Planning a long road trip with friends? Or what about a family vacation for everyone from 9 to 92? Oklahoma offers all the right ingredients for an enticing vacation. Consider exploring the huge state, which is full of natural wonders, history and heritage, and exciting new destinations, where interests like agritourism or antiquing or extreme adventure can organically overlap from city to city. From Oklahoma City to its north, south, east, and west, Oklahoma will surprise you with a barrage of options. Here are the best weekend trips in Oklahoma, USA, for those who want to explore this great, big land. Read on!
1. Tulsa
For those interested in Art Deco architecture—a French style that gained fame because of its focus on fine craftsmanship and attention to materials—Tulsa is a great place to spend a weekend. In fact, the city has a whole district that looks like it’s an open-air museum dedicated to Art Deco. Go to the central Deco District, which holds historic buildings like the Philcade and Philtower buildings, to examine some beautiful iron details. For those who want a more cultural excursion, you can catch a show at Brady Theater and Cain’s Ballroom. You can also try to catch a ballet performance at Tulsa Performing Arts Center. Tulsa is the second-largest city in Oklahoma, and you can drive here from Oklahoma City—it is about 106 miles (170 kilometers) away, which is about two hours of driving time.
2. Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge has over 15 miles (24 kilometers) of designated hiking trails, so there’s always a pathway for all types of hikers, from the novice to the more seasoned ones. Go through a forest of scrub oak, or pass through the more conducive grass prairie. As you hike, you’ll be able to see different wildlife in their natural habitat. Notice the black-capped vireo singing over trees as American bison, Rocky Mountain elk, and white-tailed deer run past you on the ground. The wildlife refuge was established to protect all types of species. Should you visit, make sure you drop by the Refuge Visitor Center. From I-44, take Highway 49. Go west 7 miles (11.26 kilometers) to the gate, and get a map from the several dispensers on-site. You can also talk to the refuge guides for a more thorough understanding of the nature trails.
3. Edmond
Just 13.9 miles (22 km) north of Oklahoma City is Oklahoma’s sixth-largest city, Edmond. If you’re looking for a weekend getaway where you can enjoy the great outdoors and commune with Mother Nature, check out Edmond’s many natural attractions, such as Arcadia Lake where you can go boating, camping, picnicking, and fishing. From the highway, you might also spot Edmond’s Arcadia Round Barn, the only historic round barn on Route 66. It’s a stunning architectural example of how Oklahoma protects itself from tornadoes. And don’t forget dropping by Downtown Edmond with its more than 30 beautiful homegrown shops, where you can really feel the thriving community spirit. Have coffee on Broadway and Second Street, and spot an artisanal creation or two that you’ll probably want to take home.
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4. Guthrie
Guthrie was originally Oklahoma’s first capital, which makes it a prime area for historic buildings and architecture. There’s even an air-conditioned trolley called Capitol Trolley that can take you around. Go downtown, and find a treasure trove of stores, bed and breakfasts, and Victorian-era buildings, some of which are said to be haunted. Dare to go inside some of them on a Guthrie Ghost Walk. You’ll also love going to the more far-flung and peaceful Guthrie Lake, Liberty Lake, and Bamboo Satori. You can then visit the smallest national park in the United States at only 100 square feet (9.3 sq m)! The city is just 32.4 miles (52 km) from OKC.
5. Bartlesville
The oil business dominated the Bartlesville scene in the 1900s, so it’s no wonder that you’ll probably find a couple of historic gems related to that in this city. First off, you can go to Woolaroc Museum & Wildlife Preserve, considered to be the home of Frank Phillips, the founder of Phillips Petroleum Company. Here, you’ll find a huge collection of Native American and Western art. The property is so huge that you might even see bison and sika deer roaming around its 3,600-acre (1,457 ha) property whenever you visit. You can also head to Phillips Petroleum Company Museum, which holds the history of the whole town of Bartlesville. Note that driving from OKC to Bartlesville takes about 2.5 hours to cover the 151.4 miles (244 km).
6. Ardmore
Ardmore may seem easily bypassable on road trips. However, if you choose to peer closer, there are plenty of natural and historic treasures that abound here for the whole family. For those interested to have a more outdoorsy stay, head on to Lake Murray State Park, a 5,700-acre (2,307 ha) lake where you can go fishing and picnicking with the family. You can also enjoy a round of golf at Oklahoma’s oldest and largest state park. Here, you’ll be able to find many fossils and a 288-pound (131 kg) meteorite, carefully preserved at Tucker Tower Nature Center inside the park. You can drive to Ardmore from Oklahoma City in only 1.5 hours, which covers a distance of 98.4 miles (158 km).
7. Lawton
Lawton is an archaeology lover’s dream. Start first at Museum of the Great Plains, which has all the artifacts of the place. If you are especially interested in military history though, go straight to Fort Sill National Historic Landmark and Museum, which continues to be an active fort. The whole compound covers 26 historical buildings. You can then end the day at the gravesite of the famous Apache chief Geronimo. You will only have to spend over an hour on the road when traveling to Lawton from OKC, driving a distance of 86.9 miles (140 km).
8. Bricktown
For those who want to dip their toes in Oklahoma City’s nightlife but don’t exactly have the time to explore this huge city, there’s always the downtown district of Bricktown. Once an industrial part of the city, Bricktown is now evolving into a fun entertainment district with several dining options and a fun transportation facility—the water taxi—that gives a breath of novelty to this warehouse area. Be sure to walk along E.K. Gaylord Boulevard in order to check out Oklahoma! Bricktown Mural, a huge mural that celebrates the musical “Oklahoma!”
9. Tahlequah
Named as one of the Top 100 Best Small Towns in America, Tahlequah is the capital of Cherokee Nation. Here, you’ll find Cherokee Heritage Center and the recreated Cherokee village Tsa-La-Gi. In its Historic Townsite District, the names of the street signs are written in both English and Cherokee. If you’re feeling tired from going around, just coast through Illinois River on a canoe or have fun at Tehlequah’s Lake Tenkiller. This destination is 168 miles (270 km) from Oklahoma City and takes less than three hours of driving.
10. Broken Bow
For those who want to escape to the mountains every weekend, Broken Bow is your type of place. Broken Bow is one of Oklahoma’s top state parks. You can easily fish in Lower Mountain Fork River, go boating in Broken Bow Lake, or hike through David Boren Hiking Trail. Going deeper into the state park, you can go camping in Three Rivers Wildlife Management Area. You’ll be able to see lots of wildlife and pass through several creeks, proving that there’s truly nothing more beautiful than the great outdoors. This option might be the farthest from OKC at 218.9 miles (352 km), but you can be sure that the four-hour road trip will be worth it.
Experience both the traditions and modernity of Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s 100-year history as a state has made it an ideal location for those who want to learn about America’s past. As the place where the Five Civilized Tribes merged with New America, Oklahoma is colorful and nuanced and holds a huge chunk of America’s tribal history. Enjoy both its traditions and modernity starting with this list of top weekend trips.
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