17 Best Things to Do in Oklahoma City (OK)
Oklahoma City is the largest and most happening city in the State of Oklahoma. It is also known as “OKC” in short and “The Big Friendly” is its official nickname. Oklahoma City is full of oil derricks because it lies in the middle of an active oil field. There are a variety of things to do in Oklahoma City range from tourist attractions, entertainment, and dining options.
If you like museums, you would love to know that there are 32 museums including art galleries, science, and history museums. Also, the locals are very hospitable and polite. While there are so many things to do, let’s have a look at 17 best things to do in Oklahoma City.
1. Explore Art at Oklahoma City Museum of Art
If you love art and you are in OKC by any chance, exploring and admiring art in this historic museum is considered one of the most unique things to do in Oklahoma City. For a very low price of admission ($12), you can spend as much time as you want to admire the spectacular exhibitions of Dale Chihuly, Ansel Adams, and many other noted artists. This museum offers a bit of something for everyone even children.
Address: 415 Couch Dr, OKC
2. Learn About the History of Oklahoma City
If you are visiting Oklahoma and you want to learn more about the history of this beautiful city, Oklahoma History Center is the best place for you. The museum has an excellent souvenir collection as well as Native American art and artifacts. Oklahoma History Center took many years to complete and it covers the land of 18 acres. Visit this museum with your family and friends and you will definitely have a great time.
Address: 800 Nazih Zuhdi Dr, OKC
3. Go Back to the Era of the Wild West
This museum provides you with complete information about the history and lifestyle of Cowboys and Indians. It is full of varied collections including fine art, photographs, sculptures, artifacts, and rotating exhibits. The whole place is very clean and organized. You would love to see the gun collection, weapons, Indian dresses, cowboy dresses, and accessories from the 1800s. Spending more than a few hours in the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum will definitely add to your existing knowledge and understanding about the Wild West stuff.
Address: 1700 NE 63rd St, OKC
4. Practice Your Shooting Skills at H&H Shooting Sports
H&H Shooting Sports is the biggest indoor shooting range that is open to the general public in the United States. The people of OKC are passionate about practicing their shooting skills and many locals go to H&H Shooting Sports. There are 61 shooting lanes which are divided into 3 further categories, 42 of them are for the public shooting of firearms, 15 for traditional archery and 4 for techno hunt archery. Since you are looking for some fun things to do in Oklahoma City, go for H&H Shooting Sports to test your shooting skills.
Address: 400 Vermont Ave 110, OKC
5. Learn How Science Affects Your Daily Life
The Science Museum Oklahoma is a fascinating and informative museum for people of every age group who love to explore science. The best thing about this museum is that it offers a hands-on approach for both adults and kids. There is a Segway course to navigate around which is a lot of fun and teaches a lot about the Gyro effect. There are so many fun activities to do once you enter the SMO. Most importantly, it is considered one of the most knowledgeable things to do in Oklahoma for kids to visit this museum to know about basic sciences.
Address: 2020 Remington Pl, OKC
6. Have Fun at Lake Hefner
Enjoying outsides at Lake Hefner is relaxing and considered one of the free things to do in Oklahoma City. This lake saved the City of Oklahoma from water shortage back in 1947. It is a man-made lake which was named after Robert A. Hefner who was the city mayor from 1939 to 1947. It is a lovely place to get some exercise or just hang out by the water. There is a lighthouse at the lake which you will not expect to see in Oklahoma anywhere else. If you like fishing, there is a huge variety of game fish including catfish, bass, and bluegill. The lake is surrounded by 9.5 miles of bicycle trails where you can also go for a walk or run.
Address: 4491 S Lake Hefner Dr, OKC
7. Enjoy Kayaking at Riversport Adventures OKC
Kayaking and rafting at Riversport Adventure stand apart as one of the most fun and adventurous things to do in Oklahoma City. It is located within the Boathouse District that offers water adventures including rowing and kayaking. Whether you want to train like an Olympian Canoe Sprinter or just want to have some fun, a Riversport Adventure Pass is what you need. It will be an amazing experience.
Address: 800 Riversport Dr, OKC
8. Experience the Playground in the Sky
Sandridge Sky Trail is also located within the Boathouse District. It is like a playground in the sky and the tallest adventure course in the world. It is an 80-foot structure that features 6 difficulty levels, the higher you climb the more difficult it gets. You might want to buy the passes early since they are limited in number. Although it is fully safe, still if you are afraid of heights, please don’t go up there and instead take a walk around the Boathouse.
