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101 Fun Things
Athletics
1. Oklahoma football isn’t so much a sport as it is a way of life around here. Owen Field knows nothing but sellouts the last several seasons, even inside a stadium that seats more than 85,000, even in the midst of a harsh injury-plagued campaign like the last season, in which OU went 7-5 before finally winning its first bowl game since 2006. The Sooners begin the 2010 season with three straight home games the first three Saturdays of September against Utah, Florida State and Air Force. OU ticket office: 4252424 or 800-456-4668 2. For years and years, Oklahoma basketball was a screaming success no matter who inhabited the court, the Sooner men or the Sooner women. That wasn’t the case for the 2009-10 campaign, which saw Jeff Capel’s men finish quietly after nine straight losses. Meanwhile, the women picked up the slack inside Lloyd Noble Center and then some, going all the way to the Final Four for a second straight season, closing the season 27-11 after
a 73-66 loss to Stanford at the Alamodome. AllAmerican Danielle Robinson will be back for her senior year when the 2010-11 season begins in November. Whitney Hand will be back, too, after missing most of last season to a torn ACL in her right knee. OU ticket office: 4252424 or 800-456-4668 3. Things just always seem to turn out pretty well for coach Sunny Golloway and the Oklahoma baseball program. In five seasons of leading the program, Golloway’s taken the Sooners to four NCAA regionals, with another one seemingly on the way this season. The Sooners went 43-20 and 17-10 in 2009 and may be in position to better those marks this year. Also, where Sooner sports are concerned, baseball remains one ticket that isn’t hard to find nor very expensive to buy. The season runs from mid-February all the way into June. OU ticket office: 4252424 or 800-456-4668 4. Though doing everything she can to take her Sooners back to the Women’s College World Series, Sooner softball coach Patty Gasso contin-
Friday, April 30,2010
ues to ride the monster she’s created at Marita Hynes Field. The most consistent program in the Big 12 since the conference’s inception, OU’s been inches from returning to the WCWS several times since appearing every five straight seasons beginning in 2000. Last season, the Sooners went 41-16 and 14-4 in the Big 12 Conference and hosted an NCAA regional. Behind the windmilling left arm of freshman pitcher Keilani Ricketts, they’re hoping to go further this year. OU ticket office: 4252424 or 800-456-4668 5. In their second season inside the Ford Center, the Oklahoma City Thunder turned the NBA on its ear, finishing off the biggest single season turnaround in the league and reaching the playoffs one season after beginning the previous season with only three wins the first 32 games. Kevin Durant is already a superstar in his third pro season, while Russell Westbrook, Jeff Green and Serge Ibaka look like stars in the making. The youngest team in the league, the Thunder appears to be a franchise with staying power.
Native Spirits Winery Located near beautiful Lake Thunderbird, Native Spirits Winery offers a variety of Oklahoma produced wines for your fee tasting pleasure.
10500 E. Lindsey St, Norman (Drive east on Hwy 9 to 108th, then north 1 mile to Lindsey, then west 1/4 mile)
www.nativespiritswinery.com Open Wednesday thru Sunday
405.329.9942
Friday, April 30,2010
101 Fun Things
Info: 208-4666 or visit www.thunder.nba.com
man families while playing in the Classic.
6. Oklahoma City has a proud Triple A minor league baseball tradition and with the Redhawks playing inside Bricktown Ballpark, the city boasts one of the best minor league operations around. The top farm team to the Texas Rangers, many of the game’s best players come through Bricktown. Playing in the Pacific Coast League, the season runs from early April through early September, longer if the Redhawks reach the playoffs as they last achieved in 2008. Info: 218-1000 or visit www.okcredhawks.com
9. When you’re talking about softball in Norman, what you’re really talking about is Reaves Park, 2501 S. Jenkins Ave., just a few blocks south of Owen Field. The Softball Hall of Fame may be in Oklahoma City, but the destination for community softball in the state or several states may well be at Reaves. Leagues run almost year round. Men’s leagues, women’s leagues, church leagues, co-ed leagues. Eighteen different summer leagues began revving up the first week of May. Walk into Reaves at the right time and you might even find the rare fastpitch game in session. Want to keep up with your favorite team? Web site: reavespark.org.
