Exploring Museums

Here is a start at listing all of the Museum field trips we can think of. You’ll need to do your own research for details on each one, since things change all the time.

Have a favorite that we missed? Have other information that we should add? Let us know by emailing team@hsok.org and including “Field Trip” in the subject line.

Museum listings from all states and around the world. You can search by state and city to find things that may be close together. http://www.museumstuff.com/

Art Deco Museum-Tulsa, 511 S Boston Ave, (918) 417-6544.
Admission to the Museum is free to the public. Self-guided tours by the map are available. They do walking tours of the downtown building architecture, as well.

Ataloa Lodge Museum – 2299 Old Bacone Road, Muskogee, OK, 74403. P: (918) 683-4581. Historic Ataloa Lodge Museum is located on the scenic campus of Bacone College in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Ataloa Lodge Museum has one of the finest collections of American Indian artifacts in the USA.

Cherokee National Museum – Park Hill – The building that houses the Cherokee National Museum was designed by Cherokee architect and Cherokee National Historical Society board member Charles Chief Boyd. The design symbolizes a traditional Cherokee dwelling, built low to the ground and illuminated at both ends by natural lighting. The museum serves five main functions: it houses the permanent Trail of Tears exhibit, temporary Exhibits, two major art shows each year, and the genealogy center. Ancient Village and Adams Corner sites with the heritage center property 101 S. Muskogee Ave. Tahlequah, OK 74464

Cherokee Strip Museum — 2617 West Fir Street, Perry, OK. The museum’s mission is to collect, preserve, and interpret the history of the Cherokee Strip.

Chisholm Trail Museum: At The Chisholm, we strive to engage, educate, and enrich our community and those who explore it by making the unique stories of farming and ranching accessible and relevant to today’s visitors. Through exhibits and programs, we seek to connect individuals to the historical traditions of farming and ranching, to how these industries have evolved over time, and to conservation efforts to create more sustainable practices. To accomplish this goal, we focus on the lives of individuals, families, and industries that have contributed to Oklahoma’s agricultural production. 605 Zellers Ave.
Kingfisher, OK 73750 Phone 405-375-5176

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art (and Gardens). Excellent museum of American Art with beautiful hiking trails surrounding it. Cafe and gift store on site. www.crystalbridges.org 600 Museum Way, Bentonville, AR 72712 479-418-5700

Edmond Historical Society Museum — 431 S. Boulevard, Edmond, OK. Edmond Historical Society Museum is a small museum featuring several exhibits

Elk City Old Town Museum Complex — west on US 66, Elk City, OK. The museum complex recreates an early western town.

Five Civilized Tribes Museum. Agency Hill and Honor Heights Drive. Muskogee, OK, 74401. P: (918) 683-1701. The United States Government built the Union Indian Agency in 1875. It was built of native stone and was to serve as the Five Civilized Tribes Superintendency. – From 1878 until 1891, when the property was purchased by the Creek Nation, the building served as a school and orphanage for children of Creek Freedmen. – The City of Muskogee acquired ownership in 1907 for park purposes. WHAT: History of the Five Civilized Tribes WHERE: Agency Hill, Honor Heights Drive, Muskogee, OK. AGES: All. COST: Admission charged. CONTACT: (918) 683-1701

Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art – University of Oklahoma — 555 Elm Avenue, Norman, OK. The Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art offers a wide range of programs for adults, children, families, students, and teachers.

Gilcrease Museum – CURRENTLY CLOSED for Renovations. WHERE: 1400 Gilcrease Museum Road, Tulsa, Oklahoma. AGES: All. CONTACT: 888-655-2278 or local call 596-2700. The museum and formal gardens provide barrier-free access.

Healdton Oil Museum — 315 E. Main Street, Healdton, OK. Through artifacts and photographs, the Healdton Oil Museum tells the story of oil in Oklahoma.

J.M. Davis Arms and Historical Museum — 333 N. Lynn Riggs Blvd, Claremore, OK. This museum houses the largest personal collection of arms in the world.

Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum — 1714 Highway 9 West, Seminole, OK. WHAT: An imaginary town for kids to play and learn. Includes a grocery store, aquarium, fire station, hospital, school, waterworks, Bubble factory, dino dig, and more. WHERE: (From I-40, take the Seminole-Prague exit and travel 9 miles south on U.S. Highway 377 (SH-99). Turn west onto Hwy 9 and go 1 mile. The Museum is on the north side of the highway.) Address: 1714 Highway 9 West, Seminole. AGES: Ages 3 – 12. CONTACT: (405) 382-0950. One of the world’s largest children’s museums and one of North America’s favorites.

KATY Depot Museum – WHAT: KATY DEPOT, built-in 1890, is the M.K.&T.’s oldest surviving wooden station. The museum collection includes railroad artifacts, pioneer businesses, cowboys and Indians, military artifacts, and Civil War Battle of Honey Springs memorabilia. Also included is the M.K.T. Caboose #205 and a 14 Flag historical display. WHERE: Located off U.S. 69 at the Highway 266 exit, North of Interstate 40 on Paul Carr Drive, Checotah. AGES: All. COST: Free. CONTACT: 918-473-6377

Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art – Shawnee – Founded in 1919, the museum is one of the oldest in Oklahoma. Father Gregory Gerrer, for whom the museum is named, was a Benedictine monk of considerable artistic talent. During Father Gerrer’s travels to Europe, Africa, and South America, he collected objects of artistic and ethnological value. The museum’s permanent collections include Egyptian, Greek, and Roman objects; art from the Renaissance through the early 20th century; and large holdings of Native American, African/Oceanic, and Eastern cultural artifacts. In addition, the museum offers exciting special exhibitions throughout the year.

Marland Mansion and Estate — 901 Monument Road, Ponca City, OK. WHAT: First home of Ernest Whitworth Marland, tenth governor of Oklahoma, and founder of Marland Oil Company. It houses 101 Ranch Artifacts, an Archeology display, Native American artifacts of the Plains tribes, the Daughters of the American Revolution Museum, and Heritage rooms. WHERE: 1000 E Grand Ave, Ponca City, OK 74601. CONTACT: (580) 767-0427. The Marland story is fascinating, and his home is an architectural wonder.

Metcalfe Museum — Rt. 1 Box 25, Durham, OK. 1893 Homestead, Art Gallery and Studio of folk artist Augusta Metcalfe.

Moore-Lindsay House Historical Museum — 508 N. Peters Ave., Norman, OK. William Moore was a wealthy Norman businessman.

Museum of Creation Truth – WHAT: features fossils, replicas, and artifacts that tell the story of creation. Learn about dinosaurs, the age of the earth, giants, Noah’s ark, ancient weapons and tools, and the technology of ancient civilizations. WHERE: Address: 3290 State Rd. 22, Bokchito. From Durant, go 14 miles east on Hwy. 70 to Bokchito. Go six miles south of Bokchito Bank on State Rd. 22. AGES: All. CONTACT: Phone: (580) 924-0803. Email: billygordon@redrivermail.com.

Museum of Osteology in OKC – Cool Museum of Bones and over 300 skeletons from all types of animals. Very interesting. 10301 S. Sunnylane Rd. OKC 405-814-0006. Please call for group rates. Educators…The Museum of Osteology is now available for classroom or group visits. Educational programs are available both onsite and through Museum outreach. To schedule a group visit, or ask questions about field trips and outreach, please email info@museumofosteology.org or call 405-814-0006.

Museum of the Red River — 812 E. Lincoln Road (South Hwy 70 Bypass), Idabel, OK. The Museum’s collections feature archaeological artifacts from the Caddo Indians, among others.

Museum of the Western Prairie — 1100 Memorial Drive, Altus, OK. The Museum of the Western Prairie tells the story of Southwest Oklahoma.

National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum — 1700 NE 63rd St, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73111. Visit nationalcowboymuseum.org for hours of operation, ticket options and pricing. Learn more about educational offerings, special programs, student tours and educator resources in the Educators Guide.

