Oklahoma is a gorgeous place to visit that is all too often overlooked by tourists. It is situated in the huge and expansive Great Plains of the United States' South Central region. It is a sight to behold, with gorgeous meadows, lush woodlands, roaring rivers, and low-lying mountain ranges, as well as the legendary Historic Route 66 running straight through the heart of it. Despite its small population, major and lively towns such as Tulsa and Oklahoma City may be found strewn around its lush farmland and countryside.

Apart from a rich Native American past, the former frontier state has a compelling cowboy culture in which visitors may immerse themselves, complete with exciting Wild West attractions. Gorgeous natural parks and wilderness areas with a range of spectacular outdoor activities are among the best places to visit in Oklahoma.

Top Tourist Places in Oklahoma

1. Bartlesville

Bartlesville is located on the banks of the Caney River, near the Kansas border, 70 kilometres north of Tulsa. Since the discovery of oil in 1905, the Phillips Petroleum Company has dominated most aspects of city life, and it currently maintains massive buildings and employs a large number of employees. The wealthy corporation has contributed to the creation of a number of renowned museums and attractive structures across town throughout the years. Woolaroc Museum and Wildlife Reserve is possibly the most notable of these: it has a massive collection of artworks as well as animals such as bison, elk, and zebra.

Moreover, Bartlesville is noteworthy for hosting Frank Lloyd Wright's sole skyscraper. Price Tower, at 67 metres, stands out from its surroundings and hosts frequent exhibits. Apart from art, architecture, and wildlife, the city has a number of significant cultural events and festivals throughout the year, the most well-known of which is its vintage vehicle display.

2. Beavers Bend State Park

Beavers Bend State Park, located in the lovely southeast of the state, is one of Oklahoma's most popular and attractive parks. It was established in 1937 and is called after a picturesque bend in the Mountain Fork River. It is home to the beautiful Broken Bow Lake. The park, which is located among undulating hills and low-lying slopes, provides stunning perspectives and scenery, with lush trees enveloping its lakeshores and riverbanks. The rugged and rustic setting is a joy to explore, with several hiking trails and mountain bike tracks winding through the woodlands.

Its flowing river and scenic lake are also suitable for a number of pleasurable outdoor sports, including fishing, swimming, and canoeing. Many people camp or stay in the park's cosy cottages, where archery, minigolf, and tennis are provided at the nature centre.

3. Chickasaw National Recreation Area

Chickasaw National Recreation Area, located on the outskirts of the little town of Sulphur in south-central Oklahoma, provides visitors with a plethora of fantastic outdoor activities. It is located in the foothills of the Arbuckle Mountains and has everything from springs and streams to woodlands, lakes, and waterfalls. The park's whispering brooks and rushing rivers are great for fishing, swimming, and boating because waterways occupy more than a fourth of the land. The gorgeous Lake of the Arbuckles, which offers scenic picnic sites and camping to guests, is the largest body of water.

While water dominates and defines the recreation area, its lush forests are as appealing to walk through, with a diverse diversity of fauna and vegetation to discover. With displays and live workshops, visitors to the Travertine Nature Center may learn about the ecology and ecosystems of the Chickasaw National Recreation Area.

4. Great Salt Plains State Park

Great Salt Plains State Park is located in northern Oklahoma on the banks of the same-named scenic, shallow, and salty lake. It's named for the magnificent plains of shimmering salt that are all that's left of a once-vast prehistoric ocean, and it's home to wonderfully lonely landscapes that seem to stretch on forever. While the never-ending salt scenery is magnificent, the state park also provides visitors with a wealth of wonderful outdoor activities. Apart from mountain biking and hiking, the lake offers excellent swimming and boating, as well as excellent fishing and bird watching.

Amazingly, Great Salt Plains State Park is the only place on the earth where you may go selenite crystal hunting. From April through October, thousands of tourists come to the state park to hunt for the hourglass-shaped crystals, enjoy the picturesque panoramas, and engage in the recreational activities.

5. Lawton

Lawton, Oklahoma's fifth-largest city, is nestled in the state's endless plains and grasslands, with only the Wichita Mountains to the north breaking up the monotony. If you want to understand more about the history and culture of the Great Plains, here is the place to go. It is home to several interesting museums. The Museum of the Great Plains has educational and interactive exhibits on the region's history, as well as archaeological findings, artefacts, and a trading post model. The Comanche National Museum and Cultural Center also highlights the tribe's rich heritage and history, and the Fort Sill Museum features a variety of historic sites for visitors to explore.

