Special churches
St. Joseph Old Cathedral in Oklahoma City
The St. Joseph Old Cathedral in the city of Oklahoma City is a Roman Catholic cathedral and was built between 1901 and 1902 in the Gothic Revival style. The St. Joseph Old Cathedral became notoriously famous for being almost completely destroyed in the Oklahoma City bombing on April 19, 1995. Nevertheless, the cathedral was renovated and solemnly reopened in 1997.
| Contact | 307 Northwest 4th Street Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73102 |
First Presbyterian Church in Tulsa
The First Presbyterian Church in the city of Tulsa is a Presbyterian church from 1926. The church was built in the Gothic style. Although the dimensions of the church are not very impressive, the entrance portal seems almost overpowering on the first visit.
| Contact | 709 South Boston Avenue Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119 www.firstchurchtulsa.org |
Boston Avenue Methodist Church in Tulsa
Boston Avenue Methodist Church is a fairly old cathedral-style Methodist church in the city of Tulsa. The church was built from 1927 to 1929 in Art Deco style. Boston Avenue Methodist Church has been on the National Historic Landmark list since 1999.
- Countryaah: Lists all towns and cities of Oklahoma in alphabetical order. Also includes top 10 cities by population in Oklahoma. Check medicinelearners for medical schools in Oklahoma.
| Contact | 1301 South Boston Avenue Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119 www.bostonavenue.org |
Zoos, parks and amusement parks
Oklahoma Aquarium near Tulsa
The Oklahoma Aquarium is located in Jenks, a suburb of Tulsa, in the northeast of Oklahoma. The aquarium is located on the banks of the Arkansas River and covers an area of approximately 6,700 m². The Oklahoma Aquarium was built from 2002 to 2003. The Oklahoma Aquarium mainly represents exotic underwater worlds, but also the local underwater world in Oklahoma. The main attraction is the Shark Adventure tank, filled with 1.9 million liters of water, which contains bull sharks, lemon sharks, Atlantic nurse sharks and sand tiger sharks. This also includes a tunnel through which visitors can go into a dome under the tank and from there take a 360 ° view of the underwater world.
| Contact | 300 Aquarium Drive Jenks, Oklahoma 74037 www.okaquarium.org |
Myriad Botanical Gardens in Oklahoma City
The Myriad Botanical Gardens in the city of Oklahoma City are a botanical garden that was opened in 1988 and today covers an area of approximately 70,000 km². The highlight of the Myriad Botanical Gardens is the Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory. This 68 m high “greenhouse” with a huge number of tropical plants such as palm trees and flowers is more than a “greenhouse”. Because in addition to the plants, there are also waterfalls and exotic animals. It is not an exaggeration to speak of a jungle in the big city. Outside the Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory there are hiking trails and a lake. Many works of art are also distributed in the area of the Myriad Botanical Gardens.
| Contact | 301 West Reno Avenue Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73102 www.myriadgardens.org |
GW Exotic Animal Park in Wynnewood
The GW Exotic Animal Park is located in the city of Wynnewood in southern Oklahoma. This zoo was opened in 1997 with the aim of providing shelter for exotic and endangered species. Around 1,400 animals from more than 125 species live here on approx. 65,000 m². The GW Exotic Animal Park has a special breeding program for big cats, especially for tigers and lions. However, it should also be mentioned that the GW Exotic Animal Park has been subjected to criticism from the animal welfare organization PETA since 2004.
| Contact | 25803 North County Road 3250 Wynnewood, Oklahoma 73098 www.gwzoo.org |
Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden in Oklahoma City
The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is located in the city of Oklahoma City, more precisely in the city’s Adventure District. The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden emerged from the former Wheeler Park Zoo (1902) and the Lincoln Park Zoo (1920). Nowadays the zoo and the botanical garden cover an area of approx. 480,000 m² and offer a home for more than 1,800 animals. The highlights of the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Gardens certainly include Asian elephants, gorillas, orangutans, chimpanzees, lions, tigers, Mississippi alligators, grizzly bears, Zebras, giraffes and numerous snake species.
