Maya HartleyFor those of us who grew up here, it’s easy to think we’ve already seen everything Oklahoma City has to offer. But, trust me when I say that there’s always a new corner to explore here.
Well, diving into our local culture—be it history, art, or science—is always a good idea for your next day out. And where else should you start, other than our fantastic local museums?
We’re not talking about your average field trip stops here, either. OKC is brimming with world-class institutions and true hidden gems that offer something for every interest. Our team has been everywhere, and we know these places inside and out!
So, stick with us as we guide you through the very best museums in Oklahoma City!
- Oklahoma City Museum of Art
- National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
- Science Museum Oklahoma
- Oklahoma History Center
- Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum
- Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine Museum
- Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art
- SKELETONS: Museum of Osteology
- Oklahoma State Firefighters Museum
- Stafford Air & Space Museum
Oklahoma City Museum of Art
– Media from: @okcmoa
Address: 415 Couch Dr
Open Hours:
- Tuesdays-Wednesdays, Fridays-Saturdays — 10 AM-5 PM
- Thursdays — 10 AM-9 PM
- Sundays — 12 PM-5 PM
Contact: 0405 236 3100 (cel.), [email protected] (email)
Admission Fees:
- Exhibition Ticketing
- Children (17 years and under), Members — Free
- Adults — $19.95 + tax
- Seniors (62 years and up), College Students — $17.95 + tax
- Active-Duty and Retired Military — $12.95 + tax
- Tours (per head)
- P-12th Grade School Groups, Children — Free
- Adults (10 or more) — $16.95 + tax
- Seniors, College Students (10 or more) — $14.95 + tax
Art can come in many shapes and forms, and this museum will let you know it! The Oklahoma City Museum of Art (OKCMOA) displays all kinds of artworks besides the usual paintings and sculptures you’ll find in most museums.
Here, you’ll see both the old and modern, the traditional and unconventional—it’s got an all-around diverse collection of exhibitions and galleries. They have a focus on film as well, holding film festivals and screenings occasionally.
You’ll also get to learn about and see the works of a wide variety of both local and international artists here, and their website is always updated with their upcoming exhibits!
Pro tip
- Stay for the art, stay even longer for the food (and wine)! The museum’s beautiful French-style bistro, Ganache Patisserie, isn’t just a cafe—it’s an extension of the exhibits, extending the museum’s creativity right into your meal.
National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
– Media from: @nationalcowboymuseum
Address: 1700 NE 63rd St
Open Hours:
- Mondays-Saturdays — 10 AM-5 PM
- Sundays — 12 PM-5 PM
Contact: 0405 478 2250 (cel.)
Admission Fee:
- Adults — $5
- Seniors, Military — $20
- Students/Children (6-17 years old) — $15
- Children (5 years and under) — Free
Once you step into this museum and get a tour around it, you’ll be cheering “Yeehaw” every time you come back! The National Cowboy Museum features different parts of the Wild West’s history, from the arts to culture.
You’ll get to learn about how real cowboys and pioneers lived and roughed it in the Wild West through the museum’s exhibits and programs. Their exhibitions contain artworks that can give you a peek into life back then.
Plus, the museum also dedicates itself to celebrating and teaching about Native American culture—don’t miss some of the beautiful artworks made by people from indigenous cultures.
Pro tip
- Update yourself on the latest via their website and socials. They regularly hold events meant to celebrate different parts of Western and indigenous culture. You might enjoy the fun educational events!
Science Museum Oklahoma
– Media from: @sciencemuseumok
Address: 2020 Remington Pl
Open Hours:
- Weekdays — 9 AM-5 PM
- Saturdays — 9 AM-6 PM
- Sundays — 11 AM- 6 PM
Contact: 0405 602 6664 (cel.), [email protected] (email)
Admission Fee:
- Single Day
- Adults (13-64 years old) — $22.95
- Seniors (65 years and up), Children (3-12 years old) — $17.95
- Special Admission
- Students with ID — $17.95
- Military with ID — $3 Off
- Groups of 15 — $240 ($16 per head)
Who says science isn’t fun? Not this museum! Science Museum Oklahoma is great for those who want to show the kiddos the fun side of learning science.
