Do you want an epic southwest travel adventure? Then look no further than Oklahoma! This surprisingly stunning state offers everything from beautiful natural attractions to history, food and culture! This Oklahoma bucket list will show you how to make the most of your trip.

Oklahoma is a state with ancient mountains, rolling prairies, quaint small towns, and modern cities. This often-overlooked state truly does have something for everyone.

Once known as Indian Territory, Oklahoma is home to more Native American tribes than any other state. Thirty-nine tribal headquarters make their home within the state’s borders.

You can take a deep dive into their history and culture at tribal museums across the state. The best place to start is the newly-opened First Americans Museum where you can learn about the history of all First American tribes living in Oklahoma today.

Cowboy culture is alive and kicking in Oklahoma and you’ll see plenty of cowboy boots and hats traveling throughout this state.

There’s no better place to get aquainted with America’s western history and traditions than the Sooner State. There are numerous destinations to immerse yourself in the spirit of the west like at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum and Chisholm Trail Heritage Center.

Outdoor lovers will also be impressed by Oklahoma’s diverse landscapes and multitude of state parks that offer endless recreation opportunities from hiking to wildlife watching, boating and fishing.

There truly is a lot to discover in the Sooner State, so much so that it can be hard to narrow down which destinations to visit.

To make trip planning easier for you, we have compiled a list of the top attractions and best places to visit in Oklahoma. It is the ultimate Oklahoma bucket list!

Oklahoma Bucket List

1. Marvel At Skydance Pedestrian Bridge

Skydance Pedestrian Bridge is an architectural marvel and one of Oklahoma City’s top attractions!

This magnificent structure stretches gracefully over Interstate-40 connecting the upper and lower sections of Scissortail Park.

The design of the bridge was inspired by the Scissor-tail Flycatcher bird, a species native to Oklahoma. Spanning 380-feet and soaring 185-feet into the sky, this sleek structure is absolutely captivating and a must see on your Oklahoma bucket list!

After dark the pedestrian bridge is lit up in bright pink and blue colors making the landmark even more stunning. If you’re visiting Oklahoma City during the Christmas holidays, the bridge will be lighted up in red and green to celebrate the holidays.

Either way, no matter what time of the day or season you visit the Skydance Bridge you’re guaranteed to be struck by awe and wonder!

Read: Visit Skydance Pedestrian Bridge: A Stunning Must See Sculpture In Oklahoma City

2. Visit Myriad Botanical Gardens

Myriad Botanical Gardens is a 17-acre botanical garden located in the heart of downtown Oklahoma City. Home to over 750 varieties of plants, this botanical garden is another can’t miss attraction in OKC!

What sets the Myriad Botanical Gardens apart from others is the Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory, a 224-foot circular glass bridge full of lush tropical palms, flowers and waterfalls.

Even if you don’t have enough time to explore the grounds of the botanical gardens in depth, it is still worth stopping by the downtown park to see the exterior design of the Conservatory Bridge.

3. Experience Lavish Living At The National Hotel

Introducing The National Hotel, another architectural treasure in Oklahoma City that is a must see!

This historic building built in 1931 was once home to the First National Bank office tower. It has since been converted into a decadent boutique property with lavish amenities.

For the ultimate luxurious experience, be sure to book a stay at The National Hotel if you plan to visit Oklahoma City on your Oklahoma bucket list.

The National is more than just a hotel; it tells the story of Oklahoma City’s vibrant history through its stunning murals, marble floors, stone columns and decorative painted ceilings in the lobby.

You don’t have to be staying at the hotel to see the grand lobby here. There is a restaurant and bar located on the ground floor of the hotel that is open to the public, as well as a secret cocktail lounge hidden in the old bank vault.

4. Explore The Bricktown District

Some of Oklahoma City’s best attractions can be found in the Bricktown District. From really fun bars and great restaurants to some of the city’s most iconic attractions, you’ll want to make sure you add a visit to Bricktown to your Oklahoma City travel itinerary.

Bricktown is an area of downtown Oklahoma City that was once the industrial and warehouse district but has since been revitalized into a lively place full of entertainment.

This neighborhood is home to some of Oklahoma City’s best restaurants, bars, sporting events, concerts, and more.

