Oklahoma City is a vibrant and cultural metropolis that pays homage to its frontier roots through museums and other attractions that reflect this.
Discover science through fun and engaging exhibits at Science Museum Oklahoma. Try your luck mining for precious gems or perfect your backflip on the bungee trampoline!
1. Museum of Art
Your house guests will have plenty of things to do in Oklahoma City – from modern art galleries to historic frontier heritage – when visiting your house. From modern art galleries to historic frontier heritage, Oklahoma City offers something for everyone!
The Museum of Art blends big city collections with small town friendliness. Explore one of the world’s largest Dale Chihuly glass collections or one of many special exhibits offered.
2. Science Museum Oklahoma
Step into an exciting science adventure at this family-friendly museum where Backyard Bugs showcase life through the lens of 6-legged creatures and Destination Space features astronaut simulators and other exhibits. Other attractions include Kirkpatrick Planetarium, Oceanarium and Aviation & Space Hall of Fame – for an unforgettable journey into science!
Bricktown in northwestern Oklahoma is home to the American Banjo Museum, a world-class facility honoring one of Oklahoma’s iconic instruments. Also within this vibrant cultural district are Plaza Walls alleyway art galleries and Paycom Center shows, for an unforgettable cultural experience.
3. Scissortail Park
Oklahoma City offers plenty of attractions that will keep both in-laws and college roommates occupied and amused. Bring out your inner scientist at Oklahoma’s Science Museum Oklahoma; explore quirky museums like American Banjo Museum; or ride roller coasters and enjoy its Western theme at Frontier City.
Art enthusiasts will delight in perusing the expansive European and contemporary collections at OKC Museum of Art or Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center. Additionally, outdoor enthusiasts will be sure to appreciate Scissortail Park with its gardens and lake.
4. The Boathouse District
Oklahoma City’s Boathouse District draws athletes and families for water activities of all kinds – rowing courses, training sites, whitewater rafting parks and whitewater kayak parks all offer great activities. Lake Overholser and Hefner also offer incredible water adventures.
Skeletons and science come together at the Museum of Osteology, where learning through fun is made interactive with small field mice to 40-foot whale skeletons. Kids will love Science Museum Oklahoma which makes learning about weather, electromagnetism, optics and other scientific topics entertainingly interactive.
Factory Obscura, a local arts collaborative dedicated to stimulating multisensory experiences like Mix-Tape (a modern tribute to cassette mix tapes), offers another captivating multisensory experience.
5. Paycom Center
Watch a Thunder game at the Paycom Center with enthusiastic locals or discover an array of art, culture and entertainment in Bricktown district’s fashionable dining and water taxis.
Visit Oklahoma City Museum of Art to be mesmerized by its stunning collections and small town hospitality, or dine on an iconic OKC burger from Nic’s Grill. Afterward, test your adrenaline on Riversport OKC’s six-story adventure course before relaxing with family or friends at Dust Bowl Lanes and Lounge bowling alley.
6. Frontier City
Frontier City will add some Western charm to your Oklahoma City trip, featuring roller coasters and rides in this Western-themed amusement park. After exploring Frontier City, visit National Memorial & Museum where 168 chairs commemorate each victim of the bombing as well as reflecting pools and the Survivor Tree.
Escape OKC offers a fun mental challenge where participants are locked into rooms filled with puzzles and time limits to test their mental acuity. After your adventure, treat yourself to one of Oklahoma City’s 17 breweries like Skydance Brewing Company for a beer to complete your experience!
7. National Memorial & Museum
Visitors often seek entertainment outside the house when staying with relatives or college roommates, and Main Event Oklahoma City provides plenty of activities like laser tag, arcade games and gravity ropes for them to enjoy.
The National Memorial & Museum stands as a national symbol of strength against unspeakable domestic terrorism. Art enthusiasts can appreciate Plaza Walls, an alleyway filled with murals that change annually; nature-lovers will appreciate Lake Hefner, an idyllic reservoir popular among runners, bird-watchers, and sailboaters.
8. American Banjo Museum
Oklahoma City proudly pays homage to its frontier roots while simultaneously being an exciting cosmopolitan city. Cheer for the Thunder at their home arena of Chesapeake Energy Arena; sample local cuisine in trendy districts like Bricktown; or learn about Native American history at museums like National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.
Discover the amazing power of science at Science Museum Oklahoma, an engaging kid-friendly attraction. Afterward, head over to Factory Obscura for Mix-Tape: an interactive multisensory homage and modern application of old-school mixtapes created by local arts collaborative.
9. Oklahoma Railway Museum
Get on board at this museum dedicated to railroad locomotives, passenger cars and cabooses, while learning about how they have played an essential part in American history. They even boast a huge model railroad room complete with both HO- and N-gauge layouts!
Behold a vibrant city experiencing an urban renaissance! From world-renowned museums to family-friendly theme parks, Oklahoma City has something for everyone in this vibrant metropolis.
10. Harn Homestead
Harn Homestead in Oklahoma’s only wooden round barn stands as an iconic Route 66 landmark and is an extremely popular field trip destination, providing students with a rare chance to step back in time at historic structures such as one-room schoolhouses, family homes and dairy barns.
Explore the collective histories of 39 distinct First American Nations at Oklahoma City’s state-of-the-art First Americans Museum or participate in Factory Obscura, a local arts collaborative that engages wonder via mix tape-inspired multisensory experiences.