7. The Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz, a member of the Arena Football League, play at the Cox Convention Center in downtown Oklahoma City. The season began April 3 and runs through July 30. Played inside hockey boards and glass, the arena game likes to call itself “The Greatest Show on Turf.” Info: 228-3294 or visit www.okcyarddawgz.com 8. A Norman mainstay each June since 2003, the Sunbelt Classic is one of the most tradition-rich summer baseball series in the nation with a laundry list of former players that have gone on to star in college and the major leagues. It brings together allstar teams from several states. Played at L. Dale Mitchell Park, Norman High’s Tiger Stadium and Norman North’s Tull Lake Park, the baseball is top notch, while the community goes all in, the players living in the homes of Nor-
Arts & Leisure
10. The wine industry in Oklahoma has flourished over the past decade, with vineyards and wineries popping up all over the state. That means that grapes are new, so wines have not reached their full potential of flavors yet. It also means, however, that service is stellar as vineyards struggle in a crowded local market. Try some local businesses: • Canadian River Vineyards and Winery produces and sells wine from its own grapes and other local grapes at 7050 Slaughterville Road in Slaughterville, 872-5565, canadianriverwinery.com
• Redbud Ridge Vineyard and Winery has a tasting room also featuring local artists, open from 1-6 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, SE 72nd St. and State Highway 9, 306-9492, www.redbudridgewinery.com • Rock Creek Vineyard, a small family vineyard geared toward the hobby winemaker or gourmet jelly/fresh grape consumer, is at 2600 24th Ave. NE, 307-9968, rockcreekvineyardok.com • OEI Farm and Vineyard offers flowers, blackberries and vegetables in addition to table grapes available August and September, 3030 156th Ave. SE, 573-9902 • Or if you’re looking for a vineyard without the winery, the Redland Juice Company specializes in non-alcholic grape juices. They are produced on site at 10851 Bryant Road in Slaughterville, 527-9181, redlandjuice.com. 11. The Norman Arts Council’s Second Friday Circuit of Art is 6 to 10 p.m. every second Friday of the month. It is a monthly Cleveland Area Rapid Transit route that connects the Downtown Arts District, outlying galleries, performance halls and Campus Corner to accompany an art walk. Guests can get on and off the CART trolleys anywhere along the CART route, visiting art galleries, watching independent films and participating in other art activities. Many locations feature events such as hands-on crafts for kids, snacks and live music to enjoy while looking at art. Address: Norman arts district Phone number: 360-
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4 1162 Cost: Free Web site: cart.ou.edu for a map of the trolley stop locations and times. Web site: 2ndfridaynorman.com 12. The Sam Noble Museum offers five galleries with something for every interest and age level. Ancient life exhibits feature dinosaurs, including Guinness World Record holders for the tallest dinosaur and the largest dinosaur skull. Realistic nature dioramas showcase Oklahoma’s biodiversity, including a walkthrough limestone cave; and the Hall of the People of Oklahoma traces the history of humans in the state, from the earliest archaeological evidence to modern Native Americans. The museum also offers a hands-on Discov-
101 Fun Things ery Room for kids, featuring touchable specimens, live animals and a simulated dinosaur dig, plus a museum store and café. This summer, enjoy the special exhibition “Chocolate,” from The Field Museum in Chicago, on view May 15 through Sept. 6. Journey through history to explore the plant, the products and the culture of chocolate through the lenses of science, history and popular culture. A family of four can visit for under $20. Go online for schedule of events and exhibitions. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Address: 2401 Chautauqua Ave. on the University of Oklahoma campus. Phone number: 325- 4712 Cost: Admission is $5
for adults, $4 for seniors, $3 for children, free for children five and under and free for OU students. It also is free on the first Monday of each month. Web site: snomnh.ou.edu. 14. Southern Winds Films Festival is an annual film festival that takes place at the Ritz Theater in Shawnee. This year’s festival is scheduled for Sept. 10-11, according to its Web site. The festival welcomes all film genres and styles. People are welcome to submit films in categories of narrative feature, documentary feature, narrative short, documentary short, animation, music video, Okie Indy feature, Okie Indy Short, Native American feature and Native American short, the Web site stated.
