Friday Fifty State Focus
Big Family Travel to Oklahoma
Family trips to Oklahoma would not be complete without exploring the history of Native Americans. Oklahoma is home to more American Indian tribal headquarters than any other state. Your family will enjoy Oklahoma’s many museums , heritage centers and events that celebrate Native American culture, history and people. We recommend:
Cherokee Heritage Center – Tahlequah, OK – Located in the Oklahoma foothills of the Ozark Mountains, the Cherokee Heritage Center is sponsored by the Cherokee Nation, the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians, and other area tribes. Exhibits include the Adams Corner Rural Village, the Trail of Tears exhibit, the Cherokee National Museum and the Cherokee Family Research Center. Explore the Ancient Village which depicts a Cherokee village before any European influence. Guided tours available. Adults – $8.50 Students K-12 $5.
Gilcrease Museum – Tulsa, OK – Your family will enjoy an educational visit viewing Native American art and artifacts, as well as historical manuscripts, documents and maps. Gilcrease also boasts over 300,000 artifacts and 10,000 pieces of Western Art. Take time to explore the museum’s gardens which comprise 23 acres. Adults $8, children under 18 are free.
Museum of the Great Plains– Lawton, OK – Accredited by the American Association of Museums, the museum boasts the Tingley Collection of Native American artifacts which includes over 3,200 pieces of 20th century Plains Indian artifacts. Learn about the settlement of the great plains through fun and interactive exhibits. Outdoor exhibits include a train station, prairie schoolhouse and trading post. Twelve and older – $6, ages 7-11 – $2.50, 6 and under – free.
Red Earth Indian Center Museum – Oklahoma City, OK – This museum is home to more than 1,400 items of traditional and contemporary fine art, pottery, basketry, textiles and bead work. Plan a trip next June to enjoy the 26th Annual Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival when more than 1200 American Indian artists and dancers will gather to celebrate the richness and diversity of their heritage with the world. Admission to the Red Earth Museum & Gallery is free.
Spiro Mounds Archaeological Park – Spiro, OK – The mounds are the only prehistoric Native American archaeological site in Oklahoma open to the public. The prehistoric Spiro people built the mounds which includes one burial mound, two temple mounds and nine house mounds. Once called the “King Tut of the Arkansas Valley” by the Kansas City Star in 1935, this park will intrigue your family with fantastic artifacts and guided tours. Admission – adults – $4, Children 6-18 – $1, under 6 – free.
Be sure to include the great, rich history and culture of the Native Americans in your vacation to Oklahoma. No matter where you roam, SixSuitcaseTravel can help you find accommodations to sleep your big family of 5, 6, 7, 8.
Want more ideas? TravelOK.com lists 75+ places of interest to explore Oklahoma’s Native American history.