In Bricktown, take a ride on the Bricktown Water Taxi where you’ll get a quick introduction to the Bricktown District and its history. Other can’t miss places in Bricktown include Pinkitzel, Brickopolis, Bricktown Ballpark, and Michael Murphy’s Dueling Piano Bar.

When it’s time to stop exploring and refuel, head to Bourbon Street Cafe, a New Orleans-inspired restaurant with outstanding food and delicious cocktails.

Read: Complete Guide To Oklahoma City’s Bricktown District

5. See The Tallest Waterfall In Oklahoma

Nestled in the Arbuckle Mountains is Turner Falls, the tallest waterfall in Oklahoma. This beautiful 77-foot tall waterfall drops into a big blue pool. It is certainly one of the most beautiful sights in the state!

One of the best places to view Turner Falls is from an overlook on Highway 77 that offers sweeping views of the Arbuckle Mountains and Turner Falls.

For an even more unique perspective, you can soar across the Arbuckle Mountains on the 777-Zipline where you’ll dangle above Turner Falls before being catapulted back to the overlook. It’s a thrilling adventure and only for those who are truly brave enough.

Read: Visit Turner Falls Park And See The Tallest Waterfall In Oklahoma

6. Explore A Medieval Castle

Explore the ruins of an old Medieval-style castle! This rare castle in Oklahoma is a curious roadside attraction that deserves to be on every Oklahoma bucket list!!

If you’re looking for quirky places to visit on an Oklahoma road trip, be sure to add this fascinating destination to your driving itinerary.

The castle is an example of Old English architecture and was constructed during the 1930s using local stone.

Visitors can explore the castle’s maze-like rooms, climb its steep staircases, peek through narrow windows and climb to the castle’s rooftop.

Wandering through this sprawling stone mansion feels a little bit like navigating a labyrinth; it involves ducking under low entrances, squeezing through tight spaces, and a lot of twisting and turning.

The entire structure is beginning to be engulfed under a dense cover of trees which just adds to the mystique of this castle in Oklahoma.

Read: Explore Medieval Castle Ruins In South-Central Oklahoma

7. Take Your Photograph With A Giant Leg Lamp

Another quirky attraction to add to your Oklahoma bucket list is the Christmas Story Leg Lamp. Standing 50-feet tall in Chickasha is one of the coolest sculptures you will ever see!

The larger-than-life leg lamp stands atop a gigantic wooden crate marked fragile.

Visitors flock to this unusual attraction because it is such a fun photo opportunity to have while visiting Oklahoma on a road trip.

Its design is based on the popular film “A Christmas Story” about a young boy whose only Christmas wish was to receive a BB gun. Whether you’ve seen the film or not, you will still be able to appreciate the remarkable creativity of this monument.

8. Dive Into Chickasaw History At Chickasaw Cultural Center

Chickasaw Cultural Center in Sulphur is one of the largest tribal cultural centers in the United States. It brings Chickasaw history and traditions to life through exhibits, demonstrations and performances.

The museum chronicles the story of the Chickasaws who were removed from their home in the Lower Mississippi Valley to their present day lives in Oklahoma.

One of the highlights of the museum is a replica traditional village which features a Council House, ceremonial mound, and corn crib.

Another highlight of the museum are the daily stomp dance demonstrations where you’ll have the opportunity to join and dance with Chickasaw tribe members.

9. Have A Drink At Blake Shelton’s Bar

Blake Shelton loves his home state of Oklahoma so much that he opened the first of his four Ole Red’s in a small south-central Oklahoma town.

Located in Tishomingo, the restaurant has become so famous that it now attracts visitors from across America as well as tourists from overseas.

At Ole Red you can enjoy Southern-style comfort food with classic dishes like chicken fried steak, redneck nachos, and fried water critters. Be sure to order one of their house cocktails which come in funky souvenir cups that you can take home.

Ole Red’s hosts live music almost every night of the week in its adjoining music hall called The Doghouse. Past performers have included winners from the television show “The Voice” and even Blake Shelton himself has been known to make special appearances every now and then!

10. Visit The Largest Casino In The USA!

Winstar World Casino is the largest casino in the USA and the sixth largest in the world based on floor space. And guess what? It’s located right here in Oklahoma!

The 400,000 square foot casino features over 10,000 slot machines, a 55 table poker room, a betting parlor, Bingo, Keno, and so much more! So you see, you don’t have to go to Las Vegas to get a gambling fix!