Visitors to Lawton may enjoy its many parks and outdoor recreation areas, as well as its outstanding public museums. Swimming and boating are popular pastimes, but no vacation to the Wichita Mountains is complete unless you take in the stunning surroundings.

6. Natural Falls State Park

Natural Falls State Park is located in the state's northeast, near the Arkansas border, among the spectacular Ozark Highlands environment. While it features lovely forest, wildlife, and foliage, it is most known for the stunning waterfall that runs through it. Dripping Springs Waterfall falls down a steep cliff face before meeting with a calm lake below, reaching a height of 23 metres. It is best viewed from one of two observation platforms tucked away in a narrow valley in the forest, where beautiful photographs of the incredible falls may be shot.

While the waterfall is unquestionably the centrepiece of the state park, it is also a fantastic site for a picnic or Barbecue, with some visitors staying overnight in one of the five cosy yurts. There is also a basketball and volleyball court, as well as a wonderful wooded hiking trail.

7. Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City is not only the state capital and most populous city, but it is also the state's economic and cultural centre. OKC (as it is colloquially known) is one of the Great Plains' major metropolitan areas, and as such, there is plenty for visitors to see and do. While numerous attractions are located in downtown Oklahoma City, such as the spectacular Museum of Art and the moving Oklahoma City National Monument, it is also worthwhile to venture further afield. The Paseo, a famous artists' colony, is home to various art galleries, Art Deco buildings, and boutiques, and 'Little Saigon' is packed with excellent Asian restaurants and shops.

OKC offers the family-friendly Frontier City, which provides thrilling rides and activities that take you back to the Wild West, in addition to its other historical, cultural, and architectural landmarks. The spectacular seven-story Myriad Botanical Gardens is just one of the center's numerous highlights, with riverfront parks and footpaths aplenty throughout the city.

8. Route 66

Route 66 spans from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California and is one of the most renowned and treasured highways in the United States. The 'Mother Road' stretches over 3,940 kilometres and across eight states, with Oklahoma having one of the longest pieces. Tourists to Oklahoma have long enjoyed road journeys along Historic Route 66, which runs through big and dynamic municipalities like Tulsa and Oklahoma City. It also passes through some typical American scenery, with rolling cornfields and farms coexisting with remote and distant countryside towns and villages.

You can also visit several beautiful museums and monuments associated with the historic road in Oklahoma. For example, the National Route 66 Museum in Elk City focuses on the people who lived, worked, and travelled along the road. Clinton's Oklahoma Route 66 Museum, on the other hand, focuses on iconic pictures and themes linked with the Mother Road, which has become almost legendary.

9. Tulsa

Tulsa is the state's second-largest city and is located in northeast Oklahoma, between the Great Plains and the Ozark foothills. While it is home to numerous large energy companies and big businesses, it also offers some outstanding architecture and interesting vistas. Its gleaming skyscraper-dotted city centre, located on the banks of the Arkansas River, houses not only gleaming corporate headquarters, but also an incredible collection of magnificent art deco structures. It also has a thriving arts and entertainment scene for visitors to enjoy, including magnificent ballet, opera, and theatre facilities, as well as two world-class art museums.

Tulsa has a lot of wonderful eating and shopping, as well as a vibrant nightlife and live music scene, owing to all of the large corporations in town. It also has some historic Route 66 attractions as well as several lovely parks and green places for tourists to enjoy.

10. Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge

Just north of Lawton is the magnificently wild Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, which encompasses a vast region of southwest Oklahoma. It was established in 1901 to conserve varied landscapes as well as numerous animal and plant species. It has a rugged terrain with steep ravines and sweeping valleys, as well as flower-filled meadows and woods. Within its bounds are 13 man-made lakes, as well as various scenic hiking paths and rock climbing routes. Due of the breathtaking beauty on show, it is an excellent location for camping and fishing, as well as bird and animal viewing.

While much of the park is open to the public, more than half of it is designated as a wildlife refuge. Visitors may witness elks, armadillos, otters, and the beautiful bison, which now number over 650 in total.