Oklahoma holidays

Get ready to experience the essence of Americana on a holiday to Oklahoma. From its iconic Route 66 to tranquil lakes, expansive plains and comfort food classics, there’s enough history, culture and nature to fill any traveller’s wish list. So pack your Stetson and slip on your boots — you’ll be ‘fixin’ to’ visit the ‘Sooner State’ in no time.

Top destinations in Oklahoma

Oklahoma City

Oklahoma’s capital is a bright beacon in the middle of sweeping plains and sandstone hills, where urban cowboys roam a robust culinary and cultural scene.

Tulsa

Surrounded by wide-open Oklahoma prairie, Tulsa delivers Americana charm with its world-class architecture, buzzing arts scene and historic Black-owned business community.

Stillwater

From its country music heritage to its burgeoning student scene, this charming Oklahoma college town blends youthful energy and old-school charm.

Oklahoma: fast facts

Language

English

Currency

United States dollar ($)

Time zone

Oklahoma City - UTC−6 (CST) and UTC−5 (CDT)

High season

April – June; September – October

Low season

July – August; December – February

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Oklahoma holiday highlights

Oklahoma
Brand USA

Drive Route 66

Over 600 kilometres of ‘America’s Main Street’ pass through Oklahoma, inviting you to get your kicks on Route 66. Along the way, visit the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum and snap a picture of the Blue Whale of Catoosa. With the highway’s quirky diners, hotels and roadside attractions, cruising Route 66 is one of the best things to do in Oklahoma.

Learn about Indigenous cultures

Oklahoman culture is deeply entwined with Native American heritage, the state being home to 39 tribal nations. Immerse yourself in Indigenous history and culture at the First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City, and discover Native-owned art galleries and historical sites in Osage County. Visiting in summer? Join in the festivities at the annual Oklahoma Indian Nation Pow Wow.

Catch a ball game

One thing that unites locals is their love of sport. Visit the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City. And check out the displays honouring Oklahoman athletes at the Territorial Capital Sports Museum in Guthrie. For a truly local experience, time your visit to cheer on the Oklahoma Sooners college football team at the Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

Things to do in Oklahoma

Tulsa
Mother Road Market.

Top attractions

Don’t miss the original ‘End of the Trail’ statue at Oklahoma City’s National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. For an active day out, hit the hiking trails in Gloss Mountain State Park, which boasts dramatic mesas and buttes. Ready to check out one of Route 66’s most iconic roadside attractions? Make a stop at the Arcadia Round Barn, built in 1898.

Beaches

With vast stretches of lake and reservoir shoreline, you’ll have no trouble finding beaches in Oklahoma. Stake a spot on the sand around Arcadia Lake in Edmond. Or enjoy swimming, fishing and boating on Cedar Lake in the Ouachita National Forest. For white sands similar to those on the Gulf of Mexico, head to the beaches at Lake Texoma.

Nature

Oklahoma is packed with natural beauty, including its lakes, prairies and more than 30 state parks. Spot herds of American bison and Texas longhorns in the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge. And take in sweeping views from the top of Mount Scott. If hiking is your thing, head to Natural Falls State Park with its 23-metre waterfall and rugged trails.

Cuisine

Expect restaurants in Oklahoma to serve plates piled high with chicken-fried steak (fried beefsteak coated in seasoned flour), fried okra and cornbread. Order a tall glass of sweet tea to wash it all down. Fried onion burgers are another regional staple, especially at diners along Route 66. For dessert, nothing beats a big slice of pecan pie.

Culture and museums

One of the best history museums in Oklahoma is the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. This local gem showcases a vast collection of Western and Native American artworks and artefacts. If you’re a music fan, follow the Rhythm and Routes Oklahoma Music Trail to discover the hometowns of local music legends, iconic venues and landmarks like the Gene Autry Museum.

Nightlife

In Oklahoma City’s canalside Bricktown district, restored warehouses have been transformed into piano lounges, breweries and wine bars. Over in Tulsa, the Blue Dome and Arts districts are packed with bars and some of the city’s most iconic live music venues. Nightlife in Oklahoma’s smaller towns like Stillwater tends to be more low-key, centred around laid-back pubs, dance halls and honky-tonks.

Find the best time to visit Oklahoma

Weather in Oklahoma through the year

March – May: Spring brings warm days, cool nights and wildflowers blanketing state parks and prairies. This is also peak tornado season, so keep an eye on forecasts and weather alerts.

June – September: Summers are long and sunny, with temperatures regularly pushing 32°C. Cool off at lakes like Tenkiller and Keystone or escape indoors and enjoy air-conditioned museum days.

October – November: With crisp mornings and colourful foliage, autumn is perfect for hiking in the Wichita Mountains or road-tripping Route 66. Pack layers for cooler evenings.