Friday, April 30,2010
Friday, April 30,2010
101 Fun Things For more information, call 307-9320. Web site: www.thepas.org.
Web site: www.southernwindsfilmfestival.com 15. The sculptures and paintings on exhibit in The Crucible’s gallery and outside garden showcase the work of artists the foundry attracts from across the country. Visitors to the 1,400-squarefoot gallery can enjoy the sculptures, paintings and exhibits free of charge. The exhibits rotate once every season. Located at 110 Tonhawa in downtown Norman. For more information, call 5792700. Web site: www.thecruciblellc.com. 16. The Cleveland County Veterans Memorial was formally dedicated Nov. 12, 2008, capping a 7year project by area veterans to honor Cleveland County those who served the country beginning with World War I, including those who died in combat and those missing in action or prisoners of war. The memorial features a bronze bald eagle, about 10 feet tall, clutching an American flag, draped over a five-sided black granite obelisk standing 12 feet tall. A large circular plaza surrounds the centerpiece. The memorial is in Reaves Park near Jenkins Avenue and Constitution Street. The memorial has more than 1,100 veterans’ names engraved on 25 raised black granite markers encircling the memorial. For information about having a veteran’s name listed on the memorial, call 366-5472. 17. The Sooner Theatre, 101 E. Main St., a Spanish Revival-style the-
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20. Abe Andrews Park, 201 W. Daws St., is open dawn to dusk and hosts some of the Performing Arts Studio’s free Summer Breeze concerts. The park also has numerous free outdoor recreation facilities including a splash pad for children which will open May 23. Blake Baldwin Skate Park is inside Andrews Park and is subject to numerous rules for skating safety. Web site: www.ci.norman.ok.us/parks/northwest.htm. or www.ci.norman.ok.us/parks/sk8rule s.htm. ater built in 1929, hosts musical guests for its Main Event Series and also is the venue for theater performances during much of the year. Ticket prices range from $20 to $35 per person for a show. Discounts are often available for children 12 and under, seniors 65 and over and groups of 10 or more; ticket specials are offered on certain performances for college or university students presenting a valid ID. Children can take part in this local theatrical institution and learn something along the way by taking courses through The Studio of The Sooner Theatre, founded in 2007 and located at 227 E. Main St. Course tuition ranges from $100 to $375. For more information, call 321-9600. Web site: www.soonertheatre.com. 18.
The
Cleveland
County Historical Society is headquartered in the Moore-Lindsay Historical House at 508 N. Peters Ave. The house, built in the Victorian style in 18991900, is the site of gatherings including museum functions available to Historical Society members. Society memberships are $10 for individuals and $15 for families. Free tours of the house are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. A bluegrass festival at the Ruth Updegraff Park across the street from the house (April 24, noon to 6 p.m.) marks ’89er Day with chili and cornbread sold from the porch of the house. Other events of note include estate sales and Victorian Christmas, a free event in connection with the Downtown Art Walk in early December. For more information, call 321-0156.
Web site: www.normanhistorichouse.org. 19. Serving double duty as a twice-daily stop for Amtrak’s Heartland Flyer between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth, Texas, and the home of the Performing Arts Studio, the Santa Fe Depot at 200 S. Jones Ave. is a venue for live entertainment and art exhibitions throughout the year. PAS concert series at the Depot include the Winter Wind concerts, for which tickets cost $10 to 20 per person, and jazz concerts which are often free. Second Sunday Poetry readings on the second Sunday of each month are free to attend, as is viewing artwork on display within the Depot. An exhibit this spring is the Railroad Theme Art Competition in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Depot.
21. Norman’s Firehouse Art Center, 444 S. Flood Ave., is home to many local artists, festivals and classes. The nonprofit community arts center, built in a converted and expanded Fire Station No. 2, hosts several events each year, including the Midsummer Nights’ Fair, July 9-10, a ceramics auction and holiday gift gallery and the annual Chocolate Festival held in February. Founded in 1971 by three local artists, the Firehouse Art Center fosters the appreciation, enjoyment and practice of art. Hours are from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. The phone number is 329-4523. Web site: www.normanfirehouse.moonfruit.com 22. Noble’s Timberlake Rose Rock Museum was
founded by native Oklahomans Joe and Nancy Stine and is at 419 S. U.S. 77 in Noble. In 1977, the Stines began full time artwork with rose rocks. They studied metal work in Dallas and at the Firehouse in Norman. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays March through August. September through February, they are closed Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. There is no charge for viewing the collection’s rare rose rock clusters. The museum and gift shop can be reached at 872-9838 or on the Web at www.roserockmuseum.com 23. Jacobson House, open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday. Closed Sunday and Monday, offers Native American art exhibits, cultural activities, lectures, workshops and educational events. Flute and drumming classes, storytelling events for children and adults are offered. Powwows are held in the backyard. Oscar and Jeanne Jacobson built their home, 609 Chautauqua Ave., in 1916 and 1917 and because of their Scandinavian heritage, many of the art pieces are a cultural mix of Swedish and Native American. The house was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. For more information, call 366-1667. Web site: www.jacobsonhouse.com. 24. Main Street Downtown Norman has been revitalized and energized. The James Garner Corri-
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101 Fun Things dor begins at West Main Street and University Boulevard and travels east to Porter Avenue. Antique stores, galleries, retailers, restaurants, three theaters or studios, a foundry and many art galleries are on Main Street and also on blocks just to the north and south. A statute of Maverick (Norman’s own James Garner) stands east of the railroad tracks. Legacy Trail, a mile-long walking trail, criss-crosses Main Street. Historical markers and Norman information is located every few yards. Murals and historical markers also are along Main Street. Norman Convention and Visitors Bureau, 223 E. Main St., 366-8095. Web site: www.visitnorman.com. 25. Jasmine Moran
Friday, April 30,2010
Children’s Museum allows children hands-on exploration of being a firefighter, a medical professional, a scientist, a pilot and the Kidtown Courthouse even offers a lot of courtroom drama. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. The museum, 1714 Highway 9 West in Seminole, is closed Monday, major holidays and the first two weeks after Labor Day. Admission for children age 3 to 60 is $8; admission for adults over 60 is $7; children ages 1 and 2 and with a parent are admitted to the museum free. For more information, call 382-0950. Web site: www.jasminemoran.com. 26. Jazz in June has become a yearly summertime tradition in Norman.