National Weather Center – WHAT: Individual and group tours of the Storm Prediction Center are available by appointment. WHERE: Norman, OK. CONTACT: For more information about touring the Storm Prediction Center, e-mail Peggy Stogsdill (SPC Administrative Officer) at peggy.stogsdill@noaa.gov, telephone/voice mail (405)579-0707. National Severe Storms Laboratory tours are set by request, approximately one per month. Please call 405-366-0468.

No Man’s Land Museum – Goodwell, OK – When the Territory of Kansas was created in 1854, its boundary was set at the 37th parallel. When Texas came into the Union, being a slave state, it could not extend its sovereignty over any territory north of 36 30′ North. The Missouri Compromise specified that territory North of this line would be free-state territory. This situation left a narrow strip of land 34 miles wide between Kansas and Texas extending from the 100th parallel on the East to the 103rd parallel on the West, a total of 168 miles in length. At the eastern end of the area was the Cherokee Outlet, and at the western end was the Territory of New Mexico. Since the area was claimed by no state, it was soon given the name of No Man’s Land

Oklahoma Aquarium – WHAT: Oklahoma Aquarium offers Home School Days twice a year. On those days, classroom programs are reserved for homeschool families only. The cost includes admission to the aquarium. Maximum of 35 participants per program, which includes adults. Registration is first-come, first-served. WHERE: Oklahoma Aquarium, 300 Aquarium Drive, Jenks, OK. CONTACT: education@okaquarium.org or Phone: 918-528-1508.

Oklahoma City Museum of Art — 415 Couch Dr, Oklahoma City, OK.- The Oklahoma City Museum of Art serves over 135,000 visitors annually from all fifty states and over thirty foreign countries and hosts special exhibitions drawn from throughout the world. The Museum boasts a collection of American and European art, including a comprehensive collection of glass sculpture by Dale Chihuly, and the region’s premier repertory cinema, which presents the finest international, independent, and classic films

Oklahoma City National Memorial – Oklahoma City National Memorial honors the victims, survivors, rescuers, and all who were changed forever on April 19, 1995. The outdoor Symbolic Memorial, which consists of the following segments on 3.3 acres, can be visited: The Gates of Time: Monumental twin gates frame the moment of destruction (9:02) and mark the formal entrances to the Memorial.

Oklahoma Historic Fashions Museum – 810 North State Street, Wagoner, OK, 74467, US. The museum tells the history through textiles and fashion. Organized in 1997 when Oklahoma Historic Fashions, Inc., donated its entire collection to the city, the museum is home to one of the finest collections of historical fashions in the Southwest. Complementing the fashions, many artifacts from Wagoner’s past are also on display. tel:(918)485-9111

Oklahoma History Center — 2401 N. Laird Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK – WHAT: 215,000 square-foot learning center exploring Oklahoma’s unique history of geology, transportation, commerce, culture, aviation, heritage, and more. Education programs, videos, traveling “trunks,” and resource packets. WHERE: Northeast corner of N.E. 23rd & Lincoln Boulevard, across the street from the Oklahoma Capitol. COST: Fee charged. AGES: All. CONTACT: (405) 522-5248,

State Museum of History – WHAT: Just across the street from the State Capitol, the State Museum of History presents a comprehensive historical overview of Oklahoma, from prehistoric times to oil field wildcatters to the space program. Interpretive exhibits, artifacts, original art, and special weekend programs provide an entertaining and informative experience. Unique exhibits include an original bison hide teepee, a Civil War cannon, a wagon used in two land runs, Native American murals, historic quilts, and much more. WHERE: 2100 N. Lincoln Blvd., OKC. CONTACT: 521-2491

Science Museum of Oklahoma – WHAT: Oklahoma’s biggest variety of museum attractions. Planetarium. Special education programs. WHEN: Check schedule at website. WHERE: 2100 NE 52nd ST, OK City, OK. Next to the zoo. COST: varies. CONTACT: Melody or Lynn at 405-602-3770

