things to do in oklahoma city Archives -

We’re excited that some tourism sites are reopening soon, including the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. Like many of you, we’ve been cooped up in the house for the past two months. A weekly trip to the grocery store or a walk around the block is as much as we get out. Our only travel excitement has been taking the long way home after dropping mail in the box at the post office.

Now that the weather is finally warming up here in Illinois, we’re taking longer walks along park trails, and the itch to travel has hit us hard. Fortunately, states are beginning to reopen, some faster than others. While Illinois remains largely closed, Oklahoma is well on its way to reopening—with proper health safety precautions. The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, one of our favorite Oklahoma museums, is scheduled to reopen the latter part of May.

8 Surprising Things I Discovered at the Oklahoma State Capitol

State capitol buildings are more than places for lawmaking and other state business. Many of them are also museums, open for the public to tour and learn about a state’s legislative process and its history. While many features of capitol buildings are similar, each is unique to its own state. The first unique thing I noticed about the Oklahoma State Capitol on my recent visit was the oil derrick standing in front of it.

American Banjo Museum: Evolution of an American Instrument

It’s been said that you can never play a sad song on a banjo. How true that is. When I think of banjo music, I think of ragtime, the Roaring Twenties and bluegrass, upbeat toe-tapping music. The American Banjo Museum in Oklahoma City celebrates the evolution of the banjo with over 400 unique banjos on display, plus memorabilia, a hall of fame and special exhibits.

Bricktown Water Taxi: Cruising Oklahoma City’s Bricktown Canal

Walking down the stairs from Oklahoma City’s street level to board the Bricktown Water Taxi on the canal, my first thought was that it looked like San Antonio’s River Walk from the many pictures I’ve seen. The photos always look inviting: a tour boat gliding along the river, a beautifully landscaped walkway, and restaurants with plenty of al fresco dining, tables adorned with colorful umbrellas. It turns out the Bricktown Canal was modeled after the San Antonio attraction.

Oklahoma City Museum of Art: Featuring Extensive Chihuly Glass Collection

Is there any more beautiful artwork than light streaming through colored glass? Think stained glass windows. Think Tiffany lamps. And think Dale Chihuly, creator of huge colorful glass sculptures in varying shapes and textures. One of the largest collections of Chihuly glass is on permanent exhibit at Oklahoma City Museum of Art.

Midwest Wanderer explores history, nature, and culture through road trips along scenic and historic U.S. highways, byways and trails

things to do in oklahoma city

National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum Scheduled to Reopen

8 Surprising Things I Discovered at the Oklahoma State Capitol

American Banjo Museum: Evolution of an American Instrument

Bricktown Water Taxi: Cruising Oklahoma City’s Bricktown Canal

Oklahoma City Museum of Art: Featuring Extensive Chihuly Glass Collection