Over 150 years ago, the U.S. government allowed settlers to stake claims on two million acres of land in Oklahoma. However, thousands of settlers reached this uncharted region before April 29, 1889, the official starting time to claim the land as their own. These early birds were immediately nicknamed “Sooners”. Today, the Sooner State is famous for cowboys, the oil industry, Route 66, and Native American heritage.
1. Beavers Bend State Park
Located on SH-259A about 10 miles from Broken Bow, Beavers Bend State Park offers weekend visitors over 3000 miles of pristine woodlands and beautiful Broken Bow Lake. Choose your leisure activity–fishing, golfing, horseback riding, hiking, canoeing, or just dozing the afternoon away outside in a comfortable hammock. Accommodations at Beavers Bend State Park include camping sites, cabin rentals, or resort hotels available just outside the park.
2. Oklahoma City
Spending the weekend in Oklahoma City is the perfect family getaway. Parents and kids will find plenty to see and do in “The Big Friendly”. Make sure to visit the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum, the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, and the famous Oklahoma City Zoo. Hiking and kayaking at Hefner Lake and Park is a fun way to spend Saturday or Sunday afternoon before dining out at one of the hundreds of 4-star restaurants in Oklahoma City.
3. Duncan, Oklahoma
Although not as well-known as Oklahoma City, Duncan is the heart of the Sooner State’s Western heritage. Only two miles from Oklahoma City, Duncan is where the fascinating Chisholm Trail Heritage Center is located. Here you can gaze in awe at Paul Moore’s “On the Chisholm Trail: Monument to the American Cowboy”, a famous bronze work of art. The 34-foot-long sculpture depicts cowboys, horses, and natural-sized steers in panoramic style.
4. The River’s Edge Cottages Near Watson
As a family outing or a romantic getaway for the weekend, you can’t beat The River’s Edge Cottages nestled on several hundred acres of privately owned woodland. Canoeing, kayaking, hiking trails, fishing for smallmouth bass, and sitting around a cozy outdoor firepit in the evening are just some of the wonderful activities you’ll find at The River’s Edge Cottages.
5. Arcadia, Oklahoma
A charming, small town located along Route 66 and just a few miles from Oklahoma City, Arcadia is known for the Round Barn, a 130-year-old circular barn that is free to visit on weekdays and weekends. Inside you’ll find interesting exhibits and marvel at the stylistic shape of this one-of-a-kind barn. In fact, the Round Barn is one of the most popular stopping places along Route 66.
6. Turner Falls
Camping enthusiasts will love spending the weekend at Turner Falls, home of Oklahoma’s largest waterfall (77 feet high) and miles of caverns to explore. There are also places to swim around the bottom of Turner Falls. When you aren’t spelunking or swimming, take a hike through the Arbuckle Mountains overlooking Turner Falls, a gorgeous display of ancient mountains formed over 1.5 billion years ago. RV campgrounds and rental cabins are available as well as places to pitch a tent.
7. Tulsa, Oklahoma
Family-friendly Tulsa welcomes everyone to visit the Gathering Place, a sensational, 100-acre park offering restaurants, biking trails, walking trails, playgrounds, and boat rentals. Make time to visit the Gilcrease Museum, the Tulsa Air and Space Museum and Planetarium, and the Tulsa Botanical Garden. Kids will love walking through the Tulsa Zoo, where they’ll see Asian elephants, red pandas, and chimpanzees cavorting in natural habitat settings.