Central Okahoma Area

Take your family back in time, literally, during Guthrie’s annual month-long Territorial Christmas Celebration. And this year, you can take advantage of Amtrack’s Heartland Flyer Christmas Train December 10-12, when passengers arriving in Guthrie will be greeted with a Christmas-themed party complete with music and local residents dressed in Victorian-era attire.

Norman’s Little River Zoo is a refuge for rescued animals that can no longer live in the wild and an educational healing place for people, especially children. I’d heard about Little River Zoo for some time and always wanted to visit. Finally, on a recent early fall day that was too pretty to stay inside, my husband and I decided to make a date out of it. We were not disappointed.

With the arrival of fall comes a chill in the air, colorful foliage and football—all favorites of my family. Attending any one of the many local festivals scheduled this time of year is another. Besides the unique food, these festivals are family-friendly outreach events that educate and support the communities they serve. Following are a few diverse options that our family always enjoy.

Who doesn’t love a parade? As far as holidays go, Independence Day is right up there for me. Some of the best memories of my childhood revolve around July 4—summer is in full swing and we always had a barbecue to celebrate mom’s birthday (also on the 4th).

Go here to find Oklahoma City area restaurant reviews.

Finding that you need a small loan to take your family to the movies these days? Concession prices alone can cost more than the tickets. During these current economic challenges, who wants to pay such high prices? For a fun alternative, take your kids (or date) on a nostalgic trip to the drive-in theater.

When we talk about travel, we usually talk about destinations, but this month’s column is all about the journey!

Riding Oklahoma’s passenger train, the Heartland Flyer, is the tenth and final thing on my list of travel resolutions for the year. I am a bit of a train enthusiast, so this won’t be a first-time journey for me. In fact, in addition to riding the Heartland Flyer twice and traveling the length of the Eastern Seaboard on another Amtrak route last July, I have also boarded trains in five other countries. So speaking as someone who has literally gone the distance, I can tell you that trains are officially my favorite mode of transportation. Why? Well let’s just take the Heartland Flyer as an example.

I don’t know much about planes. My knowledge of aviation history doesn’t extend beyond the fact that the Wright brothers made their first flight on December 17, 1903—a fact I remember only because December 17 happens to be my husband’s birthday. And the only aeronautics shows I have ever seen were performed by crop dusters making wide sweeps across the fields of our family farm. It doesn’t take an expert to see that the variety and quality of Oklahoma’s aviation offerings are special. ...

Here are links to other websites about the Central Oklahoma area.

At the time of the Oklahoma land run (April 22, 1889), married women could not own land in the Twin Territories. Everything a married woman owned, including herself, belonged to her husband. So only the strongest and most resourceful females dared take their place along the start line.

As Oklahoma turns 100, we should celebrate all things Okie! I’ve compiled a list of activities to celebrate our proud Okie heritage. Many Centennial events are still in the early planning stages, so mark your calendars and check websites for details as plans are finalized.

The first months of the year are significant for the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King and the observance of Black History Month (February). It’s a good time to look for the stories of African Americans in the making and prospering of our state. Here’s a sample of Oklahoma’s rich history.

Alaska isn’t the only state to enjoy 22 hours of light in a single 24-hour period. Drive through most Oklahoma cities in December and, judging by the amount of light given off by holiday displays, it might look like noon. There are many not-to-be-missed light displays but more active holiday activities abound. Take some time to explore Oklahoma’s other winter delights.

This is a quiz. In what Oklahoma city can you see a Citizen Potawatomi leather wedding dress and an Egyptian mummy, pick lavender, and sip excellent Oklahoma wine? Only in Shawnee. Just 35 minutes west of the Metro, this thriving city offers indoor activities that beat the heat and a family-friendly outdoor activity area.

Fall break weather in Oklahoma is unpredictable. It could be 92 degrees or it could be 40; it could rain or we could be under a burn ban. Outdoor conditions are hard to predict, but one thing is certain during fall break—children want to be entertained. Luckily Norman, a short trip south of the Metro, offers educational entertainment for all ages, both indoors and out.

When traveling and hungry, I like to try local diners instead of chain restaurants. I'm rarely disappointed with my choices. There are some really great Oklahoma landmark dining experiences to be had. If you are a native, you've at least heard of them, and shame on you if you haven't made the trip. If you're a transplant to the state, I highly recommend you get on the road and head to these unique Okie eateries. The following list runs roughly north to south—don't even ask me to pick a favorite!

There is a hidden treasure in Moore. Well, maybe not hidden a huge sign does mark the entrance to the Orr Family Farm. But it is definitely a treasure of 106 acres where families can experience a train ride, horseback riding, fishing, maze running, and a 1974 carousel. Created for family fun, the farm offers an amazing array of hands-on educational activities and lots of things to do.

I had no idea. This is the phrase I heard all afternoon at the new Oklahoma History Center near our State Capitol. Around every turn, standing in front of each exhibit, I saw young and old pushing buttons, opening drawers, and flipping pages. Grandparents' stories began with, When I was growing up, we had one of those, or I remember your great-grandpa used to. My mother and I had a delightful afternoon reminiscing about her childhood and mine.

Looking to fill a day with fun while staying close to home? The Metro area has many attractions to help you entertain even the most difficult, easily-bored child. At some destinations you spend the day inside, others call you outdoors; but all of these venues promise a fun, educational experience that's nearby and affordable.

This is a place where porcupines are sociable and snakes are huggable. Where lynxes are pettable and kangaroos are approachable. This is a different breed of zoo the Little River Zoo in Norman.

There's nothing to do! It's a sentence we hear all too often in the summer months. If you've run out of entertainment ideas, check out the following off the beaten path options. There's bound to be at least one destination you haven't visited yet.

In Oklahoma, the days of March can be filled with enjoyable sunshine or miserable cold and damp. It's hard to know if you should plan a picnic or an indoor activity. Fortunately, there are at least two spots in our state where you and your kids can have fun no matter the weather. Leonardo's Discovery Warehouse & Adventure Quest and Jasmine Moran Children's Museum are not your typical museums because here, you can touch everything.

Multi-use trails: paved paths used by cyclists, runners, inline skaters, and walkers. Where can a family find free recreation that is healthy, fun, and doesn't burn an ounce of gasoline? The easy answer is our Oklahoma City Trail System. The Metro is blessed with an excellent, and growing, multi-use trail system.

A summer vacation is a wonderful time to introduce your children to the great outdoors through backpacking, rock climbing, horseback riding, ATV adventuring, motocross or go-kart racing, and mountain biking.

Light, bright, airy, welcoming, accessible, exciting. These are hardly typical descriptions of libraries. But the new, $24 million Downtown Library, is anything but typical. Before you even get inside the building, it's obvious you're in for a treat. A playful water feature set in front of the structure squirts water into the air at unpredictable intervals. That's just a hint of the surprises you'll find within. Here's a peek at what our new library has to offer.

I am sitting still. It is freezing cold, but I barely notice. My eyes, and binoculars, are glued to the sky as the largest bird I have ever seen circles overhead. When the bird lands, I have to quit watching because my husband is silently forcing me to give up the binoculars so he can get a closer view. I vow that next year I'll spend the $12.95 for my own set. I look over at the kids and point to a magnificent bald eagle that they are seeing in the wild for the first time. A caged bird doesn't do the species justice.