Family vacations in Oklahoma can be rewarding experiences or absolute disasters -- it all depends on pre-trip homework. To make planning easier, we've done all the preparation. As part of a Huffington Post Travel series on traveling with children, here are recommended attractions for those planning Oklahoma family vacations.
Myriad Botanical Gardens
Recently renovated in 2011, the
houses over 1,000 species of plants from every continent in the world except Antarctica. The conservatory offers two habitat regions, the Tropical Rain Forest and the Dry Tropical Zone. Outside the conservatory there are walkways and grassy areas for picnics and play. Also located beside the conservatory is a Shakespeare in the Park stage for theatrical entertainment.
Address: 301 W. Reno Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73102Phone: 405-297-3995Hours: The gardens are open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.Price: Adults, $6; seniors, $5; children, $3; children 3 and younger, free.
Frontier City
is Oklahoma City's only amusement park. Formerly owned by the Six Flags Corporation, the amusement park was sold in 2007 although it remains partners with White Water Bay, offering two-for-one passes for each location. The classic ride in the park remains the Silver Bullet, a high-speed roller coaster. The theme park also features Wild West gunfights and a summer concert series.
Address: 11501 N.E. Expressway, Oklahoma City, OK 73131Phone: 405-478-2140Hours: Frontier City is open from April through October. Hours vary but range from 10:30 a.m. until between 8 p.m. and 11 p.mPrice: Guests 48 inches and taller, $24.99; guests shorter than 48 inches, $19.99; children 3 and younger, free.
National Cowboy And Western Heritage Museum
Located in the entertainment district of Oklahoma City, the
offers a look at the history of the Wild West, with statues, relics and films on display. Formerly known as the Cowboy Hall of Fame, the museum presents a touch of Oklahoma history while also educating visitors of the vast history of the Native Americans that populate the state.
Address: 1700 N.E. 63rd St., Oklahoma City, OK 73111Phone: 405-478-2250Hours: The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.Price: Adults, $12.50; seniors, $9.75; students, $9.75; children, $5.75; children 3 and younger, free.
Oklahoma City Zoo
The Oklahoma City Zoo sits in the Entertainment District of Oklahoma City, across from the Remington Park Casino and behind the Science Museum Oklahoma. The zoo features numerous exhibits and animals, including a large petting zoo for children and a gorilla habitat. The zoo also offers classes for children to learn about animals and conservation methods.
Address: 2101 N.E. 50th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73111Phone: 405-424-3344Hours: The zoo is open Monday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. From May through the beginning of September, the zoo remains open until 8 p.m. on Saturdays.Price: Adults, $8; children and seniors, $5; children two and younger, free.
Sam Noble Museum Of Natural History
The University of Oklahoma operates the
, the largest natural history museum in the state. The museum offers interactive experiences for kids and adults alike. A large two-story dinosaur exhibit opens the museum and is followed by a wildlife exhibit and Native American history exhibit. Every month the museum offers Family Movie Night, with various family movies displayed for the price of admission.
Address: 2401 Chautauqua Ave., Norman, OK 73072Phone: 405-325-4712Hours: The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.Price: Adults, $5; seniors 65 and older, $4; children ages 6 to 17, $3; children 5 and younger, free.
Oklahoma Museum Of Art
The
, located in downtown Oklahoma City, presents art, music and film for visitors to explore. Art exhibitions include classic art, photography and sculptures. The Museum also offers a movie theater that shows the best in independent and art cinema not shown anywhere else in Oklahoma. The center also houses permanent collections of American, European, classic and post-war art.
Address:
Phone:
405-236-3100
Hours:
The museum is open Monday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. From May through October, the museum remains open on Thursday until 9 p.m.
Price:
Adults, $12; seniors, $10; students, $10; military, $5; children 6 to 18, $10; children 5 and younger, free.
Braum Family Farm
Braum's, which opened for business in Oklahoma in 1968, is one of the premiere ice cream stores in Oklahoma. The
sits in Tuttle, Oklahoma. There are now over 280 Braum's Ice Cream and Dairy Stores located in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas, Kansas and Missouri. The farm offers daily tours to guests interested in learning how the operation runs.
Address: 491 County Road 2880, Tuttle, OK 73089Phone: 405-478-1656Hours: During the summer the farm is open from Monday through Friday at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. During the winter months the farm is open on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 12 p.m.Price: Free.
Scream Country Haunted Trail
The Scream Country Haunted Trail is Oklahoma's largest haunted forest, open every Halloween season. In 2010 the organizers built a theater and presented the "Evil Dead" musical, helping to raise awareness of the location. Open for 13 years as of 2010, the Drumright forest is a must-see for anyone visiting the state during the autumn months.
Address: 51853 W. 101st St., South Drumright, OK 74030Phone: 918-607-3327Hours: The forest is open every weekend during the month of October.Price: General admission, $18.
What are your family's favorite Oklahoma vacation destinations?
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.