Top 20 Things to Do in Oklahoma City

Known for its classic western look, the city of Oklahoma is famous for its lakes, hills, museums, and the Great plains. It is also a popular road trip destination. Over the years, the city has fast developed into a popular tourist place. 

Guests willing to get a taste of the western culture must visit Oklahoma city. Some of the popular activities in OKC include canoeing, biking, hiking, shopping, exploring museums, enjoying at water parks, and savoring delicacies at the local and fine dining venues. 

Here is our list of things to do in Oklahoma city– 

1. Explore the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

Rugged imagery, rare antiques, and exquisite artwork make the National Cowboy & Heritage Museum one of the coolest museums in the United States. Some of the fascinating items from the old west area are also displayed in the museum. 

Timings: 10 AM to 5 PM; Monday -Saturday, 12-5 PM; Sunday 

2. Visit the Oklahoma City Zoo

The city zoo is home to exotic species from all around the world. Some of them include apes, elephants, big cats, beavers, and black bears. It is an ideal picnic spot for families. Also, the zoo regularly organizes animal shows, one of them being the popular Sea Lion Show. 

Timings: 9 AM to 5 PM 

3. Enjoy Live Sports at Chesapeake Energy Arena

Tourists willing to see NBA games live must-visit the Chesapeake Energy Arena. Sports enthusiasts who enjoy playing games other than basketball also must visit the arena. The venue also hosts concerts and WWE-based events. 

Timings: 10 AM to 5:30 PM; Monday- Friday. 

4. Enjoy a Roller Coaster Ride at Frontier City Theme Park

Jam Packed with rides, the Frontier City Theme Park is one of the most popular amusement parks in Oklahoma. Some of the famous rides at the park include Tumbleweed, Geronimo Skycoaster, Brain Drain, and Diamondback. Fun rides suitable for young children and families are also available at the park. 

Timings: 6 AM to 8 PM; Monday-Friday; 7 AM- 8 00 PM; Saturday, 1-5 PM; Sunday

5. Experience the thrills of Whitewater Rafting at Boathouse District

The boathouse district offers a wide range of fun activities which include boating, canoeing, and Kayaking. Adventure lovers must try out their hands at whitewater rafting. Not only is the place famous for watersports, but it also has some great non-aquatic activities including zip-lines and climbing walls. 

Timings: 6 AM to 8 PM; Monday-Friday; 7 AM- 8 00 PM; Saturday, 1-5 PM; Sunday

6. Watch Live Entertainment Shows at the Civic Center Music Hall

The Civic Center Music Hall conducts the best live entertainment shows in the city. Be it music, comedy, or theatrical productions, visitors are spoiled for choice. It is an ideal place for culture enthusiasts. 

Timings: 10 AM to 5 PM; Monday- Friday; 1-5 PM Saturday-Sunday

7. Salute the Brave Soldiers at 45th Infantry Division Museum

The museum has been built to pay homage to the brave soldiers and has some of the rare artifacts from the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, Vietnam War and World War 1.

Timings- 9 AM- 4: 15 PM; Tuesday-Friday, 10 AM- 4: 15 PM; Saturday, 1-4: 15 PM; Sunday 

8. Witness the Courage of Firefighters at Oklahoma State Firefighters Museum

Oklahoma State Firefighters Museum showcases the courage of the brave firefighters. Some of the artifacts at the museum date back to the 19th century. Not only does the museum pay homage to the firefighters, but it also instructs visitors on how to avoid fire-based catastrophes. 

Timings- 9 AM to 4: 30 PM; Monday- Saturday; 1- 4:30 PM; Sunday 

9. Explore the Centennial Land Run Monument

The Centennial Land Run Monument has been built to commemorate martyrs who lost their lives in the city’s 19th-century stampede. The stampede took place because people claimed their share of land in Oklahoma. The museum has displays of settlers riding horsebacks and horse-drawn wagons. 

Timings- 10 AM- 10 PM- All days 

10. Learn About Varied Uses of Banjo at the American Banjo Museum

American Banjo is one of the most interesting and popular music-based museums in the United States. Visitors can learn all about Banjos and how they have been used across different styles of music 

Timings: 11 AM to 6 PM; Tuesday-Saturday, 12-5 PM, Sunday

11. Immerse in the Beauty of Lake Hefner

Known for being one of the most beautiful places in America, Lake Hefner is claimed to be the best tourist spot in Oklahoma. Moreover, there are several cycling routes around this reservoir. Visitors can also do skateboarding, jogging, or just go on a casual stroll. 

