Chickasaw National Recreation Area
Chickasaw National Recreation Area is named for the Chickasaw Indian tribe – the long-time inhabitants of the land in south central Oklahoma about midway between Oklahoma City and Dallas/Fort Worth. They called it the "Peaceful Valley of Rippling Waters" appropriately named for its mineral springs, cool water, flora, fauna, and wildlife. This is the place where the American Indians came for refreshment, to fish, and to hunt for food. The Chickasaw National Recreation Area was established in 1906 to protect its unique recreational, cultural, and natural resources, including springs, streams, lakes, hiking trails, and historic structures.
The Chickasaw National Recreation Area contains classic examples of Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) architectural craftsmanship. The CCC’s public works program in the 1930s has left a cultural stamp on the area. It also left one of the largest and most intact landscapes. The trail system was designed during that period and the way the trails are worked into the natural setting is evidence of the craftsmanship. There are over 20 miles of hiking trails at the Chickasaw National Recreation Area. The Rock Creek Multi-Use Trail is an 8-mile looped horseback, bicycle, and hiking trail.
Within the park, a unique combination of flora, fauna, waters, and geological formations have left a natural setting unlike any other in the surrounding regions. Since the park sits in the transition zone between Eastern deciduous forest and Western prairies, the natural plant life draws from both environments, and also contains the flora and fauna specific to transition areas. The view over Veterans Lake presents a vivid illustration of this transition.
The Chickasaw National Recreation Area has a wide range of recreational opportunities including swimming, boating, hiking, observing nature, camping, and picnicking. Hunting and fishing are allowed at Chickasaw National Recreation Area, permits, fees, and restrictions may apply. The Lake of the Arbuckles is a popular place for watersports, boating, and fishing. SCUBA diving (with certain restrictions) is allowed. Veteran’s Lake is a quieter area. Other than the lakes, the springs are a popular place to visit. People have long attributed the mineral waters at Chickasaw National Recreation Area with medicinal and restorative powers. Though there is no scientific evidence to support these claims; people still give the waters a try. It should be noted that like any untreated water (no matter how fresh from the source) is not safe for drinking.
The Chickasaw National Recreation Area is open daily year round and there is no entrance fee. The Visitor Information Station in Sulphur, Oklahoma, is open Tuesday through Saturday from Memorial Day through Labor Day, and Monday through Friday the rest of the year. The Travertine Information and Nature Center, at Travertine Creek near the eastern edge of the Platt Historic District, is open daily year round and is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. The Travertine Nature Center features live animal exhibits and interpretive programs related to the park's natural and cultural resources.
Frontier City
Sporting a Wild West theme, Frontier City is Oklahoma City's largest amusement park. Frontier City opened in 1958, utilizing the western-themed town that had been created for the Oklahoma State Fair. The smoke-free amusement park is located in northeast Oklahoma City. Frontier City covers over 40 acres with more than 50 rides and attractions to entertain the whole family. Frontier City features three top-notch rollercoasters, dozens of thrill rides, a children’s section, live entertainment, and concerts throughout the summer featuring top artists of yesterday and today in Country Western, Pop, Christian, and other music genres.
Frontier City has been a family-friendly destination from the beginning. Recently, it has revived its nostalgic family focus. The Old West theme features characters right out of the Old West – a marshall, sheriff, deputies, and more, all who interact with the park visitors to enhance their park experience.
Frontier City’s rollercoasters consist of the “Wildcat” wood hybrid, out-and-back coaster, the “Silver Bullet” steel coaster, and the “Diamondback” shuttle loop rollercoaster. Other top rides include "ErUPtion!", that launches riders almost 250 ft in the air, then sends them plummeting back to earth, the “Mindbender”, a 51-ft high part coaster/part swinging pendulum, the “Tomahawk” swing ride that vaults riders 80 ft into the air, and “Renegade Rapids” an eight-person family boat ride. The children’s area features a kid-sized train, a two-story fun area, flying dragon, bumper boats, canoes, an interactive foam factory with water gadgets and other activities, a spinning tea party, and more.
A sampling of the live entertainment at Frontier City is the presentation of “Totally Pop”, a high-energy musical journey through 30 years of chart-topping hits. “The ‘SEMI’ Great Train Robbery” provides visitors with a firsthand experience of a train robbery – almost. The “Two Johns Revue” features toe-tapping music in a comedy about two Can-Can dancing sisters in love with the same man. “The World of Magic” is an overwhelming spectacle of illusions, dance, music, and comedy, with audience participation. A Wild West Gunfight Stunt Show and more are all part of the great entertainment at Frontier City.
Frontier City has plenty of stores for shopping, from fresh candies and fudge to souvenirs and novelties. The family can pose for an Old West family portrait for a unique souvenir. For dining, Frontier City offers several places to eat, from burgers, pizza, and Mexican food to a chuckwagon food court. All the usual amusement park food items are available within a dozen dining and snack locations throughout the park. Frontier City opens in the spring for weekends, is open daily through the summer, and is open weekends until the end of October.
Omniplex Science Museum
The Omniplex Science Museum is a complex of museums in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It started in 1958 when the Kirkpatrick Planetarium was created. In 1962, Omniplex was founded and joined the planetarium on the state fairgrounds. In 1978, both centers moved to the present location near the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. Today, the Omniplex Science Museum is home to the first publicly accessed Planetarium and the OmniDome Theater. The museum offers specialized galleries, and is host to children's activities and educational programs.
The Planetarium at Omniplex takes you to into the secret places of the universe and beyond with the presentations offered throughout the year. The OmniDome Theater is Oklahoma's first large-format, dome-screen theater, featuring Iwerks Entertainment's 15/70 projection system. The 70-ft diameter dome screen surrounds the audience and the 36,000-watt digital sound system provides crystal clear sound and effects to complete the experience.
The Aviation and Space Exhibits celebrate Oklahoma's aerospace heritage. Exhibiting one of the nation’s top aviation and space collections, the exhibits focus on earliest aviation pioneers from native Oklahoman Wiley Post to Amelia Earhart. The exhibit also includes vintage aircraft and memorabilia. The history of NASA’s space program is displayed and the collection includes the Mercury Capsule Simulator, Apollo Command Module Simulator, and a replica of the Apollo Lunar Module.
There are more than 350 Hands-On exhibits at Omniplex Science Museum. All of these exhibits are science education designed to enlighten and entertains. Themes such as perception, the senses, life science, energy, meteorology, and more are explored. Special exhibits are featured year round at Omniplex Science Museum. Exhibits on creating art using math and science in Richardson’s Fractal Art gallery, and an exhibit on the science behind the game of soccer are offered in the Special Exhibits section. Cultural exhibits allow visitors to explore far away worlds. Collections include Admiral Crowe's World Hat Collection, The Parlor Car and Toy Train Collection, Perspectives of a Child, the Young Artists' Gallery, and the Omniplex Gardens
Omniplex Museum Store offers plenty of unique souvenirs and gifts. The Garden Cafe is the place at Omniplex Science Museum to enjoy lunch or a quick snack. There is indoor seating or picnic tables in the Gardens. The Omniplex Science Museum is open daily year round and is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas.