Uncommon Oklahoma: 25+ Unique Destinations in Our State

It’s easy to spend hours researching all the unique destinations in Oklahoma! The following lists are by no means comprehensive, but hopefully they can get you started in planning some summer adventures.

Out-of-the-Box Museums

1. Toy and Action Figure Museum in Pauls Valley

This museum grew out of a discussion by Pauls Valley citizens looking for ways to draw more visitors to the town – and it’s worked! More than 50,000 people from around the globe have visited this attraction since it opened in 2005. In addition to displaying more than 13,000 figures, the museum walks visitors through the process of creating these iconic toys. toyandactionfiguremuseum.com

2. Shattuck Windmill Museum and Park in Shattuck

Have you ever considered how many varieties of windmills there are? A visit to Shattuck’s Windmill Museum will give you a new perspective on these agricultural staples. You’ll see more than 35 windmills, ranging from five feet to 18 feet, as well as a pioneer home on the site. shattuckok.com/windmillpark.html

3. American Pigeon Museum & Library in Oklahoma City

If you needed another reason to visit OKC, here it is: the American Pigeon Museum. Explore the difference between homing and fancy pigeons, learn about the exciting sport of pigeon racing, and view a collection of live birds. theamericanpigeonmuseum.org

4. Closer to Home – Vintage Sewing Center and Museum in Tulsa

Located on South Peoria, the Vintage Sewing Center and Museum showcases over 1,000 vintage sewing machines and accessories. Owner WK Binger can tell you the unique history of just about any machine in the building, too. vintagesewingcentermuseum.com

Vintage Sewing Machine Museum

“World’s Largest” Roadside Attractions

1. World’s Largest Peanut in Durant

OK, it’s not really the world’s largest peanut – but the sign says it is! Look for the peanut on Durant’s City Hall lawn. discoverdurant.com

2. Largest Totem Pole at Ed Galloway’s Totem Pole Park in Chelsea

Folk artist Ed Galloway built up what is now Totem Pole Park from 1937-1961. The largest totem pole stands at 90 feet. Step into the Fiddle House Museum, also on the property, to see Galloway’s unique collection of handmade fiddles. nps.gov/places/ed-galloways-totem-pole-park.htm

Ed Galloway’s Totem Pole Park

3. World’s Largest Pop Bottle at Pops 66 in Arcadia

Your kids will have a blast browsing Pops 66’s selection of handcrafted sodas, in all colors of the rainbow. You can also grab a bite at the restaurant to fuel your journey. Don’t leave without snapping a pic in front of the 66-foot-tall pop bottle sculpture outside! And keep an eye out for the Arcadia Round Barn, another unique Oklahoma attraction, just down the road. pops66.com

4. World’s Largest Leg Lamp in Chickasha

Originally a feature at the Chickasha Festival of Light, this 55-foot-tall leg lamp – a larger-than-life replica of the one made famous by A Christmas Story ­– is now on-view year-round in downtown Chickasha. visitchickasha.com/the-leg-lamp

5. Closer to Home: Blue Whale of Catoosa, World’s Largest Blue Whale

No doubt you’ve seen photos of the friendly Blue Whale of Catoosa, but if you haven’t taken your kids to visit, maybe this summer is the time! The whale is 80 feet long and 20 feet tall and has been an Oklahoma icon since 1972. Gift shop hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. facebook.com/thebluewhaleofcatoosa

Photo by Dana DeKalb

Quirky Accommodations

1. BirdHouse Cottages in Medicine Park

These birdhouse-shaped cottages are perfectly sweet, and each is themed after a different bird. Choose from cardinal, bluebird, hummingbird or painted bunting. Each cottage only sleeps two people, so they’re perfect for a cozy getaway. medicineparkproperties.com/birdhouse-cottages

2. Covered Wagon at Orr Family Farm in Oklahoma City

While spring and fall is the best time to visit Orr Family Farm, as the attraction is most active during those seasons, you can book a stay in one of their covered wagons or teepees year-round. The covered wagons and teepees are both set up in circles around a firepit, perfect for marshmallow roasting. orrfamilyfarm.com

3. Teepee at Roman Nose State Park in Watonga

Roman Nose State Park is known for, among its beautiful landscape, being one of the few places in the state where you can rent a teepee for overnight stays. When booking through the TravelOK website, choose the “Book A Campsite” option. Roman Nose also has cabins and a lodge for cushier accommodations, but those are booked under a separate tab. The teepees are available April through October and sleep up to four adults. travelok.com/state-parks/roman-nose-state-park

4. Closer to Home – Spartan Trailers at TeePee Drive-In in Sapulpa

Have a truly nostalgic experience when you book a stay at one of TeePee Drive-In’s converted Spartan trailers, built in the 1950s – and decorated to match. Start the evening with a drive-in movie and some popcorn, then head to your cheery trailer. Seasonal availability. teepeedrivein.com

Entrancing Ecosystems

1. Alabaster Caverns State Park in Freedom

This state park is home to one of the largest natural gypsum caves on the planet. It is open to the public, offering daily guided tours every hour. travelok.com/state-parks/alabaster-caverns-state-park

2. Little Sahara State Park in Waynoka

If you think Oklahoma is all prairie and plains, think again! The Little Sahara State Park, with 1,600 acres of sand dunes, is just one example of our state’s diverse ecosystems. travelok.com/state-parks/little-sahara-state-park

Little Sahara State Park. Photo by Lori Duckworth/Oklahoma Tourism

3. Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge in Jet

Once covered in a prehistoric ocean, the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge is now a distinctive destination, with large areas of salt-covered sand neighboring a saltwater lake located in Salt Plains State Park. Dig for hourglass selenite crystals – nonexistent anywhere else in the world – in the salt flats from April through mid-October. travelok.com/state-parks/salt-plains-state-park

Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge. Photo by Amanda Murphy

4. Closer to Home – Keystone Ancient Forest in Tulsa

One of our unique local ecosystems is the crosstimbers forest, which is on glorious display at Keystone Ancient Forest. Here, you’ll see trees up to 500 years old. Well-marked trails, ranging in difficulty, give visitors a chance to explore the forest without worrying about getting lost. Hiking is available Thursdays through Sundays. facebook.com/keystoneancientforest

Keystone Ancient Forest

One-of-a-Kind Animal Encounters

1. Endangered Ark Foundation in Hugo

Home to a herd of Asian elephants, some of which are retired circus elephants and some of which were born at the Foundation, EAF offers public tours, private encounters, observation deck experiences and even on-site lodging. Where else can you get an “Elphie selfie”? While you’re in Hugo, visit the Showman’s Rest section of Mount Olivet Cemetery, where you’ll see some one-of-a-kind headstones honoring deceased circus performers. endangeredarkfoundation.org

Photo courtesy Endangered Ark Foundation

2. Mowdy Ranch Mustangs in Coalgate

This fifth-generation family-owned ranch is also an official wild horse eco-sanctuary and home to about 350 wild horses. Tours are available by appointment only, and visitors can also book a stay in the lodge or at one of their two RV hook-up sites. mowdyranch.com

3. Closer to Home – Giraffe Feeding Experience at Tulsa Zoo

From March 14-October 12, zoo guests will be able to purchase a giraffe feeding experience on the weekends (Fridays-Sundays, 11 am.-1 pm.) While you can only feed the adult giraffes, keep an eye out for the newest member of Tulsa Zoo’s giraffe herd, who was born in February 2025. tulsazoo.org/visit/thingstodo

Remarkable Wildlife Refuges and Preserves

1. Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in southwest Oklahoma

These 60,000 acres are home to free-roaming bison and elk, prairie dogs, “Mountain boomer” lizards and many more native species. In addition to hiking, activities include fishing, kayaking, biking, educational programming, etc. fws.gov/refuge/wichita-mountains

2. J.T. Nickel Family Nature & Wildlife Preserve in Tahlequah

This wildlife preserve has the distinction of being “the largest privately protected conservation area in the Ozarks.” Three self-guided trails, ranging from .5 miles to 1.5 miles, offer an invigorating way to look for native wildlife and plant life. Of particular note, the preserve is home to black bears. nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/j-t-nickel-family-nature-and-wildlife-preserve

3. Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge in Tishomingo

Birdwatchers and lepidopterists in particular will want to add the Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge to their upcoming travel plans. The area is a hub for migrating monarch butterflies and other species of butterflies, and it draws in a diverse array of bird species as well. Depending on when you visit, you may see pelicans, bald eagles and more. fws.gov/refuge/tishomingo

4. Closer to Home – Joseph H. Williams Tallgrass Prairie Preserve in Pawhuska

Keep an eye out for bison as you drive through the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve – especially bison calves, as there may be hundreds born in the early spring season. Show up early in the summer for a chance to hear prairie chickens “booming” at sunrise (the preserve is open from dawn to dusk). The summer is also an excellent time to see the prairie covered in wildflowers. Choose to hike on one of the three interconnected trails – or tackle them all together. nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/tallgrass-prairie-preserve

Tallgrass Prairie Preserve. Photo by Amanda Murphy

Native American Cultural Centers

1. Chickasaw Cultural Center in Sulphur

A visit to the Chickasaw Cultural Center offers visitors the chance to experience “a unique destination where the culture of the Chickasaw people doesn’t just live and breathe – it plays, creates, cooks, dances and sings.” The Chikasha Inchokka’ Traditional Village gives a look at life in a 1700s Chickasaw village, including cultural demonstrations like stickball and stomp dancing. chickasawculturalcenter.com

2. Cherokee Nation Anna Mitchell Cultural & Welcome Center in Vinita

Named for Cherokee potter Anna Mitchell, whose work had an important and lasting impact on other Cherokee artists and the revival of several traditional art forms, the center includes an outdoor exhibit honoring Mitchell, indoor exhibits detailing the history of the Cherokee people, a gift shop and café. visitcherokeenation.com/attractions

Cherokee Nation Anna Mitchell Cultural and Welcome Center. Photo courtesy Cherokee Nation

3. Choctaw Cultural Center in Calera

Families can learn about the past, present and future of the Choctaw people through exhibits as well as hands-on activities in the Luksi Activity Center. Here, kids can climb inside a statue of a giant alligator snapping turtle, explore a treehouse and log cabin, and learn Choctaw stories through engaging puppet shows. Grab lunch at the Champuli Café, which serves up traditional foods such as fry-bread tacos and grape dumplings. choctawculturalcenter.com

4. Citizen Potawatomi Nation Cultural Heritage Center in Shawnee

Explore the centuries-long history of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation through informative and interactive exhibits. Schedule a tour of the aviary, which houses injured eagles and other raptors. patawatomiheritage.com

5. Comanche National Museum and Cultural Center in Lawton

Highlights of this cultural center include a permanent exhibit on the Comanche “Code Talkers,” whose use of the Nʉmʉnʉʉ language proved devastating to Hitler’s army. You’ll also find an interactive exhibit allowing guests to get a feel for what it would be like to participate in a Comanche buffalo hunt. comanchemuseum.com