📍 Address: 725 S Lincoln Blvd, OKC
9. Take a Trip to Bricktown
Bricktown is considered one of the most popular areas of Oklahoma City where locals as well as tourists both love to walk alongside the canal and if you are not a big fan of walking, you can take a Bricktown Water Taxi ride. It is one of the most fun things to do in Bricktown. So just sit back, relax and your “Water Taxi Driver” will give you an exciting history lesson about Bricktown and will take you through many monuments and historical places.
Address: 111 S Mickey Mantle Dr, OKC
10. Enjoy a Beautiful Evening at Myriad Botanical Gardens
The gardens are spread over 15 acres, located in the heart of OKC. There is a lot to see and a lot to do inside and outside these beautiful gardens including walking and running tracks, an off-chain dog park, splashing water fountains and a children’s park. Going there in the fall is probably one of the most soothing things to do in Oklahoma City because you will get to see many beautiful fall colors around there.
📍 Address: 301 W Reno Ave, OKC
11. Enjoy Your Steak at Cattlemen’s Cafe in Stockyards City
This 108-year-old restaurant located in the heart of Stockyards City is OKC’s oldest and continually operating restaurant. Their service is incredible and the food is just as good. If you are a beef eater, this is the best place for you. The atmosphere at Cattlemen’s is just like old times especially the building, it was last renovated between the 50s and 70s. Their prices are fair and the steak is excellent!
Address: 1309 S Agnew Ave, OKC
12. Scream on Roller Coasters at Frontier City, OKC
While there are so many fun things to do in OKC for couples and families, Frontier City is considered the most fun place of them all particularly if you are traveling with your partner. It is an amusement park that features 4 roller coaster rides and 46 other rides. If you and your partner are into fun stuff like this, you should definitely take a tour to the Frontier City. Also, there are plenty of gaming and eating options in the park. If you are looking for some free things to do in Oklahoma City, I am happy to tell you that there are free music concerts sometimes in this park as well. Frontier City Theme Park is for both adults and kids.
Address: 11501 N I- 35 Service Rd, OKC
13. Take a Ride on Old Diesel and Steam Trains
The Oklahoma Railway Museum was opened by Jim Murray Jr. and his partners after they purchased the land and railroads in 2002. There are various diesel and steam trains that visitors love to take a ride on. It is an amazing place for train lovers. Taking a trip to Oklahoma Railway Museum is one of the coolest things to do in Oklahoma City for people of every age.
Address: 3400 NE Grand Blvd, OKC
14. Go for Indoor Skydiving at iFLY, OKC
Who wants to fly? Well, almost everyone. So, iFLY Indoor Skydiving in OKC offers the thrill of skydiving without having to jump from an airplane. Most importantly, the staff at iFLY is friendly and accommodating, the place is awesome and well organized. I highly recommend this high flying adventure.
Address: 13600 Pawnee Dr, OKC
15. Say, Hi! To the Animals at Oklahoma City Zoo
As we all know, people of every age get fascinated by seeing animals in the zoo. Oklahoma City Zoo is one of the many things this city can be proud of. It is a great place to spend an afternoon with friends and kids. Interestingly, there are more than 1800 animals in this Zoo. Hanging out with the animals at Oklahoma City Zoo is one of the topmost relaxing things to do in Oklahoma City on weekends.
Address: 2101 NE 50th St, OKC
16. Learn about Bones and Skeletons
The Museum of Osteology is the only skeleton museum in the whole United States. This 7000 square foot (ca. 650 square meters) museum has over 300 skeletons on display from different creatures all over the world. Learning about bones and skeletons at the Museum of Osteology is considered one of the most informative things to do in Oklahoma City for both kids and adults. Again, there is no other skeleton museum like this in America.
Address: 10301 S Sunnylane Rd, OKC
17. Take a Ferris Wheel Ride
This is not just a Ferris wheel but a great place to visit in Oklahoma City. The park is quiet and relaxing and it has lots of opportunities for photography. There are some nice walking tracks by the river and a concession stand. The Ferris wheel ride allows you to see the city from up above. However, winter is not a very good time to visit this place as there is not so much going on here in the winter.
Address: 1701 S Western Ave, OKC
