Our Oklahoma City Family Adventure

My son and I had a whirlwind of a time in Oklahoma City, OK (OKC) from visiting must-see museums, staying at the 21c Museum Hotel, eating great food, riding the rapids at RIVERSPORT, and feeding Shanti the Rhino at the OKC Zoo. What a way to start the summer! Here’s our Oklahoma City family adventure and more! Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau (VisitOKC) provided us with three days of fun and thrills as a media partner.

Our Oklahoma City Family Adventure

Brody and I had a full schedule planned by VisitOKC for three days exploring their City. Adventure after adventure, I was amazed at what all there was to do in OKC. Our family adventure was nothing short of fun and thrills. I love how OKC is divided into Districts. Each District has fun-filled adventures to see and do.

Just three short hours from the Dallas/Fort Worth area, you can enjoy a vacation full of adventures for the whole family in the heart of OKC.

Day One.

21c Museum Hotel Oklahoma – Downtown District

The 21c Museum Hotel is an adventure in its self. From those moving purple penguins to all the Museum’s history, to the modern look of our room, we were in awe the minute we stepped inside. You’ll spend hours going around looking at all the art, paintings, artifacts and such on all floors of the hotel. It’s certainly a sight I’ve never come across before.

Except for a few activities, much of what we did was within walking distance of the hotel. 21c has an awesome shuttle service that will take you anywhere you want to go within a 5-mile radius. Brody and I hitched several rides with them.

Related: Fall Camping at Lake Tenkiller State Park Oklahoma(Opens in a new browser tab)

Maria at the front desk was wonderful. Tell her I said hi when you go! 21c’s newest art exhibition – Seeing Now, is worth a peek or two. Also, you don’t have to stay here to view the Museum…and the penguins. Don’t forget to take a picture of you and the penguin – then move it around – I love that concept of this hotel!

After you have explored the hotel, catch a ride to the Brickhouse District, or it’s close enough to walk.

Oklahoma City Family Adventure Continues with Pizza

A little rain won’t stop us from eating pizza! And, those stuffed mushrooms! A great first-day lunch – Hideaway Pizza rocks.

Science Museum Oklahoma: The Perfect Place For Brody

I had asked Brody what his favorite thing he did was, and he said going to the Science Museum. So take note, parents – this is a must-do when you visit OKC. From the interactive STEM-based displays, a three-story treehouse, science experiments, and more – it’s hands-on fun for everyone. I had a blast myself with the wall-to-wall fun things to do. We could have stayed all day but had other obligations. Check out the thrills at the Science Museum Oklahoma.

National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum Oklahoma City

Some of my favorite Westerson Cowboys are displayed at this Museum. Lots of history and world-class art that I tried to explain to Brody.  He had no idea who John Wayne was but knew a lot about President Abraham Lincoln. Gosh, you mean schools don’t teach kids about Mr. John Wayne?!? He was the best cowboy back in the day! A must-do checking out the gift shop.

Who said pizza twice a day was a bad thing. We ended our first day with dinner at The Hall’s Pizza Kitchen for more pizza and appetizers. Their wood-fired pizzas were as spectacular as the atmosphere and view on the deck. Parties were going on inside and out while we were there. To me, it seemed like a popular place for locals to hang out.

Related: Healthy Gluten-free Pizza Crust You’ll Ever Make(Opens in a new browser tab)

Day Two.

Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum: A Tear Fell

The most meaningful Museum of all. Not so much for my son, but it was for me. My heart sank listening to the opening video that was playing when you first walked in. The Museum did a remarkable job showcasing that awful day in Downtown Oklahoma City. You could have heard a pin drop as we were walking through. As a matter of fact, tears were flowing and a lot of holding hands. I wondered if anyone here actually knew someone who died on that day. It was so surreal. I even stopped to ask questions, and every question I asked, I got an answer. I’d go back in a heartbeat to hear it all again.

RIVERSPORT Rapids Whitewater Rafting

An adventure all by itself in Oklahoma City’s Boathouse District is the amazing RIVERSPORT Rapids & Adventures. Not only will you feel the thrill on the rapids, but you can also go kayaking and sail across the sky on their zip line. I love to zip line, and yes, I took advantage! There’s an adventure course, a youth zone, and lots of fun things for kids and adults alike. For one price, you can enjoy the entire RIVERSPORT (zip-lining extra) all day long.

The below photo tells it all! Whoa, what a ride it was. Everyone needs to try this once, or twice if you’re a 9 yr old that likes to see his mother get frightened! My son, as you can see, was having fun. We went around four times, and I couldn’t wait to get out. I hung in there, though.

If you want a thrill, RIVERSPORT Rapids is the place.

Oh, and even though I was a little scared, for the record, I’m pretty much scared of any ride that involves water. It’s a risk I took, and now I can cross it off my bucket list! The others in the raft LOVED it and have been around many times.

HeyDay Bowling in Bricktown

Suppose bowling couldn’t get any better. My son whipped me again! HeyDay provided us with a game of bowling, an hour of arcade time, and food. That was the best hamburger I’ve had in a while. We had fun, and though I suck at bowling, Brody loved trying to tell me how to bowl. I even got pointers from our host, Jennifer.

Bricktown Entertainment District is the place to be, especially at night. I felt safe as we walked around. Bricktown was rockin’ with all kinds of people – families, college kids, children, etc. There’s a lot to do in just this area. I need to go back to see it all.

Before I continue to our last day, I want to say how nice and friendly everyone I came into contact with. Every place that had a reservation for me knew we were coming, called me by name, and knew exactly what I was there for. It was magical, and I felt humbled. OKC is a friendly place to play in and truly has so much to offer vacationers.

Day Three.

Oklahoma City Zoo: Feeding A Rhino

Well, it’s not every day you get to feed a wild animal like a Rhino. VisitOKC and OKC Zoo set up a time for Brody and me to feed a Rhino. Our Oklahoma City family adventure was complete! Shanti the Rhino, I think, was excited to see us. She loved the lettuce I had in my hand, and I loved feeding her and feeling her skin—another bucket list for me. Feeding Shanti was one of my favorite things to do on our trip.

OKC Zoo is big, and spending all day there is easy. Lots of ground to cover and tons of cool exhibits.

Wheeler Ferris Wheel in OKC

While you’re contemplating where to go this summer, consider a vacation to Oklahoma City! A visit to the Ferris Wheel WILL be a family favorite – I promise.