26 Essential Oklahoma Experiences to Plan for 2026

As a new year approaches, it's time to start making lists of all the fun things you hope to do in 2026. If you live in Oklahoma, you know there's no shortage of stunning nature, exciting events and festivals, and delicious food to experience each month of the year.

Are you ready to get started on your Oklahoma bucket list? If you need some inspiration, here are 26 things to do in Oklahoma in 2026 that will ignite your adventurous side—and help you see the Sooner State in a whole new light.

1. Visit the Gathering Place - Tulsa

Situated on the banks of the Arkansas River, the 66.5-acre Gathering Place is a public city park complete with a lawn, a pedestrian bridge, a playground, gardens, a pond for boating (for free!), and pathways for a lovely stroll. This is one of the coolest attractions to visit in Oklahoma this coming year.

2. Explore Myriad Botanical Gardens - Oklahoma City

Wouldn't you just love to spend a sunny day walking through the beauty that this urban botanical garden is known for? Myriad Botanical Gardens is a 15-acre green space with a pedestrian bridge, greenhouses, walking paths, and outdoor gardens located in the heart of Oklahoma City, and it's a must for any Oklahoman to visit. It's also free to visit.

3. Tour the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum - Clinton

If you enjoy the nostalgia that a drive down Route 66 evokes, then you must make a stop at the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum. Not only can you learn all about the Mother Road, but you can also see artifacts, signs, and other memorabilia from its past. As a road trip enthusiast, I can't wait to go here in 2026.

4. Dine at Cattlemen's Steakhouse - Oklahoma City

Have you ever dined at Oklahoma's oldest continuously operated restaurant yet? Well, Cattlemen's Steakhouse is legendary not only for its history but for its steaks. Open since 1910, Cattlemen's has been featured on "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives" and has won numerous awards. Add this to your Oklahoma dining bucket list for the last few months of 2026.

5. Stay at the Colcord Hotel - Oklahoma City

Rest and relax in style at the historic Colcord Hotel, conveniently located right across the street from Myriad Botanical Gardens. Rest in comfort and enjoy amenities such as a fitness center, an on-site restaurant, and panoramic city views from atop the hotel's Devon Tower. You'll love staying at this hotel in OKC.

6. Go to a Harry Potter-Themed Concert - Tulsa

If you're looking for the perfect date night plan in Tulsa, Oklahoma, go to the Tulsa Symphony to hear Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in concert. The percussion, strings, and wind sections of this world-class orchestra will perform songs from the popular movie on May 15, 2026, at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center.

7. Celebrate Christmas at Crystal Beach Park - Woodward

Your jaw may drop as you walk through nearly two million twinkling lights at Crystal Beach Park from mid-November through the end of December. This family-friendly winter festival in Oklahoma features train rides, wagon rides, fireworks, food trucks, live music, and even a visit from Santa Claus. This is one of the best Christmas light displays in Oklahoma—you won't want to miss it.

8. Explore Longhorn Trail and Bison Loop - Indiahoma

Located within the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge near Indiahoma, the 6.2-mile Longhorn Trail and Bison Loop is a moderately challenging adventure worth having. The terrain is rocky and rugged, so come prepared with your hiking gear, sturdy boots, and a map of the trailhead. This is one hike you won't want to miss.

9. Stargaze at This Dome Home - Sand Springs

Doesn't a night away in a unique dome home on a 10-acre wooded property sound relaxing? This is the type of glamping I love... between the woods, three ponds, hiking trails, and dark skies for stargazing, the Geodesic Sunset Dome in Sandy Springs is a great escape.

10. Hunt for Crystals at Salt Plains State Park - Jet

Located in Jet, Salt Plains State Park is perhaps one of the most unique parks in the state. Its landscape is covered in salt left by an ocean that was once here in prehistoric times. You can even dig for selenite crystals in certain parts of the park. The dig area is open seasonally from April 1 through October 15.

11. Check Out Dogwood Days - Idabel

Every year in mid-April, the Dogwood Days Festival is held in downtown Idabel, where you can marvel at the white and pink blossoms of the dogwood trees in bloom. Food and craft vendors, a 5K race, a pancake breakfast, dance performances, family-friendly activities, and more are held throughout the day. This is one spring festival in Oklahoma you won't want to miss in 2026! Exact dates are TBD.

12. Stay at the Mayo Hotel - Tulsa

The historic Art Deco-style Mayo Hotel in downtown Tulsa is an icon, a landmark, and a bucket list-worthy place for a getaway. Since its opening in 1925, The Mayo has hosted famous guests like Lucille Ball, Bob Hope, JFK, Elvis, and Charlie Chaplin. Today, it's a place to relax and enjoy the finer things in life. The best amenity is the Penthouse Rooftop Bar, which has 360-degree views of the city.

13. Take a 15-Mile Scenic Drive - Pawhuska

The Joseph H. Williams Tallgrass Prairie Preserve is the largest prairie in the world, at 40,000 acres. See the landscape and wildlife like bison from the comfort of your car by driving through. It's located in Pawhuska and is the perfect spot for a day trip or scenic drive.

