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Oklahoma offers a rich array of recreational and entertainment opportunities throughout the state.
From enjoying the performing arts, to learning about historical sites and museums, to exploring the
state’s outdoor resources, the Sooner State offers something for everyone.
Oklahoma is home to several museums preserving and showcasing a wide variety of subjects. The
Oklahoma City Museum of Art serves over 100,000
visitors each year and showcases exhibitions from throughout the world, in addition to its extensive
permanent collection of European and American art, Dale Chihuly glass, and a broad spectrum of
educational resources. The Philbrook Museum of
Art in Tulsa offers permanent collections, exhibits, and scenic gardens; visitors can enjoy Native
American, African, Asian, and European works of art and sculpture. The Gilcrease Museum, also in Tulsa, provides one of the nation’s best facilities for
preserving and studying American art and history, and houses the world’s largest and most comprehensive
collections of art and artifacts of the American West. The Sheerar Museum in Stillwater documents the everyday life of Stillwater during the
past one hundred years, and showcases traveling historical exhibits. The Cherokee Heritage Center in Tahlequah houses a Trail of Tears exhibit, temporary
exhibits, and two major art shows annually, and features an Ancient Village showcasing a traditional
Cherokee community as it would have appeared prior to European contact. The Oklahoma Museum of Natural History at the University of Oklahoma in Norman houses
five galleries with thousands of artifacts depicting the natural and cultural history of the Sooner
State, all within a 195,000 square foot (0.018 square kilometer or 1.8 hectare) facility. Fans of
Will Rogers will not want to miss the Will Rogers
Memorial Museum in Claremore, with exhibits displaying Will Rogers’ artifacts, memorabilia, saddle
collection, photographs and manuscripts from a career as a trick roper, as well as other paraphernalia
from his fascinating life. The museum also features original art by Charles Russell, Jo Davidson, and
many others. The Chisholm Trail Heritage
Center in Duncan commemorates the legendary Longhorn cattle drive experience and features an
interactive theater, and the exquisite collection of Western paintings and sculptures in the Garis
Gallery of the American West. Western aficionados will enjoy the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, where visitors can
view collections of historic and contemporary western painting and sculpture and Native American art;
learn about family histories, cowboy and ranch life, and town life; and view extensive collections
representing western popular culture.
The Sooner State provides plentiful opportunities for enjoying the performing arts. Orchestral
music lovers will appreciate the Oklahoma City Philharmonic Orchestra,
which originated in 1924. Fans of ballet will enjoy the seasoned Ballet Oklahoma, and Tulsa
Ballet, founded in 1956 and offering four productions, focusing on 19th century productions.
Oklahoma also boasts several fine stage productions. The Lyric Theatre is the state’s only year-round professional musical theatre company,
providing audiences with both classical and modern musical selections. Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park has provided outdoor productions since 1985 for
lovers of the Bard to enjoy. The Pollard Theatre
is the state’s only professional year-round resident theatre company, and produces six or more diverse
plays and musicals annually. Theatre Tulsa
has provided theatrical entertainment to the community since 1922.
Oklahoma’s rich history results in several fascinating historic sites and memorials throughout the
state. The Oklahoma City
National Memorial and Memorial Center Museum honors those whose lives were lost in 1995 by the
bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, and provides educational
opportunities in addition to its Outdoor Symbolic Memorial and Memorial Museum. The Washita Battlefield National Historic Site in Cheyenne protects and interprets the
site along the Washita River where Lt. Col. George A. Custer led the 7th U.S. Cavalry attack on the
Southern Cheyenne village of Peace Chief Black Kettle in 1868, marking a tragic example of the Indian
Wars era. The Fort Smith National Historic Site
in Oklahoma and Arkansas preserves the remains of two frontier forts and the Federal Court for the
Western District of Arkansas. The Santa Fe National
Historic Trail commemorates the important 19th century route that stretches across several states
from Missouri to Santa Fe. The Trail of Tears
National Historic Trail commemorates the journey of the Cherokee people on their trek across the
U.S., following their tragic forced removal from their homelands in the 1840s.
Oklahoma offers many family friendly attractions throughout the state. Oklahoma Children’s Theatre in Oklahoma City provides opportunities for children to
view and participate in theatrical productions, and offers interactive educational experiences. The
Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks, near Tulsa, houses
a variety of marine and aquatic animals in over 200 exhibits. Children can enjoy more animal viewing
at the Oklahoma City Zoo and the Tulsa Zoo. At Woolaroc Museum
& Wildlife Preserve in Bartlesville, visitors to the 3,700 acre (15 square kilometer or 1,497
hectare) preserve can view many species of native and exotic animals, including buffalo, elk, and
longhorn cattle. Woolaroc also houses a museum with a collection of Western art and artifacts, Native
American items, and other interesting items; a nature trail and two living history areas provide
further interaction.
Oklahoma provides ample opportunities for outdoor recreation and wildlife viewing. The Chickasaw National Recreation Area in Sulphur provides a relaxing environment of
mineral springs and abundant wildlife. Ouachita
National Forest extends across 1.8 million acres (7,284 square kilometers or 728,434 hectares) in
southeastern Oklahoma as well as Arkansas, and provides many outdoor recreation opportunities in
addition to protecting wildlife and fish habitats. Oklahoma’s rivers provide rowing, kayaking, float
trip, and fishing opportunities, such as at Mountain Fork River at Broken Bow. The Sooner State also
offers numerous hiking trails, campgrounds, and lakes for water recreation.
Sports fans will appreciate Oklahoma’s sports teams. Football fans can revel in the Arena Football League (AFL) teams, the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz and the Tulsa Talons. Minor league baseball teams in the Sooner State include the Oklahoma RedHawks and the Tulsa
Drillers. Basketball fans can cheer the Oklahoma Storm and the Tulsa
66ers. Hockey fans will enjoy watching the Oklahoma
City Blazers and the Tulsa Oilers.
With such a wide variety of choices for both urban and outdoor recreational pursuits, Oklahoma
offers fun for every taste.
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