Honestly, Oklahoma gets a bad rap. Most people think it’s just flat plains and the occasional tornado. They imagine a drive-through state where you just keep your foot on the gas until you hit Texas or Colorado.
They're wrong.
If you’re looking for the top ten things to do in Oklahoma, you’ve gotta look past the stereotypes. This place is weird, beautiful, and deeply complicated. In 2026, the state is leaning hard into its identity as a crossroads of Native culture, "Mother Road" kitsch, and some genuinely world-class urban design.
The Gathering Place: A $465 Million "Thank You"
Tulsa has a park that shouldn't exist. The Gathering Place is a 66-acre riverfront wonderland that cost nearly half a billion dollars to build, funded primarily by the George Kaiser Family Foundation.
It’s free. Totally free.
Most "top ten" lists won't tell you that this isn't just a playground; it’s a masterclass in landscape architecture by Michael Van Valkenburgh. You’ve got the Chapman Adventure Playground, which looks like something out of a Studio Ghibli movie, and the ONEOK Boathouse where you can grab a kayak. If you’re visiting in 2026, Phase II and III are already well-integrated, expanding the footprint toward 100 acres. Basically, it’s the best city park in the U.S., and it’s not even close.
Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum: Heavy but Essential
You can't talk about Oklahoma City without talking about April 19, 1995. The Oklahoma City National Memorial is located at the site of the former Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building.
It’s a gut punch.
The Field of Empty Chairs—168 of them—represents the lives lost. In 2026, the museum is operating with its new "FOREWORD" addition, a 10,400-square-foot expansion that deepens the narrative. If you’re short on time, at least walk the outdoor symbolic memorial at night. The lighting on the "Gates of Time" (marked 9:01 and 9:03) is hauntingly beautiful.
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The 2026 Route 66 Centennial
This is the big one. 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of Route 66, and Oklahoma owns more miles of the "Mother Road" than any other state.
Skip the generic gift shops.
Hit the Blue Whale of Catoosa for the photo op, then head to POPS in Arcadia. You literally can’t miss it—there’s a 66-foot-tall soda bottle out front. Inside, they stock over 700 types of soda. If you’re a purist, the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton is the gold standard for history. It’s been renovated recently to feel less like a dusty attic and more like a neon-soaked time machine.
Woolaroc: Oil Money and Bison
Hidden in the Osage Hills near Bartlesville, Woolaroc was the country retreat of Frank Phillips (the Phillips 66 guy).
It’s bizarre in the best way.
You drive through a wildlife preserve where bison, elk, and longhorn cattle just... hang out. Then you hit a museum that houses one of the world's finest collections of Western art and Colt firearms. In April 2026, they’re running a massive Edward Curtis exhibition titled Catching Shadows on The Plains. It’s a rare look at Native American life through early 20th-century photography.
First Americans Museum (FAM)
Located in OKC, the First Americans Museum finally gives a platform to the 39 distinct tribal nations in Oklahoma.
Don't expect a boring history lecture.
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The architecture is built around a massive earthen mound that aligns with the solstices. Inside, the "WINIKO: Life of an Object" exhibition is a standout, featuring items on loan from the Smithsonian that are being reunited with their tribal communities. Eat at Thirty Nine Restaurant—the indigenous-inspired menu is legit. Try the bison sliders or the blue corn bread.
The Cowboy’s New Trick
The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum isn't just for people who like John Wayne. In January 2026, they launched The Cowboy: An Immersive Journey.
Think "Van Gogh Immersive," but with cattle drives and rodeo.
It’s a 360-degree cinematic experience narrated by Tom Selleck. It uses journals from real 19th-century cowboys (like Jack Bailey) to pull you into what life was actually like on the trail. It’s loud, it’s dusty (visually), and it’s a massive departure from traditional museum-going.
Turner Falls and the Arbuckle Mountains
Davis, Oklahoma, is home to the state's tallest waterfall. Turner Falls drops 77 feet into a natural swimming hole.
Warning: It gets crowded.
If you want to enjoy it, go early or visit in the "off-season" (though Oklahomans swim well into September). While you're there, check out Collings Castle, a crumbling stone labyrinth built in the 1930s that you can actually explore. It feels like a medieval ruin dropped into the middle of the Arbuckles.
Philbrook Museum of Art: Gardens over Galleries
Tulsa’s Philbrook Museum is housed in a 1920s Italianate villa once owned by oil tycoon Waite Phillips.
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The art inside is great, sure.
But the 25 acres of formal gardens are why you go. They’re often compared to Versailles, but with more Oklahoma heat. In February 2026, they have a major Andy Warhol: Silver Clouds installation. It’s a playful contrast to the stuffy villa vibes.
Chickasaw Cultural Center
Located in Sulphur, this is one of the largest tribal cultural centers in the country. The Chikasha Inchokka’ Traditional Village is a live-history area where you can see stomp dance demonstrations.
It’s not a show; it’s a living tradition.
The Aaimpa’ Café serves pashofa (a traditional corn and pork dish) that you won't find anywhere else. If you have time, the Travertine Island at the nearby Chickasaw National Recreation Area is perfect for a quick, cold dip in the spring-fed creek.
Broken Bow / Beavers Bend
The southeastern corner of the state looks like the Pacific Northwest. Huge pines, clear blue water, and lots of fog.
Broken Bow Lake is the hub for this.
You’ve got Beavers Bend State Park for the trout fishing and hiking, but the real draw lately has been the "luxury cabin" scene in Hochatown. It’s become a massive destination for DFW residents looking to escape the city. Rent a boat, hit the Mountain Fork River, and maybe try some of the local Bigfoot-themed beer. Yes, they take the Bigfoot thing very seriously down there.
What to Actually Do Next
If you're planning a trip for 2026, keep these two things in mind. First, the Route 66 Centennial means the I-44 and Highway 66 corridors will be packed; book your hotels in Tulsa or OKC early. Second, download the OKC Memorial App before you go—it provides a synchronized audio tour that makes the experience significantly more meaningful. Oklahoma is a place of high-contrast landscapes and deeply felt history; don't just drive through it.