2 Best Sights in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Over the past 60 years, more than 10 million guests have viewed collections at this museum to gain a richer understanding and appreciation of Western history and heritage, particularly the ways it has influenced contemporary culture. In addition to spectacular permanent exhibits that comprise more than 28,000 Western and Native American art and artifacts, the museum sponsors a ongoing program of scholarly research and hosts temporary exhibitions featuring some of the world's finest Western art. An interactive children's space, expansive outdoor gardens, and a restaurant (daily 11–2:30) that includes a value-priced buffet help to make this site a particular favorite for families. Each April, the museum produces its annual Western Heritage Awards, an Academy Awards–style event that honors hall of fame inductees, as well as the year's best in literature, music, film, and television.

Set in downtown Oklahoma City, this 17-acre botanical garden provides activities for the whole family, including a children's park with seasonal water features, a 15,000-square-foot conservatory with 2,000 varieties of plants, and a 35-foot waterfall. You can exercise your best friend in the off-leash dog park or go solo on walking and jogging paths. There's also an on-site restaurant, special classes, temporary exhibits, and plenty of space for quiet reflection and solitude. Game rentals, like remote-control sailboats, bocce ball, and corn toss, are available on weekends April 15 through October; an ice-skating rink with skate rentals is open mid-November through mid-February.