It can be somewhat frustrating to keep things eventful for your kids, but also keep it budget-friendly. Kids these days get so bored so quickly!
Whether you are planning a full day or just a lunch and walk around downtown, let me give you some ideas.
I’ll list a few of our personal favorite adventures for a day trip. Nothing more than an hour’s drive from OKC, depending on where you are driving from. Right around the hour mark is just perfect for us. It’s not too long, but long enough to be considered a “trip” for the kids.
Jasmine Moran Museum & Catfish Roundup
If your kiddos are very hands-on, then they’d absolutely thrive at the Jasmine Moran Museum!
Trust me, there is so much to do that you’ll spend hours here. There’s even an outside area with a playground, train, and more! Then afterwards, you have to visit the Catfish Roundup 15 minutes away from the museum. They have one of the best apple fritters and an option to get All You Can Eat Catfish! There is always someone walking around with a piping hot basket of rolls and fritters.
Butcher’s BBQ Stand & Arcadia, OK
One of our more well-known restaurants has got to be Butcher’s BBQ Stand, located in the tiny town of Wellston. This restaurant is also within my one-hour timeframe. It is SO worth it. There is no other BBQ place in the city that even compares!
Their hours are 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., but they often sell out before then. If you want anything specific, you have to get in line before they open. We personally get there an hour before open! One time as we were standing in line, they came out and crossed out things as they were sold out. So by the time we got up front, there was only beans and turkey left!
If you don’t know what you get and want to try it all, try the Meat Locker! It’s at a hefty price tag, but it can feed 4-6 people.
Since you had lunch right at 11, there are a few things you can do. We drove around and stopped at all the garage sales. The Arcadia Round Barn or the Auto Trim Museum are both free and about 25 minutes away which lands you in Arcadia, OK.
The next two stops are two minutes from each other. Literally on the same street! There’s Pops 66, which is super cool both during the day and at night (it lights up!) Hundreds of different flavors of soda to choose from, and just an overall neat Oklahoma landmark to go to for photos. If you’re hungry, you can eat there, or there’s the Chicken Shack a minute away.
Coney Island & Scissortail Park/Myriad Gardens
If we don’t feel like driving, we often go downtown and go to the original Coney Island on Saturdays. Can’t beat a fully loaded hot dog for $2! Two hot dogs, a bag of chips, and a drink will be under $10. No other deal like that.
Then we walk over to Scissortail Park and explore their farmers’ market. Across the street is the Myriad Gardens, and depending on the season, there is usually an event, such as Tulip Festival or Pumpkinville! There are lots of activities for the kids and great photo opportunities.
Eischen’s
109 S 2nd St | Okarche, OK 73762
Another simple trip we love is taking my parents out to Eischen’s. Who doesn’t know and love Eischen’s? We just go and eat! Too full to do anything afterwards, to be honest, since right after, I go straight to the Tower Cafe & Bakery to get their cinnamon rolls, even though it’s usually for to-go. Now that’s a FULLfilled lunch date.
Arbuckle Wilderness Safari & Arbuckle Mountain Fried Pies
Last, but not least. Our current favorite thing to do is going to the Arbuckle Wilderness Safari in Davis. It’s really fun to drive the trail in your own personal vehicle, but if you have 20+ people, you must request a bus! This has been a family favorite; we have done the bus for our son’s birthday party for two years in a row now.
There aren’t pictures of the bus online, but it’s totally worth it. It’s a school bus that’s been gutted, and the windows are open! Either way, the animals come straight to you, and it’s one of the most unique experiences ever.
The only requirement, whether it be before or after, is stopping at the famous Arbuckle Mountain Fried Pies Stand. It’s at the same exit; how convenient is that?
It’s a good thing they are not closer to us because we would not fit into any of our pants. Seriously, so good. Their savory pies are chef’s kiss. Our top three have got to be the pizza, chicken and broccoli, and the Tex-Mex! They even have breakfast ones, in addition to the sweet ones. There is something for everyone.
Now that you have an itinerary picked out, let me tell you something super cool that is just the cherry on top.
If you go here, you’ll find all sorts of Oklahoma brochures, but most importantly, the Route 66 Passport (the best part . . . it’s FREE)!
Butcher’s, Pops 66, and Chicken Shack are all in the Passport!
It’s a creative way to get families to explore the state of Oklahoma’s Route 66. Whenever you get to a destination that’s in the Passport, usually the cashier will be able to stamp your Passport. We are working our way through the book now, and you get a free collectible coin when you complete the booklet.
There you have it! Five of my family’s favorite things to do on a Saturday or Sunday.
If there is a place that you haven’t been to, I hope you are able to experience it and end up loving it as much as we do!
