Empire City OklahomaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Empire City, Oklahoma.
1. Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum
POWERFUL MEMORIAL EXPERIENCE
The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum is located on the former site of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City. It serves as a powerful living memorial and experiential museum that honors the victims, survivors, and rescuers of the Oklahoma City bombing of April 19, 1995. Visitors can take a self-guided chronological tour of the events of that day and experience the serenity of the outdoor memorial.
2. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
AMERICAN WEST CULTURE PRESERVED
The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum is the premier institution for preserving the art, history, and culture of the American West. Spanning more than 200,000 square feet, the museum features multiple galleries, an interactive children's museum, and a replica town. Visitors can explore extensive collections that celebrate cowboy culture and the American frontier experience.
3. Ed Galloway's Totem Pole Park
FOLK ART ROUTE 66
Ed Galloway's Totem Pole Park is set along US Route 66 as Oklahoma's largest and most important collection of environmental folk art. Creator Ed Galloway spent decades in the mid-20th century building this collection of stone and concrete totem poles decorated with brightly painted bas-relief designs that tower up to 90 feet high. This quirky cultural landmark provides visitors with a unique roadside attraction experience that showcases Americana at its most creative.
4. Scissortail Park
DOWNTOWN URBAN OASIS
Scissortail Park is Oklahoma City's newest urban oasis connecting downtown to the Oklahoma River. The park features sports courts, playgrounds, art installations, and a lake with pedal boats in the summer. Visitors can enjoy lush trails with unbeatable skyline views while exploring this modern recreational space.
5. Bricktown Water Taxi
ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT TOUR
The Bricktown Water Taxi offers a relaxing ride that winds through Oklahoma City's premier entertainment district. This narrated tour provides a unique perspective of Bricktown's history, dining, and nightlife options. It's a fun and easy way to experience the heart of the city while learning about its development and attractions.
6. Oklahoma City Museum of Art
EUROPEAN AMERICAN ART COLLECTION
The Oklahoma City Museum of Art showcases stunning European and American art displays in the heart of downtown. The museum houses an impressive permanent collection along with rotating exhibits from around the world. Art enthusiasts particularly enjoy the museum's renowned Dale Chihuly glass collection, one of the largest in the world.
7. First Americans Museum
TRIBAL NATIONS HERITAGE
The First Americans Museum celebrates the histories of Oklahoma's 39 tribal nations through a world-class collection of art and artifacts. The museum offers interactive exhibits that tell the story of Native American experiences and contributions to Oklahoma's cultural landscape. Visitors can explore diverse perspectives on indigenous history, art, and contemporary life in this state-of-the-art facility.
8. The Cave House
UNIQUE ARCHITECTURAL WONDER
The Cave House is an iconic and eccentric architectural landmark that draws visitors with its unusual design and fascinating history. Originally built in the 1920s as a restaurant, this quirky structure resembles a natural cave formation but was constructed entirely by hand. Today it serves as both a private residence and a tourist attraction that offers guided tours by appointment.
9. Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
NATURAL WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is home to free-ranging bison, elk, deer, and longhorn cattle across 59,020 acres of mixed-grass prairie. Visitors can enjoy hiking trails, rock climbing, fishing, and wildlife photography opportunities throughout the diverse landscape. The refuge also features the historic Holy City of the Wichitas, an outdoor religious site that hosts an annual Easter pageant.
10. Medicine Park
COBBLESTONE RESORT TOWN
Medicine Park is Oklahoma's first planned resort town, known for its distinctive cobblestone architecture and scenic location near the Wichita Mountains. The historic village offers charming shops, restaurants, and accommodations along Medicine Creek, which flows through the center of town. Visitors enjoy swimming in Bath Lake, exploring local art galleries, and attending seasonal festivals in this picturesque community.
11. Philbrook Museum of Art
MANSION ART EXPERIENCE
The Philbrook Museum of Art is housed in a former 1920s Italian Renaissance villa surrounded by 25 acres of stunning gardens. The museum's collection spans 50,000 square feet with works from around the world, including significant Native American, European, American, and contemporary art. Visitors can explore both the historic mansion's architecture and the beautifully landscaped grounds that include formal gardens, water features, and walking paths.
12. Gathering Place
RIVERFRONT PARK EXPERIENCE
Gathering Place is a world-class riverfront park offering 100 acres of diverse experiences along the Arkansas River. The park features adventure playgrounds, sports courts, skateparks, boating, and numerous gardens designed to bring the community together. Since opening in 2018, this privately funded public space has become a premier destination for family recreation, outdoor concerts, and cultural events.
13. Turner Falls Park
CASCADING NATURAL BEAUTY
Turner Falls Park showcases Oklahoma's tallest waterfall at 77 feet high, cascading into a natural swimming pool surrounded by Arbuckle Mountain scenery. The park offers hiking trails, cave exploration, and camping facilities spread across 1,500 acres of natural beauty. Visitors can also explore the ruins of a rock castle built in the 1930s that adds a touch of mystery to this natural playground.
14. Marland Estate Mansion
OIL BARON'S PALACE
The Marland Estate Mansion is a 55-room Italian Renaissance Revival palace built by oil baron E.W. Marland in the 1920s. The 43,561 square foot mansion features hand-carved details, Waterford crystal chandeliers, and gold-leaf ceilings that showcase the opulence of Oklahoma's early oil industry. Tours take visitors through the history of the Marland family and the architectural splendor that earned this mansion the nickname of the 'Palace on the Prairie.'
15. Chickasaw Cultural Center
NATIVE HERITAGE EXPERIENCE
The Chickasaw Cultural Center spans 184 acres dedicated to sharing and preserving Chickasaw history, culture, and traditions. Visitors can experience traditional village demonstrations, view cultural exhibits, and enjoy performances in the state-of-the-art theater. The center's beautiful grounds include native gardens, water features, and traditional architecture that immerses guests in Chickasaw heritage.