I've now visited the Oklahoma City National Memorial three times, and it still hits just as hard as…read morethe first visit. This is more than just a memorial -- it's a deeply moving tribute that honors the lives lost, the survivors, and the heroes of that tragic day. The outdoor memorial is beautifully designed and incredibly peaceful. The Field of Empty Chairs, the reflecting pool, the Survivor Tree, and the "gates of time" create such a solemn and respectful atmosphere. Every detail feels intentional and meaningful. Even on a return visit, walking through the site brings a heavy but important emotional impact that stays with you. The indoor museum is also excellent -- well-organized, informative, and respectful. Whether it's your first time or your third, this place leaves a lasting impression. It's educational, reflective, and incredibly well-maintained. If you're anywhere near Oklahoma City, do yourself a favor and make time to visit. It's one of the most powerful memorials I've ever been to.

Its been decades since I last visited the inside of the museum. I remember this day all too well…read more The changes and upgrades are awesome! I had friends that both survived and were killed in this bombing, so, coming here is sad (the loss and tragedy), comforting (the remembrance and celebration of life), angering (the lack of empathy and remorse that several people were involved in purposely killing on such a scale--intentionally parking the vehicle borne explosive next to the daycare), and hopeful (the victims and families will be remembered in love for generations to come). I have more ties to this event than what will be mentioned here, but I am glad I took the time to go back. I wont wait so long for my next return. Its a must visit! It shows the power God has to bring people together through tragedy. The Oklahoma standard.

A very well done experience! The theme really throw me back to the 90s and brought a sense of…read morewhimsical nostalgia for me. Every room holds something different and there's so much thought and detail that went into the set up. My family loved it as everything is made to be interactive. They include a scavenger hunt for the kiddos and they really enjoyed it. Definitely worth checking out!

If you enjoy places where you can interact instead of just look, Factory Obscura is an absolute…read moremust-visit in Oklahoma City. We spent about three hours exploring Mix-Tape and still felt like we could have discovered even more. Every room is filled with hidden details, secret passageways, interactive elements, music, lights, and artwork that constantly encourages you to slow down and look a little closer. The experience is whimsical, nostalgic, and surprisingly thought-provoking all at the same time. One of the things I appreciated most was learning about the mission behind Factory Obscura. The exhibit isn't just beautiful--it was created by local artists who are supported for their work. Knowing that the installation continues to evolve with contributions from more than 100 artists made me appreciate every room even more. As a travel photographer, I loved photographing the exhibit. Every corner offered a completely different color palette, texture, or composition. The special diffraction glasses they provide make the lighting even more magical, so don't skip using them while you explore. My advice? Wear comfortable shoes, plan for at least 2-3 hours, and don't rush through it. Open every drawer, look through every little window, touch everything you're allowed to touch, and if you're able, crawl through the hidden passages--you'll discover details most people walk right past. Whether you're traveling with kids, visiting as a couple, hanging out with friends, or exploring solo, Factory Obscura is one of the most creative and memorable attractions we've experienced. It's colorful, imaginative, and unlike anything else in Oklahoma City. We left inspired and would absolutely visit again the next time we're in town.

Pros: spent a fun afternoon with a friend here. My favorites were the Chihuly exhibit and the…read moresurpassing amounts of work from well known artists. Cons: no free parking.

Oklahoma City Museum of Art is home to the most comprehensive permanent collections of Dale Chihuly…read moreglass in the world! Upon entering the museum's atrium is an absolute stunning show stopping 55 ft intricate work of art sculpture- the Eleanor Blake Kilpatrick Memorial Tower. The intriguing Chihuly exhibit is full of beautiful glass creations and drawings. Each exhibit has a unique story. The masterful Dale Chihuly's creative imagination has inspired these pieces of art & his exceptional skill has brought them to life! Whether it's the Ikebana Boat, Neodymium Reeds, Jerusalem Cylinders with clear crystals or the playful Ikebana Flowers- all will amaze you the remarkable talent behind each piece of artwork! Everyone needs to visit the Chihuly exhibit at OKCMOA. * Take Note - OKlahoma City Museum of Art will be CLOSED AUGUST 10-18, 2026 for renovations.

I've been to the FAM 4 times and find something new to appreciate each visit. The museum itself is…read morewonderfully designed. My favorite area is the "original stories" shown on a massive wrap around screen -- complete with rock shaped seats. From there you follow a timeline of significant moments in indigenous history. The children's wing has come so far in the last few years and has a ton of interactive options for kids and adults alike. A note about accessibility: The FAM does an amazing job not only being ADA compliant but going above and beyond. Audio and visual portions have physical text or captions for those who need it. Exhibit videos also display timers in the lower corner. There are several "fire pit" seating areas throughout that allow for folks to rest. These are also all wheelchair accessible.

