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Oklahoma is a fantastic place for a family visit. It has many budget-friendly family activities, from water and entertainment theme parks, zoos, and an osteology museum to family-friendly parks.
1. Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge near Lawton, southwest Oklahoma, is home to coyotes, bobcats, and roaming Rocky Mountain elk, bison, and Texas longhorn herds. It has 29,000 acres of ancient granite mountains, freshwater lakes and streams, and mixed grass prairie. It’s the perfect family location for fishing, wildlife photography, camping, hiking, and kayaking.
2. Hurricane Harbor Water Park
Six Flags Hurricane Harbour Water Park in OKC offers an action-packed day for the family. With thrilling rides, adrenaline-fueled water slides, family and kid rides, lazy rivers, and family-friendly playgrounds, it’s a fun day out.
3. Wheeler Riverfront Plaza
Along the Oklahoma River, southwest of downtown, is the Wheeler District of OKC. This is an urban development home to a 10-foot-tall OKC sign at the Wheeler Riverfront Plaza. The District’s Ferris Wheel has been featured in numerous movies, including Iron Man.
4. Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Gardens
The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Gardens houses over 800 animals and more than 100 species native to Oklahoma. Located in the Adventure District in northeast OKC, the zoo and gardens are open all year round except Christmas Day and Thanksgiving.
5. The Blue Whale of Catoosa
The Blue Whale of Catoosa is a historic landmark east of Catoosa, along the old Route 66. The smiling Blue Whale, built by a zoologist in 1972, is made of concrete and is 80 feet long and 20 feet tall. Visitors can climb a small ladder to get inside the whale’s head, have a picnic, or enjoy fishing in the area. There are seasonal restrooms.
6. Robbers Cave State Park
Robbers Cave State Park in Wilburton is a fantastic location for outdoor-loving families. Go horseback riding, fishing, boating, climbing, camping, hiking, cycling, birdwatching, and exploring caves. Historically, Robbers Cave was an outlaw hideout, but today, it’s a popular family attraction.
7. Myriad Botanical Gardens
Myriad Botanical Gardens is a 15-acre garden in Oklahoma City’s downtown district. The venue offers regular and seasonal activities, including bulb displays, children’s festivals, guided garden tours, free yoga, and ice skating during the winter.
8. Factory Obscura
Factory Obscura, in Automobile Alley, downtown OKC, is a handmade immersive art installation. It’s a family-friendly visit if they like weird, funky, and hands-on experiences. Visitors can wander through the themed rooms and enjoy this venue.
9. Heydey Revolutions Bowling
Revolutions has ten spacious bowling lanes and offers half-price bowling on Sundays. Located in Bricktown, OKC, the brightly colored bowling alley has giant TVs, LED screens, and waitstaff service. They serve food, draft and bottled beers, wine, and cocktails. Upstairs is a fun arcade, and Hey Day is only a short distance from Chesapeake Baseball Arena.
10. Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center
Spiro Mounds Archaeological Centre is a 150-acre site along the Arkansas River in Spiro. The prehistoric Spiro people from the Arkansas Valley Caddoan culture built this indigenous American Indian site. The center has a gift shop, interpretive exhibits, and two miles of trails, including a short one-and-a-half-mile nature trail. An on-site historian leads tours and answers questions.
11. See Okc on a Bike
Spokies bike share program has several kiosks in various locations in downtown OKC, such as Bricktown and the Deep Deuce District. They provide flexible rental options, such as daily, hourly, or monthly. You only need a credit card and a comfortable pair of shoes. If you only need a quick ride across town, the first 30 minutes are free.
12. Lake Hefner
On a warm summer’s day, there’s nowhere better for a family day out than Lake Hefner in northwest Oklahoma City. The lake is popular with kite surfers, and the cycling and walking trails are well-paved and suitable for the family.
13. The Science Museum
The Science Museum is next to the Oklahoma City Zoo. Its interactive activities will keep the kids entertained, whether the family is interested in space, physics, the human body, or the weather. The museum hosts a variety of talks, workshops, and guided tours daily, such as Planetarium Spotlight, Journey Through the Cosmos, and Storytime Science.
14. Orr Family Farm
For the animal lovers in the family, Orr Family Farm in downtown Oklahoma City is the perfect place for an afternoon spent with friendly animals in the petting zoo. The farm has more than 25 attractions throughout the seasons, such as Breakfast With Santa in the winter, Baby Animals in the spring, the Strawberry Festival, and Easter Eggstravaganza.
15. The Boathouse District
The Boathouse District in the Oklahoma River is the perfect spot for families that love water and the outdoors. It has state-of-the-art kayaking and rafting facilities suitable for all levels. Try rowing, paddleboarding, a 72-foot slide, freefalling from the Rumble Drop or the Riversport Rapids, or whizzing down the 700-foot zip line across the Oklahoma River. There are 13 miles of paved trails for cycling, walking, or running and an 80-foot climbing structure with six challenge levels for adventurous family members.
16. National Weather Service
If the family enjoys learning about extreme weather events like tornados, a tour of the National Weather Service in Norman is a must. Located on the University of Oklahoma Campus, the only proviso is that non-U.S. citizens complete a clearance form at least two weeks before the visit.
17. The Museum of Osteology
The Museum of Osteology has over 350 skeletons from animals worldwide, such as an enormous humpback whale. There are only two osteology museums in the entire United States, so this museum is not one to miss when visiting Oklahoma.
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