Illustration by Annie Tyndall
Become an Oklahoma tourist this summer! Whether you stick around town or broaden your horizons, here are some can’t-miss things to do with your family in Oklahoma.
Explore a Nature Trail
In Tulsa:
With monthly wildflower and birding walks, wide, flat trails and an educational interpretive building, Oxley Nature Center is a wonderful place for families to learn about and observe native wildlife. Ray Harral Nature Center in Broken Arrow is another great resource and hosts monthly events such as storytimes, nature crafts and classes for little ones.
Keystone Ancient Forest offers some more challenging trails along with a .6-mile paved trail. Visitors with mobility limitations can rent free, all-terrain track chairs – part of Keystone’s dedication to inclusivity. Stop by the Visitor’s Center to learn more about the wildlife and centuries-old trees you may see on your walk.
Outside of Tulsa:
The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in southwestern Oklahoma invites you to “find your wild” when you visit (fws.gov/refuge/wichita-mountains). Fifteen miles of hiking trails take guests through multiple kinds of terrain home to various species of wildlife. Keep an eye out for roaming herds of bison, longhorn and Rocky Mountain elk – and don’t forget your camera!
Another area teeming with wildlife and history is the Chickasaw National Recreation Area in Sulphur, Oklahoma. According to its website, many visitors particularly love the trails here for their proximity to water – be it Lake of the Arbuckles, natural springs, waterfalls or streams.
Closer to home, be on the lookout for the resident bison when driving through Tallgrass Prairie Preserve in Pawhuska. Park near the trailhead to access three, self-guided walking trails of varying length. Their website has an in-depth trail brochure so you can talk with your kids ahead of time about what they might observe.
Lower Little Niagara in the Platt Historic District within Chickasaw National Recreation Area. Photo courtesy National Park Service
Take a Gander at a Garden
In Tulsa:
Stop and smell the roses at Tulsa Botanic Garden. Tulsa Botanic Garden opened two new gardens in summer 2023, so if you haven’t had a chance to visit those, add this to your summer bucket list. The Children’s Discovery Garden, with its friendly Spring Giant and tree fort, is always a hit with young and old.
The Teaching Garden at Woodward Park will be open throughout the summer. Keep an eye out for koi and see what’s growing in the garden’s raised beds. Speak with volunteers to get advice for your own gardening endeavors.
Outside of Tulsa:
With its stunning Crystal Conservatory, charming children’s garden and colorful carousel, Myriad Botanical Gardens is a must-visit if you’re in the Oklahoma City area. Check their event calendar before you visit.
Lendonwood Gardens in Grove, Oklahoma, showcases over 1,000 varieties of plants in eight garden areas, including an English Terrace Garden, Japanese Pavilion and Oklahoma Garden. Young visitors will enjoy feeding the koi and seeing the monarch waystation.
The Papilion at Honor Heights Park in Muskogee offers visitors a chance to view butterflies up close during spring and summer months. Visit the Papilion between Mother’s Day weekend and Sept. 30, and enjoy the other Honor Heights Park amenities – like a playground and walking trails – while there.
Photo credit: Lendonwood Gardens
Have an Art Experience
In Tulsa:
Philbrook Museum’s next major exhibition, “Celia Álvarez Muñoz: Breaking the Binding,” opens June 5. Born in El Paso, Texas, in 1937, Muñoz’ work “draws inspiration from her lived experience as a resident of the United States-Mexico borderlands” and is characterized by a “playful, witty style” (philbrook.org).
Look for the vibrant art of Gilcrease in Your Neighborhood, displayed at five area parks: Turkey Mountain, Oxley Nature Center, Keystone Ancient Forest, Gathering Place and Ray Harral Nature Center. This is the perfect opportunity to get outdoors while interacting with a meaningful work of art. Pick up an activity guide to enhance your experience.
Outside of Tulsa:
If you have a passion for fashion, don’t miss Oklahoma City Museum of Art’s summer exhibition, “Edith Head: Hollywood’s Costume Designer,” opening June 22. View 70 iconic costumes worn by Audrey Hepburn, Ginger Rogers, Shirley MacLaine and others.
Oklahoma City’s Factory Obscura is an immersive art experience in much the same vein as the popular Meow Wolf. Kick-start your visit by pressing “Play” on the giant boombox decorating the front of the building.
