This summer time, we’ve determined to spend just a few months in Oklahoma with household. Usually, Oklahoma wouldn’t be on my listing of locations to go to in summer time due to the acute warmth, however we’ve discovered ourselves lacking household recently and we wanted to straighten some issues out with our rig anyway, so right here we’re, revisiting a few of our favourite Oklahoma points of interest.
Some individuals would possibly assume Oklahoma can be a boring place to hang around, however the fact of the matter is, there are literally various nice issues to do in Oklahoma with children. We’ve already explored these superb locations with our little adventurers, and I’m right here to make use of our experiences to information you thru visiting Oklahoma’s high points of interest with children.
The Finest Time to Go to Oklahoma
First, let’s speak about when you must go to Oklahoma. The reply is not summer time. Significantly, July and August typically see temperatures over 100 levels (°F)! As a substitute, I extremely suggest visiting within the fall, which is when our household often pays the household a go to. We discover that the top of September by the top of November tends to offer glorious tenting climate on this a part of the nation.
Aside from fall, spring may also be good in Oklahoma. Simply remember that twister season begins on the finish of April and runs by the start of June. Which means whereas the daytime temperatures will doubtless be beautiful, you’ll should deal with a good quantity of thunder, lightning, rain, and hail, and you might even have to cover from tornadoes.
Along with our annual fall go to, we additionally have a tendency to go to as soon as within the spring, however these storms are by no means one thing I sit up for.
Household-Pleasant Information to Visiting Oklahoma Points of interest
Now that you realize when to go to Oklahoma, let’s speak about the perfect issues to do in Oklahoma with children and find out how to navigate these Oklahoma points of interest with the little ones in tow.
The Gathering Place
The Gathering Place is essentially the most unimaginable city park we’ve ever been to, and I’d be prepared to wager it’s among the many finest within the nation. The park is residence to a wide range of play areas, together with a whole Swing Hill, a complete Slide Vale, and a water play space known as Charlie’s Water Mountain. For hours of playtime enjoyable, make sure to hit up Chapman Journey Playground as effectively.
As a result of this park is so monumental, I extremely suggest packing a picnic lunch to get pleasure from throughout your time there. A stroller is a should for younger kids. Deliver skateboards, bikes, and so on in case your children would possibly benefit from the skatepark!
If you could park your RV, the thirty third Place Car parking zone has house, however you’ll want to verify your route for low clearance bridges and tunnels forward of time. Some individuals declare it’s higher to drop your RV off at Riverwind On line casino earlier than heading downtown.
Jenks Aquarium
Not too removed from Tulsa in a city known as Jenks, there’s a good aquarium that our household has loved a number of instances through the years. It isn’t the most important aquarium on the market by any stretch, however it’s intimate, the employees there are educated, and so they provide alternatives for memorable actions.
I extremely suggest having a look on the feed schedule earlier than you go and planning your day round watching a few of the animals be fed. We particularly love watching the playful otters chow down.
If the children have to burn off some vitality after exploring the displays, head outdoors to the playground. This construction options a few of my children’ favourite choices, together with an excellent enjoyable curler slide!
Science Museum Oklahoma
Simply the perfect attraction in Oklahoma Metropolis, Science Museum Oklahoma is a must-do for those who’ll be within the space with children. This is a gigantic science middle, and is without doubt one of the finest we’ve seen in our 9 years of touring (and we use our ASTC move as a lot as doable!).
Our youngsters adore the CurioCity part, particularly the large interactive playground. The Tinkering Storage can be standard, because it affords every kind of alternatives to construct and create, one thing each of my kiddos adore. You probably have an area lover in your group, the planetarium present needs to be in your to-do listing, and the reside exhibits are all the time a success.
Science Museum Oklahoma has an infinite eating space, so packing and consuming lunch within the museum just isn’t an issue. There’s additionally the choice of shopping for meals there, however it’s extremely costly.
This museum is part of the ASTC reciprocal program, so if in case you have an ASTC move, make sure to use it totally free entry! Parking is free and the lot is massive (with overflow accessible), but it surely does refill on weekends and through college breaks.
Oklahoma Metropolis Zoo
Proper subsequent door to Science Museum Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Metropolis Zoo is one other OKC must-see attraction. Whereas we just like the science museum higher, I’ve to confess the zoo can be actually, very well carried out and would possibly simply be among the many high 10 within the nation.
We completely love the elephant presentation and the giraffe feeding. Our 4-year-old adores the petting zoo and the Endangered Species Carousel, and the caretaker chats are all the time worthwhile. In fact, you’ll want to find time for the 2 superior playgrounds within the zoo throughout your go to.
The zoo can simply be a full day attraction. Because of this, we suggest packing snacks and a lunch, in addition to a stroller for little legs which can be more likely to get drained.
This zoo is a part of the AZA reciprocal program, so it can save you 50% if in case you have an AZA move. As is the case with the science museum, parking is free and the lot is massive (with overflow accessible), but it surely does refill on weekends and through college breaks.
Notice: If you would like an affordable, straightforward meal after visiting the zoo or the science museum, there’s a McDonald’s with an indoor playground simply down the street, in addition to a Sonic Drive-In with an outside playground.
Wichita Mountains Nationwide Wildlife Refuge
On the lookout for some outdoorsy enjoyable? Head as much as Lawton to go to the Wichita Mountains Nationwide Wildlife Refuge. This place is gorgeous, and the bison and elk who name the land residence are so tremendous cool to see roaming round.
Throughout your time within the park, we extremely suggest testing the customer middle to study extra in regards to the land, the historical past of the place, and the vegetation and animals that decision the park residence. A drive up Mount Scott is one other must-do and affords some attractive views. There are many trails for climbing (one thing you actually received’t discover within the OKC space) and the assorted lakes provide alternatives for fishing and paddling.
