12 Best Day Trips From Oklahoma City

1. Tulsa

Tulsa is a spectacular city on Arkansas River known for its growing oil industry and thriving art scene. Gilcrease Museum in this city has a wonderful collection of popular works relating to American art and artifacts. The city’s urban infrastructure coupled with its welcoming Southern culture attracts a lot of people from across the state.

Any day trip from Oklahoma City to Tulsa must include visiting some interesting hotspots and attractions such as River Parks, Blue Dome Entertainment District, Utica Square, Cain’s Ballroom, Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, and Tulsa Zoo. A day at Philbrook Museum of Art, Tulsa Air, and Space Museum & Planetarium is also worthwhile. Tulsa is located 106 miles (170 km) away from Oklahoma City.

2. Tishomingo

Tishomingo in Oklahoma is a spectacular city at the heart of Blue River and was the historic capital of Chickasaw Nation. This beautiful town is known for its unique history and scenic views of Blue River. Learn more about Chickasaw traditions at Chickasaw Capitol Building and Chickasaw Council House Museum. You can also enjoy fishing for trouts in Blue River and Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge. Tishomingo is just a couple of hours by car from Oklahoma City—located just 116 miles (186 km) away. You will also love Pennington Creek Park in this amazing town.

3. Muskogee

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Muskogee, located in eastern Oklahoma, offers many fun day trip options. Begin your day with a visit to the Five Civilized Tribes Museum, where you can learn about the history of the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee Creek, and Seminole tribes. For a scenic outdoor adventure, head to Honor Heights Park, which boasts beautiful gardens and a scenic overlook.

If you’re traveling with kids, check out the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame and Museum or the Castle of Muskogee, a medieval-themed amusement park. End your day with dinner at one of Muskogee’s many delicious restaurants, such as Gino’s Italian Restaurant or the Barrel House BBQ & Catering.

4. Norman

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A day trip to Norman, Oklahoma can be a great way to explore the history and culture of the state. Start by visiting the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, which houses impressive exhibits on dinosaurs, Native American artifacts, and Oklahoma’s geological wonders. From there, head to the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art to see an impressive collection of American art.

After lunch, take a stroll through the charming downtown area, where you can browse boutiques, antique shops, and art galleries. For a taste of local flavor, stop by the Prairie Artisan Ales taproom to sample some of the area’s best craft beers. Finally, end your day trip with a visit to Lake Thunderbird State Park, where you can hike, bike, fish, and soak up the natural beauty of Oklahoma.

5. Bartlesville

You will reach the city of Bartlesville by driving just 151.4 miles (243.65 km). This city is known for its breathtaking outdoor attractions that lie along Caney River. It was also the breeding ground for one of the world’s biggest oil companies, Phillips Petroleum Company. Some of the must-visit spots in Bartlesville are Woolaroc Museum & Wildlife Preserve, Price Tower, Bartlesville Area History Museum, Frank Phillips Home, Pathfinder Parkway Trail, Kiddie Park, Johnstone Park, Frontier Swimming Pool, Eastland Shopping Center, and many other places.

6. Hugo

Hugo, a southeastern Oklahoma city named after the popular French novelist Victor Hugo, is known for its rich culture and Native American tribal population. This city is also home to one of the oldest schools in the region, built in the year 1848, called Goldland Academy. You can reach Hugo from Oklahoma City after driving 198 miles (318.6 km). Hugo is also popularly called as Circus City. The most interesting sights here are Hugo Lake State Park, Hugo Farmers Market, Endangered Ark Foundation, Frisco Depot Museum, and more.

7. Perry

Located at just an hour’s driving distance—or 64 miles (103 km) away—the city of Perry is one of the most popular picnic destinations and best road trips from Oklahoma City. Its most beautiful Perry Lake and the state park around it offer the perfect camping grounds for you to pitch a tent or enjoy fishing. There is another smaller lake, called CCC Lake, which is also ideal for a lot of outdoor fun.

You can explore the city’s historic downtown area too, which has many antique shops, historic and modern businesses, and Noble County Courthouse. You can also check out Cherokee Strip Museum and BMAC Baseball Complex.

8. Woodward

Woodward is located 139 miles (224 km) from Oklahoma City. One of the best day trips to take from Oklahoma City for history buffs, this town is known as a prominent historic Native American settlement for the Cheyenne, Koniwa, Comanche, and Arapaho tribes. Since the first construction of the railroad in the year 1887 by European American settlers, Woodward grew to be the largest city in the nine-county area.

The important sights to visit in this city are Plains Indians and Pioneers Museum, Crystal Beach Water Park, Boiling Springs State Park, Woodward Elks Rodeo, and Woodward Federal Courthouse and Post Office.

9. Grove

Grove is a stunning city located just 195 miles (314 km) from Oklahoma City. This city has a beautiful lake called Grand Lake o’ the Cherokees, along with a well-built park that serves as a great camping and boating getaway for all its visitors. Witness the breathtaking sunrise and sunset views on the lake, catch up with the latest theater act at Playmakers, visit Cayuga Mission Church, explore the pioneer-era village and nature trail at Har-Ber Village Museum and Trails, enjoy the spectacular beauty of Lendonwood Gardens, and check out the auto exhibits at Starbird Museum in Grove, Oklahoma.

10. Medicine Park

Located right at the entrance of the expansive Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Medicine Park is an ideal wilderness getaway and perfect for day trips in Oklahoma City for families. This small town is just 84.5 miles (135 km) from Oklahoma City. At Medicine Park, you can enjoy camping with the Wichita Mountains as the backdrop.

You can also enjoy swimming, boating, and fishing at Elmer Thomas Lake and Lawtonka Lake. Learn about the local freshwater ecosystem at Medicine Park Aquarium and Natural Sciences Center. You will love the view of Bath Lake too.

11. Ada

Get away from your busy urban life and enjoy some pampering suburban treatment in Ada, Oklahoma. This city was named after Ada Reeds, daughter of an early settler in the area. Some of the stunning spots in this town are Ada Gaming Center, Wintersmith Park, Byrds Mill Spring, Ada City Lake, and Oklahoma Sports Park. Enjoy a peaceful visit at this calm little town located 83 miles (133.5 km) from Oklahoma City.

12. Stillwater

Stillwater is situated 66.4 miles (107 km) north of Oklahoma City. This city is popularly called Tornado Alley for its unique humid, subtropical weather. This city has so many fun activities to offer especially for young adults. Stillwater is known for live music performances happening throughout the year. You will also enjoy the beautiful trails and parks here. Other notable attractions include Allie P. Reynolds Stadium, The Cypher Rooms, Downtown Stillwater Cultural District, Gardiner Art Gallery, Lakeside Memorial Golf Course, Karsten Creek Golf Club, Heritage Hall Museum, National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum, and more.

Experience the best suburban treatment just a few miles from Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City is surrounded by a number of historic and culturally strong towns that will give you a taste of the calm suburban lifestyle. You will also be able to enjoy the scenic beauty of the lakes, parks, rivers, and trails located in and around Oklahoma City during your day trips to these amazing towns.