The festival, which began as a small fundraising concert in 1984, has been going for 25 years and thousands of visitors have come to enjoy the outdoor concerts at Brookhaven Village (corner of West Robinson St. and Northwest 36th Ave.) and Andrews Park (corner of West Davis and North Webster near downtown Norman). This year’s festival runs June 24-26. Web site: www.jazzinjune.org.
Events
27. The Oklahoma State Fair, 3001 General Pershing Blvd., Oklahoma City, is the last two weeks of September. The 2010 fair is Sept. 16-26. Disney on Ice, PRCA rodeo, lots of speedway action, games of chance,
entertainment, contests, music, concerts and concessions. Kiddie, family and thrillers will enjoy the rides. Many competitions are held, including 4-H, FFA, animal, creative arts, wines and arm wrestling. Cheerleading, animal shows, daredevils stunts, petting zoos and camel rides are scattered throughout the park. Fair band day highlights bands and color guards from high, junior and mid high schools. Gate admission is $8 for 12 and older, $5 for ages 6-11 and 5 and under are free Info: 948-6700 or email@okstatefair.com 28. The Assistance League of Norman sponsors the annual May Fair, a celebration of the visual and performing arts. May Fair 2010 is scheduled 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. April 30 and
550 24th Ave. NW Norman, OK
360-3634 visit
www.kidsbowlfree.com/soonerbowl
www.kidsbowlfree.com/soonerbowl
Visit site for all info
FAMILY PASS OPTION AVAIL ABLE
Friday, April 30,2010 May 1 and noon to 5 p.m. May 2 in Andrews Park. More than 80 artists and craftsmen are expected, along with stage entertainment, children’s art activities, artists’ demonstrations, pony rides, inflatables, clowns and food vendors. Proceeds help support Assistance League projects, including Operation School Bell, which provides new clothing and shoes to disadvantaged schoolchildren. Info: Anita Bednar, 6272869 or www.norman.assistanceleague.org. 29. “The Cowboy Way … Gonna Treat You Great!” was the theme for Norman’s 2009 ’89er Day celebration held April 2324. Festivities began with a “rockin’ the Range” Wagon Train Round-up at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds. The annual ’89er Day parade was Saturday, winding along Main Street from Pickard Street east to Crawford Avenue. Community humanitarians Dewey and Kathryn Selmon and their children served as grand marshal. A committee of business and community leaders selects the grand marshal. Info: www.norman89.com 30. The Norman Farm Market, in its 29th season, is the oldest farmers’ market in the state. Hours are 8 a.m. to noon each Saturday and Wednesday through Oct. 31 at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds, 615 E. Robinson St. The 80 vendors sell bedding plants in the spring and a variety of fresh vegetables, honey, herbs, cut flowers and plants throughout the sea-
son. The City of Moore sponsors the Old Town Moore Farmers Market. Moore’s market is in transition and the 2010 location will be announced. It still will be open 4-8 p.m. Thursdays and 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays. Info: www.clevelandcountyfair.org, www.cityofmoore.com/Community/Farmers%20Market/
Family Fun
31. The Little River Zoo is on more than 50 acres near Lake Thunderbird. It is home to nearly 400 animals, including kangaroos, African Crested porcupines, European Lynxs, ring-tailed lemurs and black bears. The zoo, however, is a little different than some big-city zoos. The goal of the zoo is to teach children about empathy, compassion and respect for all life on the planet. In addition to typical zoo tours, the zoo features a variety of educational opportunities for children and adults year round. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Tours last an hour and a half. Address: 3405 SE 120th Ave. Phone number: 3667229 Cost: $5 seniors, $8 adults, $5 children ages three-11, free for children under three Web site: littleriverzoo.com 32. Perfect Swing Family Fun Center offers a multitude of activities for children and adults. There are two 18-hole miniature golf courses, according to the fun center’s Web site. The activity center has batting cages, driving ranges,
101 Fun Things bumper boats and a game room. Prices vary according to activity. There is two-story, 2,500 square foot indoor playland for children. Perfect Swing is open from 3-8 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 1-8 p.m. Sunday. Perfect Swing Family Fun Center is at 1900 Ann Branden Blvd. in Norman. For more information, call 360-1800 or visit Web site: www.perfectswing.com. 33. Warren Theatre opened in 2008 in Moore on the west side of Interstate 35 at the 4th Street Exit. According to the Web site, the Warren Theatre has 14 auditoriums and two grand auditoriums with balconies. Ticket prices range from $7 to $18. The Warren Diner is inside the theater where patrons can eat a meal before catching a movie. The theater also has a balcony and lounge area reserved for guests 21 and older. Adults can purchase a drink from the lounge’s full service bar. Those who sit in the balcony are waited on by a wait staff, according to the Web site. Movie tickets can be purchased in person, over the phone or online. For more information, call 7359676. Web site: www.warrentheatres.com 34. At Robinson Crossing 6 movie theater in Norman, people don’t have to pay a lot of money to see a movie. Admission into one of the movies is $2, except for Tuesdays, where movies are $1. Robinson Crossing 6 is at 1300 N. Interstate Drive in Norman. To reach the
