10 Best Things to Do in Oklahoma City

The Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum is dedicated to remembering those affected by the Oklahoma City bombings that occurred in 1995, where you can learn all about the event. The memorial itself consists of several segments, including a reflecting pool, a field of empty chairs, and a survivor's wall. In the museum, you can learn more about the people affected by this tragedy, including those who survived and those who didn't. Additional artifacts like pieces from the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building are displayed as well. You'll find this memorial just a short walk north of the Oklahoma County Courthouse downtown.

The Oklahoma State Fairgrounds frequently hosts horse shows of some kind, so you can see incredible performances all year long. The shows can take many forms with proper horse shows showcasing both English and Western riding styles along with rodeos. In addition to being the horse show capital of the world, you'll also find a variety of other shows, including the state fair, art expos, auto racing, and concerts. Be sure to check the calendar before you go. You'll find the fairgrounds south of Reed Park on the west side of town.

Oklahoma City Zoo is a popular attraction within the city that's home to a wide variety of exotic species that you can not only see, but occasionally interact with directly. This zoo is known for its personal encounters, such as the Flamingo Mingle where you can feed these pink creatures. Alternatively, you could opt for one of the camel rides to take your visit to new heights. If you're looking for a show, you can catch sea lions performing impressive tricks during regular presentations. You can see the entire show and more when you visit the zoo in the Adventure District northeast from downtown.

The Oklahoma City Museum of Art is a comprehensive art museum with a wide range of exhibitions, both permanent and temporary highlighting America, Europe, and Asia. Among the permanent collection, you'll find the largest public collection of Dale Chihuly glasswork in the world. In addition to the visual art like paintings and sculptures, this museum is also home to the Samuel Roberts Noble Theater. There, you can see some of the finest international, independent, and classic films in the world. You'll find the museum right downtown across the intersection from Bicentennial Park.

The Myriad Botanical Gardens is a 15-acre plot of protected land where you'll find a wide variety of flora among vibrant greenery with plenty of scenic walking paths. The Crystal Bridge Conservatory is especially impressive as it stretches over the central water feature and contains a massive array of appealing plants. In addition to the plants and greenery, you'll find an off-leash dog park here as well as splash fountains that kids can enjoy. See it all for yourself in the heart of downtown, just a few blocks west from Bricktown.

The Science Museum Oklahoma makes it easy for visitors to channel their childlike sense of wonder as 8 acres of space are dedicated to showcasing fascinating scientific pursuits. If you're interested in exploring the stars, you can head to the Kirkpatrick Planetarium where you can learn all about the Milky Way and the billions of stars and galaxies that lie beyond. The Science Live section of the museum hosts live experiments where you can see the reactions of chemical combinations with explosive results. You'll find this museum on the south side of the Adventure District by Northeast Lake.

Will Rogers Park is a historic park dating back to the early 20th century that offers outdoor fun for all ages with walking paths, a conservatory, and an arboretum. The conservatory is particularly interesting as it hosts a population of cacti and succulents you wouldn't normally expect to find in Oklahoma City. If you want your trip to the park to be a bit more educational, you can attend one of the local classes that can teach you all about the local flora and even how to maintain a garden of your own. You'll find this park just east of the Skyline district to the northwest of downtown.

The American Banjo Museum is a world-class facility that showcases the rich and vibrant history of one of the most iconic instruments in Oklahoma and America as a whole. Within this museum, you'll find more than 400 instruments as well as recordings, printed music, and memorabilia related to the instrument. Inside this museum, the collection of banjos on display is the largest in the world, and it includes replicas of primitive banjos and Minstrel Age banjos from the 19th century. You can see it all when you visit the museum in northwestern Bricktown.