Tulsa Area

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).

Ahhh, camping. As the blanket of night approaches, a symphony of crickets chirp all around. Fireflies dance on a gentle summer breeze. Above, millions of shimmering stars illuminate the darkened sky as you and your kids roast marshmallows over a crackling campfire. If you’ve already been bitten by the camping bug or are ready to give it a try, you don’t have to travel far for outdoor adventure and family fun. Here are what I consider to be the top ten Oklahoma family camping sites. Each offers a wide variety of activities for kids of all ages. ...

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 Tulsa area.

Four hundred miles in a car with children, and your final destination does not involve a single beach, rollercoaster, or cartoon character. In fact, your only goal is the end of the road.

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.

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.

October is a month of festivals, and not just one Oktoberfest after another. A family can literally attend a different type of festival every weekend. One of my favorites is the Robbers Cave Fall Festival in Wilburton, October 20-22. It always offers an extensive arts and crafts show; this year they expect over 200 exhibitors. The festival offers live music, a carnival, and a quilt show. Saturday features a classic car show, but if the weather holds, the fall foliage at this beautiful state park will be enough to make the trip worthwhile. 918-465-3400.

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.

November 17, 1907. Statehood. Oklahoma changed from territory to state, and a century later, we will spend this year celebrating the transition. The Centennial Committee has planned festivals, concerts, events, salutes, receptions, restorations, re-enactments, and parties to celebrate.

Take a weekend and introduce your children to essential Oklahoma culture. The area in and around Tulsa offers small historical museums, a family-owned amusement park, the largest gun collection in the world, a dairy, the home of Will Rogers, a Broadway-style show, and a world-class aquarium. The old and the new, the traditional and the cutting edge all converge for an easy, laid-back weekend. Here's your itinerary.