Oklahoma City = Surprise Hit!
When DJ landed a consulting gig, the entire family rode piggyback on his work trip to check a new state off our bucket list. We typically research a destination for months, but we seriously underestimated Oklahoma City (OKC). I’m ashamed to say the only pre-trip planning I did was checked out a kids book from the library, watch a few YouTube videos, and snagged a AirBNB with a pool. I imagined a tiny city surrounded by red dusty plains full of grazing bison. Time & time again, my favorite getaways are the ones I go into with no expectations.
What a surprise! We LOOOOVED OKC. The people were delightful, warm, and eclectic. The parks were beautifully kept and perfectly suited for both adults & children. The sightseeing options were plentiful and shockingly affordable. If OKC was a cartoon character, it would be a smiling bison riding a tornado on his way to an outdoor concert at the park.
We drove the southern route through Texas and the girls explored Buc-ee’s. If you’ve never been to a Buc-ee’s, it’s a sight to behold. It’s a massive Beaver mascot laden gas station with 50+ gas pumps and an inside general store that rivals Target. Rows upon rows of snack foods, fresh in-house made fudge, Bar-b-que, and any soda you can imagine.
Once in OKC, the Rosado girls got to play all days while Dad worked. Then each evening we found a park or trail to enjoy as a family. We had 3 days there, so we each picked a must-do destination – our picks were:
OKC Zoo
Amazing!! We loved the nighttime creatures, bison, bears, petting zoo, and the coolest waterfall splash pad area. They had beautiful bronze sculptures all over the zoo adding to its esthetic.
Plus, by a stroke of luck that had a last week of summer promotion going, so we got in after 12noon for FREE!!
OKC Science and History Museum
There aren’t words to describe this science loving children’s museum. Exhibit after exhibit grabbed their attention. Too many to name favorites but, I’ll try – mirror maze, echo tube, segway course, gymnastics area, telsa coils, and a playground that teaches them about simple machines. Our girls usually max out in 2 hours at even the coolest museums, but here…oh no… we ate a picnic lunch in our backseat and went right back in for round two. We spent at least 4 hours here and didn’t see everything.
If you’re in OKC this is a MUST DO! Plus, with our membership to our local science museum we got in FREE! This is going down as the most budget friendly city ever.
Scissortail Park
Absolutely lovely park downtown with beautifully manicured herb & flower gardens + multiple play areas & a HUGE splash pad.
*Bonus* Lake Hefner Lighthouse @ Sunset
We ventured out after dinner to walk around Lake Hefner. This recreation area has a wide well maintained bike/walking path, assorted restaurants, a lighthouse with benches to enjoy the sights & a playground packed with new friends. Cue the sunset.
Good Eats
Braum’s Hamburgers (& Ice cream Heaven)
The best ice cream of my life!!! Get the Triple Berry Cheesecake in a waffle cone… you can thank me later.
They sell burgers, too & most locations have a small grocery area. We were transported back to the 50’s.
Julio Tacos at Chisolm Creek
This area is the most family friendly grouping of restaurants and shops I’ve ever seen. We ate delicious fajitas and guacamole on the patio overlooking the lake. After dinner we strolled around to play life-size chess. At some point Kate was pretending to meditate and a grandpa figure went through a series of easy yoga/tai chi moves with her. They were insync in their own little sphere. Then, the girls instantly connected with a bilingual family & played for over an hour at the playground area. This evening above all others made OKC near and dear to our hearts.
The cool stuff we’ll have to catch next time…
1 Pigeon Museum – This was originally Kate’s pick, but they had limited hours, so we opted for another activity. How unique & funky is it to have a pigeon museum!?!
2 Osteology Museum
3 Downtown Cable Cars
4 Bombing Memorial
5 Art Museum
8 Comments
Kathy
Wow!! What a fun city and family to enjoy an unknown treasure. Thank so much for sharing.
Love,
Kathy
Martha
Hi Kathy, So glad you’re here <3 Hugs, dear friend. I remember reading recently that surprise amplifies other emotions, good or bad. Now, I'm watching for that in my own life. Case study to follow 😉
Anne
So cool! You guys are making the fun – not just finding it! Love the pics. Love the adventure! Love all y’all.
Martha
Awe, making the fun!!! I love that perspective shift…right on!
Hannah
Awesome! Looks like so much fun. 🙂
Martha
Hi Hannah!! Thank you. The city was so welcoming…if it were closer to an ocean, I’d move there immediately!
Rebecca Turner
You got me tickled: If OKC was a cartoon character, it would be a smiling bison riding a tornado on his way to an outdoor concert at the park. haha Looks like so much fun!
Martha
Hehe! I thought, I’d attempt to do that with each place we visited 😉 Wish I had the cartoonist skill to bring it to life!