It’s got lots of interactive exhibits that will require you to use not just your brains, but your hands too! Now, your little ones can get a hands-on lesson about anatomy, physics, or the solar system—all through a fun and immersive experience!
If the kids are interested in learning even more, you can always check out the classes and workshops that the museum offers.
Pro tip
- Looking for an admission fee discount? Then buy the tickets in the museum itself! Their military and student discounts aren’t available online.
Oklahoma History Center
– Media from: @okhistory
Address: 800 Nazih Zuhdi Dr
Open Hours: Mondays-Saturdays — 10 AM-5 PM
Contact: 0405 522 0765 (cel.)
Admission Fee:
- Oklahoma Historical Society Members, NARM Members — Free
- Adults — $12.50
- Seniors (62+ years old), Students — $9
- Children (5 years or under) — Free
- Families (up to 6 people) — $35
- Groups of 10 or more — $9
- Active Duty Military and Veterans with ID — Free
- Museums for All* — $1
*Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Card holders, Oklahoma Tribal EBT holders, Oklahoma Fosters ID holders, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Oklahoma ID holders
Anyone who’s hungering for some Oklahoma knowledge should take some time to visit the Oklahoma History Center. This Smithsonian-affiliated museum contains almost everything you need to know more about Oklahoma City!
Working closely with the Oklahoma Historic Society, or OHS for short, you can find exhibits dedicated to different aspects of Oklahoma history. With over 50 topics and 2,000 artifacts, you won’t run out of any interesting Oklahoma trivia to learn!
Perhaps you want to learn about the women who helped shape Oklahoma into the city it is today? Or you want to learn about Black History in Oklahoma? Whatever the case, this is the museum to step into to expand your knowledge bank.
Pro tip
- Are you leading a tour group or field trip for students? Then elevate the educational fun with the printable activities on their website! You can even make it a challenge to figure out the answers by paying attention to the exhibits.
Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum
– Media from: @okncm
Address: 620 N Harvey Ave
Open Hours:
- Mondays-Saturdays — 9 AM-5 PM
- Sundays — 12 PM-5 PM
Contact: 0405 235 3313 (cel.), contact form
Admission Fee:
- Adults — $18
- Seniors (62 years and up) — $16
- Military with ID — $16
- Students (6-17 years old or college) — $15
- Children (5 years and under) — Free
Right in the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum (or just Memorial Museum since that’s a mouthful), you’ll find a blend of nature and technology, creating a beautiful and immersive experience—you’ll have to see it to appreciate it!
That’s not just why this museum’s a visit, though. It was also made to honor those who lost their lives in the Oklahoma City Bombing of 1995.
Get to learn about the lives of those who died in the bombing and the impact they had on the survivors, through touching and solemn exhibits made in their memory. Just remember to be quiet and respectful when going on a tour—it would be appreciated.
Pro tip
- The Field of Empty Chairs is one of the biggest and most impactful exhibits in this museum, and it’s always worth checking out, especially on your first visit. We recommend saving it for last–it’s a good way to properly pay respects to the victims.
Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine Museum
– Media from: @RotherShrine
Address: 700 SE 89th St
Open Hours: Daily — 9 AM-5 PM
Contact: 0405 421 9800 (cel.), [email protected] (email)
Admission Fee: Free
Here’s a fun fact about Oklahoma: its church also has its own museum! Yes, you can find a museum dedicated to the city’s own martyred saint, “Blessed Stanley Rother”, who’s also the country’s first beatified priest.
Even before you step inside the museum itself, you might appreciate the beauty of the greenery surrounding the church, all carefully tended to.
The museum itself might not be as interesting as the others listed here, but that doesn’t make it any less worth visiting. After all, you’ll get to learn about Blessed Stanley’s life, including his time in the ministry and the story behind his martyrdom.
Pro tip
- Visit the shrine when it’s not too sunny or rainy. Since there are a lot of open areas, it’ll be far less uncomfortable if you plan your visit during ideal weather.
Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art
– Media from: @ffjma
Address: The University of Oklahoma, 555 Elm Ave, Norman
Open Hours:
- Tuesdays-Saturdays — 10 AM-5 PM
- Sundays — 1 PM-5 PM
Contact: 0405 325 3272 (cel.)
