Even if you can't get away for all of Labor Day weekend, there's plenty of time for an adventure, and it's only a road-trip away: shopping and skydiving, Route 66 and riversports, waterpark excitement and an arcade of 1980s kids' dreams: $5 for unlimited play.
All of these highlights and more can be found in the following day trips and short road trips listed here, which include new experiences and old classics.
Jasmine Moran Children's Museum
Jasmine Moran Children's Museum
1 hour, 45 minutes from Tulsa
Where children play to learn, and where adults learn to play. The little kids, especially ages 4 to 11, will love the Seminole museum’s interactive exhibits, like shopping at the little grocery store, climbing into a cockpit and flipping switches and so much more at this 40,000-square-foot facility in Seminole. Hungry? Try the local favorite Catfish Round-Up, with delicious apple fritters and rolls.
iFLY Indoor Skydiving
iFLY Indoor Skydiving
1 hour, 40 minutes from Tulsa
The latest "Tulsa needs this" adventure stop is in Oklahoma City where you will believe you can fly. Experience floating on air and join the new sport of indoor bodyflight. The basic experience lasts about two hours and is equivalent to "1.5 skydives," according to iFLY, but you can buy more.
7 Clans Waterpark
7 Clans Waterpark
1 hour, 45 minutes from Tulsa
sevenclans.com/7-clans-waterpark
Forget day-tripping, this one requires an overnight stay in Newkirk near the Kansas border, and that would be in the Otoe-Missouria Tribe's 7 Clans First Council Casino and Hotel. Why? Because only hotel guests have access to the new 19,000-square-foot indoor park. It has four water slides (the tallest is three stories) and a 329-foot lazy river surrounding it all for those who think spring break is for relaxing.
Cherokee National Holiday
Head east to Tahlequah for the annual Cherokee National Holiday, celebrating the signing of the Cherokee Nation Constitution in 1839. This annual event is a celebration of Cherokee heritage and cultural awareness that attracts visitors from around the world. The three-day holiday is set Friday-Sunday, Aug. 30-Sept. 1, and is full of activities for all ages, from traditional Native American games like cornstalk and blowgun shooting, marbles and stickball to tournaments in sports like basketball and softball.
Arkadia Retrocade in Fayetteville
Arkadia Retrocade
2 hours from Tulsa
Fayetteville has a lot to offer, from trendy boutiques and arts offerings to all things Razorbacks, but there's a special place for kids and the 1980s kid in all parents, and it's tucked away in a local shopping center. Arkadia Retrocade features an immense collection of all your arcade favorites from that decade, and the price is family friendly: $5 for unlimited play. The best eats recommendation, some say, is Hugo's, the legendary basement burger joint nearby.
The Mother Road to the east
The Mother Road to the east
25 minutes from Tulsa
This road trip is one you can load up for later in the day: Pick up some grub and whatever else you need at Mother Road Market for this Route 66-inspired travel, and then head east for the Blue Whale for fun photos and head back when it's time to arrive at the iconic Admiral Twin Drive-In to check out a double-feature. See what's playing this weekend at admiraltwindrivein.com.
Go west, young people, on Route 66
Go west, young people, on Route 66
1 hour, 25 minutes from Tulsa
Make a stop at Route 66's old Round Barn in Arcadia (the kids enjoy this more than you think), then head down the road to drink up the recent history at Pops, where you will find hundreds of flavors of soda, from old favorites to weird ones the kids like to dare each other to try.
Woolaroc
Woolaroc
50 minutes from Tulsa
There's more than a ton of fascinating artworks and antiques at the museum/former ranch retreat of oilman Frank Phillips, but sell the youngest in your brood on there also being a wildlife preserve. Then drive to Murphy's Original Steakhouse in Bartlesville and order the famous "hot hamburger" (pictured), served open-faced and topped with brown gravy. And fries. And more gravy. Yum.
Silver Dollar City
Silver Dollar City
3 hours, 30 minutes from Tulsa
This is the longest drive in this collection, and a motel room is a must, but hey, it's Silver Dollar City. More than 40 rides await, and if you haven't been in a while, check out the crazy pair of the newest coasters, Outlaw Run (it spins!) and Time Traveler (the world's second-steepest wooden coaster, pictured, which turns you upside down three times). Whoa.
The Mercantile/Pawhuska
The Mercantile/Pawhuska
1 hour, 10 minutes from Tulsa
It’s a store, it’s a restaurant, it’s a bakery — it's The Mercantile, Ree Drummond's retail destination in downtown Pawhuska, which is still attracting customers from all over the state and country. Plan for a full day with extended family and friends on this trip and you might find time to go see some buffalo and some stunning views at the nearby Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, too.
OKC Outlets
OKC Outlets
1 hour, 45 minutes from Tulsa
Oklahoma's only outlet shopping center features stores including Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store, Michael Kors, Nike Factory Store, Reebok, Bath & Body Works, Under Armour Factory House, Old Navy, Fossil, Coach and more than 80 others.
Crystal Bridges/Bentonville
Crystal Bridges/Bentonville
2 hours, 15 minutes
Despite being out of state, this has long been one of the most popular road-trip destinations for Tulsa-area families. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is stunning, from its cleverly curated art displays to great grounds for hiking to the fascinating architecture of the facility itself. Then there's everything else there is to do in Bentonville, like visiting the first Wal-Mart (now a museum) to eating somewhere in the very walkable downtown.
OKC Riversport
OKC Riversport
1 hour, 45 minutes from Tulsa
Kids who love sports and excitement should embrace OKC Riversport, the adventure park in the Boathouse District where whitewater rafting, adventure courses and zip lining across a river await the most active of families.The reviews have been raves, and it's something you can’t do anywhere else in the state.
Staycation in Tulsa
Staying in Tulsa for the weekend? Check out The Tulsa 50, where we count down our favorite restaurants, entertainment spots and shops for 2019.
Massive new splash pad opens at Chandler Park
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