A Sooner State six pack
COMPASS
West South Central U . S .
COMPILED BY PAT HENDERSON
A Sooner State six pack
“ There are many things that make Oklahoma a great place for group travel , but I think what really stands out is the diversity of the experiences people can have here ,” says Todd Stallbaumer , consumer and trade marketing director for the Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department . “ Groups can get a taste of our growing urban areas and our charming small towns , and they can immerse themselves in our Native American and Western cultures at fascinating museums and cultural events , and get some fresh air at our gorgeous parks .”
He highlights the following six attractions across the state :
Museum of the Red River
RiverSport Rapids Whitewater Rafting & Kayaking Center
Washita Battlefield National Historic Site
The Museum of the Red River The museum in Idabel focuses on art , archaeology and Native American culture , and it is home to the first cast mold of Oklahoma ’ s state dinosaur , Acrocanthosaurus . Visitors can see more than 30,000 objects from six continents , and more items will be on display when expanded gallery spaces open this summer .
The Pioneer Woman Mercantile In late 2016 , Food Network star Ree Drummond opened her much-anticipated bakery , deli and general store in Pawhuska . The deli menu is filled with tasty comfort — think chicken fried steak and pork chops — and the store offers Pioneer Woman merchandise and other unique products .
RiverSport Rapids Whitewater Rafting & Kayaking Center Visitors can raft , tube or kayak in the heart of Oklahoma City at one of the world ’ s largest rafting facilities . RiverSport Rapids is part of the city ’ s Boathouse District , a waterfront area that also includes a six-story adventure course and zip lining .
Sea Turtle Island at Oklahoma Aquarium This March , the Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks debuted Sea Turtle Island , a 56,000-gallon tank that is home to loggerhead sea turtles , reef sharks and tropical fish . The attraction also has an area where visitors can feed and pet stingrays , and a walk-through tunnel offering close-up views of bull sharks .
For more information , reach out to Stallbaumer at todd @ travelok . com or go to travelok . com .
The U . S . Army Field Artillery Museum Located in Fort Sill , the museum is dedicated to collecting , preserving and interpreting the history of U . S . Army artillery . Exhibits feature military treasures dating from 1775 to the present , including the rare Atomic Annie , a Cold Warera prototype that is the only cannon to ever fire a nuclear shell .
Washita Battlefield National Historic Site This site in Cheyenne is where Lt . Col . George Armstrong Custer ’ s men staged a surprise attack on a Cheyenne encampment led by Peace Chief Black Kettle . Groups can learn about the events leading up to the battle and the aftermath , view artifacts and photos , and take a selfguided tour of the battlefield .
OKLAHOMA TOURISM
40 April / May 2017