Information for Travelers
The state capital, Oklahoma City, is a bustling hub south of the Great Plains, more or less in the middle of the oil-rich state.
The city is known for its cowboy culture and capitol complex, surrounded by working oil wells.
Also known as "The Big Friendly", the city was settled during the "Land Run" of 1889, although Native Americans lived in the area long before that.
Many of the city's top tourist attractions are located in the former warehouse district of Bricktown.
Museums, venues and restaurants create a picturesque neighborhood on the Bricktown Canal with their little water taxis.
And to get a real taste of farm life, you can plan your trip to attend a stock auction.
In operation for more than a century, the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden engages tourists and families with more than 500 species of animals, including rhinos, gorillas, lions and tigers.
All over the terrain, you can also see impressive plant displays from Oklahoma and around the world.
Children and adults alike enjoy interactive experiences such as feeding lorikeets and giraffes, sea lion shows, elephant demonstrations, a long barrel enclosure and a stingray tap tank.
Beginning zoologists can also get up close to animals like grizzly bears and Asian elephants in special behind-the-scenes experiences.
Boat and train rides offer adventurous ways to explore the park's extensive gardens.
Culture
Filled with interactive exhibits, the Science Museum Oklahoma features ever-changing exhibits of science-themed topics designed to engage, entertain and educate.
Also known as the National Cowboy Hall of Fame, this grand museum reveals life in the Old West with its large collections of historical materials, photos and sculpture.
The Rodeo Hall of Fame features rodeo champions, but on-screen cowboys also get a tip in their own hall of fame.
Kids can test their ranch-preparedness skills at the Children's Cowboy Corral.
In 1995, unfortunately, the capital became famous when a bomb attack cost 168 lives.
A national memorial now remembers the victims and survivors of that tragedy.
The Oklahoma City National Memorial's water mirror and empty glass and bronze chairs recall victims of the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building.
The Survivor Tree, an American elm that was almost destroyed in the attack, is also part of the memorial.
Read about Oklahoma City in Wikipedia