Four Indigenous origin stories in a 270-degree theater, Western art, gardens and water activities give Oklahoma City several possible points of focus. The OKLA HOMMA Theater spotlights stories written, narrated and animated by members of Indigenous communities. Visitors looking to explore different cultural perspectives on a city break will also find a memorial and several museums.
Culture, remembrance and science
The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum collects, preserves and displays an internationally renowned collection of Western art and artifacts. Liichokoshkomo’ offers a different format: this 100,000-square-foot outdoor experience includes waterfalls, Indigenous structures, a railroad depot, a rodeo arena and a replica of the cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde. The city thus brings together classic collection pieces and a large-scale experience featuring a range of architectural elements.
The Oklahoma City National Memorial is a symbolic outdoor memorial. It commemorates the victims, survivors, first responders and everyone whose life was forever changed on April 19, 1995. This place provides a solemn, reflective note alongside the art and museum themes.
At Science Museum Oklahoma, topics range from movement and music to spaceflight. CurioCity is a 20,000-square-foot cityscape with obstacle courses, balance activities and musical instruments. Destination Space features a Mercury capsule simulator, real rocket engines and artifacts from the Apollo era. The Oklahoma Aviation and Space Hall of Fame complements these exhibition areas with stories and artifacts from more than 170 inductees.
Water experiences and trails
RIVERSPORT Rapids offers Class II to IV whitewater rafting in the heart of Oklahoma City. Other activities offer a different way to get on the water: Discover Surfing can take participants from bodyboarding to surfing in less than two hours; Discover Flatwater Kayaking is designed as an introduction to recreational paddling. These offerings differ both in the activity itself and in the specific duration given for one of the experiences.
There are also trails and nature activities for walks and other outdoor pursuits. The INTEGRIS Jim Thorpe Rehabilitation Courage Trail at Martin Park Nature Center is accessible and half a mile long. The interconnected trail network in the metropolitan area stretches for many miles, with scenic views, and can be used for cycling, running and walking.
Gardens, animals and seasonal highlights
Myriad Botanical Gardens brings together a variety of garden spaces. Features of the Crystal Bridge Conservatory include a reflecting pool, plant collections, viewing terraces and a waterfall feature. The Children’s Garden offers winding paths, a biology pond, raised garden beds, a bamboo hedge maze and inclusive playgrounds. The Tanenbaum Reflection Garden centers on a shady place for recreation, reflection and quiet.
The Seasonal Plaza changes with the seasons: in summer, there are fountains and colorful gardens; in winter, the Devon Ice Rink. Visitors planning their trip can take these different seasonal offerings into account when choosing when to travel. Will Rogers Gardens complements the garden offerings with practical gardening and horticulture classes year-round for visitors of all ages. Hundreds of tree species grow in the Margaret Annis Boys Arboretum, including species native to Oklahoma.
The Oklahoma City Zoo also has its own distinctive habitat designs. Expedition Africa spans 12 acres and features covered pavilions and viewing terraces where visitors can observe animals at eye level. Great EscApe is a habitat of more than three acres for western lowland gorillas and chimpanzees, with rainforest features and waterfalls.
Getting around Oklahoma City
For travel between city districts, the Oklahoma City Streetcar provides a clearly defined connection: it links the Bricktown Entertainment District via the Bricktown Loop with Midtown via the Downtown Loop. The streetcar system has two loops with a total of 22 stops and runs seven days a week. These details help visitors get their bearings around the city; the other museums, gardens and trails mentioned each offer their own distinct visitor experiences.
For an overview of the wider region: Oklahoma.
