Oklahoma City Attractions
Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World
200 Bass Pro Drive, Oklahoma City, WWW.basspro.com, (405) 218-5200
Attention all hunters, campers and fishing experts. Rocks from northeastern Oklahoma imprinted with the marks of deer hooves are among the rustic touches which make the Bass Pro Shops a must see attraction for Bricktown visitors. Over 104,000 square feet of outdoor equipment are within your reach under this facility’s roof. Be sure to allow yourself enough time to explore and discover all the useful gear that will enhance those outdoor skills.
City Arts Center
3000 Pershing Blvd, State Fair Park, (405) 951-0000, WWW.cityartscenter.org
City Arts Center provides interactive arts experiences through exhibits, performances, classes and events. The Eleanor Kirkpatrick Gallery located at City Arts Center features the work of emerging Oklahoma, nationally and internationally recognized artists. City Arts Center’s Community School of the arts offers year-round art classes for adults and children, after school programming and youth camps when school is out. The gallery offers free admission.
Coles Garden
1415 NE 63rd St, Oklahoma City, (800) 334-5576, (405) 478-1529
The sky is the limit for these flourishing floral gardens and exquisite sculptures at Coles Garden. When you visit, you’ll find that is a fantasy land for weddings, luncheons, parties and more.
Express Ranches Clydesdale Center
12701 W. Wilshire Blvd., Yukon, OK; appx. three miles north of I-40 on Garth Brooks Blvd., (405) 350-6404, WWW.expressclydesdales.com
The Express Ranch is home to 14 beautiful Clydesdale horses, living in style in a renovated 1936 barn. It includes a large loft with historical exhibits and a gift shop. Clydesdale weigh in at over 2,000 lbs, twice what a regular horse would weigh. The teams are used to promote a number of events, including the Children’s Miracle Network of Oklahoma.
Public Farmers Market
311 South Klein Ave, Oklahoma City, South of the I-40 and Western Exit, (405) 232-6506, WWW.okcfarmersmarket.com
In addition to fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers, the historical Public Farmers Market offers a great variety of shops specializing in antiques, books, dolls, furniture, glassware and flea market items. Most of the shops are in the two-story building and covered mall. Hours of operation are Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday 12 p.m.-5 p.m.
Ford Center
100 West Reno, Oklahoma City, (405) 602-8700, WWW.okfordcenter.com
Ford Center is Oklahoma City’s premiere entertainment facility, hosting the NBA’s Oklahoma City/New Orleans Hornets, the Oklahoma City Blazers, the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz, an array of top-drawing concerts and more. The nearly 20,000 seat arena was completed in 2002 as part of the MAPs Project.
45th Infantry Division Museum
2145 NE 36th St., Oklahoma City, (405) 424-5313, WWW.45thdivisionmuseum.com
This famous museum depicts the military history of Oklahoma from its early beginnings to the present. It includes an extraordinary display of memorabilia collected from Hitler’s apartment when captured by the 45th Infantry Division. The museum contains displays of WWII and Korean Era artillery, original uniforms, firearms, dioramas and an outdoor military park with over 40 military vehicles, aircraft and artillery. Admission is free!
Frontier City Theme Park
I-35 North, Exit 122nd Street, (405) 478-2412, WWW.sixflags.com/parks/frontiercity
One price lets you enjoy all the rides and see the exciting shows at this “western-style” theme park. Enjoy over 50 rides, shows and attractions, including gunfight shows and magic shows. Four thrilling coasters, a river raft ride, an upside down scream machine and many more attractions are sure to get your heart rate going. The young ones will love Paul Bunyan’s Tiny Timber Town.
Governor’s Mansion
820 NE 23rd, Oklahoma City, (405) 521-9211, WWW.gov.ok.gov/mansion.php
This stately mansion has been the official residence of Oklahoma’s Chief Executive since 1928. Designed by the same architectural firm that was chosen to design the State Capitol Building, the Governor’s mansion reflects the same Dutch Colonial style.
Harn Homestead Museum
313 NE 16th St., Oklahoma City, (405) 235-4058, WWW.harnhomestead.com
The Great Land Run of 1889 was an exciting event! This claimed homestead features historic era-related items and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Harn Homestead is an Oklahoma treasure that celebrates the territorial history of Oklahoma. The Museum offers visitors a “hands-on” and “minds-on” experience. Visitors share in the abundance of a territorial farm, the brilliance of a one-room school house, the grace of a Victorian home, and the waste-not want-not ethic of a territorial farm family. There is no place else in Oklahoma that can offer this experience, which captures the spirit of the brave men, women, and children who settled this state. Tours are given from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday – Friday. Cost is $5 per person. Children three and under are free. Please call for an appointment.
