I'm kicking around the idea of getting a telescope. I'm clueless as to what to purchase even though I've been reading a couple reviews online. If anyone has a suggestion for a novice star gazer with a $500.00 budget toward a telescope...I'd love to hear from you.

Any suggestions? Type of telescope? Best place to purchase one?

One of the best places around is in Norman.

https://www.astronomics.com/

Every year, there is a star gazing event up near Guymon as well.

http://www.okcastroclub.com has a classifieds section but it doesn't look like there's much for sale there now. They also have a link to a shop in Midwest City http://www.okcastroclub.com/stevesproshop.php

The club did have some lender scopes you could borrow for a few weeks. I don't know if that's still the case. They also have a number of events you might be interested in, monthly meetings and gatherings at their observing site out near Geary, open to members and/or the public.

The OKC Astronomy Club meets on the second Friday of each month at Science Museum Oklahoma at 7 p.m. The club also does sidewalk astronomy at the Paseo gallery walk on the first Friday of each month, weather permitting. Yes loaner scopes are available. Also, on 2-4-17 the club will host a 6 p.m. event at Steve's Pro Shop in Del City (see link above) for people who got a new telescope for Christmas or who are considering getting one, with tutorials and demonstrations. (Check the club website as the date approaches for any weather/cancellation info.)

OKCAC has about 180 members and is one of the largest such groups in our region. It also puts on the Okie-Tex Star Party in the Panhandle referred to above (at Kenton, not Guymon) which is usually rated as one of the 5-10 best in the nation, drawing about 500 people annually.