It comes every year – that week on the March calendar when you look forward to a break in work or school. But as Spring Break approaches, you find yourself searching for fun ways to shake off the winter doldrums and gear up for warmer weather. Luckily, we’ve done the work for you by finding unique attractions across Oklahoma that will get you in the great outdoors.
Head to Medicine Park this Spring Break and you won't be disappointed. This quaint village, once a roaring resort community, will please those seeking outdoor adventure or merely a quiet place to curl up with a good book. Take the family shopping in the unique curio shops and art galleries that line the streets of Medicine Park or let the kids splash in the river under the falls. Visitors have a wide selection when it comes to lodging in the area, as Medicine Park offers everything from bed and breakfasts to cozy cabins and lodges with all the amenities.
Located just outside of Medicine Park is the 59,000-acre Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in Lawton, home to the oldest mountain range in the United States. Here you can see wildlife in its natural environment, as well as pristine lakes, streams, canyons, mountains and grasslands. Be sure and bring your camera in order to capture the photogenic bison herds and adorable prairie dogs that roam freely within the refuge. This area is perfect for hiking, boulder hopping and fishing, so bring your hiking boots and prepare for a day filled with family-fun outdoor activities. When blissful exhaustion hits and the sun begins to set, take a leisurely drive up the winding cliffs of Mount Scott to enjoy an awe-inspiring, panoramic view of the entire refuge.
Got a little one who favors the cowboy ways? Spend Spring Break at a guest ranch where they can ride horses, try their hand at roping and enjoy cowboy cooking. Oklahoma offers several guest ranches to choose from, but take a look at the Hitchin' Post out in the panhandle to get you started.
If you are looking for variety with minimal travel time, then the Oklahoma City Adventure District may be just the place for you. Located at the crossroads of I-35 and I-44 in the heart of Oklahoma City, this entertainment district includes kid-approved attractions like the Oklahoma City Zoo, Science Museum Oklahoma and the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.
While in the Oklahoma City metro area, make sure to stop by the Oklahoma Motorsports Complex in Norman for an adrenaline rush you won't soon forget. Zip around the .7-mile asphalt go-kart track at Oklahoma Motorsports Complex and race each other across the finish line in a faster-than-lightning concession go-kart. There's no way to get bored with all this entertainment in the neighborhood.
Another great place to find rip-roaring adventure is in the sand hills of Little Sahara State Park near Waynoka. This northwest Oklahoma treasure offers dune buggy and ATV riding on 1,600 acres of towering sand dunes. Bring the family, strap yourselves tightly into dune buggies and soar across the dunes. When you need a break to shake the sand out of your ears, there are two more nearby state parks where breathtaking adventures await you. Alabaster Caverns State Park in Freedom offers a guided cave tour through the world's largest gypsum cave that is open to the public. Explore beneath the Earth's surface, hear stories from the past and watch out for bats. You can also try your hand at a spelunking adventure in the wild caves in the park with a permit and appropriate equipment. Boiling Springs State Park in Woodward is another great option, featuring secluded camping and hiking opportunities on Oklahoma's "oasis on the prairie."
If a cabin in the woods is more your style this Spring Break, surround yourself with natural beauty and make a reservation at an Oklahoma state park. Great cabins and lodge rooms are available at some of Oklahoma’s favorite getaways like Beavers Bend, Robbers Cave, Greenleaf and Tenkiller. Scenic RV and tent campsites are also available. Special Spring Break activities include games for the children, arts and crafts, hiking, horseback riding, fishing and nature programs. Oklahoma’s state parks are fun and still among the best values for your family.
Whether you have a bored child on your hands or find yourself needing to entertain the whole family, there are plenty of things to see and do all across our state this Spring Break. Make plans now to take a day trip or week-long getaway to one of the many interesting places throughout Oklahoma.