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8 movie line, call 447-1005. 35. Hollywood TheatreSpotlight 14, offers the latest movie releases. According to the theater, admission price for all shows before 6 p.m. is $6.75. After 6 p.m., admission price for adults increases to $8.50. Students with a valid ID pay $7.50. Children ages 2-12 and senior citizens 60 and older can view a movie for $6.25. Gift certificates are available. Hollywood Theatre 14 is at 1100 N. Interstate Drive. For more information, call 579-0923. 36. HeyDay Family Entertainment Center offers fun for the family with rounds of Laser Tag, miniature golf and an arcade. According to the HeyDay Web site, people can
101 Fun Things play Laser Tag inside a 7,000 square foot area. Costs for Laser Tag sessions range from $11.49 to $25. For those looking to spend the day outdoors, an 18-hole miniature golf course awaits them. A round of miniature golf costs $6, plus $1 golf ball deposit given back upon return of golf ball. There also is an arcade filled with games for all ages, according to the HeyDay Web site. Parties and lock-ins can be scheduled in advance. Hey Day Family Fun Center is at 3201 Market Place, near Interstate 35 and Indian Hills Road in Norman. For more information, call 310-3500. Web site: www.heydayfamilyfun.com. 37. Andy’s Alligator’s Fun Park, is a family-ori-
Friday, April 30,2010 ented theme park. According to an Andy Alligator’s brochure, children and adults can enjoy arcade games, batting cages, bumper cars, gokarts and a climbing wall. The climbing wall is 32 feet high. People must be between 40 and 250 pounds to climb the wall. Prices range from $2.95 to $5.95 for attractions, according to the Andy Alligator’s Web site. Andy Alligator’s offers daily specials and corporate and group events. Andy Alligator’s is at 3300 Market Place Drive in Norman. For more information, call 321-7275. Web site: www.andyalligators.com 38. Lions Park in central Norman is the setting for numerous concerts and festivals during the year. The park at 450 S. Flood
Ave. features a lighted ballfield available for game rental; picnic facilities; a playground for the kids; a walking/running track; fenced and lighted tennis courts; a gazebo; and a shelter with restrooms, available April through October. For facility rental information, 366-5472 or visit the www.ci.norman.ok.us/par ks/lions-park. 39. Kidspace is a 13,000square foot playground built by volunteers over a 5-day period in March 1999. The Kidspace project was communitydesigned, communityfunded and community-built with the help of thousands of Norman citizens. The playground features wooden structures in the forms of a western
Friday, April 30,2010 fort, pirate ship, rocket, fighter jet, bucking bronco, dinosaur, castle, covered wagon and more. Kidspace is free. Call 366-5472 for more information. 40. Historic Campus Corner, established in 1917 and bordered roughly by Jenkins Avenue on the east, University Boulevard on the west, Boyd Street on the south and Duffy Street on the north, features arguably the most diverse concentration of restaurants, bars and specialty retail stores for the same square area in Norman. The Corner is the site of seasonal events including Howl-O-Ween and is a popular staging area for the massive fan fests that are OU football gamedays. On these autumn Saturdays, thousands walk around Campus Corner as its streets are blocked off for game day fun that includes generations of Sooner fans. Year-round, several restaurants and shops offer discounts during Tuesdays On The Corner. Web site: www.oucampuscorner.com. 41. The Cleveland County Family YMCA, 1350 Lexington Ave., offers access to a range of fitness equipment and facilities including a 10lane pool and group fitness programs for a range of ages. Sports for adults and children are offered for an additional fee ranging from $50 to $65 per month with a discount of $20 for members. Child care programs with differing prices and schedules are offered including summer camp. Programs including ballroom dance, nutrition and SCUBA
