Ten places to visit during your spring break staycation in OKC

Before you book your flights to the mountains or the beach for spring break, have you taken a look at what’s happening in Oklahoma City? As one of the top 100 most-loved destinations in the world, it’s not a bad option to staycation. Use it as a perfect opportunity to get to know our city and all it has to offer!

Once you’ve made the commitment to a week’s stay in OKC, you have the exciting task of determining how to spend it. Here are ten ideas to choose from!

1. Oklahoma City Zoo
If you haven’t heard, the Oklahoma City Zoo just welcomed a couple of new members to the crew. You won’t want to miss out on the cuteness of the new red panda or the baby Asian elephant calf, Rama. Tickets to the zoo are $12 for adults, $9 for children and seniors, and children under two are free!

2. Scissortail Park
One of the easiest places to enjoy a nice Oklahoma day is with a visit to Scissortail Park. Bring a picnic to the playground, grab a bite to eat at Perch or SPARK, or choose a date when your favorite food truck is parked along Robinson. The park is a great place to go for a walk, play a game of touch-football, or simply enjoy time outside.

3. River Trail Adventures
Dust off the bikes and head out on the river trails for a day of adventure! If you’re feeling extra energetic, you can take the trails all the way from downtown out to Lake Overholser and back. The city has over 80 miles of multi-use trails to choose from, which means you could ride a new route every day of the break!

4. Bricktown Water Taxi
The famous Bricktown Water Taxi offers regularly-scheduled, entertaining and historically-themed narrated cruises through the heart of Bricktown’s entertainment district! Ticket prices are as follows: Regular – $13, Youth (6-12) – $10.00, Child (5 and under) – $4.00, Senior (65+), active-duty miltary (ID required), disabled – $11.00.

5. First Americans Museum
Deepen your understanding of our nation’s history and the people who first inhabited it at the First Americans Museum. Visitors learn about the histories of 39 distinctive First American Nations in Oklahoma through the FAM galleries and exhibitions. Ticket prices for the FAM are $10 for adults, $5 for tribal, senior (62+), or military, $5 for students (13+),  $1 for youth (4-12), and free for children three and younger.

6. Oklahoma Contemporary
As an always-free entertainment option, Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center is a fantastic spot to bring groups of all sizes and ages to enjoy cutting-edge work in their gallery spaces. In mid-March, they will be about a month into the opening of the Off the Wall exhibition, featuring three Oklahoma-based artists. They also have Spring Break camps this year for fun and challenging studio experiences.

7. Oklahoma Museum of Art
You won’t be disappointed with the quality and quantity of work at the OKCMOA. In addition to the Chihuly exhibition, which is one of the largest collections of his glass in the world, there is impressive work on display in the Pop Art and Text and the Perception and Technique in Abstract Art exhibitions. The museum is free for children 17 and under, costs $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, and $5 for military members.

8. Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum
Have a conversation with your family about justice and peace-making through a visit to the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum. The tragedy that happened in 1995 shaped our city and changed our world. The museum tells the story in a thought-provoking and hopeful way, it’s an important place to visit if you are an OKC resident. The museum is free for children 5 and under, costs $15 for adults, $13 for seniors and military members, and $12 for students.

9. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
The premiere institution of Western history, art, and culture is right here in OKC. Visit this nearly 70-year-old museum to see its internationally renowned collection of Western art and artifacts while sponsoring dynamic educational programs to promote interest in the enduring legacy of the American West. The museum is free for children 5 and under, $5.75 for children 6-12, $12.50 for adults, and $9.75 for students with a valid ID.

10. Science Museum of Oklahoma
Expand your imagination with a visit to the Science Museum of Oklahoma. This place inspires future scientists and space travelers, in addition to explorers of all types. With over 390,000 square feet of hands-on science experiences, art, and history, you’re day will quickly fill with smiles and the pleasure of learning. The museum is free for children 3 and under, $14.95 for children 3-12 and seniors, and $18.95 for adults. Special discounts are given to groups of 15 or more.

If that list isn’t exciting enough for you and your family, check out what’s happening on Visit OKC’s event page. They are constantly updating their website with new events and attractions. Remove “bored” from your vocabulary and make a plan for every day of the week this spring break. If you decide to explore OKC, make the most of your excursions by downloading and using the free Visit OKC digital passport. It provides information about many of the above attractions, in addition to sharing many other ideas to help make the most of your time in OKC.