Pawnee Bill Ranch and Wild West Museum WHAT: See some of the last remnants of the legendary Old West. Drive through the buffalo pasture and view buffalo, longhorn, and elk as they might have looked to a pioneer traveling across the prairie. Walk through the log cabin, blacksmith shop, and the Indian flower shrine and take a walk back into time. Tour Pawnee Bill’s dream home and visualize life in 1910 Oklahoma with Pawnee Bill memorabilia, photographs, and much more. Each summer, the hillside on BlueHawk Peak at the Pawnee Bill Buffalo Ranch comes alive with trick riders, trick ropers, shootings, hangings – a battle between the cowboys and Indians … it’s the west at its best. WHERE: One half mile west of Pawnee, Oklahoma on U.S. 64. CONTACT: 918-762-2513.

Philbrook Museum of Art — 2727 South Rockford Road, Tulsa, OK. Philbrook Museum of Art. WHERE: 2727 S. Rockford RD (one block east of Peoria Avenue at 27th Place), Tulsa, OK. AGES: All. CONTACT: 918 748 5309 or 800 324 7941. There are free days and free tours for school groups

Pioneer Woman Museum – WHAT: Preserve and exhibit artifacts honoring pioneer women of all eras, with a 17-foot bronze monument. The Pioneer Woman Museum was dedicated September 15, 1958, just east of the statue. The museum preserves the legacy of women of all races, creeds, and nationalities who have contributed to Oklahoma’s development. The museum’s education center features craft demonstrations, special exhibits, an interactive timeline, and the Pioneer Woman Walk of Fame. The museum is dedicated to the enduring spirit of women – past, present, and future – who see no boundaries. WHERE: 701 Monument, Ponca City, Oklahoma 74604. CONTACT: 580-765-6108

Plains Indians and Pioneers Museum — 2009 Williams Avenue, Woodward, OK

Pleasant Valley School – WHEN: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. WHERE: Stillwater, OK. Call for directions. AGES: 4th and 5th graders. CONTACT: Kathy McCrowski at 405-743-6300. This is a one-room schoolhouse. Children come dressed in period costumes, circa 1899. They will participate in school activities that were popular at the time. The best time to book a group is when public schools are not in session.

Prairie Song – WHAT: Recreated 1800s pioneer village museum features a two-story saloon, Scudder Schoolhouse, Wildwood Chapel, cowboy line shack, homestead cabin, post office, trading post, schoolmarm’s house, rock jailhouse, covered bridge, rock depot, and much more! Each structure was built with hand-hewn Arkansas “bull pine” and Missouri red and white oak. Prairie Song has been restocked with Texas longhorns, the original breed of cattle driven up the trail. Live, work, and play as it was in the 1800s. WHERE: 402621 W. 1600 Rd., Dewey, OK. (5-1/2 miles east of Dewey on Durham Road). AGES: 4th and 5th graders for educational programs, all for public tours. CONTACT: (918) 534-2662, E-mail: Prsong@aol.com

Price Tower WHAT: Tour the Frank Lloyd Wright exhibit, Bruce Goff Apartment, and the Price Company Executive Office and Apartment. The Price Tower is Frank Lloyd Wright’s tallest built skyscraper. Wright took his inspiration for the cantilevered design from a tree. In fact, the Price Tower has been called the tree that escaped the crowded forest. This National Historic Landmark destination serves local, regional, and global audiences as an arts complex. WHERE: 510 Dewey Avenue, Bartlesville, OK. AGES: All. Partially handicap accessible. COST: Admission charged. CONTACT: 918-336-6943.

Railroad Museum of Oklahoma – WHAT: Railroad memorabilia, steam, and diesel engines and rolling stock, model train layouts. WHERE: 702 N. Washington, Enid, OK 73701. AGES: All (the museum is handicapped accessible). CONTACT: Frank “Watermelon” Campbell, Director, 580-233-3051. Website:

Red Earth Museum – WHAT: Red Earth is a Native American museum dedicated to preserving American Indian cultures. It sponsors one of the Top 100 Events to see in the United States, the Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival. The most talented Native American dancers on the continent gather to compete in various dance categories; over 250 Indian artists display their creations in the Art Market area; over 40 vendors offer cultural foods, books, crafts, etc. There are activities, art, and storytelling for the children throughout the day. WHERE: The museum is housed in the Science Museum of Oklahoma/Zoo area of Oklahoma City. CONTACT: Marcie Everhart, phone 405-427-5228, or email meverhart@redearth.org.