| Contact | 2101 NE 50th Street Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73111 www.okczoo.com |
Tulsa Zoo and Living Museum in Tulsa
The Tulsa Zoo and Living Museum is located in the city of Tulsa and was opened in 1927. The Tulsa Zoo covers an area of approximately 340,000 m² and is located at Mohawk Park, one of the largest city parks in the entire United States. Over 2,500 animals from over 430 species live in the Tulsa Zoo. The highlights of the Tulsa Zoo certainly include Asian elephants, gorillas, chimpanzees, lions, grizzly bears, zebras, giraffes, penguins and numerous snake species. The Tulsa Zoo attracts over 600,000 visitors annually.
| Contact | 6421 East 36th St N Tulsa, Oklahoma 74115 www.tulsazoo.org |
Frontier City in Oklahoma City
The Frontier City amusement park in the city of Oklahoma City is an amusement park dedicated to the “Wild West” theme. Frontier City was opened in 1958 as a “Western City”. Today there are 5 roller coasters, 3 water rides and numerous other attractions in Frontier City on an area of approx. 440,000 m². Frontier City is currently the only amusement park in Oklahoma following the closure of Bell’s Amusement Park in 2006. Even those who have never visited the amusement park could know it, because the song “Frontier City” by the band Kings of Leon is about this amusement park.
| Contact | 11501 NE Expressway Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73131 www.frontiercity.com |
Oklahoma Botanical Garden and Arboretum in Stillwater
The Oklahoma Botanical Garden and Arboretum in the city of Stillwater covers an area of approximately 400,000 m² on which more than 1,000 different plant species are housed. The botanical garden is thematically divided and so visitors will find a water garden, a Japanese garden, a rock garden and other units.
| Contact | 3300 W. 6th Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078 |
White Water Bay in Oklahoma City
The White Water Bay water park in the city of Oklahoma City was opened in 1981 and currently comprises 11 slides. The water park is very popular and the best attractions are the slides Mega Wedgie (84 m) and Big Kahuna (165 m).
| Contact | 3908 West Reno Avenue Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73107 www.whitewaterbay.com |
Road trips
Route 66
In earlier times, Route 66 ran through Oklahoma for approximately 695 km. Some old pieces of Route 66 are now advertised as historic Route 66 and are passable. However, these mostly run parallel to the new Interstate Highways. In contrast to the other scenic drives in the state, Route 66 is ideal for those who place less value on scenic beauty, although this is always in the eye of the beholder. Route 66 begins in Oklahoma in the town of Quapaw in the northeast of the state and leaves the state in Texola in southwest Oklahoma. Along the way, Route 66 passes numerous small, very charming towns, but also the big cities of Tulsa and Oklahoma City. Attractions along the route include the Coleman Theater in Miami, Ed Galloway ‘ s Totem Pole Park, the Will Rogers Memorial in Claremore, the Blue Whale of Catoosa, the historic downtown area of Tulsa, Pop’s giant soda bottle, the Round Barn of Arcadia, the Route 66 Museum in Clinton, the Roger Miller Museum in Erick and the Washita National Wildlife Refuge, which is ideal for bird watching. There are also numerous buildings along Route 66 in Oklahoma that are on the list of Historic Places. The following applies to Route 66 in Oklahoma: the variety is what makes it so appealing. Whether the main streets of the big cities, the sleepy charm of the small towns or rather the large expanses of the prairie in the west of the state, there is something for everyone. There are also numerous buildings along Route 66 in Oklahoma that are on the list of Historic Places. The following applies to Route 66 in Oklahoma: the variety is what makes it so appealing. Whether the main streets of the big cities, the sleepy charm of the small towns or rather the large expanses of the prairie in the west of the state, there is something for everyone. There are also numerous buildings along Route 66 in Oklahoma that are on the list of Historic Places. The following applies to Route 66 in Oklahoma: the variety is what makes it so appealing. Whether the main streets of the big cities, the sleepy charm of the small towns or rather the large expanses of the prairie in the west of the state, there is something for everyone.
