Location: Oklahoma City
Top Things to do in Oklahoma City
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10 Specialty Museums in Oklahoma City That You Shouldn't Miss
With over 50 legendary attractions including the National Cowboy and Western Museum and the Myriad Botanical Gardens, plus world-class shopping, restaurants and hotels OKC, as it is affectionately known, is the ideal spot for a weekend of fun and reflection. Discover the sights and sounds of the Old West in Stockyards City, watch horse races at Remington Park, then have dinner and see a show in historic Bricktown. Designed to duplicate an 1800s frontier town, families will love the Frontier City Theme Park where visitors see an reenactment of the gun fight at the OK corral and ride thrilling roller coasters. On a more somber note, the site of the 1995 terrorist attack, known today as the Oklahoma City National Memorial, and the Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism, are not to be missed.
Restaurants in Oklahoma City
1. SKELETONS: Museum of Osteology
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,216 reviews
The Museum of Osteology is "America's Only Skeleton Museum". The Museum of Osteology, located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, is a unique educational experience. Focusing on the form and function of the skeletal system, this 7000 square ft. museum displays hundreds of skulls and skeletons from all corners of the world. Exhibits include adaptation, locomotion, classification and diversity of the vertebrate kingdom.
Reviewed By VeronicaWanders
I visited the museum on a whim, because the name interested me when I searched for attractions to visit in Oklahoma City. It was well worth the time! The museum has an incredible range of skeletons on display--far more than I would have thought could be displayed so well in the building. The collection has been thoughtfully curated to interest and teach visitors. I especially enjoyed that except for the skeletons in the glass cases, visitors are encouraged to touch and handle the bones. I noticed several activity stations for younger children, and look forward to returning with my nephews.
2. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,237 reviews
The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum is America’s premier institution of Western history, art and culture. Founded in 1955, the Museum, located in Oklahoma City, collects, preserves, and exhibits an internationally renowned collection of Western art and artifacts while sponsoring dynamic educational programs to stimulate interest in the enduring legacy of the American West. More than 10 million visitors from around the world have sought out this unique museum to gain better understanding of the West: a region and a history that permeates our national culture. The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum features a superb collection of classic and contemporary Western art, including works by Frederic Remington and Charles M. Russell, as well as sculptor James Earle Fraser’s magnificent work, The End of the Trail. The exhibition wing houses a turn-of-the-century town and interactive history galleries that focus on the American cowboy, rodeo and Native American culture.
Reviewed By J0hnnybB - London, United Kingdom
Wow... I have been to various museums across the US to learn about the history of the early pioneers and the native Americans and their story, most are very disappointing but this museum brings the history of the west alive. The broad range of exhibits from the stunning art inspired by the west, the way of life, tools, clothes, weapons, utensils, Rodeos, Ranching how Hollywood romanticised the west, and fascinating displays of so many different artefacts (including a room on barbed wire.....) are well staged in visually interesting settings and are really informative. The section on the Native American Indians is probably the most interesting and thorough I have seen and puts the lamentable offering at the Smithsonian in DC or the equally poor Santa Fe museum in the shade. As with most history there are conflicting elements. It’s a complex and in my opinion on the one hand an ultimately profoundly tragic story but also a fascinating one telling of the grit and determination of the pioneers. This museum brings it too life in a truly immersive, fascinating, well pitched and perfectly presented way. I strongly recommend a visit for anyone interested in this piece of history. Thank you Oklahoma!
3. National Softball Hall of Fame
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 63 reviews
4. Oklahoma Firefighters Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 84 reviews
Reviewed By QuirkyDrivenLife - Midwest City, United States
Great museum! I’ve driven by for years but I had never been inside. I’m glad I finally stopped into look. Wonderful collection of patches from fire departments from all over the world, nicely organized. Beautifully restored historic fire engines & other memorabilia. ???????? ????. I enjoyed my visit ????????
5. The American Pigeon Museum & Library
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 46 reviews
A museum dedicated to preserving the rich heritage of the domestic pigeon and its relationship with man over time. The museum tells the history of this amazing bird as well as showcase the people who raise and love these birds.
Reviewed By Inspire50330315026
We arrived early and got to see the pigeon coops and help them select the birds to be displayed that day. It was very educational and also very fun!
6. American Banjo Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 191 reviews
A National Treasure in downtown Oklahoma City. The American Banjo Museum contains over 300 banjos on display and is the only museum of its type dedicated to preserving and promoting the music and heritage of America's native musical instrument - the banjo. An interpretive exhibit tells the evolution of the banjo from its humble roots in American slavery, to bluegrass, to folk and world music.
Reviewed By RamblingRVRat
Amazing collection of banjos, and I was so excited that it included some from my mom's ancestor! Great history lesson on the roots and progression of the instrument and music. The detailed inlaid and carvings on some of these instruments make them true works of art. Pre-Covid, banjo players would come to the museum to play for patrons in a small, intimate setting (how I wish for those days).
7. 99s Museum of Women Pilots
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
Women’s flying heritage is filled with dynamic personalities who have charted the course to modern aviation. Walk through the history of women in aviation from the earliest flights to the present day and enjoy permanent exhibits on famous women pilots. Explore our large collection of artifacts and information on women pilots.
8. Charles B. Hall Airpark
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By QuirkyDrivenLife - Midwest City, United States
Neat outdoor air museum. I always thought the airplanes off Air Depot and I-40 were behind the base gates but they are accessible to the public. I think technically you’re supposed to stop at the little building and get a visitors pass. Free admission & there’s a parking area with restroom facilities. If you go to the right there is a Medal of Honor tribute which lists the recipients from Tinker by conflict. I enjoyed looking at all the planes and reading their descriptions on their plaques. I was really impressed with the sculpture of Charles Hall who was one of the Tuskegee Airmen. Great pilot and he ended up working at tinker after his military service. The Rosie the Riveter statue was really nice and it paid homage to all the women who stepped in during WWII to fill vacant jobs while the men were off fighting the war. It mentioned over 10,000 oklahoma women worked at the Douglas Aircraft Facility & Tinker Airbase during WWII. The airpark is a nice place to take a short walk around. Estimating most people spend 30 minutes to an hour here or more if you enjoy taking pictures. There are benches to sit, sidewalks for strollers & wheel chair accessibility. Don’t miss out seeing the Prisoner of War & MIA monument on the Far East side of the park. It’s a beautiful & poignant reminder to honor those who have served in the armed forces.
9. Red Earth
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
The Red Earth Art Center is recognized as the region's premier organization for advancing the understanding of Native American traditional and contemporary culture and arts. Red Earth hosts a diverse and changing schedule of art and historical I tis custodian to a permanent collection of more than 1,400 items of fine art, pottery, basketry, textiles and beadwork.
10. Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
The Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to encourage excellence through sports, academics, health and fitness; preserving our sports heritage while building pride in Oklahoma in the spirit of Jim Thorpe. The museum is free to the public and includes 10,000 square feet of exhibit space that highlights the life and history of Jim Thorpe, The Paycom Jim Thorpe award given to the best defensive back in college football, Artifacts from the OKSHOF inductees and the Oklahoma Tennis Hall of Fame.