Factory Obscura. Photo by Al Phillips-Shinn
Stay Cool with Water Sports
In Tulsa:
Peggy’s Pond at Gathering Place is a favorite destination for relaxing on the water. Take advantage of their free paddle boat and kayak rentals and enjoy an up-close view of the pond’s animal inhabitants.
The new Arkansas River pedestrian bridge – aka Williams Crossing – is scheduled to open Labor Day weekend, along with neighboring Zink Lake. The lake should be open to non-motorized watercraft, complete with a whitewater flume!
Combine the joys of camping and water sports at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort at Keystone Lake. Book a tent or RV site, and spend the day conquering the floating obstacle course, zipping down water slides, kayaking, fishing and more.
Outside of Tulsa:
WOKA Whitewater Park in Watts, Oklahoma, opened in Sept. 2023. Located in the gorgeous Ozark Mountains, WOKA features “heart-pumping wave action for kayakers, surfers and tubers of all skill levels” in addition to paddle boarding. Boat and tube rentals are available onsite.
Riversport OKC has a lengthy list of available adventures on their website, including surfing, whitewater rafting, tubing, etc. When you’re done playing in the water, take advantage of their dry-land activities, like a climbing wall, ropes course, bike park and eSports.
Go Wild at Water and Amusement Parks
In Tulsa:
Although it’s undergone a few name changes over the years, Paradise Beach Water Park, located at 21st and Yale, remains a popular summertime hangout. From a lazy river to stomach-dropping slides and areas reserved for younger swimmers – plus concessions and cabana rentals – the whole family will be content to spend a day at Paradise Beach.
Outside of Tulsa:
Oklahoma City has several options for the adventurous family. Frontier City and Hurricane Harbor OKC – both part of the Six Flags franchise – promise hours upon hours of thrills. Frontier City is a Wild West-themed amusement park packed with roller coasters and other rides. A 20-minute drive southwest from Frontier City will bring you to water park Hurricane Harbor. Race your friend down the towering Wahoo Racer and test your mettle on the Mega Wedgie’s 64-foot free-fall slide.
Other notable water parks in Oklahoma include the Water-Zoo Indoor Water Park in Clinton, River Country Water Park in Muskogee and Pelican Bay Aquatic Center in Edmond.
Generations of Tulsans have grown up going to the Bartlesville Kiddie Park each summer, and the pint-sized rides retain their vintage charm. However, they’ve also done extensive renovations over the past year and added some new attractions!
Bartlesville Kiddie Park
Splash and Swim at These Hidden Gems
In Tulsa:
Tulsa and the surrounding suburbs have several community pools and splash pads. Find a list of local favorites at tulsakids.com/tulsa-area-splash-pads-pools-and-water-playgrounds
Outside of Tulsa:
Have you heard of the Pawnee Bath House? This unique sandstone structure was built in 1939 as a Works Progress Administration project. The bathhouse overlooks “a two-acre freshwater pool with a sandy beach, water slide, high dive, diving board and paddle boats” (pawneechamberofcommerce.org). It is open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, and admission is just $3 daily for all ages. Kayaks are also available to rent.
Blue Hole Park in Salina, Oklahoma, is a good, old-fashioned swimming hole. Wear water shoes, as the lake bottom can be painful on the feet. Admission is $15 per car, and reasonably priced concessions can be purchased onsite. RV and camp sites are also available.
Wanda’s Blue Hole. Photo by Mary Smith Friels
Go on a Geological Expedition
In Tulsa:
If your kid is a rockhound, consider getting involved with the Tulsa Rock and Mineral Society, which hosts monthly meetings for all ages. Their annual Rock, Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show will be held July 13-14 at Expo Square.
The D.W. Correll Museum in Catoosa is a collector’s paradise. Beyond its extensive collection of rocks, gems, fossils and minerals hailing from all corners of the globe, the museum is home to collections of vintage automobiles, antique toys and more.
Next time you visit Tulsa Zoo, stop by the Cox Nature Exchange. Here, kids can get an up-close look at rocks, fossils, etc. – and trade in their own natural treasures. The Cox Nature Exchange is located inside the Life in the Cold WildLIFE Trek building and is open 10 a.m.-3 p.m. daily.