Talimena National Scenic Byway
The Talimena National Scenic Byway is located in southeastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas. There the Talimena National Scenic Byway runs for about 87 km through the Ouachita National Forest and of course through the Ouachita Mountains. The trip in autumn is particularly impressive when the leaves are colored. The winding road leads through one of the most beautiful parts in Oklahoma and along the route there are a total of 22 parking spaces and stopping bays in the most beautiful places that invite you to stop, look and be amazed. The main aspect of the Talimena National Scenic Byway is certainly the nature of the region, but there are also many cultural highlights along the way. The Talimena National Scenic Byway has had the title of a National Scenic Byway since 2005. The route alone takes between one and two hours,
| Contact | www.talimenadrive.com |
Mountain Gateway Scenic Byway
The Mountain Gateway Scenic Byway runs for about 35 km in southeastern Oklahoma from Heavener to the Arkansas border. The Mountain Gateway Scenic Byway runs through the forested valleys of the Ouachita Mountains and thus opens up a large number of interested people to this area.
Mountain Pass Scenic Byway
The Mountain Pass Scenic Byway is a vacation or panoramic road in southeastern Oklahoma. There the Mountain Pass Scenic Byway runs for about 37 km between the towns of Page and Octavia. You drive through the peaks and valleys of the forested Ouachita Mountains and also through the Winding Stair Mountain National Recreation Area. The road is characterized by steep slopes and many curves due to the mountainous region. Along the route there are parking lots and stopping bays that invite you to stop, look and be amazed, by the way: don’t forget to take pictures.
Nature reserves
Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge
The Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge is located in northern Oklahoma near the town of Jet. The Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1930 on the instructions of President Herbert Hoover. Today, the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge covers an area of approximately 130 km² with approximately 312 species of birds and 30 species of mammals.
The Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge comprises part of the salt plain, part of the swamp, forests, grasslands and the Great Salt Plains Reservoir and its rivers. The Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge primarily serves to protect migratory birds by acting as a resting place and breeding ground.
Special bird species are for example the bald eagle, whooping cranes and rhinoceros pelicans. In addition to the excellent opportunities for bird watching, the protected area also offers several hiking trails and the opportunity to search for glass crystals that are often found here. The Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge has been on the list of National Natural Landmarks since 1983.
Ouachita National Forest
The Ouachita National Forest is located in the west of the state of Arkansas and in the east of Oklahoma in the Ouchita Mountains. The Ouachita National Forest was established in 1907, making it the oldest national forest in the southern United States. The Ouachita National Forest covers an area of approximately 7,221 km² and includes several smaller protected areas, 6 of which are wilderness areas such as the Black Fork Mountain Wilderness or the Upper Kiamichi River Wilderness. Since the area is of great scenic appeal, there are many other protected areas such as the Winding Stair Mountain National Recreation Area and State Parks and the huge forest area is very intact due to the low financial value of the wood. In the Ouachita National Forest mainly oak and juniper grow. The Ouachita National Recreation Trail is also about 309 km long and runs through the Ouachita National Forest. Furthermore, the Ouachita National Forest offers many opportunities for anglers and canoeists. The Mountain Fork River, Caddo River, Little Missouri River and Ouachita River are all in the Ouachita National Forest. The Cossatot River, which is very popular for rafting, but is considered the most demanding river between the Smoky and Rocky Mountains, is located here. The Talimena Scenic Drive, a National Scenic Byway, also runs through the Ouachita National Forest. Little Missouri River and Ouachita River are all in the Ouachita National Forest. The Cossatot River, which is very popular for rafting, but is considered the most demanding river between the Smoky and Rocky Mountains, is located here. The Talimena Scenic Drive, a National Scenic Byway, also runs through the Ouachita National Forest. Little Missouri River and Ouachita River are all in the Ouachita National Forest. The Cossatot River, which is very popular for rafting, but is considered the most demanding river between the Smoky and Rocky Mountains, is located here. The Talimena Scenic Drive, a National Scenic Byway, also runs through the Ouachita National Forest.
