Some of my favorite memories with my three kids started with the words, “Let’s try something new.” I’m not exactly the spontaneous type, but there’s something magical about discovering hidden gems in Oklahoma, whether that be a quirky museum, hidden park or roadside surprise — especially when I’m seeing it for the first time alongside my kids.
If you’re looking to shake up your routine, fill a slow afternoon or start a yearlong family adventure list, the MetroFamily team has rounded up our 10 favorite hidden gems across Oklahoma. Bonus: they are all budget-friendly and full of unexpected fun!
Hidden Gems Close to OKC and beyond:
1. Did you know OKC is home to the American Pigeon Museum? The museum, initially formed in 1973, features several permanent exhibits, including a collection of live birds. Visitors can meet and pet different breeds of pigeons while learning about the different types and the important roles they played in warfare. “What makes this museum so special is the family who runs it,” said Erin Page, MetroFamily’s publisher. “I’ve never experienced such a personalized experience at a museum.”
2. Harn Homestead in Oklahoma City lets families step back in time to the early days of Oklahoma, before statehood. The original Land Run property is dotted with historic structures, including a Victorian home and a one-room schoolhouse, that offer visitors a glimpse into what early Oklahoma life was like. The homestead is open Monday through Friday during the summer months.
3. Part art museum, part natural history museum, SKELETONS: Museum of Osteology reveals the beautiful science below the surface of every living thing. View more than 400 skeletons of creatures from across the globe, from tiny mice to a giant humpback whale. Lillian Castellani, a local teen and an avid museum fan, said she has made many interesting discoveries during her repeated visits. “The Museum of Osteology opened my eyes to the many similarities between animals we don’t often get to see. Exploring the museum makes me feel more grounded to nature and how we have evolved,” she shared.
4. Get your groove on at the American Banjo Museum, which houses the most extensive collection of banjos in the world. Amp up the fun and stop in on the first Wednesday of the month for a lunchtime concert called Brown-Bag-it with Banjos. The museum also hosts beginner Pick-a-Tune classes with Lucas Ross. Preregistration is required for the classes and museum admission is included for attendees and a parent or guardian.
5. Did you know downtown OKC is home to a secret tunnel system?! OK, maybe it’s not exactly a secret, but it’s definitely a unique and lesser-known attraction in the city. The tunnel system has been in operation for 50 years, providing downtown foot traffic an out-of-the-weather alternative route between many of the buildings. But, the OKC Underground is also a destination itself with art, historical exhibits and more.
6. Settled among a gypsum canyon, a little more than an hour northwest of Oklahoma City in Watonga, is Roman Nose State Park. Breathtaking hiking trails make for a great day trip, but overnight visitors have the luxury of choosing to pitch their own tent, stay in the park’s impressive lodge with modern amenities or rent a teepee for an authentic Oklahoma experience.
7. From its engaging indoor exhibits to its exciting outdoor features, including a zip line and a life-size maze, the Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum offers endless opportunities for kids to explore, learn and grow through imaginative play. MetroFamily’s social media coordinator Taylor Bollinger said her visit with her family checked all the boxes and more! “At every turn, the museum’s slogan: ‘We believe in the power of play’ is on full display,” Bollinger said. “As a homeschool parent, I am always on the lookout for educational outings my kids will enjoy. I want them to learn something and have fun doing it. It’s a huge bonus if I happen to enjoy it as well.”
8. It’s one of the most unique pieces of land in Oklahoma but many people don’t even realize Little Sahara State Park exists. The Waynoka park, located about two and a half hours northwest of the metro, boasts almost 2,000 acres of towering sand dunes that transport visitors to a desert oasis.
9. An hour west of the metro in Weatherford sits the ideal destination for air and space lovers. The Stafford Air & Space Museum is a Smithsonian Institution affiliate museum that houses planes, space suits and other artifacts marking space travel history and Oklahoma’s connection.
10. Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge is a literal gem, as it is the only place in the world where hourglass-shaped selenite crystals can be found. Visitors flock to the area every year from April to October when digging for these unique crystals, remnants of a prehistoric lake, is allowed. Page recommends going early on a weekday to skip the crowd. Discover even more of her tips to plan your trip!
11. Explore beyond Oklahoma City’s art scene at the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art, a 45-minute drive east of Oklahoma City. In addition to beautiful displays, this museum is the only place in Oklahoma where you can see Egyptian mummies! Editor’s Note – Plan a trip in June or on Mummy Day, Nov. 5, when museum admission is FREE.
12. Whisk your family away to the Twister Movie Museum in Wakita, Oklahoma, where you can see movie memorabilia from the cult classic and learn how the film played a part in the recovery of the small community that was battered by severe weather just a few years before the film was made. “My kids and I, like many others, are huge fans of the movie,” said Lindsay Cuomo, MetroFamily’s digital editor. “We enjoyed flipping through scrapbooks, watching home video footage and hearing first-hand accounts of what it was like to see Hollywood magic in action.”
Find even more off-the-beaten path destinations for family fun in the Oklahoma City metro, plus more Oklahoma road trip ideas with kids in our collection of family-focused travel articles.