Richard O. Dodrill’s Museum of Rocks, Minerals & Fossils. WHAT: Hand-hewn sandstone building featuring 7,000 square feet of rocks, minerals, fossils, artifacts, and Oklahoma history. Items include a fossilized bison skull, woolly mammoth hair and teeth, fluorescent rocks, meteorites, gemstones, and much more. Classes are also scheduled on topics ranging from jewelry making and silversmithing to flint napping and mineral identification. A library is on-site offering books and videos on related subjects. COST: Donations accepted. WHERE: 123 S Cleveland, Cushing, Oklahoma, 74023. CONTACT: 918.225.0662 or 918.225.0707

Route 66 Museum in Clinton, OK – Exhibits begin with “The World’s Largest Curio Cabinet,” home of special treasures collected along the route. Along the way, visitors see vehicles and listen to music as they experience the history and culture of each decade, including road construction, transportation, lodging, restaurants, garages, curio shops, attractions, and artifacts, graphics, and videos. At the end of their trip down the “Main Street of America,” visitors catch their breath in the drive-in theater, viewing “The American Odyssey,” narrated by Michael Wallis, an award-winning Route 66 Historian. After the film, visitors can stop by the “Curio” gift shop, which offers a wide selection of signs, books, videos, clothing, toys, games, and numerous other mementos of Route 66 and the Museum. 2229 Gary Freeway, Clinton, OK. WHAT: Travel through all eight states along Route 66 “The Mother Road”. The trip begins in Chicago and ends in California. Murals and different vignettes depict the eras of the road and the interesting places that made Route 66 so famous. As you travel along, you can listen to recorded histories and personal accounts of the road from overhead audio kiosks. Gift shop. WHERE: Westbound, take Exit #41 and travel 4.8 miles on Old Highway 66. The museum is located on the north side of the road. COST: Admission charged. CONTACT: (580) 225-6266

Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History — 2401 Chautauqua Ave, Norman, OK. The Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History features engaging exhibits that encourage inquiry and stimulating education sessions that provide a hands-on study of artifacts and scientific specimens. The Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History features 7 galleries, interactive displays, and fossils from Oklahoma and around the world. It boasts over 6 million items in twelve collection divisions and is one of the world’s largest university-based natural history museums. See pictures of the museum in an extensive image gallery. Education programs include school group lessons, Discovery Room sessions, outreach materials, adult and family programs, summer children’s workshops, and special events. For additional information or to make reservations for education programs, please call the Education Department at 405-325-4712 or email us at education@ras.snomnh.ou.edu.

Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art – Tulsa – The largest collection of Judaica in the American Southwest. Virtual field trip online. WHAT: Permanent collections: Jewish History and Culture, and The Herman and Kate Kaiser Holocaust Exhibition. Special and traveling exhibitions, programs, and tours – see website. Where: 2021 East 71st Street, Tulsa, OK 74136. COST: See website. AGES: See website. CONTACT: Sabrina Darby, Administrative Assistant, 918.492.1818. Email: info@jewishmuseum.net

Spiro Mounds – Spiro – Prehistoric Gateway…Present-day Enigma: The mounds site, located seven miles outside of Spiro, Oklahoma, is the only prehistoric, Native American archaeological site in Oklahoma open to the public. The mounds are one of the most important Native American sites in the nation. The prehistoric Spiro people created a sophisticated culture that influenced the entire Southeast. Artifacts indicate an extensive trade network, a highly developed religious center, and a political system that controlled the entire region. 18154 First Street, Spiro, OK. WHERE: 2 1/2 miles east and 3 1/2 miles north of Spiro on W.D. Mayo Lock & Dam Road off State Hwy. 9, Spiro, OK. CONTACT: Dennis Peterson, curator, Email: spiromds@ipa.netspiromds@ipa.net Story for kids: Adventure at Spiro Mounds http://www.oklahomahomeschool.com/ AdvSpiroMounds.html The mounds at Spiro, Oklahoma, are among the most important archaeological remains in Oklahoma.

