Destination attractions things to do in oklahoma

Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest

If youre in the market for a great vacation, then consider all that Oklahoma has to offer. Theres plenty to do for everyone, regardless of where their interests lie, and hospitality is one of the highlights that will underscore your trip, since the folks in that great state are very tourist-friendly. Here are a few suggestions that will help to ensure an exciting trip.

The old standby of dinner and a show has had new life breathed into it by Discoveryland in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Gaining its fame through outstanding performances and the ability to lay claim to the fact that its the National Home of Rodgers and Hammersteins Oklahoma, Discoveryland offers an exciting evening of entertainment and great food. Beginning at 6:00 p.m. - when the park opens C an outdoor Cattlemans Ranch Dinner is served, which includes a ribeye steak sandwich, corn on the cob, cowboy baked beans and potato salad. Native American Dancers will delight onlookers as they near the end of the dinner hour, followed by a Western Musical Revue. The highlight of the evening is Discoverylands stage production, which includes open-air performances such as Oklahoma and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. If you want to experience the true spirit of Oklahoma, dont miss this tourist spot C its a must see.

Also located in Tulsa is Bells Amusement Park, with over 50 rides and attractions for those who are still a kid at heart. Among the many hair-raising rides, youll have the opportunity to experience Pharaohs Fury, Zingo, Chili Pepper Plunge, The Himalaya and Bumper Boats. For your further enjoyment, the park also offers games such as Hydro-Horse Races, Skeeball, Basketball and many more. Special events are held on a regular basis, as well, and arrangements can be made for group picnics, if a family reunion is on the agenda. The park also caters to birthday parties, with two different park packages from which to choose C one which includes admission to the park for the day, and the other which includes park admission and food. Its important to remember that this park enforces a strict dress code, making no allowance for t-shirts with inappropriate or obscene materials, ripped jeans or bikini tops/bottoms.

For those of you who are interested in the history of the singing cowboys, youll want to pay a visit to The Gene Autry Oklahoma Museum, located C of course C in Gene Autry, Oklahoma. Focusing on the era of the 1930s and 1940s, the museum dedicates itself to collecting, preserving and exhibiting memorabilia of a variety of cowboys, including Tex Ritter, Jimmy Wakely, Roy Rogers and Gene Autry, to name a few. Special events, such as the annual Gene Autry Oklahoma Film & Music Festival, are offered periodically. Theres a great deal of history here - not only within the walls of the museum, but also in the very town that contains it. The town of Gene Autry (formerly known as Berwyn) is so devoted to its cowboy hero that there are a number of related events and activities throughout the year to honor him. Gene Autry fans will not want to miss either the town or the museum that inhabits it.

Oklahoma City is home to the Myriad Botanical Gardens & Crystal Bridge, a breathtaking display of cheerful gardens spread across 17 acres of land. The gardens, which surround the Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory, include Philodendron Dome, Meinders Garden, the Gateway Sculpture and much more. Within the conservatory, youll find more than 1,000 exotic plants from all points of the globe. Divided into two climatic environments C The Rain Forest and The Dry Mountain C this facility offers displays of plants that include Palm Trees, Cycads, Gingers, Bromeliads, Orchids, Euphorbias and Begonias, as well as numerous others. The Crystal Bridge Gift Shop offers a wide variety of plant related items, focusing in the areas of gardening books and hands-on toys. A collection of other items are also for sale, including t-shirts, coffee mugs and seasonal gardening gifts. Special events are offered on a regular basis, in addition to the gardens and plant exhibits.

