Spring break is more than a week off, it’s a chance to make memories, try something new and finally check off those “someday” experiences. With mild (hopefully) weather and a full calendar of activities, Oklahoma City offers plenty of ways to fill one great day or an entire week. From outdoor thrills to quiet moments of discovery, here are ideas to build an unforgettable spring break itinerary in Oklahoma City.
Editor’s note: This article is generously sponsored by Visit Oklahoma City. Find more resources for family fun, including inspirations for your spring break staycation at visitokc.com.
Play and explore OKC’s urban oasis
Spanning 70 acres in central Oklahoma City, Scissortail Park offers the perfect escape for families looking to play and explore. The park features unique play areas, miles of walking trails and four sports courts.
The Children’s Play Pavilion and Playground in the upper park is packed with adventure — geometric dome climbers, a net lens, rope climbers and a large fort complete with a tower and slides. Plan to play the whole day and pack a picnic lunch or grab a bite from the Pavilion’s concessions.
All park trails are stroller- and wheelchair-friendly offering access to all. The most popular route is the 2.4-mile perimeter loop, which connects both sections of the park and winds through the heart of downtown Oklahoma City.
Hit the trail in and around OKC
The Oklahoma City area offers multiple trails to explore, whether you’re looking for a short walk or longer trek.
The Bert Cooper Trails offer nearly 10 miles of paved paths circling Lake Hefner, perfect for running, walking or cycling. Along the way, stop at Lake Hefner’s iconic lighthouse or take a break at Stars & Stripes Park, located off the south shore, featuring a playground, BMX park and sports field. On the lake’s north side, Bluff Creek provides two trail options: a one-mile paved loop for casual runners or walkers or a 3.5-mile network of dirt trails for off-road mountain biking.
Southeast of Oklahoma City, the Lake Draper Trail offers a 13.5-mile loop around Lake Stanley Draper. This wide, ADA-compliant asphalt trail features unique art installations, funded by the City’s 1% Art program.
For the whole family, Martin Park features three hiking trails, picnic areas and a nature-themed playground. The park’s Nature Center offers hands-on activities and special programs about local animals and plant life, as well as a bird observation wall and a watch tower. The trails wind around a large pond, follow the bubbling Spring Creek, pass by the wildflower meadows, and meander through woodland areas. One trail, the INTEGRIS Jim Thorpe Rehabilitation Courage Trail, is a half-mile path featuring widened walkways and boardwalks designed for visitors with limited mobility.
Big adventure, big smiles
Make a splash at OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark, a spring break lifesaver for families. Rain or shine, OKANA delivers nonstop fun with twisting water slides, wave pools and kid-friendly splash zones that let everyone play all day long.
Looking to slow things down? OK River Cruises offer a relaxing way to see the city from the water, complete with scenic views and fun facts. And if you’d rather stay on land, grab a paddle and hit the pickleball courts popping up across OKC parks and recreation centers for fast-paced, friendly competition.
Always a fan favorite, the Oklahoma City Zoo & Botanical Garden features nearly 2,000 animals within diverse exhibits including Expedition Africa, Sanctuary Asia, Great EscApe, Lion’s Overlook, the Herpetarium & Wetlands Walkway, and a Children’s Zoo. Don’t miss Oklahoma Trails, an eight-acre habitat showcasing 11 distinct life zones unique to the state. Special events and Wild Encounter experiences offer up-close views and interactions with animals. With many indoor and climate-controlled spaces, the fun continues rain or shine.
Hands-on fun
Visitors of all ages explore art and creativity at Oklahoma Contemporary through exhibitions, performances and educational programs. Before entering, stroll through Campbell Art Park in front of the museum, where mesmerizing art installations immediately captivate. Inside, the Learning Gallery offers hands-on activities that are sure to spark your inner artist. Or, take a spin through the Art Garden to discover how plants and flowers create beautiful paints, dyes and inks.
Don’t miss Anthony McCall: Solid Light, presented in collaboration with Tate Modern, Britain’s national modern art gallery. McCall transforms projected light into sculptural form, creating beams of light and a misty haze that visitors can walk through for a fully immersive experience. Admission is always free for exhibitions.
Get crafty at Myriad Botanical Gardens. Every first and third Friday during the school year, the gardens host Crafty Friday, a free, drop-in event where kids ages two and up can create fun, nature-themed crafts. Afterward, explore the ornamental gardens, Children’s Garden and playground, complete with a hedge maze, climbing structures and adaptive equipment. For older kids, monthly youth workshops feature hands-on projects like building bee houses or creating pressed flower art. These classes require preregistration, so check the website for schedules and availability.
