[ArmyWife94e]

We live in Lawton,My hubby who is in the Army has 2 weeks of leave from Sept. 14-28... we are looking for something to do. We have lived in Oklahoma a year now. Have been to the Wichita Mountians Refuge many many times, been to the Arbuckle Wildrenessonce and plan on going back there, been to OKC many times, to the zoo, the memorial, brick town etc. Been to Mangum for the rattlesnake festival. I need some new places to go while on vacation. We dont mind driving, just dont want to leave Oklahoma. Im in to nature and photography, zoos etc, but am opened to anything new. Oh I love to take drives in the country, Oklahoma is so beautiful....so everyone give me your suggestions of what to see and what do or of any towns or places to take great pictures...thanks!!!

[curtis mclain]

I would suggest Poteau in the eastern side of OK. The Ouachita Mountains offer lots of Hiking and nature watching September would be a great time.
We Love tent camping at LakeSardis located about an hour south. Talimena Scenic Drive is a very nice trip; Heavener has the Rune stone state park (small but nice) DearPark in down town Heavener, Indian mounds in Spiro. Kerr museum located near Poteau; 35 minutes away Fort Smith Arkansas has a real nice museum of its history and the old court house very worth while to see if you like history. Plus lots more.

[SIZE=3] [/SIZE]

[Talisman09]

I would suggest Beaver's Bend State Park in far southeast Oklahoma.
Beavers Bend Resort Park

[BAGuy]

Have you been to the Tulsa Zoo? It is quite nice.

[ArmyWife94e]

No we havent been to the zoo in Tulsa yet, was thinking of it...also does anyone have any opinions on the Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks? I have read mixed reviews about it

[Goodpasture]

I am not a big fan of zoos or aquariums. Once upon a time, before cable tv, such places were good so people could experience and witness unusual life forms. Since NGC and Discovery channels, though, you can see every animal of the world (excepting bigfoot) in his natural state. I am a strong proponent for not putting anything in cages for the amusement of people.

That being said, Tulsa has two world class art museums. Gilcrease Museum with one of the greatest western art collections in the world. and Philbrook. Both are worth the drive, regardless of where you are coming from.

Other good "day trips" in the northeast are Woolaroc, the ranch near Bartlesville once owned by Wade Phillips. The Tall Grass Prairie is also good in that area. Will Rogers Museum in Claremore is good. so is the J M Davis gun museum (if you like guns) in Claremore. An evening of fun can be had at Discoveryland's dinner theater and seeing the stage production of "Oklahoma." Renting a canoe on the Illinois River near Tahlequah is fun on a warm summer day. Visiting the Native American museums is always a good thing. From Ft Sill's cells where Quanah Parker and Geronimo and Joseph were detained to Tahlequah/Park City's Tsa La Ghi museum, to Okmulgee (Creek Nation......and visit dripping springs near there), to Pawhuska (Osage). Ponca City's Pioneer Woman Museum and the Marland Mansion, Pawnee Bills homestead in Pawnee, The Salt Plains near Cherokee, Black Mesa in the Panhandle.......all are great destinations and are nice adjuncts to an overnight trip. Check the areas you want to visit for powwow's, restaurants, festivals. Vinita is having their calf fry festival and rodeo this coming weekend. If you've never tasted a calf fry, this is the place to discover what a wonderful dish they can be.......I can guarantee you will have a ball.

Every small town has a festival of some sort. Okemah has the Woody Guthrie festival, Anadarko, Muskogee, Salisaw......you can pretty much name a town and discover something really neat to do.

BTW, welcome to Oklahoma........

[Jammie]

Originally Posted by ArmyWife94e

No we havent been to the zoo in Tulsa yet, was thinking of it...also does anyone have any opinions on the Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks? I have read mixed reviews about it

Yes, we've been to the aquarium at Jenks. It's very nice and it's in a pretty area. Jenks is so neat and clean and the aquarium is right along the river. I'd recommend it.

If you are going to be in Tulsa and like museums, they have two~The Gilcrease and Philbrook. We didn't get to see Philbrook, but Gilcrease was very nice~a lot of western history there. We still plan on visiting PHilbrook some day. It looks like a beautiful place.

[colleeng47]

Anna and I went to the aquarium in Jenks when we traveled to Tulsa in July for the Jonas Bros concert. We were unimpressed. It depends on your point of reference, though. We were used to the aquariums on the east coast which are awesome.

[riverbottomkidok]

I also was very unimpressed with the Jenks Aquarium. The Tulsa Zoo has most everything they do and much more. We do a lot of fishing and love seeing marine life. I felt cheated.......I wanted to at least see catfish bigger than we have caught. If you haven't been to the Tulsa Zoo......GO! It is wonderful! Also, I too believe the Ouachita Mountains would be great if you love scenery and the Talamina Drive is beautiful in the fall.

[_redbird_]

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