Outside of Tulsa:
Salt Plains State Park in Jet, Oklahoma, is the only place to dig for hourglass-shaped selenite crystals in the world. Crystal-digging season is open April through mid-October.
Another notable Oklahoma landmark is Alabaster Cavern in Freedom, Oklahoma, one of the largest natural gypsum caves in the world. Daily guided tours are available. The cavern sits within Alabaster Cavern State Park, which also offers camping and other amenities.
Alabaster Caverns. Photo by Lori Duckworth/Oklahoma Tourism
See What’s New
In Tulsa:
Tulsa Zoo’s elephant experience has gotten a major upgrade, for both the pachyderms and their visiting fans. Enjoy an unobstructed view of Tulsa Zoo’s elephant herd from both outside and inside the incredible new Elephant Preserve Barn.
The WeStreet Ice Rink, which opened in March 2024, is another major addition to Tulsa! With daily public skating hours on top of learn-to-skate sessions, hockey leagues and more, this promises to be the perfect place to cool down in the heat of the summer.
Outside of Tulsa:
Oklahoma City Zoo is celebrating the opening of its 12-acre Expedition Africa habitat. Key features include a state-of-the-art giraffe barn and renovated pachyderm building, and the whole area is designed to feel like a genuine safari experience.
Photo courtesy Oklahoma City Zoo
Quick Picks
BMX Tracks
Sand Springs BMX, Sand Springs, facebook.com/ssbmxok
Hardesty National BMX Stadium, Tulsa, usabmx.com
Veterans Park, Jenks, jenks.com
McCullough Park, Tulsa, cityoftulsa.org
Yukon BMX Raceway, Yukon, facebook.com/yukonbmx
Children’s and Science Museums
Discovery Lab, Tulsa, discoverylab.org
Leonardo’s Children’s Museum, Enid, leonardos.org
Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum, Seminole, jasminemoran.com
Science Museum Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, sciencemuseumok.org
Drive-In Theaters
Admiral Twin Drive-In, Tulsa, admiraltwindrivein.com
Tee Pee Drive-in Theater, Sapulpa, teepeedrivein.com
Winchester Drive-In Theater, Oklahoma City, winchesterdrivein.com
Chief Drive-In Theatre, Ninnekah, facebook.com/chiefdrivein
Tower Drive-In Theatre, Poteau, facebook.com/towerdriveintheatre
Old Homes
Marland Mansion, Ponca City, marlandmansion.com
Harn Homestead, Oklahoma City, harnhomestead.com
Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch, Oologah, visitcherokeenation.com
Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum, Pawnee, okhistory.org/sites/pawneebill
Frank Phillips Home, Bartlesville, frankphillipshome.org
Fresh, Local Ice Cream
Rose Rock Microcreamery, Tulsa, roserockmicrocreamery.com
Big Dipper Creamery, Tulsa and Sand Springs, bigdipperok.com
Boom Town Creamery, Oklahoma City, boomtowncreamery.com
Roxy’s Ice Cream Social, Oklahoma City, roxysicecream.com
Route 66 Landmarks
Ed Galloway’s Totem Pole Park, Rogers County, sites.google.com/site/rogerscountyhistory/totem-pole-park
Blue Whale of Catoosa, Catoosa, travelok.com
Arcadia Round Barn, Arcadia, arcadiaroundbarn.com
POPS, Arcadia, pops66.com
Route 66 Historical Village, Tulsa, route66village.com
Burgers and BBQ
Waylan’s Ku-Ku Burger, Miami, travelok.com
The Butcher BBQ Stand, Wellston, facebook.com/butcherbbqstand
The Rock Café, Stroud, rockcafert66.com
Sid’s Diner, El Reno, sidsdinerok.com
Ron’s Hamburgers & Chili, Tulsa and surrounding areas, ronsburgersandchili.com
Cheer for the Home Team
Tulsa Drillers, ONEOK Field, Tulsa, tulsadrillers.com
Tulsa Oilers Indoor Football, BOK Center, Tulsa, tulsaoilersfootball.com
FC Tulsa, ONEOK Field, Tulsa, fctulsa.com
Oklahoma City Baseball Club, Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, milb.com/oklahoma-city
