As Oklahoma’s largest city, Oklahoma City is on many southern road trips. However, don’t just plan a quick drive through. There are so many places to explore that you should definitely plan to allow at least a couple of days in this city. In my twenty years of family visits, we still haven’t seen all this city of 600,000 people has to offer.
Gonna be honest here. My husband and most of his family refer to Oklahoma City as a boring, “old people” city. I beg to differ! This Oklahoma capital isn’t just a “boring” city if you know where to look. As a homeschooling family, I’m always on the look out for opportunities to add learning to our travels. Oklahoma City has soooo many places for history, art, science and overall fun – no matter you family choice of education. While there are so many options, here is my top five list, and my list of future places to explore. Start here!
Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum
This top-notch Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum commemorates the Oklahoma City bombing which took place when I was in high school. While the bombing was a big event on April 19, 1995, I feel that it’s been overlooked in most history books. Help it come alive with a family visit to this important memorial.
As an emotional and solemn site, prepare yourself and your guests that this is not a loud, run-around place. Because of the subject matter, this may be a best-for-big-kids experience and will be more significant with some learning about the site ahead of time. Both myself and my cousin were teary multiple times as the exhibits talked about the survivors and the kids’ school next door. Don’t be afraid to skip the harder parts and just do what your littles are ready for. However, this is also an excellent place to talk about real-life heroes, learn about those who helped each other, and experience the bravery of the rescue workers.
Built on the site of the bombing, a portion of the museum encompasses one of the collapsed buildings. Follow the artifacts as recovered from the site to work through the discovery and capture of the perpetrators. Stand on the overlook to see the outside memorial and wander through the grounds past the surviving tree, memorial Reflecting Pool, and the Field of Empty Chairs which represents those killed in the bombing.
While this site is an affiliate of the National Park System, it does not receive federal funding; this museum is well-worth your entrance fee. There are rangers on-site and a junior ranger packet to complete.
Skeletons: Museum of Osteology
According to the museum’s website, the Museum of Osteology is the only museum of bones in the United States. Starting as the owner’s childhood bone collection, this building now houses more than 450 animal skeletons which are arranged for you to visit. This museum is a must for any nature-loving adult or animal-studying child.
With the blue whale skeleton soaring from the ceiling, your family will walk along the two stories of skeleton displays with the animals grouped by class and order – aka primates, carnivora, sirenia, etc. This allows for some great comparisons and discussion of favorite animals and new friends. To keep the kids’ attention, there are scavenger hunts available and an upstairs section for discovery. For extra depth, review ahead your biology taxonomy and bring a chart of the different classes and orders; this is great review and introduction of animals.
~~~~> Do you have kids who love science? Make sure your next trip takes you sourth through Dallas to visit the Perot Museum. Read more at “How to Spend a Kid-Friendly Day in Downtown Dallas“.
Oklahoma State Capitol
Located in downtown Oklahoma City, the Oklahoma State Capitol is a great educational free stop as you drive around downtown. Look for the oil drill on the grounds of the capitol – the only capitol in the United States to have such. Read about the history of the Native American statue at the top and see the replica inside. Visit the Capitol’s museum inside, and learn Oklahoma history as you study the murals under the dome. Read ahead on the roles of the Senate and the House, but at the time of our visit, we were not able to see inside either chamber. Call ahead and for information about a self-guided tour.
If you’ve never visited a capitol building, go for it. They’re always so beautiful. Prepare for a bag check at entrance to the building, so leave your non-essentials in your car. Act like you belong; we usually just have to roam around the building and find out way to the elevators. Most parts will be available for your exploring so have at it. While it looks intimidating, just remember these are tax payers dollars at work, and enjoy exploring the beautiful grounds.
Scissortail Park in Downtown OKC
A family trip through Oklahoma City isn’t complete without checking out OKC’s beautiful Scissortail Park. Paved trails surround the seventy acre park with hidden gardens of beautiful seasonal flowers throughout. You will have to pay a small fee to park at one of the surrouding spots, but with endless areas to explore, it’s worth it! Check the online Scissortail map to plan your OKC family fun day.
- Show off your roller skating skills at the Sky Rink
- Let your puppy get out some energy at the dog park
- Learn history at the renovated Union Station building
- Watch the kids climb the tower at the Children’s Playground
- Shop at the mid-week and Saturday Scissortail Farmer’s Market
- Bring the kid swimsuits to hang out in the Sprayground fountains
- Enjoy the beautiful flowers and plants at one of the seven garden areas
- Take shade under the cover of the Play Pavilion while the kids climb the spider
- Explore the Lower Scissortail Park offerings with ball courts and nature playground
- Rent a pedal boat, kayak, or canoe from the Scissortail Boathouse during the summer
Opened recently in 2019, my family just recently discovered this Oklahoma City greenspace, and it’s worth a return visit. It is truly a beautiful space for walking or scooter riding. With further expansions planned in the coming years, a return visit will happen. The gardens alone are lovely.