classes are offered for an additional fee. For information, call 364-9622. Web site: www.ymcanorman.org 42. The National Weather Center, 120 David L. Boren Blvd., opened in 2006 and houses University of Oklahoma, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and state organizations concerned with understanding atmospheric events. Free tours for up to eight members of the general public are 1 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday; each tour lasts about 45 minutes. School (and large group) tours for up to 35 visitors are Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. (and 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.), respectively. The center advises tour participation should be scheduled at least two weeks in advance; the advance notice is mandatory for any foreign nationals wishing to take a tour. Free seminars on weather-related topics are offered at the center regularly. For more information, call 325-3095. Web site: www.nwc.ou.edu. 43. The annual South Central Oklahoma Festival of Homes will take place Aug. 28 through Sept. 5. The event is put on through the Builders Association of South Central Oklahoma, which is based in Norman. This year’s show home is at 2109 Hallbrooke Drive in the Hallbrooke Addition. The home is being built by Curtis McCarty of C. A. McCarty Construction. More information is available by calling 360-
101 Fun Things 4161. The Web site is www.normanhomes.com /showmap. 44. Norman Public Library. The hub of the nine-branch Pioneer Library System, the Norman Public Library offers a full array of materials and services for the residents of Norman and Cleveland County. With a simple mission of connecting residents “to the joy of reading and to information for lifelong learning” the Norman Library offers meeting rooms, free Internet access, computer workstations, programs, books, compact discs, DVDs and other materials for its customers. Additionally, the library partners with other groups and organizations across the county and the state to make programs and materials available to its customers. Located at 225 N. Webster Ave., the library’s hours are Monday through from Friday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 6 p.m. For more information, call the information desk at 701-2620. The Web site is www.justsoyouknow.us. 45. Star Skate, 2020 W. Lindsey St., is Norman’s lone roller skating facility. The former Skateland facility marked its oneyear anniversary as Star Skate in December 2009. Star Skate is owned and operated by the Hale family and the family said they’ve have been “rockin’ and rollin” for more than 25 years. Other Star Skates are in Shawnee and Ada. For more information, call 329-1818 or go online
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Family Fun for Everyone!
Zumba classes Summer Day Camp Swim Lessons Youth Sports Leagues Giant Indoor Pool Large gymnasium with jogging track & 3 basketball courts Land & water fitness classes Childwatch programs while mom & dad work out!
Enroll now for summer day camp! Help send a kid to camp this summer! May 3-7: Silent Auction at the YMCA Auction closes at 5:00 p.m. May 7. All proceeds benefit the Strong Communities Campaign for financial assistance.
Register now for t-ball! Boys & girls ages 3-6 Register by May 22 Season runs June 12-July 31.
Join. Donate. Volunteer. Cleveland County Family YMCA 1350 Lexington Avenue 364-YMCA www.ymcanorman.org
Financial assistance is available to those who qualify.
10 to www.starskate.com. 46. The 219,000-squarefoot Riverwind Casino sits on 15.5 acres of land just south of Norman off Interstate 35. It is owned by the Chickasaw Nation and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Gamers have the choice of 2,300 electronic games and 55 black jack and poker tables. The casino also offers off-track betting and simulcasts horse races from across the country. Additionally, Riverwind has three full-size restaurants, a coffee shop, a food court, a bar and lounge. The casino’s 1,500-seat Showplace Theater has featured artists from the Beach Boys to Jewel. The theater has three levels including a mezzanine and VIP sections. The Riverwind Hotel, opened in fall 2009, features 100 guest rooms and suites, a 24-hour fitness and business center and more than 2,000 square feet of meeting space. It is adjoined to the casino by a walkway that connects to a new second level of electronic games. For more information, call 322-6000 or go to the Web site, www.riverwind.com. 47. Thunderbird Casino, owned by the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma, is on the extreme east side of Norman at 15700 East State Highway 9. It is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The 40,000 square-foot facility offers 420 electronic gaming machines and table games including blackjack, 3-card poker and ultimate Texas hold’em. It also features
