Oklahoma is home to an amazing variety of fun things to do and see. Ranging from unique attractions to family-friendly activities, you’ll find tons of exciting points of interest in this humble state. With an abundance of unforgettable cities and towns, Oklahoma boasts incredible accommodations. Book your vacation rental in Oklahoma today. Check out the top spots in Oklahoma to visit on Independence Day.
1. Oklahoma City
Top on our list of the best 4th of July vacations in Oklahoma is the state’s capital. Oklahoma City offers plenty of interesting things to do with a combination of big-league attractions and western charm. Learn about Oklahoman past at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum or visit one of the top-notch museums, including the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum and the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. Your kids will love visiting the OKC Zoo, Science Museum Oklahoma, Frontier City and White Water Bay.
2. Alabaster Caverns State Park
Oklahoma boasts ten different ecosystems, so there’s never a shortage of opportunities for outdoor fun. Take a break from the summer sun with a tour through the largest natural gypsum cavern open to the public at Alabaster Caverns State Park in Freedom. Feel the temperature drop as you descend into this quiet underground sanctuary and discover natural wonder in northwest Oklahoma.
3. Hoot Owl Ranch
Nestled in a beautiful canyon in the panhandle of Oklahoma near Kenton, Hoot Owl Ranch is a working cattle ranch and ideal vacation getaway. Let yourself get swept away in the spirit of the Old West as you experience American Indian rock art and artifacts, dinosaur tracks, and the old Santa Fe Trail, located nearby. You can stay in the ranch house which was built in the late 1800s of hand-carved sandstone or stay in a vacation rental nearby.
4. Lake Tenkiller
It’s not a quite summer without a dip in the water. Lake Tenkiller has numerous marinas, boat ramps, campgrounds and a scuba diving park making it the ultimate destination for water sports in Oklahoma. Sit back and relax after a long day of playing and enjoy the Independence Day Fireworks Extravaganza.The area between the two big islands as well as in the central part of the lake will offer excellent views.
5. Enid
This historic town was a well-known watering hole and overnight stop along the Chisholm Trail. Today, there are plenty of interesting things to do in Enid like its vibrant shopping, unique dining, or bustling music scene, but the Old West flavor and heritage still lingers. A must-do for young kids is the LeonardoÂ’s Children’s Museum & Adventure Quest where you can touch a real dinosaur egg, build a castle in the carpentry shop and tell time on a sundial.
6. Lawton
Lawton is the perfect combination of adventure and education for your family. Learn all about the area’s history at The Museum of the Great Plains, which features archaeological and cultural artifacts and a replica of a trading post. Read a chapter of Oklahoma’s rich military history at Fort Sill, an active Army fort established in 1869, where you’ll find a museum that’s comprised of 26 historic buildings and the gravesite of famous Apache chief, Geronimo. Finally, hike or drive through the scenic Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge to see buffalo, elk and deer graze.
7. Tulsa
Tulsa is Oklahoma’s second-largest city with world-class cultural attractions, but it earns a place on this list for its kid-friendly attractions. The Tulsa Zoo has been rated among the most family-friendly zoos in the country. Introduce your kids to animals from around the world like piranhas, penguins and sea lions and see amazing moments in nature like baby reptiles emerging from their eggs.
8. Tatanka Guest Ranch
This guest ranch also earned a spot on our list thanks to its abundance of thrilling adventure. In addition to living like you’re in the Wild West, you can also the property’s 1,000 acres through ATV and bike trails. If that’s too much adrenaline for you, guided horseback rides make it easy to bird watch and spot more of the area’s wildlife.
9. Tahlequah
Oklahoma has been home to 67 American Indian nations, so you can’t visit Oklahoma without learning a little about Indian traditions. The Cherokee Nation is one of the many Indian tribes who are ready to share their history and culture with you at the Cherokee Heritage Center in Tahlequah. Take a guided tour through the 1710 Cherokee Village, and the kids can even get involved in making arrowheads from rocks and dugout canoes from logs.
10. Claremore
Agriculture is one of Oklahoma’s largest industries, and while it may seem boring at first glance, Claremore offers your family the opportunity to touch, see and taste it. Visit Shepherd’s Cross, a working sheep farm and escape the hectic pace of modern life. Take a garden tour, watch an annual sheep shearing, or shop farm fresh pecans and homemade wool items in one of Oklahoma’s most idyllic setting. You can also visit the Will Rogers Memorial Museum, where you can view his saddle collection, see the possessions that were found with him at the site of the airplane crash that killed him, and enjoy short films about his incredible life.