Indian City, USA C located in Anadarko, Oklahoma C is rich in Native American culture. Indian guides will take you on a tour of seven separate Indian Villages while discussing the beliefs and customs that have been handed down to them through the ages. Village exhibits include Pawnee, Wichita, Navajo, Pueblo Villages, Chiricahua Apache, Caddo and Kiowa Winter Camp. The Indian City Museum C open 365 days a year C houses a wide range of Indian artifacts, including photographs and beaded items. There are 140 acres that have been dedicated to a Game Pasture - home to Buffalo, Black Buck Antelope, Emus and a number of their wildlife friends. Camping accommodations are available within Indian City for folks who are interested in getting back to nature. RVs and tenters are welcome, since there are 40 full-service hook-ups available, as well as tent grounds and picnic areas for those who are into the more traditional style of camping. Showers and restrooms are available on the premises, as well as a swimming area, for the convenience of the guests.

Not everyone vacations during the summer months. If youre planning a winter get-away, then the Festival of Light in Chickasha, Oklahoma is a must see. This spectacular holiday lighting display C beginning with the opening of the Christmas season, immediately after Thanksgiving, and running through New Years Eve C is well worth the trip for anyone who enjoys the magic of the season. Visitors may wish to drive through the displays or attend a walking tour, complete with a local guide. One of the highlights of the tour is the Crystal Bridge, which boasts 75,000 lights and beauty beyond description. Youll also see a mammoth Christmas tree, which spires a whopping 16 stories high (may vary by year). Overall, the city of Chickasha displays four million lights in its holiday presentation, making this attraction a city-wide event. There are numerous opportunities for souvenir shopping and caroling in the area, as well as theater productions, antiquing and fine dining. Due to the nature of the event, comfortable walking shoes are definitely in order.

The Castle of Muskogee, Oklahoma is an exciting backdrop to various regional events. Depending upon the time of year that youre planning to visit, youll be treated to some spectacular shows that are reflective of the season. During the month of May, the castle is host to the annual Oklahoma Renaissance Faire. Over a dozen stages are placed in strategic locations of the forest and castle as the settings for various forms of entertainment - including swordfights, magic shows, comedy acts and more. Among the many events that are offered during the Faire, youll enjoy The Masked Ball, The Queens Tea, The Ceilidh and the Royal Cigar Smoker. In addition, theres jousting, horse-drawn carriage rides, strolling musicians, amusements and delightful authentic food. From mid-June through Independence Day, the castle offers a fantastic display of fireworks which include Sparklers, Cones, Roman Candles, Parachutes, Multi-Action, Artillery Shells and a great deal more. The fireworks display covers approximately 30,000 square feet and is sure to delight all onlookers. During October, the castle becomes the site of a 60-acre Halloween theme park. At your disposal are Halloween Village, Domus Horrificus, Haunted Hayride, Casa Morte, Trail of Blood, the Ultimate Maze and Torture Chamber. These are separate attractions, each with their own admission price, but all begin at Halloween Village. Regardless of the season, the attractions are definitely worth the money C you wont be disappointed.

If mystery and adventure is something that appeals to you, a Murder Mystery Weekend at the Stone Lion Inn - in Guthrie, Oklahoma C will be just the ticket to satisfy the detectives streak in you. Approximately one week before your arrival, youll receive a packet in the mail containing instructions regarding proper attire (dress should be conducive to the setting of the theme), the character role thats been assigned to you (along with an abbreviated biography) and your expected time of arrival. Also included in the packet will be suggestions for a list of movies that will help you to understand a bit about the time period that your particular weekend will be set in C typically, this would involve the time-frame between the 1920s and 1940s. Generally speaking, theres a cocktail party shortly after your arrival at the Inn, followed by a variety of activities that are related to the weekends theme. At the dinner hour, youll be treated to sumptuous gourmet fare, with a brief break for some further investigation before dessert. Late evening will find you discussing the resolution of the murder(s) until bedtime. The following morning will bring coffee, newspaper, gourmet breakfast and a discussion of the houses history C with a few ghost stories thrown in for a bit of atmosphere. What makes this attraction truly interesting is the fact that the Stone Lion Inn is purported to actually be haunted.

All of this and much more can be found in Oklahoma - great vacation attractions and activities are abundant throughout the year, regardless of the season. For further information, contact the Department of Tourism or your local travel agent.