101 Fun Things the Rednecks Cafe, Chuck Wagon Snack Bar and the Jockey’s Club. For more information, call 360-9270 or 800-2595825. The Web site is www.500nations.com/cas inos/okThunderbird.asp. 48. Sooner Bowling Center, 550 24th Ave. NW, is family owned and operated and caters to the family. Events, birthday parties and many family specials (includes pizza and soda) are available including Kids Bowl Free. Regular hours are 10 a.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday; 10 to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday; and noon to midnight Sunday. first two weeks after Labor Day. Admission for children age 3 to 60 is $8; admission for adults over 60 is $7; children ages 1 and 2 and with a parent are admitted to the museum free. For more information, call 382-0950. Info:360-3634 or visit www.soonerbowl.com. 49. Westwood Park Water Slide opens for summer fun 1 p.m. May 29. Prices are $6 for pool and slide and $4 for pool only 1 to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday; $5 for pool and slide and $3 for pool only 6 to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday; and $6 for pool and slide and $4 for pool only Saturday and Sunday. Single season passes are $60; Family season pass (up to four members) is $140; each additional family member pass is $25 and a babysitter pass is $35. The pool is available for weekend rental 6 to 8 p.m. More information on Westwood Pool, 2400 Westport Drive, is available at 329-5422 beginning May 10 or
through the City of Norman’s Parks and Recreation Department at 3665472. Web site: www.normanfun.com 50. The Noble Public Library is a member of the Pioneer Library System. Along with libraries in Blanchard, McLoud, Moore Newcastle, Norman, Purcell, Shawnee and Tecumseh, the system is able to connect patrons with whatever books or materials they need. The library also provides for Adult Basic Literacy classes that are free and offer confidential assistance to adults who want to improve their English, develop their reading and writing skills, or work on promoting reading as a regular family activity. It also has English as a second language courses and volunteers
who would like to make a difference. The Noble Library is at 204 N. 5th St. For more information, call 872-5713. Web site: www.pioneer.lib.ok.us. 51. The Oklahoma Motor Sports Complex features a 0.7-mile, 30-foot wide road course that hosts competitive kart racing, as well as kart rental for open racing 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The track also is available for rental for birthdays or corporate outings and provides driving classes based on age groups starting as young as 5. Charges for kart and facility rental vary. The track is at 3501 S. Interstate Drive in Norman, just south of the Canadian River bridge. For more information, call 579-2777 or visit
Friday, April 30,2010 www.oklahomamotorsportscomplex.com. 52. Those looking for some outdoor fun need look no further than the Bicycle League of Norman. The BLN has group rides every Tuesday and Thursday at 6 p.m., and members also participate in many regional events. The Tuesday night rides leave from Brookhaven Village parking lot and the Thursday evening group leaves from Reaves Park. Web site: www.bicycleleague.com.
Outdoor Recreation
53. Legacy Trails is the perfect place to get some exercise, enjoy the beautiful weather or catch up on
Norman’s history. The 10foot-wide track of sidewalk winds through central Norman adjacent to the railroad corridor. The trail features plaques at intermittent places along the path that detail the history of Norman. The trail currently stops on the south end at Duffy Street, but the city is planning to extend it further south so it will connect with Campus Corner in the near future. It heads north past Main Street and almost to Robinson Street. Address: North-south from Duffy Street almost to Robinson Street. Phone number: Parks and Recreation Department, 366-5472 Cost: Free Web site: normanfun.com 54. Want to get into a new sport? Try disc golf.
Friday, April 30,2010 Its name is quite descriptive of the sport; it follows the rules of golf, but instead of hitting balls the players toss flying discs into upright chain baskets. There are a variety of places to play in the area. The following are the local courses: • Colonial Estates, 1641 E. Lindsey St. • Griffin Park, 1001 E. Robinson St. • Northeast Lions Park, 1800 Northcliff Ave. • Oak Tree South Park, 2881 Oak Tree Ave. • Little Axe Community Center, 168th St. and E. Highway 9 Cost: Free if you already own flying discs Web site: www.normanfun.com. 55. Cool off the kids in summer’s heat with a visit to the splash pad. Norman’s splash pad is open
from Memorial Day through Labor Day in Andrews Park and features water guns, shooting fountains and tipping buckets controlled by touch pads with random programs. Andrews Park is across the street from the Norman Public Library at the corner of Daws Street and Webster Avenue. In Noble, Austin Haley Kool Kidz Splash opened in April 2008 in Dane Park at corner of Maguire Road and 8th Street. The splash pad was named in honor of a 5year-old Noble boy who died in August 2007. Web site: www.ci.norman.ok.us/parks 56. Launch onto Thunderbird Lake at Calypso Cove Marina for a day of fun and sun on the water. Twelve miles east on Highway 9 to 142nd to