Individual Artists of Oklahoma Gallery
811 N. Broadway, Oklahoma City, (405) 232-6060 WWW.iaogallery.org
A non-profit artists association dedicated to supporting the contemporary arts and artists in all media in Oklahoma. IAO is for all media, two- and three-dimensional, as well as performance art. Exhibits change out every month.
International Gymnastics Hall of Fame
120 N. Robinson, East Concourse, Oklahoma City, (405) 235-5600, WWW.ighof.com
If you’re an athlete at heart, then you’ll certainly appreciate the Olympic medals that display symbols of true discipline. Oklahoma is home to Olympic gymnasts Shannon Miller, Bart Connor and Nadia Comenici, and is now the home of this fascinating hall of fame. It is located in downtown Oklahoma City in the First National Center’s concourse level. These are temporary quarters but well worth a visit. There are hundreds of photographs, Olympic medals, memorabilia, videos, uniforms, etc., some dating back to the 1932 Games. Open weekdays, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Martin Park Nature Center
5000 W. Memorial, Oklahoma City, (405) 755-0676, WWW.okc.gov/query.html?parks/martin_park/index.html
A 140-acre protected natural wildlife area is home to dozens of indigenous mammals and 180 species of birds. Experience the unspoiled beauty of native grasses, shrubs and trees as you stroll along the 3.5 miles of wood-chip foot trails. It is open year-round 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Special guided nature hikes and weekend programs are also available.
Myriad Botanical Gardens
100 Myriad Gardens, Reno & Robinson, Oklahoma City, (405) 297-3995, WWW.myriadgardens.com
You are invited to enjoy a 17-acre oasis in the heart of downtown Oklahoma City, with beautifully landscaped rolling hills surrounding a sunken lake. The centerpiece of the gardens is the seven-story Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory, featuring a fascinating collection of palm trees, flowers and exotic plants from across the globe. If you like to explore, then take the Adventure Walk, taking you underneath the 35-foot cascading waterfall, or get a bird’s eye view of the tropics from the sky walk. Central displays change several times a year. Take home a souvenir of your visit from the Crystal Bridge Gift Shop, with an outstanding collection of botanical items. There is an admission fee for ages four and above.
National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum
1700 NE 63rd St., Oklahoma City, (405) 478-2250, WWW.nationalcowboymuseum.org
The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum preserves the rugged individualism and romantic spirit of the frontier. This popular visitor attraction features a superlative collection of classic and contemporary Western art, including works by Charles Russell, Frederic Remington, and the famous 18-foot sculpture, The End of the Trail. There are three new historical galleries, the American Cowboy Gallery, the American Rodeo Gallery, and Prosperity Junction, a re-created authentic western town. Visitors of all ages can enjoy an adventure into the Old West at this national memorial to the American cowboy. There is an admission fee for people ages six and above. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
National Softball Hall of Fame and Museum
2801 NE 50th St., Oklahoma City, (405) 424-5266, WWW.softball.org
The National Softball Hall of Fame displays the colorful history of softball and its greatest players. The museum is housed in the headquarters complex of the Amateur Softball Association/USA Softball and the International Softball Federation. The ASA Hall of Fame Stadium is regarded as the nation’s number one softball venue, and hosts national and world class competition throughout the season.
OKC Rocks Climbing Center
Next to the south end of the Brick town Canal, Oklahoma City, (405) 319-1400, WWW.okcrocks.com
Test your strength and endurance at the indoor climbing facility built in the old grain silos just south of downtown. More than a dozen routes with plastic hand-holds bolted on the walls will get you heart rate up! There are routes that go up to 145 feet, a roof route at 90 feet, a full-on pocket route, and an 80 ft crack that goes hands to fingers. There are also lockers, showers, technique classes and a pro shop. Group discounts are available.
Oklahoma City Museum of Art
415 Couch Drive, Oklahoma City, (405) 236-3100, WWW.okcmoa.com
The Oklahoma City Museum of Art offers a collection of over 3,000 exceptional works. The museum is a 110,000-square-foot facility featuring 15 exhibition galleries, an education center, a 250-seat theater, cafe, store and library/resource center. Programs include world-class traveling exhibitions, comprehensive film programs and a variety of family activities. The commissioned 55 ft. signature sculpture by world renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly serves as a beacon for the museum and downtown.
Oklahoma City National Memorial and Memorial Museum
620 N Harvey Ave., Oklahoma City, (405) 235-3313, 1-888-542-HOPE, WWW.oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org
Built as a memorial to the tragic bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, you will stand in reverence in the grassy setting overshadowed by the towering bronze gates where the time of the explosion is permanently emblazoned. You can study the individual markers, created in memory of the victims as well as explore the segment of chain-link fence where you may leave a personal memento of your visit, as so many others have done. The Memorial Museum, inside a portion of the Journal-Record Building, provides a stunning reenactment of April 19, 1995, and honors all 168 Oklahoman’s who lost their lives.