This museum is absolutely stunning right next to the Okana Resort. I was told the entrance faces…read moreeast to catch the morning sun and there is a beautiful glass area west facing that represents the 10 miles a day walked during the Trail of Tears, such beautiful architecture with meaning. Of course the artwork and artifacts are beautiful but what really got me was the mood. This place is QUIET. Not in a sterile don't touch anything way (but yeah, also don't touch anything), but with the stories that are told on the video, or through the curated spaces. It's contemplative and deeply respectful. This is NOT your typical museum where kids are sprinting around screaming. It's calm. And somehow, that calm extends even to the children's area. The Family Discovery Center is EXCEPTIONAL. Kids can climb, build, and explore hands-on educational stations for hours. There are interactive games, and activities that teach caring for our world which is the theme "We are all Connected." I really enjoyed the videos that detailed how the first Americans believed males and females were formed, I wish they had the animated video in a book format for purchase. Come spend a few hours here and take the time to reflect.

Great way to spend the afternoon. They have something for all ages (toddlers, teens, adults). We…read morespent a couple hours but I think some families could easily make a day if the covered the entire Musuem or even had lunch. Don't forget to use your ASTC passport reciprocal memberships and save that coin!

We visit many museums across the country and have an ASTC passport membership and have visited…read moreseveral science museums. Be aware that if you use your ASTC Passport, it only covers two adults and two children, and it's a fairly expensive fee to get in. This museum is very large and has a couple dozen areas to explore, like weather, electricity, space, dinosaurs, fitness, pendulums, etc. The whole museum is hands-on, which our kids loved. Unlike other science museums, there are no actual artifacts here (like fossils), only replicas. Many of the exhibits are fairly outdated and many of the interactive components aren't working. It's also really dirty and worn-out. The foam blocks upstairs are filthy with brown gunk on them, and giant Battleship is also really yucky. It's almost a Chuck-E-Cheese meets science feel. It feels like the whole setup is unnecessarily spread out, but that may be to accommodate busy weekend or school crowds. One nice feature is that the planetarium is free, and has several different presentations throughout the day. Our family members that don't get motion sickness went and really enjoyed it. Best planetarium we've been to anywhere, and the presenter was excellent. In all, this was a mixed bag for us. Since the pace is so frenetic with things to do, and very light on information (like plaques or movies), we didn't feel like we learned much, but the kids did have a blast. I would definitely not pay full-price to come, but it was a nice place to spend a hot afternoon. For what it's worth, so far our favorite is the science museum in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

A lot more than I thought it would be. It's worth the admission. You'll learn more than you could…read moreever imagine about cowboys and girls. They have many exhibits to look at and read about, and movies to watch and learn from too. You can use a free AI photo area which will take a pic of you (that can be downloaded via your phone) that turns you into a cowboy. It's so cool. There's an area for kids outside. Scooters are free for use for elderly or disabled people.

A most impressive visit!…read more The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum has been on my list for quite some time, and with Oklahoma temperatures soaring into the triple digits, today seemed like the perfect day to spend a few hours inside an air-conditioned museum. I originally came as part of my Oklahoma Passport adventure, looking to add another stamp. What I didn't expect was to spend nearly three hours wandering through the museum--and I could have easily stayed longer. I started with the Immersive Journey presentation, and WOW! The enormous 360° experience surrounding you with the sights, sounds and history of the American West was spectacular. That alone immediately told me this wasn't going to be a quick passport stop. The museum is absolutely loaded with Western history, art and artifacts. I found myself stopping constantly to read and learn--the evolution of the cowboy hat, cattle branding, an incredible collection of more than 1,300 varieties of barbed wire, wagons and so much more. Then there are the sculptures. The End of the Trail by James Earle Fraser is simply magnificent. Seeing this enormous and deeply symbolic work in person is completely different from seeing it in photographs. The Canyon Princess is another showstopper--a massive marble cougar carved from an original 31-ton block of Colorado marble. The finished sculpture stands about 15 feet tall and weighs more than eight tons. Absolutely beautiful. And then I stumbled across some familiar faces from American history and Hollywood--Abraham Lincoln, Ronald Reagan, John Wayne and Charlton Heston. As someone who grew up watching Westerns, seeing these larger-than-life figures represented here brought back plenty of memories. What impressed me most is that this isn't simply a "cowboy museum." It tells a much larger story about the American West--its people, Native American history, ranching, art, wildlife, movies, traditions and culture. I came for an Oklahoma Passport stamp. I left three hours later wondering why it had taken me so long to visit. If you're in Oklahoma City, put the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum on your list. Give yourself several hours because there is a LOT to see. And during an Oklahoma summer? That air conditioning deserves a star all by itself!

