Oklahoma City offers an exciting lineup of attractions, events and activities that cater to a variety of interests. From cultural celebrations and historic sites to hands-on museums and outdoor adventures, this staycation planning guide will help you craft five unforgettable days exploring the best of OKC.
Whether you’re a history buff, nature enthusiast or thrill seeker, there’s something special waiting for everyone in your family!
Editor’s note: This article is generously sponsored by Visit Oklahoma City. Find more resources for family fun, including inspirations for your spring break staycation at visitokc.com.
Day 1
Party at the Park to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day
Myriad gardens
Kick off your week of fun with a party – a St. Paddy’s Day party! Don your green and head to Myriad Gardens for their annual Sham-ROCK the Gardens celebration. Enjoy live performances, food trucks, crafts, face painting and more. Don’t miss the festive sight of the waters dyed green!
To add to the fun, drop in to the Children’s Garden from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. all week long for fun, free, educational activities inspired by nature.
Bonus: The gardens will be in bloom with thousands of tulips and other spring flowers, providing a perfect backdrop for photos!
Scissortail Park
From picnicking to pickleball, Scissortail Park offers a wide range of activities, perfect for all ages. Stretching nearly 70 acres, the park includes two play areas, miles of walking trails and four sports courts. The boathouse and Sky Rink are open seasonally, weather permitting.
But did you know you could hunt for fossils and learn about pollinators, too? Monarch Mountain, near the boathouse, includes over 2,000 plants that are not only beautiful but also provide sustenance for butterflies, bees and other pollinators. A stroll through the west side of the park provides insights into the important role pollinators play in our ecosystem and how to create your own pollinator pocket at home.
Continue to Union Station, where you’ll find real fossils “hidden” on the sandstone bricks of the 1931-built building.
Other attractions nearby:
- American Banjo Museum
- Oklahoma River Bike Trail*
- Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame*
- OKC Underground*
*Offers free admission
Day 2
State Capitol & History Center
Oklahoma State Capitol Museum
Inside the State Capitol Museum, families can see impressive artifacts, including a working draft of the state constitution and the quill pen used to sign our statehood proclamation by President Theodore Roosevelt.
Throughout the capitol building, you’ll find a variety of art on every floor. Plus, the stunning architecture of the historic building is a sight unto itself. Free guided tours are available on weekdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and, for small groups of less than six people, no reservations are required.
The Capitol is open to the public on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and during weekends from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Oklahoma History Center
Visiting the Oklahoma History Center is a fascinating way to explore our state’s rich heritage and culture. The museum offers interactive exhibits on Native American history, aviation, oil industry developments, pioneer life and more. Walk through beautifully curated displays, including historic artifacts and recreated scenes that bring history to life.
The Oklahoma History Center is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $12.50 for adults and $9 for kids. Family admission for up to six people is $35.
Other attractions nearby:
- Harn Homestead
- Oklahoma Judicial Center*
- Oklahoma National Guard Museum*
*Offers free admission
Day 3
Midtown & Auto Alley
Oklahoma Hall of Fame
Cruise downtown on an art-filled adventure! At your first stop, the Oklahoma Hall of Fame rolls out the red carpet for families during their annual Spring Thing festivities, held March 19 through 21.
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, families can enjoy complimentary admission to explore the museum, including the popular Picture Yourself exhibit where kids can step into Hall of Fame members’ careers. As an added bonus, museum staff will provide spring-themed crafts, story times, games and more from
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Oklahoma Contemporary
Through thought-provoking exhibitions and engaging public programming, Oklahoma Contemporary seeks to ignite creativity. Explore their Learning Gallery with hands-on activities inspired by the art on display and the colorful Art Garden where a rainbow of pigments are grown for use in their camps and classes.
Don’t miss the first major retrospective of Oklahoma City-based artist Edgar Heap of Birds (Cheyenne and Arapaho Nation). His colorful prints, abstract paintings, drawings, glasswork and sculptures address Indigenous rights and sovereignty.
The museum is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Monday and until 9 p.m. on Thursday. Admission is always free.
Factory Obscura
Factory Obscura makes art an experience. Their permanent exhibition, Mix-Tape, serves as an audio autobiography exploring emotions via a hand-crafted, immersive art experience by a curated collection of artists. Enter a dreamlike environment where you can touch and engage with art in multi-sensory ways.
Factory Obscura is open Wednesday through Monday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Admission varies depending on dates and events.
Bonus: Amp up the fun by incorporating the OKC Street Car into your adventures!
Where to dine nearby:
- The Collective OKC
- Hall’s Pizza Kitchen
- Not Your Average Joe
- S&B Burger Joint
Day 4
Adventure District
The Cowboy
The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum has plenty of new experiences to check out, including the Find Your West Immersive where families can explore the people of the American West. Cowboy Boots: From Roundups to Runways, open through May 4, journeys through the evolution of the iconic cowboy boot and its many styles.
Families love to stroll the streets of Prosperity Junction, play in Liichokoshkomo’ and see history up close in the Museum
of the Frontier West.
During Spring Break, the museum offers family-friendly activities, such as printmaking or beading, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day. Activities are free with admission, while supplies last.
The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is $20 for adults and $12 for kids ages 6 to 17. Kids 5 & under are free.
Love’s Planetarium at Science Museum Oklahoma
Science Museum Oklahoma recently opened Love’s Planetarium! The high-tech system accurately recreates millions of stars, offering breathtakingly detailed views of the Milky Way. Shows begin on the hour, are 25 to 30 minutes in length, are appropriate for all ages and are free with admission.
General admission to Science Museum Oklahoma is $22.95 for adults and $17.95 for kids ages 3 to 12. Find a detailed planetarium schedule at sciencemuseumok.org/planetarium.
Other attractions nearby:
- American Pigeon Museum*
- National Softball Hall of Fame & Museum*
- Oklahoma City Zoo
- Oklahoma Firefighters Museum
- Oklahoma Railway Museum*
*Offers free admission
Day 5
Horizons District
OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark
The Horizons District is home to one of OKC’s newest family attractions – OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark! Newly opened in February, a visit to OKANA’s 100,000-square-foot, multi-level indoor waterpark is a great way to enjoy the school break. Climb to the top of Splash Falls, zip down several water slides, kick back in the Enchanted River, catch a wave in the wave pool and put your adventure skills to the test in Flowrider, a
surfing simulator.
At OKANA, you’ll also find a spacious, family-friendly video arcade, OKANARAMA, that offers AR/VR games, laser tag, an escape room and more. If you have a golf enthusiast in the family, Smokehouse Social, a family-friendly BBQ restaurant, features high-definition golf simulators with a stunning view of the lagoon.
Overnight stays start at $249 per night and day passes start at $49.99.
First Americans Museum
First Americans Museum introduces families to the distinct First American Nations in Oklahoma today. Immersive exhibits, engaging artifacts and captivating multimedia displays illustrate the resilience and contributions of Indigenous people, while educating visitors about the past, present and future of First American communities.
Outside, learn about Mound Builders and their impressive architectural skill on an interpretive walk up the FAM Mound, which serves as a cosmological clock aligned with the cyclical movement of the sun.
Several of the museum’s attractions are free to visit, including the FAM Mound. Gallery admission is $15 for adults and $5 for kids ages 4 to 12. Kids 3 & under are free. The museum is open Wednesday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where to dine nearby:
- Thirty Nine Café inside FAM
- Market 56 inside OKANA, no waterpark pass required
- OKANA Candy Co. inside OKANA, no waterpark pass required