14. Dine at The Pioneer Woman Mercantile - Osage County

Located in the historic Osage Mercantile building in Pawhuska, The Pioneer Woman Mercantile is a restaurant, a bakery, and a store. People come from all over for its plates of comfort food like chicken-fried steak or biscuits and gravy, fresh-baked pastries, and coffee, all in an unforgettable historic setting. It's one of the best restaurants in Oklahoma to hit up in 2026.

15. Hike Beavers Bend State Park - Broken Bow

The 1-mile, out-and-back Mountain Fork River Trail in Beaver Bend State Park leads hikers through the woods and along the Mountain Fork of the Little River. You'll love the scenery, and you can even take your dog! We think this is one of the best hikes in Oklahoma. It's an easy trek that has views well-worth the visit.

16. Celebrate the Blackberry Festival - McLoud

Since the early 1940s, the city of McLoud has been celebrating its blackberry harvest with an annual Blackberry Festival. Held on June 18-20, 2026, at McLoud Veterans Memorial Park, there were carnival rides, live music, and, of course, blackberries. This is one of the best summer festivals in Oklahoma, and if you missed it this year, just add it to your to-do list for 2026.

17. Enjoy Tiny Home Living - Binger

Have you stayed in a tiny home before? The Tiny House Retreat in Binger, a small town in Cadd County, is furnished in a way that maximizes the space inside. There's also a yard complete with a tree bed swing, a fire pit, and a hot tub surrounded by woods to give it a sense of seclusion and privacy. I'd love to stay here this coming year.

18. Spend Time at a Western-Themed Amusement Park - Oklahoma City

A Six Flags theme park, Frontier City is one of the oldest amusement parks in the state. If you're up for an adrenaline rush, grab a seat on the Diamondback roller coaster, or fly like a bird on the Soaring Eagle zipline. The park is open seasonally starting in mid-March. Check the Six Flags website for a calendar and a list of rides. This is one of the best amusement parks in Oklahoma.

19. Visit the Washita Battlefield National Historic Site - Cheyenne

In 1868, a battle ensued at the Washita Battlefield during the Great Plains War. Lieutenant Custer led the surprise attack against a Cheyenne village, and this historic site memorializes the tragedy. When visiting Washita Battlefield, watch an informative film at the visitor center before walking one of two trails: The Washita Battlefield Park Trail and the Dust and Fire Trail. No entrance fee is charged here or at any other National Park in Oklahoma.

20. Enjoy Fall at a Pumpkin Festival - Cordell

Each year, on one day in mid-October, visitors flock to the annual Cordell Pumpkin Festival in Cordell. This family-friendly fall festival has food, a parade, vendor booths, classic car shows, live entertainment, and more. There's even a baking contest where participants must use pumpkin as an ingredient. The festival will return in 2026 on October 11—visit the Cordell Chamber of Commerce website for more info.

21. Visit the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum - Oklahoma City

Open since 1955, the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum is the go-to place to learn all about the American West. With history, art, and artifacts along with a replica town and a wagon, there's so much for kids and adults alike to learn here, and in a fun way at that.

22. Visit the State's Tallest Waterfall - Davis

Located in Davis at Turner Falls Park is the tallest waterfall in Oklahoma, at 77 feet. Turner Falls cascades over rocks and into a pool, a refreshing place to take a dip, especially on a hot day. Keep in mind, though, that while you can go swimming in the pool, you are not allowed to swim under the waterfall itself.

Sometimes, the water can get a little muddy, too, so watch out for any signs indicating whether it's okay to swim.

23. Spend Time at Grand Lake O' the Cherokees - Northeast Oklahoma

A day at the lake is always a good day. At least that's what I believe! As Oklahoma's largest lake with 46,500 surface acres of water and 1,300 miles of shoreline, Grand Lake o' the Cherokees offers an array of recreational activities, including boating, swimming, waterskiing, wakeboarding, and fishing. It's one of the greatest natural wonders in the state.

24. Check Out Ed Galloway's Totem Pole Park - Chelsea

Located in Foyil, Oklahoma, is a unique and quirky roadside attraction known as Ed Galloway's Totem Pole Park. Here you can discover several totem poles, including the world's largest concrete totem pole. This eccentric roadside attraction is right on Route 66, so keep your eyes peeled for other fascinating Oklahoma stops along the way.

25. The Best City in Oklahoma to Visit in 2026 - Tulsa

Located on the Arkansas River, Tulsa is a picturesque city with a population of more than 400,000 people. It's known for many things, including its Art Deco architecture, its thriving art and music scenes, one of the best city parks in the country (i.e., The Gathering Place), the Tulsa Zoo, and its dining options. Take a day trip or spend a night in this vibrant city at a hotel like the elegant Campbell Hotel or a charming vacation rental nearby.

26. Explore the Toy & Action Figure Museum - Pauls Valley

Let your inner child free at this awesome Oklahoma attraction in Pauls Valley. The Toy & Action Figure Museum has more than 13,000 classic pop culture figures on display as well as hands-on experiences for adults and kids alike. Toy collectors will absolutely love viewing items from the late 1950s to modern-day favorites. You can purchase a ticket to tour the museum yourself or take a group tour to learn more about the toys' history.

Here you have it—the 26 best things to do in Oklahoma in 2026. What are you most excited to do first? If you're already prepping your travel plans to experience these attractions, consider using Only In Your State's itinerary planner to get customized lodging, dining, and sightseeing recommendations.