Tour the world around you in a day’s time
Vacations are needed, even if only for a day. Although, many of us would love to take an extended trip and explore foreign places, the realities of life can often keep us close to home. Luckily, Oklahoma provides us with a list of explorations, near enough to visit for a day. Whether you are interested in museums, mountains, marshes, or winning money; Oklahoma has something to make your quick trip worthwhile.
Exiting Oklahoma City, head west down Route 66 and you’ll run into Elk City, home to a museum devoted to the American Mother Road. Just outside of the city is the Foss Reservoir and State Park. Foss offers visitors a variety of recreational activities like fishing, boating, hiking, and horseback riding, along with RV and campsites.
North of there, you can find another one of Oklahoma’s hot spots for outdoorsmen, Little Sahara State Park in Waynoka. With over 1,600 acres of sand dunes, this park is known for hosting dune buggy and ATV enthusiasts from across the country.
For those that prefer rocks to sand, Quartz Mountain State Park in southwest Oklahoma provides a pleasant retreat from regular life. Home to a mid-century lodge, golf course, amusement park, lake, and more; this park is one of the southwest’s best kept secrets. The mountain range even includes an art institute, with programs every summer for students.
While you are in the area, you can visit the General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute and Museum in Hobart. The museum memorializes military artifacts from the retired United States Army General’s personal collections, including one of only two Medal of Honor awards within the state of Oklahoma; and invests in future leaders through educational outreach programs.
Centrally-located on the south side of the state is the world’s largest casino, Winstar World Casino & Resort. With nearly 400,000 square feet of gaming space, upscale restaurants, an enormous event center, and a 3-tower hotel, Winstar is the perfect place for those looking to try their luck.
Southeast of Oklahoma City, you can visit Beaver’s Bend State Park in Broken Bow. Another diverse landscape within the state, this park is home to forests of pine and hardwood trees, alongside the Mountain Fork River and Broken Bow Lake. Guests can trout fish, water ski, bike, or canoe. If you decide one day is not enough, the park offers a beautiful Lakeview Lodge that emphasizes the luxury of rural life.
Back north, you can find a variety of artful experiences in places like Gilcrease Museum, the Philbrook Museum of Art, and the Cherokee Arts Center. Some of the state’s hidden history can be found at Greenwood Rising.
However, a combination of art and history is heralded in Bartlesville’s architecture. The town touts one of the most unique buildings within Oklahoma by famed architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, in Price Tower. Completed in 1956, the 19-story tower is the tallest of Wright’s built projects and is regarded by the American Institute of Architects’ as one of the 17 most significant examples of Wright’s work.
So, whether you are looking for an outdoor adventure, or a custom-built escapade, Oklahoma has you covered; all within a day’s travel.
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