9 Places to Tame a Teen in Oklahoma City

When traveling with a teen, stock your itinerary with lots of activity, from thrills to chills. Hit the streets of Bricktown and see how many mural selfies you can take, then learn to whitewater raft before watching the sun set at the ballgame. Read on for the best things to do in Oklahoma City with teens.

Keep the teens happy by keeping them moving. Walk through downtown Oklahoma City’s Bricktown Entertainment District to explore a botanical garden, find a mural then hop aboard a water taxi. Most teens love thrills so learn how to whitewater raft at The Boathouse District then catch a fly ball at an evening ball game. Got more ideas for the best things to do in Oklahoma City with teens.

Best Things For Family Fun in Oklahoma City with Teens

• Explore the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
• Reflect at the Oklahoma City Memorial
• Stroll the Myriad Botanical Gardens
• Explore the Murals of Bricktown
• Take in a Baseball Game
• Cruise on the Riverwalk
• Tackle Whitewater at The Boathouse District
• Swagger into Stockyards City
• Sample an Onion Burger

National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

With a combination of galleries with sculpture, western landscape art and rodeo displays, the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum offers a museum dedicated to the American West. See cowboy boot displays or thousands of pieces of different kinds of barbed wire used to tame the wild west. Head outside to see the graves of notable rodeo animals.

Located at 1700 Northeast 63^rd St. Open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Adult admission is $12.50, teens and students with ID is $9.75, kids from 6 to 12 is $5.75 and free for kids 5 and under.

Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum 

Visit the tranquil yet haunting memorial of the Oklahoma City bombing that changed the downtown face of Oklahoma City. On the morning of April 19, 1995, a truck full of fertilizer exploded in front of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. In total, 168 people died, including children in the building’s daycare.

The Oklahoma City Memorial is a National Park Service site. The Outdoor Memorial open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Free

Museum is open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Adult admission $15, kids and college students with ID (6+) $12 and kids under 5 are free. Located at NW 6^th and Harvey Ave.

Myriad Botanical Gardens

Walk through two ecosystems in the Crystal Bridge Conservatory, like wet and dry mountain landscapes as well as the tropical oasis. Find parrots and chocolate trees, along with banana trees and orchids.

Outside the Crystal Bridge find more gardens to explore, like a children’s garden with a playscape, live performance stages and water play areas. Walk through native Oklahoma plants or see the lake and stair fountain where ducks swim. The gardens can be enjoyed at night with lots of decorative lighting.

Located at 301 Reno Ave. Free for outdoor gardens and hours are 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Adult admission for Crystal Bridge is $8, teens and students with ID $7 and kids 4 to 12 are $5 with kids 3 and under free.

Oklahoma City Museum of Art 

See some of the masters like Renoir, Georgia O’Keefe and Dale Chihuly. Also enjoy photography exhibits along with a cafe.

Located at 415 Couch Dr. Open from Wednesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Adult admission is $12 and kids (6-18) are $8.

Oklahoma City Murals 

Art museums aren’t the only place to see art; hunt for a fab mural in downtown OKC. And it’s one of the top free things to do. Head to Oklahoma City’s Plaza District for even more murals.

Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark

From April until the end of September, the Oklahoma City Dodgers, a Triple-A affiliate of the LA Dodgers, swing into the Bricktown Entertainment District. Along with games, find the bronze statues of notable Oklahoma players around the ballpark. Legend Mickey Mantle, Hall of Famer Johnny Bench and Warren Spahn, a leftie, are located at each entrance.

Located at 2 Mickey Mantle Dr. Tickets range from $8 to $26 with games in the afternoons and evenings.

The Bricktown Canal

The most charming feature in the Bricktown Entertainment District in Oklahoma City is its canal. Reminiscent of San Antonio’s Riverwalk, you can hop onboard the Bricktown Water Taxi for a 40-minute ride. The boat captains share the best of Oklahoma City too.

Ticket booth is located at 111 S. Mickey Mantle Dr., across from the ballpark. Open Monday through Thursday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Adult admission is $11, kid admission (6 to 12) is $8.50 and kids 5 and under get onboard for $3.50. Tickets good all day.

The Boathouse District

Tame a teen by tackling a new skill, like whitewater rafting or kayaking. At Riversport Adventures you’ll find  a man-made course, teens can navigate rapids, drops and white water bay in Class 3 rapids (or class 4 rapids if over 16). Along with whitewater rafting and tubing, enjoy an adventure course and pump track (BMX riders).

