Day trippin’ in our great state

Oklahoma has a lot to offer! If you need a short summer break and want a day’s getaway, here are a few IDEAL locations you might want to check out. Whether you’re an indoor person or love the great outdoors, there’s a day trip for you in our beautiful state not too far from your Ideal Home.

Tulsa

An easy turnpike drive, just about 90 minutes from Oklahoma City, Tulsa has something for everyone. If you’re a music lover, T-Town is packed with performances all year long. Catch a show at the BOK Center or historic Cain’s Ballroom. Or catch the Tulsa Ballet or Tulsa Opera or any of the Broadway shows at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center.

For walking paths and hiking, head over to the Gathering Place, Tulsa Zoo, or Tulsa Botanic Garden. Or check out the trails at Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area. There are also plenty of ponds and Keystone lake if fishing is your thing. Just be sure to get your Oklahoma Fishing License.

Shoppers will enjoy Utica Square for upscale shopping and several dining options. The Farm Shopping Center, a taste of country living just 15 minutes from downtown, is a tree-lined shopping center that features a rustic barn and boardwalk-style paths between stores.

And for souvenirs, drop by an Ida Red store. They have a variety of Tulsa, Route 66, and Oklahoma t-shirts, greeting cards, and much more. For more options, go to Visittulsa.com

Catoosa

The Blue Whale of Catoosa is worth a visit. It’s a water structure that’s become one of the most recognizable attractions on old Route 66. Kids can climb all over the inside, peeking out of portholes and having a great time. Catch and release fishing. Take a picnic to enjoy around the pond. Free. Blue Whale on Facebook

Turner Falls

Turner Falls Park in Davis offers family-friendly adventures and Oklahoma’s largest waterfall, all nestled in the heart of the Arbuckle Mountains. Visitors will find a real castle, picnic areas, caves, RV hook-ups, and camping locations along a spring-fed creek that runs all the way through the park. And don’t forget to pick up dessert on the way out of town at Arbuckle Fried Pies – a must-try Oklahoma staple. Turnerfallspark.com

Pawhuska

If you’re into shopping and eating, you just have to visit the Pioneer Woman’s Mercantile shop and restaurant. Kids are totally welcome, and dining is casual and fun. If you’re a Ree Drummond fan, be sure you browse the gifts and cookbooks, beautiful pottery, and made-in-Oklahoma products. If you want to tour the Drummond Lodge where the Pioneer Woman show is filmed, get to the Mercantile as soon as you get into town. Tours can only be arranged at the Mercantile, so don’t dawdle! 

And don’t skip the rest of Pawhuska. Spend a little time at the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve to see the bison. Walk around downtown – charming and full of beautiful photo spots. Visit the Osage Nation Museum to learn about the tribe’s culture and place in Oklahoma and American history.

And there’s even more to see and do, so check out the Pawhuska website: Pawhuskachamber.com

Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge

Home to Mount Scott, Quanah Parker Lake, longhorn cattle, and a herd of bison, this day trip will be fun for the whole family. You can hike, camp, or go on a scenic drive. There’s also fishing, bird watching, wildlife photography, and kayaking. Tons of grills and picnic tables. You might also want to combine your visit with a stop in Medicine Park. Wichita-Mountains-Wildlife

Great Salt Plains State Park

The Great Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge is a true Oklahoma hidden gem. You can play in salt left over from an ocean that covered Oklahoma in prehistoric times. The saltwater lake in the park, the Great Salt Plains Lake, is open for swimming and about half as salty as the ocean. You can dig out salt crystals in the digging areas. Activities in the area include boating, camping, picnicking, swimming, hiking, and mountain biking. RV and tent sites, cabins, and picnic sites are also available. Great-Salt-Plains

There are plenty of other day trips in this great state, like Little Sahara, Alabaster Caverns State Park, Robbers Cave State Park, Woolaroc museum and park, and Gloss Mountain State Park. Did we mention the lakes? Lake Murray, Lake Eufaula, Lake Tenkiller, Lake Thunderbird, Grand Lake, Broken Bow Lake. If you’re into antiques, check out Guthrie or Jenks. Into architecture? Try Bartlesville, the site of the Frank Lloyd Wright skyscraper, Price Tower. The list is nearly endless.

So set aside a few days to break the everyday monotony; enjoy a day trip. Or several getaways. There’s an ideal spot for you right here in Oklahoma! Get an overview of everything and special offers at TravelOK.com