But there’s alot more to do at Winstar than gambling. There are 17 restaurants and multiple bars to take your pick from, a nightclub, and a music venue that hosts big name artists like Dolly Parton, John Legend, Luke Bryan and Jerry Seinfeld.

Best of all is the new five acre outdoor pool complex. It’s laid out across three tiers and features luxurious amenities. You can kick back with a cocktail on one of the in-pool sunchairs or on a daybed and enjoy the summer sunshine.

11. Enjoy Lakelife At Lake Murray State Park

Lake Murray State Park In Oklahoma — Lake Murray.

Lake Murray State Park is the largest state park in Oklahoma. At the center of the park is Lake Murray, a lake with clear Caribbean-blue water.

This lake is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful lakes you will ever see! And it’s an easy day trip from Oklahoma City. Although you’ll likely want to stay here for more than just one day.

At Lake Murray Water Sports you can rent paddleboards, kayaks and wave runners. Or hit the water in style on an Island Cruiser — a pontoon-style boat that comes equipped with gas bbq and waterslide!

12. See Bison At Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge

Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is the perfect place to visit if you love nature and the outdoors.

The refuge is vast at over 59,000-acres and consists of a variety of native grasslands and plants. But the most popular feature of this beautiful state park are its resident bison.

These bison are free roaming so you aren’t guaranteed a sighting, but to increase your chances of spotting a herd, take a hike along the aptly named Bison Trail. It is a 6.1 mile loop hike and is the most popular hiking trail in the refuge.

If you would prefer a shorter hike, the Wichita Forty Foot Hole Trail is only a 1.4 mile loop. There are terrific views of the canyon from along this trail and at certain times of the year you will be able to see the river flowing and a small waterfall too.

13. Spend A Weekend In Tulsa

Tulsa, once known as the “oil capital of the world”, is the second largest city in Oklahoma. It is a very beautiful city since art-deco style buildings tower over the city streets here.

There are plenty of things to do in Tulsa for every type of traveler, so much so that you should plan to stay for at least two days.

The Gathering Place is probably the most popular location in Tulsa. Situated on the Arkansas River, this 100-acre park has a range of facilities such as boathouse with boat rentals, a skatepark, playgrounds, and picnic areas.

Also don’t miss the Blue Dome District, an entertainment area that offers a selection of fantastic restaurants and fun nightlife. It is the go to place in Tulsa for both residents and visitors to the city.

The top-rated hotel in Tulsa is Hyatt Place in downtown Tulsa. Another great hotel to spend the weekend in Tulsa is Aloft Tulsa which is also loacted in the downtown area.

14. Get Your Kicks On A Route 66 Road Trip

The nation's longest driveable stretch of Route 66 can be found in Oklahoma. This legendary road travels more than 400 miles past charming towns, roadside diners, and quirky attractions.

Several state-of-the-art museums pay tribute to America's Main Street including the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton, the National Transportation and Route 66 Museum in Elk City, and Route 66 Interpretive Center in Chandler.

Begin your adventure in Quapaw, one of the first towns you’ll encounter coming from Kansas and Missouri. Then make your way to Tulsa via Miami, Chelsea, Claremoore and Catoosa — all places with route 66 attractions you’ll want to see like the iconic “blue whale”.

Next up you’ll drive between Tulsa and Oklahoma City where there are may interesting sights like the Round Barn and Pops 66 Soda Ranch in Arcadia.

Plan A Trip To Oklahoma

Rental Cars

If you need a rental car for your trip we recommend Enterprise who are our preferred car rental company. But if you would prefer to shop around use rentalcars.com to look for the best rates on car rentals in Oklahoma.

Hotels

To find the best rates on hotel rooms search hotels.com who have the largest inventory of rooms at the lowest rates! Alternatively you can use VRBO to find a vacation homes in Oklahoma to make your trip extra special.

RVs & Campervans

Would you prefer to rent an RV or campervan for your Oklahoma road trip? Check out Outdoorsy where you’ll find a huge selection of vehicles across the U.S. that you can sleep inside. Save money by not having to stay overnight in hotel rooms!

Road Trips

If you’re not experienced with taking road trips, have a look at a few of these articles that will help you become more familiar with what to expect on your great American road trip adventure: