It will be for myself, wife and 3 sons (10,6 and 4). We have been to about all of the attractions in the metro and Witichita Mtns and Red Rock Canyon. What else is reasonably close (under 2 hour drive) and would be of enjoyment?

Check out the Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks.
Oklahoma Aquarium - Home (http://www.okaquarium.org/)

turners falls is around a hour south of here, pretty decent overall if you havent seen it before.

Turner Falls Park, Davis, Oklahoma (http://www.turnerfallspark.com/)

Turner falls, Oklahoma on Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/timthast/348197918/)

Bartlesville's nice for a day trip....

Near Turner Falls, the Chickasaw National Recreation Area adjacent to Sulpher on the south is a wonderful park of camping, boating on Lake of the Arbuckles, hiking, Travertine Nature Center and more. It makes for a wonderful day trip. In fact, it used to be a true "National Park" called "Platt National Park." Great place, I'm quite sure your family would love it. The Turner Falls area could be made in a long day trip or a weekend trip. They're very close, but lots to do between the two.

Turner Falls and Chickasaw National get my vote. Great places to spend the day.

Chickasaw National Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service) (http://www.nps.gov/chic/)
Turner Falls Park, Davis, Oklahoma (http://www.turnerfallspark.com/)


There is also Alabaster Caverns in NW OK. http://www.oklahomaparks.com/detail.asp?id=1%2B5U%2B920 (http://www.oklahomaparks.com/detail.asp?id=1%2B5U%2B920) And stop by the Gloss Mountains on the way: Gloss Mountain State Park - Oklahoma Parks, Resorts & Golf (http://www.oklahomaparks.com/detail.asp?id=1+5U+5460)


Take I-40 east to visit Heaver Runestone state park Heavener Runestone State Park - Oklahoma Parks, Resorts & Golf (http://www.oklahomaparks.com/detail.asp?id=1+5U+5325), Drive to the top of the World's Highest Hill (1999 ft.) in Poteau (hopefully they have cleaned that up). Then camp on the shores of Lake Wister. Heavener Runestone State Park - Oklahoma Parks, Resorts & Golf (http://www.oklahomaparks.com/detail.asp?id=1+5U+5325) . In the morning drive the Talamina Scenic Drive to Robbers Cave: Robbers Cave State Park - Oklahoma Parks, Resorts & Golf (http://www.oklahomaparks.com/detail.asp?id=1+5U+3607)

I not real sure where your interests lie, but there is an intriguing trifecta of State Parks up in NW Oklahoma that are known as Little Sahara, Alabaster Caverns, and Boiling Springs. There's not too much else around (it is NW Oklahoma, after all), but it might make a cool outing for the kids.

Anyway, here's the Oklahoma State Parks website with a seachable region map if that's not what you were looking for...

Oklahoma Parks, Resorts & Golf - Region Map (http://www.oklahomaparks.com/region_map.asp)



Oh, yeah... on the flip side of the coin, Tulsa is still under two hours away, as well.

Check out the Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks.
Oklahoma Aquarium - Home (http://www.okaquarium.org/)


MadMonk,

I dutifully followed the link you included to the Oklahoma Aquarium (I wonder how they managed to get the name approved?) and had to smile when I saw the link to the National Fishing Tackle Museum!

I just marveled at the possibility of seeing seeing such a comprehensive group of "over 20,000 pieces valued at more than $4 million. This exhibit makes up the largest and most comprehensive antique fishing tackle collection in the world! Artifacts in this magnificent museum include the first gasoline outboard engine and the very first Skeeter Bass Boat! See it right here in Jenks, America." :woowoo:

Yet another reason to spend the day in the Tulsa area!

I not real sure where your interests lie

I am not looking at anything specific just want to get out and see the varied terrains of the state and let the kids have some room to run and enjoy just being outside.

Thanks to all for the suggestions they all look great and it looks like we are going to the Chickasaw Rec today. Is Turner Falls worth the admission price? Seems steep (yes I am a tightwad but with 5 admission prices it gets expensive fast).

Any more "winter" suggestions? With the weather being what it is this weekend thinking of packing the truck and heading out.

I took a trip to Bartlesville Thursday to tour the Price Tower by Frank Lloyd Wright. Eat at a hole-in-wall named Murphy's...good stuff. Returned via Tulsa's Woodland Hills Mall and dinner at Zio's. Good trip. I recommend.

Turner Falls has an awesome 'castle' that my kids loved to climb (age 10 & 14) .. the trout fishing looked great from what we could see.

The Falls weren't earth shattering but they were nice and it was a beautiful hike.

There is a cute place we like to eat at in Ardmore (about 15 min away) Two Frogs.

We really enjoy it because it has a lot of music memorbilia and the food is really good.

We just went to the Body Exhibit and the Omniplex/Science Museum .. I don't recommend it.

I thought the Body exhibit would be spectacular @ $25 bucks a person... it really wasn't. It was interesting but nothing I haven't seen before. The kids were unimpressed and bored after about 10 min.

It reminded me of the plastic books we have that dissect the body.

We bought a year membership again thinking the museum would be new and improved. I was really disappointed.. the Gadget Tree house was a glorified swingset that my 10 year old played on for 5 min. Nothing else was really changed.

We spent a fortune for half a day of bland exhibits. Half of the science hands on exhibits didn't even work.

If I could have, I would have gotten a refund for the annual membership. I doubt we'll get a lot of use out of it.

So, that's an example of something I don't recommend.

re varied terrain.

Head toward Watonga, then continue north on OK 58 through Fairview until you reach US 412, west of Enid. Proceed west to US 281. A short distance to the north you have Little Sahara park. Return to 412 and 281 junction and to the west, you have Gloss Mountains and Woodward a tad further to the west.

Coming south from Woodward you have rolling plains until you reach Elk City and, after a very nice Chinese buffet, in the shopping center just south of I-40 on HWY 6, you can zip home on I-40.

Lots of different terrain along that route.

If you are already up in that area near Woodward is Alabaster Caverns. Especially refreshing when its 120 degrees outside in the summer. Also, find out about the bat excursions they hold in July (i think). You must have a reservation for this.

We just went to the Body Exhibit and the Omniplex/Science Museum .. I don't recommend it.

I thought the Body exhibit would be spectacular @ $25 bucks a person... it really wasn't. It was interesting but nothing I haven't seen before. The kids were unimpressed and bored after about 10 min.

It reminded me of the plastic books we have that dissect the body.

We bought a year membership again thinking the museum would be new and improved. I was really disappointed.. the Gadget Tree house was a glorified swingset that my 10 year old played on for 5 min. Nothing else was really changed.

We spent a fortune for half a day of bland exhibits. Half of the science hands on exhibits didn't even work.

If I could have, I would have gotten a refund for the annual membership. I doubt we'll get a lot of use out of it.

So, that's an example of something I don't recommend.

Karried -

You hit the nail on the head when it comes to "Science Museum Oklahoma" (as if the name change would be make it more appealing!).

For years, I assumed that the reason the exhibits weren't improving was because of all the money they were saving up to build the Omnidome theatre, and once it was completed that the museum would improve rapidly. Not so. The exhibits have remained essentially unchanged since I was a kid visiting it with MY parents. How disappointing.

The sad thing is that we could really USE a good science museum. Kids just aren't as intrigued with this stuff as they used to be, and a building full of 20yo, outdated, half-not-working displays and exhibits sure doesn't help.

My $0.02, but I agree... a very sad disappointment, because I so WANT to enjoy the Omniplex

Paul
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I AM PS3 (http://iamps3.spaces.live.com)

Just a note on Turner Falls, they have a tyrannical pet policy (no pets anywhere near the falls or caves) and if you bring your pets (even to just hike the back trails) expect evil eye stares and grave warnings from each park employee that you see. Given, the drive and expense, go to Chickasaw instead.
If you have children (instead) that like to swim, Turner Falls looks like a good place to go in the summer. The water there is amazing clear. However, you really have to like crowds and crowds of people.

OKCcrime

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Oklahoma City Crime - Crime Maps, Reports and Statistics (http://okccrime.com)

I love that place. I've taken my kids there several times.

The Czech Festival in Prague is good. We try to attend other festivals, too. It a way to see a different part of the state.

Prunepicker

best day trip now the gas is almost 4.00 a gallon, try the omniplex (oklahoma science museum) they have really changed since 3 years ago, the new exploration space on the second floor is really neat phase 1 is already open

When our kids were small we took them to dig for (salt) crystals up by Jet Okla. My son who loved to dig holes was entertained all day. My daughter (neat freak) didn't like getting messy, though.

Any of the state festivals are fun and very cheap. Regardless of what the price of
gas may be.

Also, any of the state parks are worth an overnight stay. They are wonderful.

Prunette and my faves are Wister Lake and Tenkiller.