Timings: 5 AM – 11 PM; All days 

12. Revel in Nature’s Beauty at Martin Park Nature Center

Martin Park Nature Center is an excellent place to explore wildlife and have a leisurely walk around the walking trails built for visitors. The rules at the center stress on respecting nature.

Timings: 5 AM – 9 PM; 1st April- 30th September, 5 AM to 6 PM; 1st October – 30th March 

13. Have the Old Rail Experience at The Oklahoma Railway Museum

Transportation enthusiasts must visit the Oklahoma Railway Museum. Not only does the museum help tourists learn about trains, but it also helps them have a great experience. The museum houses several trains with some of them running on diesel while others run on steam. 

Timings: 9 AM to 5 PM Monday to Friday, 1-5 PM; Saturday- Sunday

14. Explore the Dynamic Artworks at Philbrook Museum of Art

The museum is home to several collections of artworks from Europe, Africa, and Asia. These works also include the works of American craftsmen and artists. Spread over 23 acres, the villa turned museum provides a picturesque view of the gardens built along Crow Creek. The vivacity and demeanor of art collections are sure to attract tourists. The vicinity also has a gift shop that sells locally produced honey. 

Timings: 9 AM to 5 PM; Wednesday- Thursday 

15. Plan a Family Shopping trip at Downtown Edmond

Visitors willing to do some family-friendly shopping and dining must pay a visit to Downtown Edmond. With a wide variety of boutiques, coffee shops, art galleries, and wine bars the downtown offers an exhilarating shopping experience. 

Timings: 10 AM- 11 PM; All days 

16. Visit the University of Oklahoma

Located in the southern part of Oklahoma, the University of Oklahoma is a popular tourist attraction. The university since its advent has grown into a 3,000 acre Campus. Some of the popular attractions at the university are the Bizzell Memorial Library, Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural history for its large collection of artifacts, and Fred Jones Jr Museum of Art and artifacts.

Timings: 8 AM- 1AM; Monday- Friday; 1 PM- 1 AM; Sunday 

17. Explore Landscapes at Gilcrease Museum

A must-visit for art lovers, the Gilcrease Museum is home to an exhaustive collection of art and history from west America. The museum has been built on the 460 acres of space on Osage hills, of which 23 acres of land comprises lush green gardens, thematic gardens, and some pioneer landscapes. 

Timings: 10 AM- 5 PM; Tuesday- Saturday 

18. Visit Your Aquatic Friends at the Oklahoma Aquarium

Oklahoma Aquarium is home to the world’s largest collection of bullhead sharks. The sharks have been kept at the Shark Adventure exhibit. Wherein, visitors can see them swimming gracefully via the walk-through glass tunnel. Some of the other exhibits at the museum include the Sea Turtle Island, Eco zone, Polynesian Reef, and extreme fishes. All of them showcase beautiful and colorful sea creatures from around the world. The aquarium also hosts the Aquatic Oklahoma exhibit, where tourists can see the 120-year-old alligator snapping turtle. 

Timings: 9 AM- 9 PM; All days

19. Explore the National Weather Center

The city of Oklahoma has some of the most adverse weather occurrences in the world. Tornadoes, scorching heat, sky-splitting lightning and such other extreme conditions make the tour of the National Weather Center more exciting. The center regularly conducts guided session visits to Storm Prediction Center and Oklahoma University’s School of Meteorology. The center also has an on-site cafe. 

Timings: 24/7; All days; Closed on public holidays 

20. See Rare Firearms Collection at JM Davis Arms & Historical Museum

JM Davis Arms & Historical Museum is known for having more than 50,000 exhibits and Davis’ massive private collection of firearms which date back to the 14th century. Some of the other displays include spurs from the “Wild West” historic items, native American artifacts, and authentic riding saddles. The museum has also re-created the lobby JM Davis’ Mason Hotel. 

Timings: 10 AM- 5 PM; Tuesday- Saturday 

Oklahoma offers a lot to tourists who explore the city. Not only is it well-suited for adventure lovers and history enthusiasts, it is also an excellent place to rejuvenate and relax in the lap of nature.