Sooners or Oklahomans know they have a blessed state. And travelers who have been to Oklahoma can agree with that. Home to beautiful towns, top-rated museums, visually stunning state parks, and mountain ranges, it doesn’t take long for first-time tourists to realize how much allure Oklahoma has.
Such diversity opens the door to engaging activities for solo adventurers, couples, or friends. Become part of the travelers who can’t get more of Oklahoma by filling your bucket list with these 10 mind-blowing activities.
10 Adore Art At The Philbrook Museum Of Art
Situated on 25 acres of ornate gardens, the Philbrook Museum of Art attracts visitors with nine art collections. The museum pivots towards Native American art, such as painting and jewelry, but also exhibits art collections from around the world. Some art collections include works from Pablo Picasso, Giovanni Bellini, and Arturo Herrera, among others.
After an inspiring museum tour, tourists can stroll or relax in the expansive Italian-inspired gardens. The picturesque gardens are also perfect for a picnic and photography.
9 Explore Woolaroc Museum & Wildlife Preserve
Created by Frank Philips in 1925, this 3,700-acre nature reserve hosts over 30 native and non-native animals. Woolaroc’s standout species include the longhorn cattle and the American bison, which are an important part of America’s history. Visitors also spot exotic animals, like llamas, Japanese sika deer, Sardinian donkeys, and North European fallow deer.
Besides luring visitors with animals, the Woolaroc Museum has exceptional Western and Native American artifacts and a firearms collection. The Colt firearms exhibit has handgun weapons and the Winchester rifle collection.
8th Admire Nature At Myriad Botanical Gardens
The United States is home to many botanical beauties, and Myriad Botanical Gardens is no exception. It’s located in downtown Oklahoma and takes visitors into another world of lush greenery and blooming flowers. The 17-acre paradise features indoor and outdoor gardens bursting with colors and splendor. Myriad Gardens are a serene relaxation spot and a fun playground for children.
A tube bridge leads visitors to the climate-controlled Crystal Bridge Conservatory, featuring a 35-foot cascading waterfall. In addition to the waterfall, the conservatory has a sunken stream with Japanese koi fish. The suspended catwalk on the first floor gives a panoramic view of more than 1,000 species of plants and towering indoor trees.
7 Visit Lake Of The Arbuckles
Lake Arbuckle is well known as a fishing destination with crappie, catfish, and bass in its waters. Its 36-mile shoreline offers fishing docks and four boat ramps for boaters. The shorelines and sheltered coves act as good trotlines for fishing.
The lake’s campgrounds are open all summer, while the winter camping season runs from early October through early May. Visitors have four types of campsites to choose from depending on their needs. Other facilities include hiking trails, picnic, and swimming areas.
6 See Marine Life At The Oklahoma Aquarium
The Oklahoma Aquarium features over 1,000 marine creatures in over 100 exhibits, such as bull sharks, jellyfish, eels, and seahorses. Native marine animals like 7-foot alligators and spoonbills have their places at the aquarium. Visitors have a thrilling experience when they pass through the underwater tunnel while bull sharks swim along their sides or overhead.
Additionally, the touch pool offers an excellent opportunity for kids and adults alike to feel the skin textures of stingrays and tiny sharks. While this destination may not be popular as other aquariums in the US with unusual animals, it still offers a memorable experience.
5 Explore Great Salt Plains State Park
Great Salt Plains State Park is one of Oklahoma’s most beautiful parks worth visiting. From digging up selenite to swimming and hiking, this park has a little of everything to offer to tourists. Equestrians can ride their horses along the designated nature trails as they admire the surroundings. Spotting migratory birds is another exciting activity visitors do as they stroll or horseback through the park.
Although personal watercraft are not allowed in Great Salt Plains Lake, the 41-mile shoreline makes great fishing points. Fish in the salty waters include hybrid stripers, sand bass, and catfish.
4 Admire Nature At Natural Falls State Park
Known for its breathtaking waterfall and filming location for some scenes in the 1974 film, ‘Where the Red Fern Grows,’ Natural Falls State Park offers an incredible recreational spot. Travelers flock here to hike, camp, fish, and relax away from bustling city life.
Nature lovers can stroll in the Formal Garden as they revel in the beauty of colorful native flowers. The flourishing chinquapin woodlands, maple trees, and white oaks make the park a beautiful backdrop to any picture. As for wildlife, visitors can spot squirrels, whitetail deer, raccoons, and rabbits throughout their visit.
3 Relax In A Spring At Chickasaw National Recreation Area
Chickasaw National Recreation Area was once known as the Peaceful Valley of Rippling Waters. And true to its name, visitors swim, hike, and boat in this peaceful oasis. But the area’s most notable attractions are the freshwater and mineral springs to the north. As travelers approach the springs, they begin to smell sulfur, but it’s not overwhelming.
Buffalo Springs and Antelope Springs are both freshwater and require an easy hike. Visitors dip into the crystal clear waters while listening to the sounds of the gushing water.
2 Observe Wildlife At Oklahoma City Zoo & Botanical Garden
Set in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Zoo and Botanical Garden sits on 110 acres and is home to over 2,200 animals. The zoo has eight exhibits, which include an Asian-themed section that hosts a herd of Asian elephants and 4.2 acres of cat forest. Moreover, children play, connect and explore nature at the Children’s Zoo, which features lorikeets, Galapagos tortoises, a play stream, and flamingos.
The lush butterfly garden has 14,000 plants hosting a wide range of butterflies, such as the painted lady, eastern black swallowtail, and monarch butterfly.
1 Hike Scenic Trails Along Broken Bow Lake
Broken Bow Lake is a dazzling work of art set against the magnificent backdrop of the stunning Ouachita Mountains. The lake covers 14,000 acres and has a 180-mile shoreline perfect for swimming, fishing, and more. Hunting is also allowed as there are turkeys and deer in most of the season.
The lush forest bordering the lake makes a great hiking area, with the Beaver Lodge and Big Oak Nature Trails meandering through the towering forest. In addition to the beautiful scenery, Beaver Lodge Trail offers solitude, picturesque views, and incredible spots for birdwatching.
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