, and across the street from Town Branch Restaurant. The Iguana is both a coffee shop and a soup-and-sandwiches cafe.

Hours: 8:30am to 9:00pm

Connectivity: Hit and miss. Sometimes you may have full bars, while at other times there is no access at all. There seems to be no logical reason for the sporadic connectivity. The WiFi router is located on the cashier's counter.

Plug-Ins/Electric Outlets

There are two available outlets on the lower level and one upstairs. The outlet closest to the router is the best place to be if you want to stay out of the way or avoid trip-and-fall accidents. Upstairs is good, but tends to be hotter.

Price: Free. No purchase required.

Comfort: Iguana Cafee is rather small. All of the seating areas are either straight back board-style benches or wicker backed chairs. There are no cushions on any of the seats. Air conditioning, restroom facilities for both men and women are clean and well stocked.

Author's Opinion: If you need somewhere to briefly get on the web, this is a great place to go. On the other hand, if you need to do some extensive work on a reliable network, Iguana cannot provide this. I sat directly in front of thier WiFi router and still had problems with connectivity. Also, while sitting in the location, one feels a bit obligated to buy something. I finally gave up and left, in search of other locations.

2. Tahlequah Public Library- Free Internet Access in Tahlequah, near courthouse and Tahlequah police dep.

The library offers free WiFi access to all library card holders. Located next door to the Cherokee County courthouse and jail, visitors can access the web 24/7 from the parking lot, or indoors during business hours.

Hours: M-Th- 9am to 8pm, F - 9am to 5pm, Sa - 10am to 1pm, Su - closed

Connectivity: The library does not support Windows Vista or Windows 7 at this time through its WiFi routers. The tech support lady said she had no clue as to why. Access is unlimited via the WiFi service otherwise, while standard desktop computers are also available and limited to one hour per patron. Since I was unable to access the web because I am running windows 7, I cannot say how the connectivity is at this location.

Plug-Ins/Electric Outlets: There are very few plug-ins at the library. One very nice spot is located on the upper floor, to the far left, where there are two arm chairs and a table. This is considered the adult section, so much less traffic or unruly children. A few other outlets are located here and there, but none with such comfortable accommodations. Library is air conditioned with working restrooms and a water fountain.

Price: Free if you are a registered library user. However, you will not be permitted to access the web if you have any outstanding fees on your account. All fees must be paid in full, in cash, before access is granted.

Comfort: Pretty comfortable. You can stay all day and nobody will look at you funny. Do be aware that public libraries, as in the case of all public locations, do tend to attract vagrants. There are a few who frequent the Tahlequah library regularly, but for the most part they stay to themselves. At most, one of them might come up to you and say something like, "I have the upmost respect for women/men, but I was wondering, could you by any chance spare me a dollar?" Just give your answer either way and they will go on about their way. All of the chairs here are padded, so seating is pretty comfortable. If you get into your own little alcove, you can even get away with putting your feet up!

Author's Opinion: Since I could not get on the web due to OS incompatibility, I cannot say how it is here. I was very disappointed, because the seating was so comfortable and a perfect set-up. Maybe in the future they will correct this problem and I can return. This would be my first choice overall, if not for this one problem.

3. McDonald's - Free Internet Access in Tahlequah, north of wal-mart toward downtown

The McDonald's in Tahlequah is now offering both free WiFi and ATT WiFi access. Customers can get on the internet anytime they like. However, it is necessary to go inside, as trying to pick up a signal outside is next to impossible. Always air conditioned or heated depending on the season, and you can sit in there as long as you like. None of the employees will bother you or ask if they can 'help' you with anything. While the Drive - Thru is open 24/7, you can only go inside the lobby during regular hours to get online.

Note - Wifi service, both paid and free, have been down on a number of occasions. Hit and miss 50/50 rate.

Hours: (not exact) Approx. 6am to 10pm daily, lobby hours

Connectivity: Great connection when the service is on. I visited the location on three separate occasions. On two of these days the service did not work at all, while on the other it was a great connection with reliable, 5 bar service. After conducting an connectivity diagnosis on my laptop, it was suggested that I "turn off the router box, wait ten seconds, then reboot." I asked the manager to do this during the second day of no connections, and lo and behold, it worked great thereafter. You do have to go thru the mcdonald's wifi access website first and sign their agreement before being granted a connection. Likewise, you have to leave this website on and open in one of the browser windows to maintain your connectivity, otherwise you will be booted off.

Plug ins/Electric Outlets: There is only one electric outlet in the whole restaurant. There used to be two (one by the back restrooms), but they have since covered it with a face plate. The one plug in is located in an inconvenient, and rather uncomfortable, area. You must sit in a two seater table right next to the kids play area to plug in. This outlet often gets in demand as other people are trying to get some power to their devices, including cell phones and ipods.

Price: They have free service, pay as you go service, and ATT hotspot wifi services (which you pay for through ATT). I like to buy a drink, however, so I can get free refills all day long.

Comfort: Seating is okay, not terribly comfortable but okay. The seats aren't very ergonomically correct, so if you have back problems or need good lumbar support you won't find it here. If I plan to be there for a long period of time I always take a pillow. AC is always working, although in the summer the flies get pretty thick inside. The kids play area lacks thorough AC, however, so expect to be a bit hot or cold depending on the season. This is not the place to go if you need to concentrate, as it is always loud no matter where you sit, and especially so if you need to plug into the outlet.