Located in the center of OKC's Myriad Botanical Gardens downtown, it is a very nice break from the…read morecity. It's not a very large conservatory and can easily walk it within an hour. But it's unique architecture makes it stand our with the suspended bridges. There are an assortment of unique plants including a whole section for various cacti. It's just plants, no animals. There a few information cards and scent samples for learning purposes. There is also a kids learning classroom inside. The only downside was some of the smelling info station were out and some info cards were a little vague or wasn't clear enough to pinpoint it to the plant it was talking about so it could be a little better maintained. Also there are technically two entrances but they only allow access from one from the outside which was a little annoying to have to walk another 5 mins to the other side. Tickets were around $10 when I went, which is alright. This is a tropical conservatory so be prepared to sweat.

What a beautiful visit my daughter and I had today…read more I remember the first trip to the bridge way back in the 90s with my bride. It was beautiful then and now after the renovation it looks amazing. While not the bridge the surrounding gardens and koi, ducks, etc are beautiful. We loved every minute and we only left due to the heat. Thanks for a super special time.

Wow, what a cool place!…read more We've seen billboards for this on 35 every time we head up to OKC for a regatta so we decided to visit on one of our trips. I wasn't expecting much, and actually lowered my expectations when I arrived and saw the boring building that looks like it belongs in any strip mall, but the displays were pretty awesome. You could spend days here. The number of different skeletons was staggering and they're organized nicely, with some funny Easter eggs in the displays. Well worth a visit for kids or adults.

Cool place, such a RANDOM location but glad they have private on site parking. My son and I enjoyed…read morethis little museum and spent about an hour viewing the displays. We appreciated the variety of animal skeletons available but this is defiantly a view only and not interactive museum. For what it is, it's good.

Play with the light…read more Solid Light by Anthony McCall was such a fun experience. In a collaboration with the Tate Museum, the Oklahoma Contemporary Art Center has a very unique display. McCall's immersive light sculptures invite you to interact with but not touch the light. So much fun to walk through sculptural beams made of mist and projected light. This sensory experience was truly amazing. It was also a fun challenge to try to capture the images. The 2-D images on film barely scratch the surface of what you will enjoy in the Contemporary Arts Center. Ask questions to learn more. It was so interesting to hear about the installation. The center is just two floors of art. The exhibits change regularly. Parking and entry to the museum are both free. Enjoy the Solid Light.

Great space with unbelievable local art. The main exhibit when I visited was an array of masterful…read moreworks by local (or at least at one time based-in-Oklahoma) artists. I don't have enough adjectives for it! Lots of interactive pieces. The first floor was full of student art (from the adjacent studio I believe) and the third floor held a evocative exhibit, Jakian Parks: The Black Land. I wish I had had enough time to explore the grounds and the outside art. The best thing about OCAC is that it is free. (Please feel free to support this place and a $5 donation is encouraged.) I'm anxious to see what exhibits are on view the next time I'm in OKC.

Hadn't been here in a awhile so drove over to find they are temporarily closed until some time in…read more2026 I was able to step thru the gate a grab a few pics but didn't want to press my luck. They have an awesome outside display of military equipment like, tanks, planes, helicopters etc. they have the outside area well maintain. I can only assume they are doing something inside the museum. There is no cost to visit here but donations are welcome as is spending some time in the gift shop. Looking forward to it reopening.

This is such an amazing museum! My family and I stumbled upon this through a recommendation when we…read morewere visiting the Oklahoma Firefighters Museum. The team member at the Firefighter's museum had mentioned that the 45th Infantry Division Museum was just down the road, and it is free! We decided to go check it out! I am so glad that we did! The museum has so much history, revolving around the 45th Infantry Division, also known as the Thunderbirds. My family and I learned a lot by going to the 45th Infantry Division Museum. The division had significant contributions during a variety of conflicts such as World War II and the Korean War. You'll be able to explore their comprehensive collection of artifacts, photographs, and exhibits that described the military journey. You will also see detailed information on training, battles, and sacrifices made by the soldiers of the 45th Infantry Division. Two of the most notable features is the Hall of Flags, where visitors can see the divisions distinctive flags and banners, as well as the outside area which has several tanks, helicopters, planes, and military vehicles. The Hall of Flags has symbols that represent the units and all the campaigns that the 45th Division was actively involved in. You will also see a variety of military equipment throughout all of the different conflicts, weaponry, and personal items. This is a phenomenal museum. We spent a few hours going through all the artifacts and reading the descriptions. Highly recommend visiting if you are local or visiting OKC.