There’s time for one more summer road trip.
When you’re planning a family trip, you hope the experiences you have create lasting, positive memories for your kids. Sometimes that’s easier imagined than done. We think the best place to start is with tried-and-true, kid-approved destinations, and we’ve done the hard part for you. As back-to-school looms closer, we’ve rounded up some of the best destinations to visit and make the most of the free time you have left together. Let us know in the comment section below about some of your go-to family-favorite destinations.
Frontier City
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Frontier City
With 30 roller coasters and kids’ rides, it’s incredibly easy to spend an entire fun-filled day at Frontier City. Add in exciting games and sweet treats, and you’ve got a family outing they’ll be raving about for years to come. The hard part will be getting them to leave! Be sure to reserve your visit online ahead of time and bring masks.
POPS 66 Soda Ranch
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POPS 66 Soda Ranch
What kid wouldn’t love picking out a soda from the colorful wall of 700 varieties? POPS also has a diner-style restaurant that serves hand-dipped ice cream milkshakes and floats that bring out the kid in all of us. A photo op in front of the 66-foot-tall soda bottle outside is the perfect way to commemorate your pit stop at POPS 66 Soda Ranch.
Lake Murray Water Sports & Mini Golf
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Lake Murray Water Sports & Mini Golf
With an activity for everyone to enjoy, both on the water and on the shore, Lake Murray Water Sports is perfect for active families. Some of the offerings include kayak, paddleboat and party barge rentals, water trampolines, water slides and an 18-hole mini golf course. After all that fun in the sun, you can reenergize with a sno-cone onsite before walking over to Lake Murray Lodge to try out Swadley’s Foggy Bottom Kitchen. If you don’t bring your own, lifejackets will be provided and are required for kids 12 and younger.
National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
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National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
The spacious museum is filled with exhibits that allow kids to interact and play with what they’re learning. Now’s a great time to visit and enjoy the all-new, 100,000-square-foot Liichokoshkomo’ addition that offers hands-on activities like grinding corn and loom weaving. Check out the upcoming Kids Take Over the Cowboy event on September 5, where kids get the chance to create their own cowboy duds and tie-dye bandanas.
Oklahoma Railway Museum
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Oklahoma Railway Museum
Museum grounds and gift shop at the Oklahoma Railway Museum are now open! Some restrictions and modified services are in place to keep visitors and staff safe, but this fun, outdoor attraction is a great place for locomotive lovers of all ages. The best part? Admission to the museum is free! Train ride tickets range from $5 to $12. Book yours online today.
Science Museum Oklahoma
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Science Museum Oklahoma
Home to 350,000 square feet of hands-on science experiences, art and history exhibits, Science Museum Oklahoma is one place you can keep coming back to explore. See the latest “Backyard Bugs” exhibit, where kids can climb through a giant partial beehive. The newly upgraded Kirkpatrick Planetarium offers exciting live shows of astronomical proportions. Shows are included with your general admission with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis. Check out the lineup here. Advance tickets are recommended for all guests.
Oklahoma City Zoo & Botanical Garden
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Oklahoma City Zoo & Botanical Garden
Take a walk on the wild side at the Oklahoma City Zoo. Adventurers of all ages can take part in experiences like the Flamingo Mingle, camel rides, animal feedings and more. Make an online reservation in advance and enjoy an afternoon of exploring the wild. For the month of August, take advantage of two sweet deals: $2 off admission after 2 p.m. and 10% off ZOOfriends memberships!
HeyDay Entertainment (Norman)
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HeyDay Entertainment (Norman)
Family members of any age will love gathering together at HeyDay Entertainment. Try your hand at one of the 24 bowling lanes, 7,000-square-foot laser tag area, 18-hole mini golf course, arcade or the indoor ropes course. There’s a restaurant with yummy food from DoubleDave’s Pizzaworks and a bar onsite for the adults. Make sure to call ahead to make your required reservation for bowling, laser tag, mini golf and the HD Grill at 405-310-3500.
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Where do you like to go for family-friendly fun?