Must See Sites in Oklahoma (Part 1)

When I moved to Oklahoma in 2002 from the Northeast, I had the typical thoughts of what was in Oklahoma like most from my region: Cowboys, ranches, farms, and ten gallon hats. Although Oklahoma has these things, Oklahoma has more than I ever thought possible when it comes to things to see and fun places to go.

If you travel to Oklahoma, or if you are looking for a great out of the way place to take your family for this spring or summer vacation, consider Oklahoma. The first must see place I would recommend is the Oklahoma City Zoo. I have been to the Oklahoma City zoo more than a dozen times, and no two visits are ever the same!

The Oklahoma City Zoo is located at 2101 NE 50th St. and has been open since 1904. It is considered the oldest zoo in the Southwest. The Oklahoma City zoo was also ranked #3 as the most family friendly zoo in the United States by Child Magazine in 2004! The zoo also has a special recognition of being a botanical garden too!

The zoo has paved trails that spans over the 110 acres the zoo inhabits, with refreshing misting machines for visitors that plan on getting a great walking workout while enjoying the awesome foliage and beautiful flowers planted along the paths. They also have a daily tram which for a small fee, you can get a great ride across the zoo, and learn in the process. We usually walk, but once we took the tram and it was a very educational experience.

The zoo has a diverse population of international and domestic animals which would impress any animal lover. Animals range from deadly cobras and anacondas in their impressive herpetarium to hand friendly Lorikeets in the discovery area of the Children's zoo which you are actually able to hold and feed fruit nectar. (This is my husband's favorite place to be).

The Oklahoma City Zoo has five main exhibits- The Cat forest, The Great EscAPE, Aquaticus, Butterfly garden, and Island life.

The Aquarium is one of my favorite places to be. The tranquility I feel when watching the sea lions swim and play gracefully through the glass of the 2 level tank is total nirvana for this busy mom of five kids. The aquarium is home to more than 1,500 species of fish,sea reptiles and crustaceans. The aquarium contains deadly Piranhas to placid giant Starfish. The zoo offers several shows throughout the year called it's fins and feathers show. For a small fee, you can get a first hand show of the California Sea Lions, and a bird's eye glance of some exotic birds flying overhead.
A Must see!

Island life is an experience all in it's own. As you enter the exhibit building, you notice the temperature in the facility is quite warm and lighting is natural bright sunlight from the picture windows. It gives you a sense of being on a tropical island, even in the dry climate of Oklahoma. They feature Galapagos turtles, flamingos, and exotic lizards. (Tip: If you visit the Island life exhibit around noon, you will be treated to feeding time for the Galapagos turtles)

The Great EscAPE exhibit is where you will find the Apes, monkeys, and Chimps. The zoo has enormous display glass on each side of the exhibit so you can watch all the action outside in the Ape exhibits. (Tip: Go to the Great EscAPE exhibit in the morning, they are very active during this time, and usually are sleeping in the sun when the ground heats up in the afternoon.)

The Cat Forest is 4.2 acres of up close observation land set up in a very natural way for the cats. The Oklahoma City Zoo has nine species of cats including Lions, snow leopards, bobcats and tigers.

The butterfly garden is one of the Zoos most colorful exhibits. Butterflies are attracted to citrus and sweet plants, so the garden is so full of them, you can smell them too n a warm summer day. As you enter the garden, you are given an educational card with all the species of butterflies that exist in the garden. The exhibit is open seasonally from Spring to early fall.

The zoo also has many refreshment stands and gift shops that are very reasonably priced that are spread out all over the zoo. The Oklahoma City zoo is also food and drink friendly, meaning you can bring your own food and non-alcoholic drinks into the zoo!
How many zoos are that friendly?
The zoo has large, clean picnic areas equipped with grills and holding places for your coolers if you want to bring your lunch with you. This is a major family perk in my book!

Not only is The Oklahoma City Zoo family, food and drink friendly, it is pet friendly too!
You can board your dog , cat or other beloved pet for only $1.00 while you browse the park without worry. While your pet is there, they will be treated to fresh water, some loving attention, and a treat. (Please call the Oklahoma City Zoo prior to your visit for changes in pet restrictions).

Last, but certainly not least, The Oklahoma City Zoo has an awesome membership package that in 2 trips to the zoo, pays for itself. That's a year's worth of fun for less than a trip to a popular amusement park for one day! We have been members for 4 years, and always received more than we paid for.

For more information on their memberships,email them at http://www.okczoo.com/visi_cont.htm or call them at (405)-424-3344.