Oklahoma City Zoo
2101 NE 50th, Oklahoma City, (405) 424-3344, www.okczoo.com
Do you share a passion for animals? The Oklahoma City Zoological Park is acknowledged as one of the 10 best zoos in the United States and is the oldest in the Southwest. The zoos collection consists of almost 2,000 exotic animals exhibited on 110 landscaped acres. The Zoo features picnic grounds, rides, concessions, tours and classes. The Zoo Amphitheater offers a variety of entertainment under the stars. Admission ranges from $4-7 for ages two and above.
Oklahoma Heritage Center
201 NW 14th St., Oklahoma City, (405) 235-4458, WWW.oklahomaheritage.com
Come see where the former Judge Robert A. Hefner and family resided. Now open to the public, the elegant 1917 mansion contains Louis XVI furnishings, as well as collections of bells, canes, Meissen china, and fine art and tapestries. The original third-floor ballroom houses the Oklahoma Hall of Fame galleries, including portraits and biographies of famous Oklahoman’s. Other elements on the premises are a library, chapel and formal gardens.
Oklahoma Opry
404 W. Commerce, Oklahoma City, (405) 632-8322, WWW.okopry.homestead.com
The Oklahoma Opry is in it’s 28st year but is still Oklahoma’s best kept secret! Governor Keating and the Dept. of Tourism named the Opry “Oklahoma’s Country Music Show.” Regular Saturday night performances at 7:30 p.m.
Oklahoma State Firefighters Museum
2716 NE 50th St., Oklahoma City, (405) 424-3440, WWW.osfa.info/muse.html
This museum features extraordinary turn-of-the-century fire engines that were once used in Oklahoma communities. Oklahoma’s first fire station is displayed along with the finest specimens of firefighting equipment anywhere. Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
Omni-plex
2100 NE 52nd, Oklahoma City, (405) 602-OMNI, (800) 532-7652, WWW.omni-plex.org
Enhance your intellect. The Omni-plex is an adventure in discovering new worlds and galaxies, exploring the sciences and arts, reliving the past and peering into the future. The complex houses several museums, a planetarium, galleries, gardens and greenhouses. Several museums are all located in the Omni-plex, including the Kirkpatrick Science and Air Space Museum, Red Earth Indian Center, and the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum, where you can experience fascinating exhibitions of some of the world’s most influential photographic artists. Don’t miss the state’s first 70 mm IWERKS movie theater, the Omni-Dome!
Orr Family Farm
14400 S. Western, Oklahoma City, (405) 799-FARM (3276), WWW.orrfamilyfarm.com
The Orr farm is an “agri-tainment” experience created to provide families, groups and school children a glimpse of their heritage, history…and good, old-fashioned values. In addition to being a cultural center for family fun, the farm offers a creative environment for corporate events.
Overholser Mansion
405 NW 15th, Oklahoma City, (405) 528-8485, WWW.ok-history.mus.ok.us/mus-sites/masnum14.htm
Overholser Mansion is the first mansion in Oklahoma City, built by early-day entrepreneur Henry Overholser. It is of late 19th century architecture with original furnishings and hand-painted, canvas-covered walls. There is an admission for ages six and above.
Paseo District
NW 30th and Dewey is the gateway to the Historic Paseo District, (405) 525- 2688, WWW.okclive.com/paseo
Here, you’ll find galleries, restaurants and studios in a portion of town that time forgot – but the arts remembered. The Paseo was built in 1929 as the first commercial shopping district north of downtown Oklahoma City. This little Spanish village with its stucco building and clay tile roofs is the home of Oklahoma City’s artists’ community. On this little tree lined street you will find painters, potters, photographers, writers and actors. Within the two blocks of the Paseo you can visit stained glass works, a pottery studio, watch a painter at work, see a performance of a children’s theater group, have dinner and shop. This colorful village hosts an annual art festival every Memorial Day weekend.
Read Ranch
Route 1, West of Chandler, OK, on Route 66, (405) 258-2999, WWW.readranch.com
Admission includes a large barnyard petting zoo, self-guided tour of Old West film set, picnic area, playground, roping pen and horse shoe pits. Trail rides, hay rides & pony rides are extra.
