Oklahoma City - GoWithKids.com

O K L A H O M A       C I T Y

The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
(www.nationalcowboymuseum.org)

is the ideal place to visit for a family outing. Having tripled in size over the past seven years and experienced a name change (was formerly known as the National Cowboy Hall of Fame), this sprawling complex features several major exhibition galleries, a life-size western town, large-scale sculptures and works of art, landscaped gardens, a fabulous gift shop and restaurant. Every Memorial Day weekend, the museum hosts the Chuck Wagon Gathering & Children's Cowboy Festival, a fun-filled family event featuring cowboy fare, entertainment and activities.

The Orr Family Farm
www.orrfamilyfarm.com

The Orr Family Farm in Moore is one of the most family friendly attractions in Oklahoma. The enthusiasm of the founder Dr Glenn Orr is infectious; he drives the train (a third size replica of the United States first  transcontinental locomotive), guides you around the farm on his hay wagon telling stories all the way, and together with his family organizes special fun events for all the family. Don’t miss the Amaze’n Maze, an innovative construction  that allows the route to be changed every week.

At the Oklahoma Firefighter’s Museum ( http://www.osfa.info/museum/ ) children can see turn-of-the-century fire engines that were once used  in Oklahoma communities, Oklahoma's first fire station, and the finest specimens of fire fighting equipment anywhere. Exhibits relate fire fighting through history, from 1730's bucket brigades to the present.

If you want to get adventuresome let the whole family try their hand at rock climbing at OKC Rocks Indoor Climbing Gym http://rocktowngym.com/index.html . Located in the historic Bricktown entertainment district, OKC Rocks lets visitors climb the inside walls of a former grain elevator with routes up to 145 feet high. Rental equipment and instructors are standing by to help even first time climbers reach  new heights and have a memorable time.

After your climb, relax and enjoy a meal in one of the many great family restaurants
in Bricktown Entertainment District.

The Spaghetti Warehouse
( http://www.meatballs.com/ )

The spaghetti Warehouse is a perennial family favorite with its fun seating arrangements ranging from brass beds to inside a trolley car. Coach’s is also a great place for the family, make sure you get a table with a view of the Bricktown  Ball Park.

Oklahoma City National Memorial
(http://www.oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org/),

At the Oklahoma City National Memorial, the outdoor grounds are a  poignant tribute to those who lost their lives in the Oklahoma City bombing. The museum is designed to touch those of all ages and leave them with a lasting appreciation for the spirit of hope that exists among mankind and draws us together in times of  tragedy. In a special children’s area, kids can get hands on with the memorial in ways designed just for them and leave messages for other kids about their experience. The exhibits and displays are quite graphic and some families may find this  a little too upsetting.

For a fun day out visit the Frontier City Theme Park ( http://www.frontiercity.com/ )  where you can stroll through an authentic  1880's western town and enjoy over 75 rides, shows, games and attractions. There’s lots going on here including the famous Gunfight at the OK Corral, six live shows, exciting rollercoasters, Renegade Rapids river raft ride, the perilous Time Warp,  and the Mystery River Log Flume. For younger members of the family there’s Paul Bunyan's Tiny Timber Town, with rides specially designed for little buckaroos. Outdoor concerts by legendary music artists and fireworks displays are also featured  and visitors can also attend special events like SportsFest, KidsFest, Oktoberfest and Fright Fest.

Frontier City Theme Park
         

Stockyards City
      

For something different explore Stockyards City ( http://www.stockyardscity.org ), the site of the world's largest stock and feeder  cattle market that caters to cowboys and ranchers with western gear, clothing and outfitter shops. On Monday and Tuesday mornings, visitors can sit in on the live cattle auctions. Don't miss a stop at the    Cattlemen’s Steak House http://www.cattlemensrestaurant.com/  an Oklahoma tradition since 1910, its name is as legendary as its steaks.

The Oklahoma City Zoo ( http://www.okczoo.com/ ) with more than 2,100 of the world’s most exotic animals exhibited throughout 110  lushly planted acres, is one of the top zoological parks in the nation. The several special exhibits include the Cat Forest/Lion Overlook, Great EscApe, the Noble Aquatic Center, Butterfly Garden, Island Life, and a canine exhibit featuring hyenas, wolves,  and African wild dogs. In addition to these exhibits, kids will find plenty of other interesting inhabitants including all-time favorites such as elephants, giraffes, zebras, rhinos, and hippos along with hundreds of other family pleasers. The whole family  will love the Fins and Feathers show in the performance arena of the Noble Aquatic Center, plus there’s a variety of rides and amusements available to add to the family’s zoo experience. The adventurous will enjoy the Morphis Virtual Simulator,  a full-motion simulator that combines hydraulic motion, live action videos and surround sound to create realistic simulation adventures. The zoo spreads over a huge area so hire a buggy for younger children and make use of the Safari Tram to rest weary  legs.

There are a lot more to explore and experience great advanture at...
...... TULSA  ....  NORMAN .... BARTLESVILLE.... or visit