| Contact | www.fs.usda.gov/ouachita |
Upper Kiamichi River Wilderness
The Upper Kiamichi River Wilderness is located in eastern Oklahoma in the Ouachita National Forest and was established in 1988. The Upper Kiamichi River Wilderness covers an area of approximately 40 km² and encloses the ridges Pine Mountain and Rich Mountain. This topography creates numerous rivers and waterfalls in the Upper Kiamichi River Wilderness. The area is mainly covered with beech, oak and pine. The Upper Kiamichi River Wilderness also runs about 12 km of the Ouachita National Recreation Trail. With a little luck, hikers will see American black bears, white-tailed deer, bobcats, skunks or pheasants.
Little River National Wildlife Refuge
The Little River National Wildlife Refuge is located in southeast Oklahoma and covers an area of approximately 61 km². The extensive nature conservation and wildlife observation area was established in 1987. Many small rivers and mountain streams run through the area, but swamps can also be found here. Mainly amber trees, oaks, pines, holly, walnuts, for example hickory and cypresses grow here.
| Contact | www.fws.gov/refuge/Little_River |
Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is located in southwest Oklahoma near the city of Lawton and has been a nature reserve since 1901. The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge covers an area of approximately 239 km² on which you can find over 800 plant species, 240 bird species, 36 fish species, as well as 64 species of reptiles and amphibians. As the name suggests, the reserve is located in the Wichita Mountains and also includes the adjacent grass prairie.
The most impressive mammals in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge include American bison, armadillos, pumas, prairie dogs, Texan longhorn cattle, wapiti and white-tailed deer. In earlier times, the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge served to preserve the American bison. When this had been extinct in the wild for 30 years, 15 bison were brought here from a New York zoo in 1907 and have so far increased to a herd of more than 650 animals. The highlight of the area, in the truest sense of the word, is the Mount Scott from which you can enjoy a magnificent view. However, it should be mentioned that only approx. 90 km² of the area are open to visitors. There are good opportunities for hiking and camping and particularly good opportunities for climbing.
| Contact | www.fws.gov/refuge/Wichita_Mountains |
Black Fork Mountain Wilderness
The Black Fork Mountain Wilderness is located in eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas in the Ouachita National Forest. The Black Fork Mountain Wilderness covers an area of approximately 53 km² and has not been visited very often. The protected area runs mainly along the ridge of the Black Fork Mountains, which reaches a height of up to 731 m. There are a few smaller trails in the park, but they are all located in the Arkansas area. The area is mainly covered with beech, oak and pine. With a little luck, hikers will see American black bears, white-tailed deer, bobcats, skunks or pheasants.
Tallgrass Prairie Preserve
The Tallgrass Prairie Preserve is located in the north of Oklahoma near Pawhuska near the border with the state of Kansas. The Tallgrass Prairie Preserve Reserve covers an area of approximately 184 km². The area is a light, hilly prairie landscape that once pervaded the entire Great Plains. Tallgrass Prairie Preserve is home to a herd of more than 2,500 bison, over 300 bird species and up to 755 plant species. There are 2 hiking trails in the area and the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve can still be considered an insider tip, because only about 10,000 visitors come here every year.
| Contact | www.travelok.com/listings/view.profile/id.7647 |
Chickasaw National Recreation Area
The Chickasaw National Recreation Area is located in southern Oklahoma on the edge of the Arcbuckle Mountains and is a protected area with the status of a national recreation area. The history of the area is changeable. The reserve was established in 1902 as a Sulfur Springs Reservation, then in 1906 into a national park, the Platt National Park, and then combined with the Arbuckle Recreation Area to form the Chickasaw National Recreation Area.