Remington Park Race Track
I-44 and Martin Luther King Blvd, Oklahoma City, (405) 424-1000 or 800-456-9000, WWW.remingtonpark.com
And they’re off! This state-of-the-art race track features world-class racing among some of the finest breeds you’ll ever see. Thoroughbred racing season runs August through November and the Quarter horse racing season runs April through June. The track also features 650 new electronic gaming machines, restaurants, private Infield Park picnics complete with playground for children, casino, gift shops and after-hour catering banquet areas. If you’re feeling lucky, come try your chances at winning here.
State Capitol Complex
NE 23rd & Lincoln Blvd, Oklahoma City, (405) 521-3356
A tour of the Oklahoma State Capitol is a must for any history buff. It is the only capitol with a working oil well on its grounds. After 87 years, it was constructed with a dome on November 16, 2002 the day of our statehood.
State Fair Park
1-44 and 10th Street, Oklahoma City, (405) 948-6700, WWW.okstatefairpark.com
The Oklahoma State Fair Park is one of the largest state fair park facilities in the country. Events that are held include auto racing, rodeos, concerts, national horse shows and the annual State Fair of Oklahoma. There’s always something happening at the State Fair Park!
State Museum of History
2100 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, (405) 521-2491, WWW.ok-history.muds.ok.us/
Just across the street from the State Capitol, the State Museum of History presents a comprehensive historical overview of Oklahoma, from prehistoric times to oil field wildcatters to the space program. Interpretive exhibits, artifacts, original art, and special weekend programs provide an entertaining and informative experience. Unique exhibits include an original bison hide teepee, a Civil War cannon, and wagon used in two land runs, Native American murals, historic quilts and much more.
Stock-yards City
Take the Agnew exit South off I-40 to Exchange Ave, Oklahoma City (405) 235-8675, WWW.stockyardscity.org
Oklahoma City’s Stockyards is the largest stocker/feeder cattle market in the world. Here you can see Oklahoma cowboys working the livestock. Cow-town offers a variety of shops from old time general stores and tack shops to western duds, jewelry and a 24-hour beef restaurant. Visitors can also attend livestock auctions held Monday through Tuesday.
Untitled [ArtSpace]
1 NE 3rd St., Oklahoma City, (405) 815-9995, WWW.1ne3.com
Untitled [Art Space] is a non-profit art space known for cultivating and showcasing local artists as well as bringing national and international artists to Oklahoma City. Hours are Wednesday-Saturday, 11am – 4PM, Fridays 11am – 8PM. Other times are available by appointment. Free to the public.
Water Taxi of Oklahoma
On the Brick town Canal, Oklahoma City, (405) 234-TAXI, WWW.water-taxi.com/Oklahoma/OKCHome.Asp
Water Taxi runs a continual service like a bus. You can board a Water Taxi every 10-15 minutes in either direction. All Water Taxi Ambassadors narrate points of interest along the way. You may purchase a ticket from a kiosk, which is located in Brick town between Chellino’s and Oklahoma Avenue on the canal.
White Water Bay
3908 W. Reno; (405) 943-9687, WWW.sixflags.com/parks/whitewaterbay/index.asp
Over 25-acres of water rides, slides, pools and activities exist for you, family and friends in a relaxing tropical setting. Brave the waves in the giant Wave Pool, or challenge the seven story Bermuda Triangle’s three water slides. Try Cannonball Falls, a slide that fires you into the water after a six-foot drop. Then there’s the four-person Big Kahuna raft ride, and the 65-foot freefall Acapulco Cliff Dive. Float down the lazy Castaway Creek. General admission is $22.99.
Will Rogers Park
36th Street and N. Portland, Oklahoma City, WWW.okc.gov/query.html?parks/will_rogers/index.html
Nature enthusiasts love the scenic variety of the 130-acre park. One of the Southwest’s outstanding rose gardens, grassy slopes and fresh water ponds are part of the natural beauty. An exquisite arboretum is a living tree and plant museum with more than 600 species. The lighted OKC Tennis Center is here along with an Olympic-sized swimming pool, 18-hole Frisbee golf course, picnic tables, an outdoor amphitheater and a Senior Citizens Center.
World of Wings Pigeon Center
2300 NE 63rd, Oklahoma City, (405) 478-5155, (800) 882-1586, WWW.pigeoncenter.org
Your visit to Oklahoma City won’t be complete without a stop at the World of Wings Pigeon Center. This unique and beautiful place was built with the dream of honoring this bird for its contribution to religion and service in communication in peace and war. Take a tour of our museum and library, and see the birds while strolling the grounds. Donations accepted.
World Organization of China Painters Museum
2641 NW 10th, Oklahoma City, (405) 521-1234, WWW.theshop.net/wocporg/
This unique museum is the headquarters for the World Organization of China Painters. The center contains an outstanding collection of hand-painted china from around the world, along with a research library and classrooms for china painting instruction.