Gate OklahomaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Gate, Oklahoma.
1. Oklahoma City National Memorial
REFLECTIVE HISTORICAL MONUMENT
The Oklahoma City National Memorial honors the victims, survivors, and rescuers of the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. Visitors can wander through the grounds and reflect upon the outdoor Field of Empty Chairs, the massive bronze Gates of Time, and the Survivor Tree. This poignant memorial stands as a testament to the city's strength and perseverance.
2. Woolaroc Museum & Wildlife Preserve
ART, HISTORY, AND WILDLIFE
Woolaroc Ranch covers 3,700 acres where American bison, longhorn cattle, and elk roam free on the wide-reaching landscape. Visitors can safely see and photograph these magnificent beasts from their vehicles while exploring the western-focused museum that exhibits art and artifacts. The preserve also features a rustic lodge and is located a 20-minute drive southwest of Bartlesville.
3. Arcadia Round Barn
HISTORIC ROUTE 66 LANDMARK
The Arcadia Round Barn is a unique piece of Oklahoma architecture listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This unusual circular barn has become an iconic stop along historic Route 66. Visitors can explore this distinctive landmark and learn about its historical significance to the area.
4. POPS Route 66
ICONIC ROADSIDE ATTRACTION
POPS is a modern landmark on Route 66 featuring a giant 66-foot tall soda bottle sculpture illuminated with dazzling LED lights. This popular roadside attraction combines a gas station, restaurant, and soda ranch offering over 700 kinds of beverages. Visitors flock to POPS after dark to see the bottle's colorful light display that has become a must-photograph spot.
5. Twister Museum
MOVIE MEMORABILIA COLLECTION
The Twister Museum celebrates the famous blockbuster movie 'Twister' that was filmed in this small Oklahoma town. Open from April through September, the museum displays movie props, memorabilia, and behind-the-scenes videos. Visitors should also take a photo of the famous Wakita water tower, featured prominently in the movie, on their drive into town.
6. Pensacola Dam & Grand Lake
ENGINEERING MARVEL AND RECREATION
Pensacola Dam is known as the longest multi-arch dam in the world and offers fascinating tours of its impressive engineering. The dam created Grand Lake O' the Cherokees, which features over 1,000 miles of shoreline for water recreation and ATVing. Grand Lake has become one of Oklahoma's top tourist attractions with numerous opportunities for boating, fishing, and lakeside relaxation.
7. Myriad Botanical Gardens
URBAN OASIS DOWNTOWN
Myriad Botanical Gardens provides a 15-acre oasis in Oklahoma City's downtown with walking paths, a large lawn, and a small lake. The gardens include a children's garden, ornamental gardens, and the impressive Crystal Bridge Conservatory, which houses more than 750 species of plants. Visitors can explore the tropical landscapes, enjoy the waterfall, and walk across a bridge that provides a bird's-eye view of the lush environment below.
8. The Cave House
QUIRKY HISTORICAL BUILDING
The Cave House is one of Tulsa's most unusual and eccentric buildings, originally built in the 1920s as a restaurant. This quirky structure resembles a natural cave formation but was hand-built using concrete, chicken wire, and creek rock. Today, visitors can take guided tours of this oddity and learn about its colorful history, including rumors of it being a speakeasy during Prohibition.
9. Center of the Universe
ACOUSTIC ANOMALY LANDMARK
The Center of the Universe in Tulsa is a mysterious acoustic anomaly located in the heart of downtown. When standing in the center of this concrete circle, any sound made creates an echo that only the speaker can hear, while those outside the circle hear a distorted version. This unexplained phenomenon has become a popular tourist attraction where visitors take turns testing the acoustic oddity.
10. Centennial Land Run Monument
EPIC BRONZE SCULPTURE
The Centennial Land Run Monument commemorates the famous Oklahoma Land Run of 1889 with one of the largest bronze sculptures in the world. The monument features 45 larger-than-life figures of land run participants rushing to claim new homesteads, capturing the energy and determination of this pivotal moment in Oklahoma history. Visitors can walk alongside these dramatic bronze statues that stretch for 365 feet along the south side of Bricktown Canal.
11. BOK Center
WORLD-CLASS ENTERTAINMENT VENUE
The BOK Center is a spectacular 19,199-seat multi-purpose arena designed by renowned architect César Pelli, featuring a distinctive exterior inspired by Native American basketry. This state-of-the-art venue hosts major concerts, sporting events, and family shows throughout the year, attracting top-tier entertainment to Tulsa. Since opening in 2008, the BOK Center has become a landmark in downtown Tulsa and a catalyst for urban revitalization.
12. Henry Overholser Mansion
VICTORIAN ERA ELEGANCE
The Henry Overholser Mansion is a stately Victorian-style home built in 1903 by one of Oklahoma City's founding fathers. The three-story mansion features original furnishings, hand-painted ceiling canvases, stained glass windows, and carved wooden details that showcase the opulence of the early 20th century. Guided tours offer visitors a glimpse into Oklahoma City's past and the life of this influential pioneer businessman.
13. Tulsa Garden Center at Woodward Park
HORTICULTURAL BEAUTY AND EDUCATION
The Tulsa Garden Center at Woodward Park offers 45 acres of horticultural splendor including the historic Snedden Mansion that houses educational exhibits and a horticultural library. Visitors can explore themed gardens including the stunning Rose Garden with over 5,000 rose plants representing 250 varieties. The park also features a terraced Italian garden, a rock garden, and a seasonal arboretum that showcases Oklahoma's diverse plant life.
14. The Outsiders House Museum
LITERARY FILM HISTORY
The Outsiders House Museum preserves the actual house used in Francis Ford Coppola's film adaptation of S.E. Hinton's classic novel. This restored 1920s bungalow contains memorabilia from the movie, first-edition books, and items from both the author and the film's actors. Visitors can walk through the rooms where iconic scenes were filmed and gain insight into both the literary and cinematic significance of this coming-of-age story set in 1960s Tulsa.
15. Fort Washita
FRONTIER MILITARY HISTORY
Fort Washita was established in 1842 as a frontier military post to protect the Chickasaw and Choctaw Nations from Plains Indian tribes and illegal settlers. The historic site features several original stone buildings, reconstructed wooden structures, and interpretive exhibits that tell the story of life at this remote outpost. Visitors can explore the grounds, participate in living history demonstrations, and learn about the fort's role during the Civil War when it served as a Confederate stronghold.