Today the protected area covers an area of approximately 40 km². Travertine Creek flows through the park and that is almost the only acoustic deviation from the silence in the park. Visitors should hike here and indulge in animal watching. But the most popular part of the Chickasaw National Recreation Area is Lake of the Arbuckles, which knows how to impress with its coastline of approx. 58 km. The Chickasaw National Recreation Area has also been shown on the back of the quarter dollar coin since 2011.
| Contact | www.nps.gov/chic/index.htm |
Hiking trails
Santa Fe National Historic Trail
The Santa Fe National Historic Trail traces the historic Santa Fe Trail trade route. The Santa Fe Trail was an important trade route in the 19th century, connecting the more densely populated areas of the Missouri River with the wide, open prairie landscapes. After the area was opened up by rail, the Santa Fe Trail lost its importance.
Since 1987, the Santa Fe Trail has existed as the Santa Fe National Historic Trail and runs through the 5 states of Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma and New Mexico over a total length of approx. 1,937 km and is one of the most interesting long-distance hiking trails in the USA. There are many interesting sights along the Santa Fe National Historic Trail today, such as Pecos National Historical Park, Fort Union National Monument, Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site, Fort Larned National Historic Site, Comanche National Grassland, Cimarron National Grassland as well as the cities of Arrow Rock, Kansas City and of course Santa Fe.
| Contact | www.nps.gov/safe/index.htm |
Ouachita National Recreation Trail
The Ouachita National Recreation Trail is a long distance hiking trail in the states of Arkansas and Oklahoma. The Ouachita National Recreation Trail has a total length of approximately 359 km. Of these, 285 km run in Arkansas and “only” 74 km in Oklahoma. The Ouachita National Recreation Trail is fairly new because it was only completed in 2011. The Ouachita National Recreation Trail is primarily intended as a hiking trail, but a good 2/3 of the way can also be covered easily by mountain bike. The Ouachita National Recreation Trail runs from Talimena State Park in southeast Oklahoma to Pinnacle Mountain State Park in central Arkansas.
The Ouachita National Recreation Trail runs for a large part (309 km) through the Ouachita National Forest. Furthermore, the Ouachita National Recreation Trail passes the two nature reserves Flatside Wilderness Area and Upper Kiamichi River Wilderness. The best time of year to tackle the Ouachita National Recreation Trail from spring to late autumn. Top attractions along the trail include Rich Mountain (the highest point of the trail), Wilhelmina State Park, Big Brushy Recreation Area, Blowout Mountain Scenic Area, Lake Ouachita, Iron Springs Recreational Area, Alum Creek Experimental Forest, Forked Mountain, Flatside Wilderness and Lake Sylvia Recreation Area.
Other natural beauties
There are currently 60 state parks in Oklahoma. Of course, only a selection of these can be shown below.
Lake Murray State Park at Ardmore
Lake Murray State Park is located in southern Oklahoma, near the city of Ardmore and surrounds Lake Murray. The State Park was established in 1933, making it the oldest State Park in Oklahoma. Lake Murray State Park covers an area of approximately 51 km² and is also the largest State Park in Oklahoma in terms of area. Lake Murray State Park is very popular and Lake Murray Lodge is a first class guest house for those who want to stay overnight, but of course there are also camping opportunities. In addition to the obligatory leisure activities in or on the lake, there is also the Tucker Tower Nature Center in the park. The Tucker Tower Nature Center not only offers an interesting exhibition on the nature of the region, but also offers a wonderful view of the surroundings. The Tucker Tower was opened in 1954 as a geological museum and a highlight of the museum is a meteorite that was found in the State Park and whose age has been determined to be over 90 million years. Furthermore, the remains of a mastodon found in the Washita River can be found in the museum.
