When you’re looking for a fun family excursion near Oklahoma City, there are many interesting destinations for you to choose from. Whether you want to try a physical recreational activity, you’d like to visit a zoo or a farm, or you’re looking to visit different types of museums, this list of suggestions can help you plan your next family adventure. Crème de la Crème of Oklahoma City wants to share with you these six fun kid-friendly local attractions.

Boathouse District

“Oklahoma City Boathouse” licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Flickr by OakleyOriginals

The Boathouse District is the official U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Site for water sports such as rowing and kayaking. There are a lot of outdoor recreational activities to try in the Boathouse District like kayaking, paddle-boarding, and boat rides. If you don’t want to get on the water, you can go walking or biking on the 13 miles of trails in the area. The district also features live music and an art gallery to enjoy.

You can find the Boathouse District on the Oklahoma River at the intersection of I35 and I40 in Oklahoma City. Bring a picnic and bicycles to hike, bike, and picnic for free, or you can pay for any additional attractions you’d like to experience.

Oklahoma City Zoo

The Oklahoma City Zoo is an enjoyable outing for animal lovers of all ages. There are hundreds of animals and many different habitats for families to observe. There’s also a children’s zoo with a flamingo area, a petting barnyard where the kids can interact with gentle animals, a water play space with a waterfall, and the Galapagos Barn, where they can see the Galapagos tortoise up close in all seasons. You can bring in coolers with food and drinks and have a picnic in the zoo. 

Admission is $12 for adults ages 12 to 64, $9 for children ages 3 to 11, and $9 for adults age 65 and older. Children age 2 and under are free. For an additional price, you can get a Dino Safari ticket which includes many extras such as Dino Safari admission, lorikeet feedings, and carousel and tram rides. There are other paid attractions including camel rides, sea lion presentations, and different behind-the-scenes encounters featuring grizzly bears and other animals.

The zoo is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas. The Oklahoma City Zoo is located at 2000 Remington Place. 

Science Museum Oklahoma

Science Museum Oklahoma features hundreds of educational activities incorporating hands-on science experiences, art, and history. There are permanent and seasonal exhibits to visit including a special gallery that combines art and science. Kirkpatrick Planetarium is housed within the museum and admission to the Science Museum includes planetarium shows. 

The Science Museum is open Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are $16.95 for ages 13 to 64 and $13.95 for children ages 3 to 12 or adults age 65 and older. The museum is located at 2020 Remington Place.

Oklahoma Railway Museum

The Oklahoma Railway Museum has displays of freight trains, passenger cars, cabooses, and even a steam engine, along with other railroad memorabilia. There is a rotating display of special engines and railroad cars, complete with historical information about when and how the cars were used. The Railway Museum sometimes has special features, such as a handcar and motor car day or seasonal and holiday events. Check their online calendar to find upcoming events. 

The Oklahoma Railway Museum is open Thursdays through Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission is free. Train rides are available with ticket purchases, and there are also longer 35-minute excursion train rides available twice a month for an extended train journey and educational lesson. The museum is located at 3400 N.E. Grand Blvd.

Scissortail Park

When you want to burn off some of the children’s excess energy, head to Scissortail Park because there is so much to do there! This beautiful public space covers 70 acres of land and has ornamental gardens, woodlands, and a lake to explore. 

There are many playtime activities such as a children’s playground with large spray jets to cool off from the summer heat and a roller rink. In the summer, they have live free concerts and you can bring your blankets and picnics and enjoy music outside. There’s also a dog park and a picnic grove.

Scissortail Park is found at 300 S.W. 7th St. and is open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. The children’s playground is open from dawn until dusk.

Orr Family Farm

The Orr Family Farm is a unique family educational experience that’s fun for all ages. Created by Dr. Glenn Orr, the farm opened in 2004 and is designed to educate and entertain families on farm life. There are many attractions including pony rides, a zip line, paintball, a giant slide, and pedal cars. There are also several rather unusual activities such as a tractor tire sandbox, giant jumping pillows, and a human foosball game.

For a unique camping experience, stay in one of the Conestoga wagons or teepees. Campers receive after-hours access to some of the farm attractions and there’s a nightly community bonfire.

The Orr Family Farm is found at 14400 S. Western Ave. The farm is open on Saturdays from March through June for the spring and summer season and again from September through November for its fall season. Admission is required for guests age 2 and older and tickets are $13.95 online or $16.95 at the gate. Season passes offering unlimited visits are available, and the farm is available for private bookings for group events, weddings, or birthday parties.Crème de la Crème of Oklahoma City would like to hear of any other local attractions your family enjoys visiting. Contact us and let us know if you have another fun activity that wasn’t featured on this list or if you’ve tried any of these suggestions, so we can share your feedback with other parents.