Learning how to find attractions in Oklahoma is not difficult if you just know where to look.

With a population of 3,642.361 and a total area of 69,956 square miles, Oklahoma is located in the western south-central region of the United States. The state also ranks as the 18th largest state out of the 50 states. The travel industry employs about 71,000 people in Oklahoma. There are 45 state parks and recreational areas in Oklahoma that attract many tourists. The state is also known for it's many museums and exhibits.http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/40000.html http://www.city-data.com/states/Oklahoma-Location-size-and-extent.html http://www.city-data.com/states/Oklahoma-Tourism-travel-and-recreation.html

The weather plays an important part when planning a trip. You want to make sure that the weather is compatible with the activities you plan on doing. Oklahoma knows cold winters and hot summers. The daily average temperature during the month of January is 37 degrees Fahrenheit and the average temperature during the month of July is 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Oklahoma is also known to have tornadoes. The most memorable tornado so far being in April of 1947. It killed 101 people and injured over 750 people.http://www.city-data.com/states/Oklahoma-Climate.html

One way to find tourist attractions is to get the expert advice from a travel agent. Travel agents often have access to discounts and travel deals that are not available to the general public. A travel agent can book your air fare, hotel accommodations and rental car. If you prefer to book your own travel arrangements you should look into travel websites such as like Expedia.com, Travelocity.com, Priceline.com, Hotwire.com and Kayak.com.

On this page you will find various addresses and phone numbers that will come in handy when planning your Oklahoma vacation. You will also find various tools that you can use to find attractions in Oklahoma. Keep in mind that the various prices quoted on this page might change over time. Even though this page will be updated regularly, it's best to contact the attraction or product provider to check on current pricing.

When looking for Oklahoma tourist attractions, start by looking at Books. You can look for guide books that provide information on all the top tourist attractions within the state. There are numerous books available. You will find photo only books on Oklahoma, books that focus on certain activities in Oklahoma and books that focus on various cities within Oklahoma. Some guide books even provide hotel and restaurant reviews. Choose the book that seems most suitable for your needs and that will keep you within your spending budget. You can purchase travel books online or at your local book store. If you don't want to spend any money, you can always look for books on Oklahoma attractions at your local library. Some of the different books available include:

• ■ Oklahoma Off the Beaten Path, 7th: A Guide to Unique Places (Off the Beaten Path Series) by Deborah Bouziden. Price: $10.17 on Amazon.com. This travel guide shows you tourist and sightseeing attractions that are out of the ordinary. This guide is good for people wanting something more than the regular attractions. You will find information on everything from Wild West show to exhibits of bonsai tree and such.http://www.amazon.com/Oklahoma-Off-Beaten-Path-7th/dp/0762748761/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268934176&sr=1-1

• ■ Oklahoma Curiosities: Quirky Characters, Roadside Oddities & Other Offbeat Stuff (Curiosities Series) by PJ Lassek. Price: $10.17 on Amazon.com. This 296 page guide is your round trip ticket to some of the wackiest people, things and places in the Sooner state. Attractions include swimming in the belly of a whale, a quest for Bigfoot, and much more.http://www.amazon.com/Oklahoma-Curiosities-Characters-Roadside-Oddities/dp/0762741260/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268934176&sr=1-12

• ■ Insiders' Guide to Oklahoma City (Insiders' Guide Series) by Deborah Bouziden. Price: $14.78 on Amazon.com. This guide doesn't just give information on Oklahoma attractions, but also gives information about relocating to the state. Attractions covered include shopping, arts & entertainment, and children’s activities.http://www.amazon.com/Insiders-Guide-Oklahoma-City/dp/0762753455/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268934176&sr=1-5

The next tool you can use to find attractions in Oklahoma is the Internet. The Internet can often be accessed right from the comfort of home and is available 24/7. You can simply type in any search engine 'Oklahoma tourist attractions' and various sources will show up. For complete information on any state, you can visit the state's official tourism website. The tourism website for Oklahoma provides information regarding:

• ■ things to do
• ■ hotels and lodging
• ■ cities and regions
• ■ restaurants/dining
• ■ events
• ■ travel planner
• ■ casinos
• ■ group tours

If the Official Oklahoma website leaves you with unanswered questions, you can always contact:

• Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department
• 120 N. Robinson Avenue, 6th Floor
• P.O. Box 52002
• Oklahoma City, OK 73152-2002
• Phone: 1-800-652-6552

AAA:

If you are a member of AAA, or are planning on becoming a member, you can visit the AAA location when you are in Oklahoma. AAA is not just handy when it comes to roadside assistance, they also provide full service when it comes to travel including providing information on tourist attractions. A membership to AAA can come in handy because you can get many discounts on various items including certain car rentals. One AAA location in Oklahoma is:

• AAA Oklahoma
• Oklahoma City Branch (39th Street)
• 3625 NW 39th St
• Oklahoma City, OK 73112
• Phone: (405) 717-8200

For more AAA locations in Oklahoma, visit the AAA website.http://ww2.aaa.com/scripts/WebObjects.dll/AAAOnline.woa/wo/2.9.13.10.11.6.9

This page would not be complete without the mention of various Oklahoma attractions. Following you will find a short compilation of some of the popular attractions in Oklahoma:

• Oklahoma City Zoo
• 2101 NE 50th Street
• Oklahoma City, OK 73111-7106
• Phone: 1 (405) 424-3344

This zoo displays 2,200 animals in their natural habitat. The zoo also has a Herpetarium and a butterfly exhibit. Tickets are $7 (adults) and $4 (ages 4 - 11). Kids ages 3 and under are free.http://www.planetware.com/oklahoma-city/oklahoma-city-zoo-us-ok-344.htm

• National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
• 1700 NE 63rd Street
• Oklahoma City, OK 73111
• Phone: 1 (405) 478-2250

This museum displays pictures, sculptures and more on the history of the Wild West. There is even a John Wayne exhibit. Cost $8.50 (adults), $4 (ages 6 - 12). Kids ages 5 and under are free.http://www.planetware.com/oklahoma-city/national-cowboy-hall-of-fame-us-ok-cow.htm

• Myriad Botanical Gardens & Crystal Bridge
• 301 West Reno
• Oklahoma City, OK 73102
• Phone: 1 (405) 297-3995

This garden and botanical display has many tropical and desert plants. Admission is $6 (adults), $4 (ages 13 - 18), $3 (ages 4 - 12). Kids 3 and under are free.http://www.planetware.com/oklahoma-city/myriad-botanical-gardens-crystal-bridge-us-ok-mg.htm

• Muskogee

In Muskogee you will find the Five Civilized Tribes Museum displaying the history and culture of the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Chocktaw, [[Creek and Seminole Indians.http://www.planetware.com/oklahoma/muskogee-us-ok-musk.htm

• Philbrook Museum of Art
• 2727 South Rockford Road
• Tulsa, OK 74114-4104
• Phone: 1 (918) 749-7941

This museum displays African, American Indian, Asian and European art. Admission is $7.50 (adults), $5.50 (students) and children 12 and under are free.http://www.planetware.com/tulsa/philbrook-museum-of-art-us-ok-942.htm