Oklahoma: Culture, Gardens and Nature

If you’re looking for a hotel for a stay in Oklahoma, the different interests you have in excursions can provide a guiding thread for your plans. Museums and memorial sites offer different perspectives on history and culture; gardens, wildlife and outdoor activities provide other focal points. This lets you shape your trip around the topics that interest you most.

Culture and History

The First Americans Museum shares the collective stories of 39 distinct First American Nations in what is now Oklahoma and features state-of-the-art exhibits about their history. The museum also has a restaurant and café serving unique Indigenous cuisine. A visit therefore combines the museum experience with insight into culinary perspectives.

At the Oklahoma History Center, exhibits are spread across five galleries and a research center. The Red River Journey takes visitors on a tour of the landforms, vegetation and historic sites of the Red River Valley. The Oklahoma City Museum of Art offers a different focus: its collection includes paintings, prints, photographs and sculptures, with an emphasis on 19th- and 20th-century European and American art. The third-floor galleries also house a large glass art installation by Dale Chihuly.

The Oklahoma State Capitol Museum presents a brief history of the State Capitol in a five-minute animation projected across a 270-degree arc. The Outdoor Symbolic Memorial offers another way to engage with history: it is located on the grounds, now considered sacred, where the events of April 19, 1995, took place.

Gardens and Wildlife

Gardens in Oklahoma come in different sizes and settings. Myriad Botanical Gardens offers a 15-acre natural retreat in the heart of the OKC metropolitan area. Will Rogers Gardens covers 30 acres; its northern section was developed starting in 1932. Hands-on gardening and garden care classes are offered there year-round for visitors of all ages. Individual programs may vary.

The Oklahoma City Zoo is home to more than 300 animal species and twelve different botanical gardens. The Expedition Africa habitat offers special feeding opportunities, which may give visitors the chance to encounter the large animals housed there at close range. Offerings may change; check which feeding opportunities are available before your visit.

Outdoor Activities and Getting Around

At Lake Stanley Draper, three connected loops make up about 12 miles of trail. The lake is also the only lake in Oklahoma City for water skiing. Bluff Creek Park has 3.5 miles of single-track dirt trails. The information about loop length and trail type provides a practical guide for planning without treating the routes as equivalent.

If you’d like to plan a whitewater rafting trip, RIVERSPORT Rapids in downtown Oklahoma City offers Class II to IV rafting. Operating hours may vary; check them before making plans. For a garden trip with a hands-on focus, the year-round classes at Will Rogers Gardens are another option, while the trails and water skiing offer different activities to enjoy.

The Heartland Flyer may also be a consideration when planning your trip. The Amtrak train runs daily on a 418-mile round trip between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth, Texas, stopping at several stations along the way. Since schedules may change, check current departure times before traveling. Whether you prioritize culture, gardens or outdoor activities, these different themes offer ideas for shaping your stay around your own interests.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Luther, Jones, Bethany, Edmond, Midwest City, Del City, Canadian County, Caddo County.

Back to the main travel overview: Oklahoma.