Three Rivers Museum of Muskogee, Inc., 220 Elgin, Muskogee, OK. tel:(918)686-6624. Three Rivers Museum is dedicated to preserving the history and heritage of the Three Rivers, or Three Forks, area in Eastern Oklahoma, where the Arkansas, Grand, and Verdigris Rivers meet. The museum is located in the restored Midland Valley Railroad Depot in Muskogee, the Indian Nation’s capital of northeastern Oklahoma.

Tom Mix Museum WHAT: Contains a display of Mix’s costumes, memorabilia, photographs, and some of his personal property. A life-sized replica of Tony greets you as you enter the museum. Silent movies, starring Mix, can be viewed at the theater in the museum. The museum houses items from Tom Mix’s personal collection, providing a glimpse into the life of one of Oklahoma’s most colorful figures. Tom Mix’s movie career spanned 26 years from 1909 through 1935. Tom Mix’s movies were famous for quick action and daredevil stunts. Tom and Tony, his horse, performed their own stunts. Tom was a superb athlete and kept himself in good physical condition. He pioneered many of the early movie stunts. No trick cameras or fake scenes were used due to limited shooting budgets. WHERE: 721 N. Delaware, Dewey, OK. AGES: All. COST: Donation. CONTACT: 918-534-1555

Tulsa Air and Space Museum and Planetarium (TASM) — 3624 North 74th East Ave, Tulsa, OK. WHAT: Museum dedicated to Tulsa’s aviation history. Admission charged. WHERE: 7130 East Apache, Tulsa, OK 74115-3708. CONTACT: 918-834-9900

Tulsa Discovery Lab: 3123 Riverside Dr, Tulsa, OK 74105. Discovery Lab is a place where kids and their families have fun. Discovery Lab is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring children, connecting families, and building community through exploration, exhibits, and play. Since 2007, we have ignited curiosity through hands-on learning experiences that make science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) accessible and engaging for every child.

Tulsa Underground – WHAT: Underground tunnels connecting some of downtown Tulsa’s oldest and most interesting buildings. The tunnels were built by Waite Phillips and are said to have been used to avoid kidnapping, to transport alcoholic beverages during Prohibition, and to move money from a large vault under the Bank of Oklahoma building. WHEN & WHERE: Call for reservations & directions. CONTACT: Multiple tour companies available.

USS Batfish and Muskogee War Memorial Park (918) 682-6294. The Main attraction of the War Memorial Park is the USS BATFISH submarine. Launched in 1943, her record earned her a variety of honors. – Special Collections and Exhibits – The War Memorial Park Museum is in a small building; however, it contains many items related to the USS BATFISH, other submarines, and World War 2 in general, including battle flags, photographs, artifacts, models, and other interesting items.

Will Rogers Memorial Museum – WHAT: A museum dedicated to remembering Will Rogers. Artifacts, memorabilia, saddle collection, and photographs and manuscripts depicting his career as a trick roper. WHERE: 1720 West Will Rogers Blvd., Claremore. AGES: All, CONTACT: 918-341-0719

Other Indoor Fun

Bounce House visit. There is a place in Muskogee and several in Tulsa. Also Trampoline places

Bowling at a local Bowling Alley – Green Country Lanes in Muskogee 918-687-1285

Ice skating – first Friday of the month in Tulsa at the Oilers practice rink. Used to be at 11-ish for about $5

Incredible Pizza, Tulsa

Jones Center for Families – 922 E Emma Ave, Springdale, AR, 72764 – swimming, ice skating, basketball – cheap winter entertainment about 1 hour away. www.thejonescenter.net 479-756-8090

Laser Tag or Airsoft Muskogee or Tulsa- especially good in winter

Movie Theater – in summer theatres show free movies, popcorn is reduced price

Return to Main Field Trip Page

You Might Also Like