Admission Fee: Adults (18 years and older) — $12
Yup, even the University of Oklahoma has its own museum! And nope, you don’t need to be a student or graduate to visit, as guests can come on down to the Fred Jones Jr. Museum for a tour.
Once you’re there, marvel over 20,000 artifacts and collections, all permanent fixtures at the museum, so you don’t have to worry about missing them! You can spend your time admiring paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and photographs from the 16th century until contemporary times.
As a bonus, the admission fee is free on every second Friday of the month!
Pro tip
- Make sure to bring your credit or debit cards when you’re visiting—everything here is paid for through cashless transactions. And that includes food, admission, and even souvenirs.
SKELETONS: Museum of Osteology
– Media from: @museumofosteology
Address: 10301 S Sunnylane Rd
Open Hours:
- Weekdays — 9 AM-5 PM
- Saturdays — 10 AM-5 PM
- Sundays — 11 AM-5 PM
Contact: 0405 814 0006 (cel.), [email protected] (email)
Admission Fee:
- Adults (12 years old and older) — $14
- Youths (3-11 years old) — $12
- Children — Free
Make no bones about it, this might be a very “oddly specific” museum, but it’s definitely not a dull one! In fact, we find it humerus that there seems to be a museum for everything in Oklahoma! So we say bring your friends here so you’re not bonely!
Okay, we’ll stop with the bone puns, but we mean it when we say that the SKELETONS museum is worth checking out. From mighty and large to tiny and fragile, you can find replicas and exhibits of all of nature’s skeletons!
They also regularly hold programs and classes teaching different fun animal facts. So, get to learn all about the anatomy and biology of different animals right here in the Museum of Osteology!
Pro tip
- Consider getting a membership if you’re interested in becoming a regular visitor. On top of all the admission fee discounts on special events like birthdays or private events, you also get to bring two complimentary guests once a year!
Oklahoma State Firefighters Museum
– Media from: @ifsta
Address: 2716 NE 50th St
Open Hours: Tuesdays-Saturdays — 9 AM-4:30 PM
Contact: 0405 424 1452 (cel.), 0405 424 1032 (fax), contact form
Admission Fee:
- Adults — $6
- Seniors — $5
- Children (6-12 years old) — $3
- Children (under 6 years) — Free
Now, this can be an interesting hotspot for an educational trip. The Oklahoma State Firefighters Museum has all sorts of fire department memorabilia dating back all the way to the 18th century.
You can learn all about Oklahoma’s fire department, including the beginning of its precursor, the Union Fire Company! You can also see how the firetrucks and firefighter equipment changed over time—a haven if you have a kid who’s a future firefighter.
Whatever the case, anyone looking to learn more about the history of Oklahoma’s fire department ought to pay a visit here!
Pro tip
- Need another incentive to visit? Then see if you can spot the spotted FD members: the dalmations! They can be spotted around the museum every now and then.
Stafford Air & Space Museum
– Media from: @staffordmuseum
Address: Thomas P Stafford Airport-Oja, 3000 Logan Rd
Open Hours:
- Mondays-Saturdays — 9 AM-5 PM
- Sundays — 1 PM-5 PM
Contact: 0580 772 5871 (cel.), contact form
Admission Fee:
- Members, Weatherford Stafford Airport Fly-ins — Free
- Adults (19-61 years old) — $12 + tax
- Students (6-18 years old) — $6 + tax
- Kids (5 years and under) — Free
- Seniors (62 years and up) — $10 + tax
- Veterans — $10 + tax
- Active Military — Free
- Adult Group (10 or more) — $10 + tax (per head)
- Student Group (10 or more) — $5 + tax (per head)
Right in this museum, you can reach for the stars! Well, not literally, but that won’t make it any less fun! This indoor-outdoor hybrid museum is filled to the brim with all the aerospace knowledge and activities that can keep you occupied for a whole afternoon.
It also prides itself on being the only museum in the world that has parts of the Saturn V and Soviet N-1 rockets on display. You can’t find any other aerospace museum that has an actual piece of the Space Race within its collection.
That’s not even mentioning all the other different models of planes and rockets that they have on display, or the interactive space exhibits! So if you’re curious about the history of aerospace travel, then this is the museum to go to.
Pro tip
- They take final admissions at 4 PM, so come early!