Located at 725 S. Lincoln Blvd. Open daily from Memorial Day until mid-August from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. A riversport pass for $49 a day required.

Science Museum Oklahoma

With 350,000 square feet, it’s Olahoma’s only hands-on science museum. Centered around the Science Floor, explore hundreds of exhibits for all ages. Peruse the Destination Space exhibits or see a show at the Kirkpatrick Planetarium.

Located at 2020 Remington Place. Open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Adult admission is $16.95 and kids (3 to 12) and students admission is $13.95.

Oklahoma City Zoo

With 119 acres and 1900 animals, the zoo is sure to delight. Find elephants, lions, gorillas, orangutans, tigers and the list goes on. Always a good destination for the whole family, teens included.

Located at 2000 Remington Place and open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. everyday, closed major holidays. General adults admission (12+) is $11 and kids (3 to 11) are $8.

Orr Family Farm 

Over 50 acres of fun things to do, like a zip line, pony rides, train rides, a carousel and an educational barnyard. You can also enjoy pedal boats, a playground and super slides.

Located at 14400 S. Western in OKC. Open from Spring to Fall with several admission packages.

Wheeler Ferris Wheel 

See the OKC skyline in this vintage ferris wheel next to the Oklahoma River.

Located at 1701 S. Western Ave. Open Tuesday to Thursday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 9 p.m. Single ride $6.

Frontier City 

Visit a theme park while in Oklahoma City. Frontier City is part of the Six Flags Family, with roller coasters along with other rides for the whole family.

Located at 11501 N. I-35 Service Road. Several admission packages available. Hours vary according to season.

Route 66

Don’t forget the Mother Road! Fabled Route 66 runs through OKC. Find a throwback spot to snap a selfie. Head to the Milk Bottle Grocery on 2426 N. Classen Blvd. (part of Route 66) built in the 1930s and the milk bottle was added in 1948.

Where to Eat in Oklahoma City

I ate beef from the point I crossed the Oklahoma border until I took off from the airport. Oklahoma is cattle country where you can catch a still see weekly cattle auction at the Stockyards. So if you’re in the mood for a great steak, order one at every meal. I did.

Tucker’s Onion Burgers

Sample an Oklahoma original, the onion burger. I found one at Tucker’s Onion Burgers, conveniently located in the Will Rogers World Airport (Oklahoma City’s airport).

Back in the Depression, grill cooks needed to stretch the ground beef so they added sliced onions to the patties then threw it on the flat top. A legend was born. Though the burgers can be cooked without the onions for kids who hate them.

Find another Tucker’s location at 324 NW 23^rd St.

Cattlemen’s Steakhouse

When I walked into Cattlemen’s Steakhouse, I thought I would see John Wayne sitting at a table.

Since it had been a few hours since my last steak, I ordered a small filet for lunch. Paired with a baked potato  with all the sides, it was the most tender steak I’ve cut into for a while. Tender, pink perfection–I ordered mine medium rare. Sample the house-made rolls and even the salad dressing on the side salad is a signature item.

Open for breakfast, where diners order steak and eggs with a choice of several breakfast-sized steaks. Pancakes and omelettes are also available and don’t forget a cup of coffee in the Cattlemen’s mug.

Open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 6 a.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday. Located at 1309 S. Agnew in the center of the historic stockyards city in Oklahoma City.

Mickey Mantle’s Steakhouse

Located across the street from the Chickasaw Brickyard Ballpark, visit Oklahoma native’s Mickey Mantle’s Steakhouse. The fine-dining restaurant features the largest selection of wagyu beef in Oklahoma City. Along with steaks, find an extensive wine list along with seafood selections, like my favorite the Chef’s Seafood Appetizer, a sampler of the seafood offerings. Vegetarian and vegan items also available.

Located at #7 Mickey Mantle Dr., across from the ballpark. Open for dinner only, Monday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Where to Stay in Oklahoma City

I recommend a couple of places in Oklahoma City’s Bricktown, one for couples and the other for families.

If you’re visiting on a couple’s weekend or girlfriends getaway, then the AC Hotel Oklahoma City Bricktown by Marriott is your place. With European influences, a lobby happy hour and sleek interiors, you can forget the clutter that kids bring to your life. And teens will like its sleek interiors, though it doesn’t have a pool.

For families with smaller children, then I recommend the family-friendly Hampton Inn and Suites Oklahoma City Bricktown. Along with its complimentary hot breakfast and Wi-Fi, kids love its indoor poolscape with lots of splashing space.