As a result of potable water is tough to return by on the park (in actual fact, there could also be none in any respect), you’ll want to pack loads of water. We stock a pair gallons of water behind our automotive because of this. As you may think, cell service is spotty, so obtain maps forward of time and don’t depend on maintaining in contact with journey companions by way of telephone. Plan to spend the entire day (or extra, for those who can) and pack loads of meals. Admission is free!
Chickasaw Cultural Heart
By some means, we hadn’t made it right down to Sulphur to take a look at the Chickasaw Cultural Heart till very lately. What we discovered was great!
The middle options a big and effectively maintained campus. The video is proven in an superior, state-of-the-art theater with an enormous display screen and is a good way to begin a go to, because it explores a few of the historical past of the Chickasaw tribe. We additionally actually loved the little dwelling historical past village (although there have been no reenactors throughout our go to) and located the data supplied about every constructing fascinating.
The spotlight of our day was the stomp dance demonstration, which allowed us to observe some conventional stomp dancing and even take part a few dances. This was so cool, particularly for the dancers in our group (we visited with a number of units of household buddies).
Admission to the cultural middle is free, however some actions (just like the museum) do price a small quantity. Parking can be free and is in a big lot that might doubtless match an RV. The middle sits proper subsequent to the Chickasaw Nationwide Recreation Space—there may be really a walkway from one to the opposite—so combining the 2 right into a single day-trip is feasible, however it could be higher to present every attraction a full day for those who can.
Chickasaw Nationwide Recreation Space
Final on my listing of Oklahoma points of interest is the Chickasaw Nationwide Recreation Space. That is one other Sulphur attraction that we by some means missed till lately, and just like the cultural middle, it’s effectively value seeing.
Run by the Nationwide Park Service, this park is as effectively maintained and introduced as you’d count on from an NPS web site. We began within the Travertine Nature Heart the place the children obtained Junior Ranger books and we watched a film in regards to the park. From there, we took a ranger-guided hike that was completely improbable. A consultant from the Chickasaw tribe was serving to lead the hike and was extraordinarily educated in regards to the space and the historical past of the park.
For the children, the perfect half about this go to was our swim at Little Niagara. This spot included picnic tables and shade, restrooms, a shallow part for the littles, a deeper space for robust swimmers, and even a spot to “slide” down the falls. Simply remember that our youngsters did find yourself with small leeches after enjoying within the shaded, nonetheless waters.
It is a nice park to go to with children. I extremely suggest beginning within the nature middle like we did to get a really feel for what there may be to do and going from there. Pack swim stuff, sunscreen, bug spray, water, strolling sneakers, and a lunch and try to be good to go! Admission is free, however RV parking is extraordinarily restricted (possibly even unavailable utterly) except tenting within the park.
Child-Pleasant Oklahoma Campgrounds
Clearly, you have to someplace to park your rig whereas spending time within the state and exploring Oklahoma points of interest. We often park on my grandma’s land, so this isn’t one thing we take into consideration typically. That mentioned, we’ve spent a while in Oklahoma campgrounds up to now 9 years, so I do have some solutions for locations to camp with children.
Oklahoma Metropolis East KOA Vacation
We’ve stayed on the Oklahoma Metropolis East KOA just a few completely different instances and have loved our stays every time. We stayed just a few months at a time every time we parked right here and paid the (surprisingly inexpensive) month-to-month charge. The every day charge is a bit excessive, however that’s to be anticipated from a KOA.
We actually, actually love the person bathe rooms at this campground, and the small however effectively saved pool is a godsend through the sizzling months. Websites characteristic full hookups, there’s a small playground within the park, and a canine park is out there. The simple entry to the interstate can be good.
Wes Watkins Reservoir
Situated even additional east from OKC, Wes Watkins Reservoir is an effective alternative for those who solely want to remain for just a few days. At solely $25 an evening, it’s extremely inexpensive and the websites are clear and effectively shaded. It’s additionally good to have entry to the swimming seashore on the reservoir.
The bathhouses do depart one thing to be desired and there aren’t any sewer hookups on the websites, so showering is a little bit of a ache whereas staying right here, but when it’s just for just a few days, it’s doable to bathe within the rig and dump tanks on the dump station on the best way out.
Chickasaw Nationwide Recreation Space
We’ve by no means stayed right here, however we did drive by one of many campgrounds throughout our day journey and it seemed great. I’ve added it to my listing of campsites to take a look at sooner or later, and I like to recommend you do the identical for those who plan to spend any time in Sulphur.
Based on the NPS web site, this park is residence to six completely different campgrounds. Of those, The Level Campground and Buckhorn Campground have water and electrical hookups—in addition to bathhouses—and appear to be the perfect wager for RVers.
Lake Elmer Thomas Recreation Space
Lastly, there may be Lake Elmer Thomas Recreation Space (LETRA). This campground is positioned within the Wichita Mountains and is definitely one my household visited typically once I was a child. It options clear restrooms with showers, full-hookup websites, and delightful mountain and lake views.
We adored the water slides and the swimming seashore once I was little, and I think about my children would really feel the identical at this time. The onsite mini golf seems like lots of enjoyable, and the camp retailer is helpful for positive.
Now we have by no means stayed in Tulsa (except one in a single day in a Cracker Barrel parking zone), so I don’t have any campground suggestions in that space, however I do know there are loads of choices.
As you possibly can see, there are literally various glorious Oklahoma points of interest. Any of those can be tremendous enjoyable issues to do in Oklahoma with children, however actually, my husband and I get pleasure from doing most of this stuff on our personal as effectively. Which of them will you add to your journey itinerary?