~~~> Are you a roadtripping family always looking for the next fabulous playground. Make sure you don’t overlook our favorite Gathering Place in nearby Tulsa, Oklahoma. Details here: “Tulsa, Oklahoma: Two Amazing Destinations.“
Myriad Botanical Garden Oklahoma City
Only minutes from Scissortail Park, Myriad Botanical Garden is practically next door. Downtown Oklahoma City’s favorite garden is enclosed in a giant glass Crystal Bridge Conservatory and so different from any other garden we’ve visited. With a raised walking platform, you can look down at the garden from up top after seeing it from the levels below. This is a perfect garden for wandering and discovering.
- Bring some bread for the ducks hiding in the shade of the outdoor garden area.
- This smaller botanical garden will take your family about an hour to visit the interior.
- Take time to wander through the beautiful green area surrounding the botanical garden. This part can be enjoyed free even without the purchase of a garden ticket.
- Now is another great time to bring out your membership card for your local garden; free entrance with American Horticultural Society reciprocity. (Check the AHS membership list!)
- Make sure you take advantage of the Discovery Room on the second floor with hands-on activities for the kids.
- Check out the colorful holiday lights at Christmas and see what else what other special events are on the garden calendar.
Tip: Although close to Scissortail Park, you’ll probably want to move your car just for ease especially if it’s super hot during your Oklahoma summer vacation.
Science Museum Oklahoma
This museum right here is the reason my family hasn’t visited more places in OKC. This is the only place they want to go, and the museum I will hear about more often than any other in the country. When visiting family, my kids have even been known to ask to return to visit the next day. Although this museum could be enjoyed by adults as well, there are definitely some kid-focused areas. If you don’t have kids of your own, find a kid and enjoy it through their excitement.
Once you and your family visit the Science Museum Oklahoma, all other hands-on learning museums will pale in comparison. This building is huge, and your kids will wander off. Bring the matching shirts and discuss a meeting place just in case. Prepare to sit and play, wander the wooden fort playground at the entrance, turn to the climbing structure, and plan to watch at least one included planetarium show. At the entrance, check the daily schedule and plan to watch the live science show for some explosions and excitement. Don’t forget to wander outside to enjoy the garden or check out the top floor for rotating exhibits.
This children’s museum is right next to the Oklahoma Zoo, but both deserve a day of their own. Bonus that the Oklahoma Science Center is an ASTC museum, and you can get in free with your reciprocity.
~~~> Want to learn more about museum memberships to save LOTS of money on family vacations? All you need to know is here in “Museum Memberships: How to Save Money on Family Travel”.
Oklahoma City Museum of Art
The Oklahoma City Museum of Art is a great museum for kids and a must for fans of Dale Chihuly’s glass sculptures. Families should check the website for in-museum activities, conversations to have, and even coloring pages to print at home. Ask at the front desk if any Discovery Packs are available for the kids. With a permanent collection ranging from American art to modern day, there is something for everyone. Make sure you look online for the upcoming exhibits to see what’s coming up.
If you’re visiting, you may have reciprocity as it is on both NARM and ROAM museum lists. This is also a Blue Star Museum, offers Bank of America free days for members, and kids are always free. Check online for pricing, but I’ve also seen discount tickets on Groupon.
Love the Chihuily exhibit at the Oklahoma Museum of Art? Check out this post about the fabulous Chihuily and the Salvador Dali museums in St. Petersburg, Florida.
More Amazing Places in OKC
Oklahoma City has so much to offer family travelers like in the list below! Or check out more family friendly things to do in Oklahoma City on my friend Nichole’s amazing post.
- Soak in Native American history at the new, high-tech First Americans Museum
- Take a Bricktown riverboat and have a meal along the Oklahoma River canals
- See the statues at the Centennial Land Run Monument
- Explore the “7th Best Zoo in the Nation” at the Oklahoma City Zoo
- Follow the street art through OKC on this mural map
- Learn about Oklahoma at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum
- Visit history at the 45th Division Infantry Museum
~~~~> Keep heading south to my hometown of Wichita Falls, Texas right across the border. Read about the “21 Best Family Things to Do in Wichita Falls.”
Thanks for stopping by my little corner! Here’s to your next adventure.
I’m Bobbie. As transplants from Texas, my family of six is on a mission to discover all of Georgia’s amazing places, experience amazing road trips across the United States, and create a homeschool life along the way.
Want to adventure like me? Reach out! I’d love to chat. Stop by my Instagram or Pinterest page to discover more of our adventures.
Want to work with me? I’d love to work with your destination and tourism board to help other family travelers see all you have to offer.
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