- The Chickasaw National Recreation Area – a national park known for its hiking trails, lakes, and scenic views. This area boasts crystal clear waters, waterfalls, and swimming holes. Its diverse landscape offers a range of outdoor activities, from fishing to horseback riding.
- The Great Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge – a national wildlife refuge with scenic views and hiking trails. This refuge is a haven for migratory birds, including the endangered whooping crane, and also home to a unique selenite crystal digging area. Visitors can enjoy birdwatching, fishing, and wildlife photography.
- The Talimena Scenic Drive – a scenic drive with views of the Ouachita Mountains. This drive stretches 54 miles, showcasing spectacular fall foliage, panoramic views of valleys and mountains, and picturesque overlooks. It is a popular destination for motorcycle enthusiasts and nature lovers.
- The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge – a wildlife refuge with hiking trails, camping, and scenic views. This refuge offers stunning views of the granite mountains and grassy prairies. Visitors can hike, bike, rock climb, and even bison watch. It’s also a great place for stargazing, thanks to its dark skies.
- Oklahoma City – the state capital, known for its museums, cultural attractions, and outdoor recreation. This vibrant city is home to the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum, and the Myriad Botanical Gardens. Outdoor enthusiasts can take advantage of the city’s vast network of parks and trails.
- Tulsa – a city known for the Philbrook Museum of Art, its vibrant downtown, and its cultural scene. This city is known for its art deco architecture, the Tulsa Zoo, and the Woody Guthrie Center. Visitors can enjoy live music, craft breweries, and farm-to-table dining.
- The Oklahoma History Center – a museum with exhibits about Oklahoma’s history and culture. This museum features exhibits on the state’s Native American heritage, oil, and gas industry, and famous Oklahomans. It’s a great place to learn about the state’s unique history and culture.
- The Oklahoma State Capitol – a historic building with beautiful architecture and home of the Oklahoma General Assembly. This impressive building features a dome inspired by the US Capitol and murals depicting Oklahoma’s history. Visitors can take a guided tour or explore the building on their own.
- The Philbrook Museum of Art – an art museum with a great collection of American art. This museum features works by American artists such as Andrew Wyeth, Edward Hopper, and John Singer Sargent. Visitors can also explore the museum’s stunning gardens and historic home.
- The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum – a museum dedicated to the wild, wild west, pardner! Explore the history and culture of the American West with exhibits on cowboys, rodeos, Native American art and culture, and more. Don’t miss the impressive collection of Western art and artifacts.
- The Gilcrease Museum – a museum full of cowboys, indians, and gunslingers from the American West. Discover the history and art of the American West through paintings, sculptures, and artifacts, including a collection of more than 350,000 items. The Gilcrease Museum is also home to beautiful gardens and trails.
- The Myriad Botanical Gardens – a bloomin’ lovely garden with all sorts of plants and flowers. Take a stroll through the beautiful gardens featuring thousands of plants and flowers, fountains, a children’s garden, and a dog park. The Myriad Botanical Gardens is also home to a variety of events, including outdoor concerts and fitness classes.
- The Oklahoma City Museum of Art – a museum with fancy-schmancy art from all over the world. See art from ancient times to contemporary works, including one of the largest collections of Dale Chihuly glass sculptures. The museum also offers a variety of events, including films, lectures, and tours.
- The Science Museum Oklahoma – a museum where you can get your geek on with interactive exhibits and fun science stuff. Explore science and technology with hands-on exhibits and experiments, including a planetarium and a dome theater. The museum is also home to the Tinkering Garage, where visitors can create and build their own projects.
- The Beaver Dunes Park – a park with sand dunes that will make you feel like you’re in the Sahara. Explore the 520-acre park featuring 300-foot sand dunes, hiking trails, camping sites, and picnic areas. Don’t forget your sandboard or sled!
- The Osage Hills Wildlife Preserve – a preserve with hiking trails and beautiful views that will make you forget you’re still in Oklahoma. Hike through the scenic Osage Hills, home to a variety of wildlife including bison, elk, and white-tailed deer. The preserve also offers camping and fishing opportunities.
- The Turner Falls Park – a park with a waterfall where you can cool off after a long hike. Visit the 77-foot waterfall, the largest in Oklahoma, and take a dip in the natural swimming areas. The park also features hiking trails, caves, and camping sites.
- The Robbers Cave State Park – a park with hiking trails and camping that might make you feel like you’re hiding from the law. Explore the scenic park featuring over 8 miles of hiking trails, rock climbing, rappelling, and camping sites. The park is also famous for its caves, which were once used as a hideout by outlaws.
- The Blue River – a lovely river with fish that are just begging to be caught and cooked. Go fishing for trout, bass, and catfish in the clear blue waters of the river, or take a scenic float trip. The Blue River is also home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, wild turkeys, and bald eagles.