Science Museum Oklahoma offers a world of discovery with more than 500 exhibits for kids and families. This spring break coincides with Severe Weather Awareness Week, offering interactive programs that explore Oklahoma’s unique climate. On March 14, Storm Safety Day brings KOKH Fox 25 meteorologists to the museum with weather-themed activities, community partners and a weather-themed Science Live show. The 4Warn Storm School returns on March 18 at 10 a.m. with host meteorologist Emily Sutton. Each month, this event emphasizes preparedness over fear and teaches guests how to stay safe during severe weather events. For the younger crowd, ages 6 and under, every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. the museum hosts Storytime Science, with spring break sessions focused on music and sound. The museum will also open its historic Parlor Train Car for tours, offering visitors a glimpse into luxury rail travel of the past. All activities are included with museum admission.
Discover stories that shape Oklahoma
Near the State Capitol, the Oklahoma History Center offers a deeper look into the state’s past. From early statehood and Native history to innovation, industry and cultural milestones, the museum’s interactive exhibits and displays make history engaging and accessible for kids and teens, encouraging hands-on learning and a stronger connection to Oklahoma’s story.
Immersive, interactive and deeply meaningful, the First Americans Museum introduces families to the living cultures and histories of Oklahoma’s 39 Tribal Nations. The museum celebrates cultural diversity, authentic history and the lasting contributions of Indigenous peoples in Oklahoma today. High-tech, hands-on experiences invite kids of all ages to explore historical and modern-day exhibits, engage with video presentations and participate in educational opportunities that encourage curiosity and understanding.
Situated downtown, the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum offers a quiet, powerful and unforgettable space for reflection and learning. Families can explore through a self-guided tour, allowing visitors to move at their own pace while learning about resilience, compassion and the lasting impact of the Murrah Building bombing.
The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum brings the stories of the American West to life. From rodeo legends and iconic Western art to hands-on exhibits and kid-friendly galleries, this museum is a must-visit for families. During spring break, special family-friendly activities add even more opportunities for learning and fun, while engaging exhibits and interactive displays appeal to visitors of all ages. Families should make sure to visit their newest exhibit, The Cowboy: An Immersive Journey. This fully projected, 360-degree environment surrounds visitors with sweeping landscapes, historic imagery, cinematic sound and original music, offering a multi-sensory encounter that is engaging for visitors of all ages. Join them for an unforgettable week of Spring Break fun at the Cowboy! Find Your West and participate in family-friendly activities. Immerse yourself in the history of the American West with engaging new exhibits and hands-on activities. Free for members or with Museum admission. Available while supplies last.
Spring Roundup
- Monday, March 1610:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.Trailblazer Trade Routes
- Step into the boots of Western explorers, traders, and travelers for a day of drop-in activities! Set out on a journey through the American West as you design your own map, including trade routes, build a mini river raft to explore frontier travel and try your luck “mining for gold” in a hands-on discovery activity. Free for members or with Museum admission. Available while supplies last.
- Tuesday, March 1710:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.Treacherous Trail Trek
- Join us as we set off on a journey across the frontier for a day of drop-in activities! Learn how to use a compass to navigate a trail through Liichokoshkomo’, create a vibrant ripped-paper cactus sunset to capture the beauty of your western expedition and roll the dice to create your own trail story. Free for members or with Museum admission. Available while supplies last.
- Wednesday, March 1810:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.Wagon Trails to Railroad Rails
- Climb aboard for a creative journey through the Old West for a day of drop-in activities! Design your own train car window view and imagine what you might see rolling across the frontier. Answer fun questions found along the tracks at the train depot as you discover fascinating Western facts. Create a pony craft inspired by life on the range. Free for members or with Museum admission. Available while supplies last.
- Thursday, March 1910:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.Highway Agriculture
- Hit the open road and explore The Cowboy for a day of drop-in activities! Build a popsicle-stick farm truck, join us for story time and design a Western license plate to show off your frontier style. Create your own can planter! Free for members or with Museum admission. Available while supplies last.
- Friday, March 2010:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.Route 66 Open Road
- Experience the sights and sounds of western Route 66 life! Make a paper plate banjo and strum your own Western tunes, craft corn husk dolls while learning about life during the Dust Bowl and play Rodeo Bingo to test your Western knowledge. Free for members or with Museum admission. Available while supplies last.
- Saturday, March 2110:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.Kids Take Over the Cowboy
- Explore the exhibitionRoute 66: From Trails to Truck Stop. Design your own postcard story from your cowboy hometown and send it to your favorite person! Play Western games, try your hand at the Western cake/ cookie walk and grab brushes and paints for a guided canvas painting session of a Route 66 road sign!Painting sessions will be at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.
One city. One week. A lifetime of memories.
Oklahoma City’s spring break bucket list proves you don’t have to travel far to experience something extraordinary. From thrills and creative expression to meaningful history and quiet moments, OKC delivers a spring break that’s as memorable as it is meaningful.
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