Where do Tulsans drive for vacation?

[Les Pharis]

Originally Posted by Billtown

Thinking of moving to Tulsa from the NE. Here, we can drive a few hours and get to several states with decent beaches/things to do. Anywhere from NY state to OCean City,MD to the Carolinas. Where does someone living in Tulsa drive to in the summer to take a vacation with the kids, preferably with a beach?

First, forget about ocean beaches. But for water sports check out some of our local lakes. Few water hazards like sharks or jelly fish to worry about and
you don't have to shower afterward. I like to swim off of a beach on an
island in the middle of lake Tenkiller. That said, let's look at other things to
do with kids. Remember, less population density than the NE has some
advantages. Guns are big in Oklahoma. Check out Red Castle gun club.
Rent a big gun. Or maybe try trap or skeet. Take in a turkey shoot. Fishing is big here too. Get some locals to take you out. It's easy and very relaxing. Go trot-lining. Once you try smoked flathead fillet, you'll
forget salmon. Go bear hunting in SE Oklahoma with a bow and arrow. No
don't do that, that's crazy. Aviation is another prominent part of our
culture here. Check out sky diving at Cushing or Siloam Springs. Maybe
a flight lesson at Jones Riverside. Music? Lots of places for concerts, etc. (expensive) but also lots of free entertainment as well such as the
blue grass and chili festival in Claremore, Mayfest in downtown, 5 de Mayo
downtown, Rooster days in Broken Arrow, Porter Peach festival, Stillwell
Strawberry festival, etc. Then there's Silverdollar City (3 hours away in
Branson), Eureka Springs, AR, Woloroc up by Bartlesville. If you don't mind
big music festivals there's Rocklahoma and Country Fever at Pryor and
D-fest. I almost forgot the Tulsa Blues festival. Sometimes just for a
laugh I go watch street evangelists bay at passing cars over by Rhema
bible institute. I didn't mention the casinos b/c you said kids but they
have a lot of entertainment venues as well. You could take the kids
biking or hiking. Lots of places to do that. NE Oklahoma is a bastion of
competitive and intramural sports. Maybe a soccer club would be the
ticket. We have some lovely places that have to be experienced to
understand. One of my favorites is the rose garden at 21st & Peoria about
the second week of June. Imagine thousands of roses and the aroma.
Come check it out.