December – February: Winters are mostly mild, though occasional snow and ice can hit the plains. It’s a great time to see Christmas lights in downtown Tulsa and Oklahoma City.

Events in Oklahoma

Norman Music Festival (April): Indie bands take over downtown Norman during this free music festival. Expect packed streets, lively bars and pop-up stages with performers playing everything from synth-pop to punk.

Red Earth Festival (June): Celebrating Indigenous culture, this long-running event in Oklahoma City features dancers, Native American art markets and live performances spotlighting the state’s tribal heritage.

Woody Guthrie Folk Festival (July): Held in Okemah, the birthplace of folk legend Woody Guthrie, this festival brings together musicians and fans for acoustic sets, storytelling and community workshops.

Tulsa State Fair (September to October): Get ready for Ferris wheels, funnel cakes and free concerts at Oklahoma’s biggest fair. Head to the sideshow for fair rides or catch a demolition derby at the grandstand.

Know before you go

Budget

This is one of the most affordable US states, so you shouldn’t have much trouble planning a cheap holiday to Oklahoma. You’ll pay around 15 US dollars ($) for a simple meal at a restaurant and about $6 for a local beer. If you need to catch a taxi, expect to pay under $10 for a short ride.

Health and safety

Summers are hot, so stay hydrated and avoid strenuous activity during peak afternoon hours. Spring and early summer bring a risk of tornadoes — stay aware of weather alerts and learn where to shelter during a storm. Patchy phone signal and limited service in rural areas make it a good idea to download maps and carry essentials when driving long distances.

Free things to do

Stroll through Oklahoma City’s Myriad Botanical Gardens, where walking trails, splash fountains and public art offer a peaceful downtown oasis. For an afternoon of culture, explore street murals and Art Deco architecture on a self-guided walking tour of downtown Tulsa. Exploring Route 66? Don’t miss Ed Galloway’s Totem Pole Park in Chelsea, home to the world’s largest concrete totem pole.

Family friendly

Head to Oklahoma City’s Science Museum Oklahoma, where kids can launch rockets, tinker with robots and experience a tornado simulator. In Tulsa, the Gathering Place is a huge riverfront park with walking trails, playgrounds and pedalos. For a classic roadside stop, explore the Toy and Action Figure Museum in Pauls Valley, the only one of its kind in the world.

Getting around Oklahoma

Tulsa
Darshan Phillips

Public transport

Buses: Regional bus services like Greyhound and Jefferson Lines link Oklahoma City, Tulsa and smaller towns across the state. In the cities, local transit like Oklahoma City’s EMBARK and Tulsa Transit can get you around, though schedules and routes can be limited outside core downtown areas.

Trains: Amtrak’s Heartland Flyer is the state’s only passenger rail route, running daily between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth, Texas, with stops in Norman and Ardmore.

Boats: There are no passenger ferry services in Oklahoma, though river cruises and lake excursions operate seasonally in areas like Lake Murray and the Bricktown Canal in Oklahoma City.

Domestic flights

Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City and Tulsa International Airport are the state’s two major airports, offering frequent domestic flights to cities like Dallas, Denver and Atlanta. Smaller airports like Lawton–Fort Sill Regional Airport and Stillwater Regional also provide limited services to hubs like Dallas–Fort Worth and Denver.

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Driving and car hire

Driving in Oklahoma is easy thanks to major highways like I-35, I-40 and I-44 connecting key cities such as Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Lawton. For a scenic drive, take Route 66 past vintage diners and historic roadside attractions. Roads are generally well maintained, though services can be sparse in rural areas.

Check car hire

FAQs about Oklahoma holidays

Oklahoma City is a great base, with major museums, a growing food scene and easy access to attractions like the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum and Scissortail Park. For a more laid-back vibe, try Tulsa, known for its Art Deco architecture, walkable downtown and live music scene.
You’ll want to spend at least five days in Oklahoma to make the most of the state’s cities, nature and diverse cultural offerings. If you plan on including a road trip down Route 66, consider extending your stay to a week.
The best time to visit Oklahoma is between March and early June or September and November. During these months, the weather is milder than in the blazing summers. If you’re visiting in winter, temperatures can drop below freezing, so be sure to pack accordingly.
Oklahoma is considered safe to visit. Even so, petty crimes can occur, especially in larger cities like Tulsa and Oklahoma City. Oklahoma is also sometimes prone to natural disasters like tornadoes and severe thunderstorms, so stay tuned to weather alerts when visiting.
Oklahoma’s official language is English. Spanish is the second most spoken language, but due to the state’s Native American heritage, you’ll find that Indigenous languages like Cherokee and Choctaw are spoken too.
Oklahoma uses US dollars ($). ATMs are easy to find in major cities, and credit cards are widely accepted even in smaller towns. It’s still a good idea to carry some cash for local diners, small shops and rural stops. Tipping is expected — plan to leave 20% in restaurants and bars.

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