[8] Vinita is along the path of the Texas Road cattle trail,[9] and the later Jefferson Highway[10] of the early National Trail System, both roughly along the route of U.S. Route 69 through Oklahoma today.

[8] The Will Rogers Archway, a service station over the top of Interstate 44, has a McDonald's restaurant that was once the world's largest by area, occupying 29,135 square feet (2,706.7 m2).

[11] Vinita is located in northeastern Oklahoma, a region of the state known as Green Country.

According to the Vinita Chamber of Commerce, the town is often called the "Crossroads to Green Country.

"[12] It sits at the base of the Ozark Highlands topographical region in a mix of prairie and forest.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.0 square miles (15.5 km2), all land.

Early in its history, cattle ranching in the surrounding countryside contributed heavily to Vinita's economy.

[a][8] In 2023, a company called American Heartland said it was planning a $2 billion, 1000-acre development containing a 125-acre Disneyland-type theme park.

[15] The land was six miles east of Vinita, but the town voted to annex the area in October, 2023.

[16] Ground was broken in early November, 2023 on the first phase of the project, being a 350-acre 750-slot RV park with 300 cabins.

[15][17] Almost all of the city limits, excluding some portions of highway, are in Vinita Public Schools.

[20] The Roman Catholic Church operated Sacred Heart Academy, a boarding school, from 1897 until 1968.

[8] Vinita Municipal Airport (FAA Identifier H04) has served the city since 1965.

[22] South Grand Lake Regional Airport (FAA Identifier 1K8) is further to the southeast of Vinita.