Oklahoma The 10 Must-See Attractions
You may know it as the state where “the wind comes sweeping down the plains. The state is also known for its more modern history as a pioneer town and as an important stop along the Route 66.
Oklahoma’s most visited attraction arose from the tragic events of the Oklahoma City bombing. Visitors to the state find a visit to the memorial a moving and important experience. For a lighter look at the state’s history, you can visit the Gilcrease Museum.
Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum
The Oklahoma City bombing of 1995. This important monument memorializes the victims, survivors and rescuers involved in the incident. The Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum is made up of several features including monuments, art and sculptures. Which each pay tribute to those affected by the bombing.
The field of empty 168 Chairs represent those killed on April 19, 1995. They stand in nine rows, each representing a floor of the Federal Building where the field is now located. Each chair bears the name of someone killed on that floor. On the east end of the Memorial stands the only remaining walls from the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building.
Tulsa Zoo
The Tulsa Zoo sits pretty along 84 acres of the city’s northeastern Mohawk Park. Zoo’s chimpanzees, prairie dogs and Asian elephants are the most popular of the zoo’s residents. Tulsa Zoo is home to more than 2,000 animals from across the world.
They also have a train that circles the outer perimeter of the park, making two stops for your convenience. The Children’s Zoo is home to small mammals, this area features a petting zoo, where guests can get up-close with small farm animals. Ride the Wildlife Carousel featuring 30 different hand-painted animals.
Turner Falls Park
Turner Falls Park the falls at 77 feet is locally considered Oklahoma’s tallest waterfall. The falls located on Honey Creek in the Arbuckle Mountains in south central Oklahoma. Which then cascades down a seventy-seven-foot fall to a natural swimming pool making the majestic Turner Falls the largest waterfall in Oklahoma.
Falls offer cold refreshing streams. Beautiful hiking trails, and swimming areas. Caves to explore, camp sites and much more to see in the heart of the Arbuckle Mountains. The Park has been a recreational area since 1868 as it is accented with beautiful picnic areas, nature trails, geological wonders, and two natural swimming pools.
Oklahoma Route 66 Museum
This famous highway once known as an American cultural icon passed through Oklahoma for 374 miles. Through Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and many small communities. Oklahoma Route 66 Museum offers visitors a personal journey through the history of the nation’s most revered highway. Encounter the ideas, images, and myths of the Mother Road.
Sit at the counter or a booth in the 1950s diner and feel the open road as America’s families vacationed along the length of Route 66. The museum also offers changing special exhibits focusing on the Route 66 experience.
Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma is home to several hundred animal species. Best known for its roaming herds of bison, longhorn, and Rocky Mountain elk. The abundant plant life in the wildlife refuge represents more than 806 plant species.
Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge preserves approximately 60,000 acres of mixed grass prairie, ancient granite mountains, and fresh water lakes and streams. Wichita Mountains also offers quality opportunities for wildlife recreation including fishing, bird watching, wildlife photography, hiking, camping, and kayaking.
Science Museum Oklahoma
The Science Museum Oklahoma is composed of several science exhibits. A planetarium, a dome theater, and many specialized galleries. Visitors can also enjoy a range of live shows, including the planetarium shows and movies shown on the dome, a Tesla coil show, and a lights and shadows show.
The museum has more than eight acres of hands-on science experiences. With thousands of spaces, aviation and cultural artifacts in the mix. Kids can get in on the fun in “CurioCity,” an activity-packed indoor city with a variety of challenges and opportunities for learning, and design.
Myriad Botanical Gardens
The Myriad Botanical Gardens is a 15-acre botanical garden and interactive urban park located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Gardens is home to many tiers of densely landscaped areas that surround a sunken lake. Spacious grounds feature seasonal activities and events such as spring bulb displays, concerts and movies, classes, annual children’s festivals, and more.
Its primary feature is Inasmuch Foundation Crystal Bridge Conservatory is waiting to take your breath away. Wander around its reflection pool, plant collections and overlook terraces. Highlights include an exquisite waterfall feature while you learn more about tropical plants with interpretive signage.
Gilcrease Museum
Gilcrease Museum 8 X
Tulsa’s Gilcrease Museum houses the world’s largest and most comprehensive collection of American West art. Including art and artifacts from Central and South America as well. The museum represents hundreds of Indigenous cultures from across North and South America.
The collection includes more than 350 years of American paintings, sculptures and works on paper, including the largest public holdings of art of the American West. It’s anthropology collections at the museum include more than 300,000 artifacts. Outdoor gardens also reflect historical gardening techniques from four different time periods.
Oklahoma Aquarium
Near Tulsa, visitors can enjoy viewing a vast array of exotic marine life and fish native to Oklahoma waters at the Oklahoma Aquarium. The most popular attraction at the aquarium is a 500,000-gallon shark tank and shark tunnel. Where visitors can walk through a clear tube and observation dome to have unobstructed 360-degree views of several shark species.
Other interesting exhibits include Extreme Fishes, Sea Turtle Island get up close with a 300-pound loggerhead sea turtle, Eco Zone, and Polynesian Reef, all of which showcase colorful and fascinating sea creatures from around the world.
National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum
Explore the Wild West with a visit to the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum visitors explore galleries that display a variety of Western art. Which includes painting and sculpture, as well as interactive exhibits about the people and culture of the Old West.
The exhibition wing houses a turn-of-the-century town and interactive history galleries that focus on the American cowboy, rodeos, and more. Popular attractions at this Oklahoma City Museum include the American Cowboy Gallery. American Rodeo Gallery, and the Western Performers Gallery.
Things to Do in Oklahoma
On a visit to Oklahoma, you can explore parts of American history that continue to be a part of the daily life, history, and culture. From cowboys and Western life to the vibrant culture of Native American communities.
But don’t mistake Oklahoma for being old-fashioned. Because some of its most popular attractions are cutting-edge modern museums. The Oklahoma Aquarium which houses some of the most exotic marine life in the nation.