Author's Opinion: Overall McDonald's is a decent access point, if the service is working that is. Getting one drink with free refills all day is pretty good too. If you don't mind the one outlet issue, only need to get online for a short time, or your device powers up quickly, you will be good to go. Not my favorite location so far, but a good one if the others aren't available.

4. Taco Bell - Free Internet Access in Tahlequah, two lots due north of McD's

The Taco Bell in Tahlequah has a great internet connection. Visitors can turn on their device, search for wifi connections, and quickly get on the web. There are no access websites or user agreements to sign, and connection is rapid. Very comfortable location with lots of seats. No play area, so few screaming kids or mass crowds.

note - service has been completely down on more than one occasion. When it is up, it is a superior 5-bar connection.

Hours: (approximate) 9am to 11pm, lobby hours.

Connectivity: You can get a weak connection (two or three bars) if you park immediately in front of the side doors. Otherwise, connection outside is impossible. Once you step inside, however, the connection is perfect (5 bars). I was able to have on three separate browser windows and at least four tabs in each window without losing any connectivity or my computer crashing.

Plug Ins/Electric Outlets: There is only one electrical outlet in the store, and this is located behind the trash can near the side door. You must move the trash can slightly to get to this outlet, but thankfully the can isn't too heavy. This is rather inconvenient, but since there aren't any big crowds at the location the outlet is rarely in demand (for now, anyway). If you need to be plugged into the outlet, you will need to sit in the only seat located by the outlet, a four seater booth.

Price: Free. And nobody will ask you if they can "get" you anything, either. I like to buy a fountain drink, however, which I can refill as many times as I wish during my visit.

Comfort: Seating is more comfortable than at other locations I have reviewed. In fact, I prefer the seating here over McDonald's, hands down. AC and heat all year long, depending on the season. While sitting at the booth closest to the outlet I noticed a stream of small ants around the window. It was lucky that I wasn't eating anything, or they might have crawled into my food. They didn't make it into my drink or laptop, thankfully. The location wasn't too packed, even in the lunch rush hour, so it was a pleasant place to sit. I spent seven hours sitting there one day, and nobody questioned me or asked if they could get me something. A nice bathroom there as well that remains stocked and cleaned. It is a bit annoying to have the trash can right behind your head.

Author's Opinion: So far, this is my favorite place to get on the internet when I go to Tahlequah. I like the comfortable seating and smaller crowds, not to mention the total lack of screaming children in a playplace area. I do wish that they had more than one electrical outlet. Perhaps as the demand for wifi increases they will install a few more outlets.

5. B & J Restaurant - Free Internet Access in Tahlequah, next to Tahlequah Motor Lodge, near wal-mart

B & J's Restaurant is a part of the Tahlequah Motor Lodge property. It is considered the "official" restaurant of the property, with guests of the hotel getting reduced rates for breakfast there. Open all the time, but you feel like you're in the way sometimes. Waitresses always ask if you need something else, and insist on keeping a menu by you. A little pushy, but not too overbearing.

Hours: 24/7

Connectivity: I visited during the day, on a work day, and the connectivity was very poor. I only had two bars, and I was sitting nearly on top of the router box. Anyone who wants to get on the internet must share the router with the manager and office, so the connection isn't that great. Do not attempt to open more than two windows at a time or you will crash the whole system. Not a good connection if you need to have more windows open. Fast service, for the most part, unless the manager needs on. If your computer causes their system to crash and they can't conduct business, you can expect them to ask you to turn your system off. So, don't chance it. More for a temporary connection rather than a lengthy internet use session.

Plug Ins/Electric Outlets: Two plug ins on opposite sides of the restaurant. Both are next to or underneath the restaurant booths, so you don't have to stretch your cord very far.

Price: Free, but you are made to feel like you should at least buy something. If you order a drink, be sure to ask if its free refills, or you might get charged more than you intended.

Comfort: Pretty comfortable, seats are all cushioned booths for the most part. A few tables with chairs if you sit there better. Best seating I have experienced so far. Teeny tiny restroom, with only one stall. No handicapped access to the restroom at all! Also, if you are a larger sized person, you will have trouble using the restroom here. The other uncomfortable aspect is the somewhat pushy nature of the waitresses. They are just doing their job, of course, so if you don't mind the interaction in that regard you'll be okay. I am personally a very private person, so the pushiness doesn't sit well with me.

Author's Opinion: Overall, I am not too impressed with the internet connection at B & J Restaurant. Having only 2 bars on my wifi strength meter is a bit annoying. If Taco Bell or McD's had their service on today, I would for sure be over there instead. It is a good place to get online for a brief period of time, but not for someone who needs to do some serious browsing or work. I am also disappointed that the restroom is so very small, and really needs to be refurbished. Someone with any sort of handicap would have difficulty using the restroom here.

Other places in Tahlequah with Wifi, pending exploration:

Subway

Emerald Coffee Shop

Comfort Inn

Vidalia's Cafe

Places with Wifi/ Free Internet in Tahlequah but limited/restricted access: (not reliable connections)

Tahlequah City Hospital

Tahlequah Medical Center

NSU - must be a registered student

Wal-Mart

Best Western - registered guests only

Final Thoughts on Wifi Hotspots/ Free Internet in Tahlequah

If you have been to any other wifi access locations in Tahlequah and would like to share your experiences, please post them in the comments section below. Please include basic information as listed in my location reviews, as this will help others who are searching for wireless internet connections in Tahlequah and help them avoid wasting time.

Source:

My experiences as I explored various wifi hotspots in Tahlequah, Oklahoma
A phone call to a Tahlequah computer store for a list of wifi locations in town