Discover Alva: Museums, Art and History

Alva brings together natural history and regional history with art, recurring events and seasonal leisure activities. If you’re looking for a hotel in Alva, you can plan your stay around whether you want to focus on museums, art or Bradt’s Menagerie. When choosing your travel dates, it’s worth considering the different schedules: the First Friday Artwalk takes place monthly, visits to the Museum of Natural History can be arranged during winter or summer break, and the hay maze is offered in October and November.

Museums and History in Alva

Northwestern Oklahoma State University’s Museum of Natural History was founded in 1902 and is the second-oldest museum in Oklahoma. It has more than 6,000 catalogued items, including one of the largest collections of mounted birds in the state. Its founding year and collection highlight different aspects: the year places the museum in historical context, while the collection size describes the scope of its natural history holdings. Collection figures and comparisons may change as collections are updated.

During winter or summer break, you can contact the museum’s director to arrange a visit. Confirm your visit and the semester dates again before you arrive. This lets you plan the visit around your specific travel dates rather than assuming the museum is available at any time.

The Cherokee Strip Museum is housed in a former hospital building dating from 1932. Its 40 rooms showcase the history of Alva and the Cherokee Outlet. The building reflects its former use, while the rooms focus on the historical themes of the city and region. Regular programs and educational events complement the exhibitions. These include blacksmithing workshops and living history demonstrations. Dates may vary, so check the program if you’re planning one of these visits.

The murals also depict regional history: Alva has more than 35 murals that portray it. The number may change as works are added or removed. As a visual art form, the murals complement the museums: the museums focus on collections and rooms arranged by theme, while the murals explore history through painted scenes.

Art and Events

Alva’s First Friday Artwalk is a monthly art festival featuring works of art, music and food. This makes the Artwalk’s schedule different from visits to the Museum of Natural History, which can be arranged during winter or summer break. Dates and participating locations for the Artwalk may vary, so check the specific event dates against your travel days. The combination of art, music and food makes the festival a distinct event alongside the historical collections and exhibitions.

Leisure Activities at Bradt’s Menagerie

Bradt’s Menagerie is a 32-acre farm. Activities include a petting farm, animal rides and a large, farm-themed playground. There is also laser tag, a live-action game. The hay maze is a seasonal attraction available only in October and November; schedules may vary. The activities offer different experiences: animal attractions and the playground sit alongside active laser tag, while the hay maze has a clear seasonal schedule. Check opening hours and specific activities before planning a visit, as they may change.

Getting There and Travel Dates

Alva is located at the intersection of U.S. Highways 281 and 64. When planning a stay, there are several different points to consider: museum visits, the monthly event and the seasonal offering at Bradt’s Menagerie. What matters is which of these you want to include in your travel days. Plan your stay around the relevant visit arrangements, event dates and seasonal offerings.

For the broader travel overview: Woods.