20 Best Things To Do In Oklahoma City

Take a moment to delve into the city's past at this expansive park, dedicated to honoring the victims, survivors, and rescue teams impacted by the tragic Oklahoma City bombing of 1995. It's a poignant tribute to a significant event in the city's history.

Throughout the park, you'll encounter memorials, sculptures, and museum displays that chronicle the story of the devastating terrorist attack. As you wander through the various reflective spaces, you contribute to preserving the memory of those affected by the Oklahoma City bombing.

Saddle up and check out the NCWHM, a museum devoted to the American West! Here, you'll find artworks and exhibits that honor the cultures of American Indians and cowboys.

Explore the story of the American West from different angles, told through art and historical objects. You can also check out its Western art gallery, Native American art gallery, six historical galleries, a replica town from the turn of the century, and interactive children’s museum.

Have a great time strolling by the river and finding lots of fun things to do, like bowling, boat rides, mini-golf, shopping, and eating, in this updated warehouse area.

Bricktown used to be a place for warehouses, but now it's a popular spot for entertainment with many different tourist attractions in Oklahoma City. You can watch a baseball game, listen to musicians playing live music, or take a guided water taxi to explore more about the Bricktown area along the canal.

One of the best places to visit in OKC to enjoy walking paths and a serene natural environment is Myriad Botanical Gardens. This beautiful space covers about 15 acres of the area right in the busy center of Oklahoma City.

If you need a break from the bustling city life, this park is perfect. It's got lovely gardens, grassy areas, a playground, a place for dogs to run, and a huge conservatory that's 13,000 square feet.

Visit the Museum of Osteology to see bones, skulls, and entire skeletons of animals of all sizes, from tiny hummingbirds and frogs to giant humpback whales. You'll discover an amazing collection of nearly 300 complete skeletons spread out over a 7,000-square-foot exhibition space.

Don't miss the Explorer's Corner, where you can get hands-on and touch real animal skulls. This attraction Oklahoma City is open every day, but with shorter hours on Sundays, and there's a fee to get in.

Plan your vacation to coincide with one of the exciting performances or festivals often hosted at Chesapeake Energy Arena (Paycom Center). It's the perfect way to enjoy this popular gathering place.

The arena opened in 2002 and has been the home venue for the NBA's Oklahoma City Thunder since 2008. If you're a sports fan, make sure to visit this arena to watch a game featuring your favorite teams.

Take off into outer space or learn about the wonders of the human body at Science Museum Oklahoma. Offering over eight acres of hands-on science experiences, this family-friendly museum has a planetarium, interactive exhibits, and gardens.

You can journey beyond the Milky Way in the Kirkpatrick Planetarium, enjoy exciting experiments in Science Live, and explore the amazing world of CurioCity where reality meets fantasy. Let your inner child roam free!

When you visit the Henry Overholser Mansion, you can explore many rooms up close. On the first floor, you can tour the dining room, butler’s pantry, and kitchen. Upstairs, you can walk through all the bedrooms and both bathrooms.

The mansion now has new signs all around to guide you, and they've put up old photos to show how the rooms looked in the past. Also, many other Oklahoma City visiting places have preserved their historical sites.

Folks looking for a countryside escape right in the middle of the city can plan a trip to Martin Park Nature Center. It is a special natural area near W. Memorial Road, close to Mercy Hospital.

The park has mature forests, open grasslands, and a small lake fed by a creek and also offers 2.5 miles of connected trails for walking. Best of all, there's no fee to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of this lovely nature park.

Whether you're looking to stay active with some exercise or have fun with the kids by playing ball, Lake Hefner Park is the perfect place to visit. It's one of the top Oklahoma City sites for bird watching.

Many waterbird species stop here during their migrations along America's central flyway. Plus, Lake Hefner is fantastic for sailing. You can enjoy weekend sailboat races from April to October. 

One of the most fun things to do in OK City is to ride the thrilling Wheeler Ferris Wheel at Wheeler District. This Ferris wheel stands tall above the Oklahoma River, providing an amazing view of downtown OKC.

Alongside the waterfront, there are paths along the river and hammocks where you can chill out. You'll also find various games to play or simply relax and enjoy the atmosphere. Riding the Ferris wheel at night is wonderful for seeing the city skyline all lit up!

Built in 1917, the Oklahoma State Capitol is a historic Greco-Roman building that stands out as a unique places to go Oklahoma City. Patrons can explore beautiful artworks and a small museum within this iconic government building.

Managed by the Oklahoma Arts Council, it houses an extensive collection of artworks spread across six floors of rotundas, corridors, and galleries, making it the largest public art museum in Oklahoma.

Situated in State Capitol Park, Oklahoma Veterans Memorial is a tribute to honor the state's war veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice. It's a solemn reminder of their bravery and service.

At the memorial, you'll find a notable statue called "The Big Guy," along with four walls adorned with bas-relief bronze panels representing World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.

Even if you're not particularly fond of banjos, this place is worth visiting. You'll get to delve into the instrumental history and admire some stunning works of art. It is a top-notch facility spanning 21,000 square feet, dedicated to the history, lively spirit, and endless potential of the banjo. 

Inside, you'll find an impressive collection of over 400 instruments, along with recordings, films, videos, sheet music, teaching materials, keepsakes, and other banjo-related items.

Relish the peaceful atmosphere of Will Rogers Park, a 30-acre green space in OKC. This park offers a serene retreat throughout the year and features a formal rose garden, scenic walkways, an arboretum, and an education center.

Within the park, you'll find various gardens, lovely walking trails, a garden exhibition building where gardeners gather to showcase their skills, and other Oklahoma City points of interest. 

Don't forget to take a photo at the Skydance Bridge! This pedestrian bridge spans 380 feet in length and towers 197 feet high. Inspired by Oklahoma's state bird, the scissor-tailed flycatcher, the bridge is an architectural marvel made of 412 tons of steel. 

Every night, the bridge comes alive with LED lights, which can be remotely changed to different colors for special occasions and holidays. It's a must-see Oklahoma City tourist attractions!

Hop on board for a journey through history at the Oklahoma Railway Museum! Whether you're a grown-up or a kid, you'll be fascinated by the stories and facts from years of railway history. 

Explore freight cars, passenger cars, and even a genuine steam engine on display. And the highlight? You can ride the train! Trains run on the first and third Saturdays from April to August. It's a fantastic way to spend an afternoon with your family.

A trip to the Orr Family Farm in the fall is packed with fun family activities. You can explore a huge corn maze filled with hidden games and codes to solve as you find your way through.

Hop on a hayride to the maze and pumpkin patch, where you'll discover a wide variety of unique pumpkins to choose from. And don't forget to unwind by the campfire and toast marshmallows before you head home!

No visit to Oklahoma City is truly finished without a trip to historic Stockyards City, just a short drive west from Downtown. It is the largest stocker/feeder cattle market in the world that began operations in October 1910.

Experience the excitement of the cattle auction held every Monday and Tuesday, or join in the annual Stockyards Stampede for some cowboy fun! You'll also find a saddle shop, a souvenir shop, and even a store selling bath soaps.

Come shop at OKC Outlets, where you'll discover a wide range of unique brands and great value all under one roof. As Oklahoma's only outlet center, it offers over 80 beloved brands such as Polo Ralph Lauren Store, Michael Kors, Nike Factory Store, and many more.

After a satisfying shopping spree, refuel at the food court, offering delicious options such as pizza, pretzels, burgers, and subs.