101 Fun Things Clear Bay area of Lake Thunderbird State Park. Open May 1 to Sept. 15, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Full-time staffing for boat rentals: paddleboat ($5 per person, per hour) and canoe ($20 for two hours; $30 for the day). Groceries, boating supplies, gasoline, fishing tackle, bait, full dock, picnicking and boat storage are available. Boat storage prices depend on size of boat. For boat reservations and lake information call 360-9846. 57. The Lake Thunderbird BoatHouse promotes safe enjoyment of water sports and lake activities through educational programs and community partnerships. The BoatHouse is available to rent for events related to water safety and
boating education. Call for youth sailing camp dates (cost: $150); adult sailing class (cost: $150); keel boat class ($250); and level 1 instructors class (cost: $325). Info: BoatHouse manager at 447-4974, or www.thunderbirdsailingclub.org. 58. If you hear the smack of the bat or loud cheers, more than likely it’s coming from Griffin Park, which is part of the City of Norman’s sports facilities complex. It encompasses 16 soccer fields, 14 baseball/softball fields and four football fields, with support facilities spread out over 160 acres at 1001 E. Robinson St., Norman. Activities such as baseball, running, soccer, rugby, softball, football and volleyball can all take
11 place at the park. The complex also is home to the Griffin Park Open, a national disc golfer tournament. The Recreation Division offers free classes on a seasonal schedule. Pavilions and shelters are available on a rental basis in several parks. For information, call the Parks and Recreation Department at 366-5472. Web site: www.ci.norman.ok.us/parks/park_ar eas.htm. 59. For those who want to experience the great outdoors without getting too far away from civilization, Purcell Lake may fit the bill. The Purcell Lake was built in 1930. It has 150 surface acres. It has four miles of shoreline. The camping grounds contain picnic areas, camper parking, playgrounds, tennis
courts, a golf course and a fishing dock. It also provides electricity, trash bins and restrooms. Because of its open areas, the Purcell Lake is a prime spot for racing events. That includes bikes, boats and marathons. Purcell Lake is situated one mile south of Purcell. To get more information call 527-6561. Web site: www.shopoklahoma.org/oklakes/purcell.htm. 60. Lake Thunderbird’s Nature Center opened May 2008 and has live animals, mostly reptiles and amphibians that are representative of the area, such as skinks, turtles, tarantulas and scorpions, on display. Park naturalists offer a variety of activities for children, including interactive exhibits, informative programs, crafts and nature walks. Activities
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are available for larger groups, such as Girl Scouts. Visitors need to call before going to the center. The center’s hours of operation vary. The center is closed on Tuesday. Nine-tenths of a mile north of Highway 9 on Clear Bay Avenue. Web site: www.oklahomaparks.com.
Golf Course (par 3, 9 holes), 1350 Cobblestone Creek Drive. Par 27, 1,532 yards, $14. • Broadmoore Golf Course, 500 Willow Pine Drive, Moore. Par 71, 6,334 yards. $18. • Moore Golf and Athletic Club (private), 920 SW 19th St., Moore. Par 72, 6,789 yards.
61. Choices for good golf abound in Cleveland County. Local courses, with address, course length and regular green fee are: • Westwood Park Golf Course, 2400 Westport Drive. Par 70, 6,153 yards. $21. • Jimmie Austin University of Oklahoma Golf Course (semi-private), 1 Par Drive. Par 72, 7,380 yards. $60 Monday through Thursday and $75 Friday through Sunday. • The Trails Golf Club (private), 3200 S. Berry Road, Par 70, 6,396 yards. • Belmar Golf Club (private), 1025 E. Indian Hills Road. Par 70, 6,519 yards. • Cobblestone Creek
62. The Chesapeake Boat House is one of the centerpieces of the revitalization of the Oklahoma River just south of downtown Oklahoma City. The facility has boat bays for up to 124 rowing shells and also offers kayak and bicycle rentals and rowing classes. The building, designed by Oklahoma City architect Rand Elliott, features a deck, lobby and an event room for rental for receptions or meetings Hours are 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. The Boat House is at 725 S. Lincoln Blvd. For more information, call 552-4040 or visit
www.chesapeakeboathouse.org. 63. Bobby and Cindy Steveson have owned and operated the Thunderbird Riding Stables for 26 years. The stables offer open riding on trails spanning more than 500 acres and featuring many types of wildlife. Cost is $19 per person for a one-hour ride. In addition to the open riding, hayrides, summer horse camps and full-care horse boarding facilities also are offered. The Stables are at 1150 Clear Bay Ave. just southeast of Lake Thunderbird. They are open year-round, weather-permitting, except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Reservations can be made by phone at 3215768. For more information, visit thunderbirdstables.com or e-mail thunderbirdstables@att.n et. 64. Martin Park Nature Center is a wildlife sanctuary, recreational area and educational facility tucked into a growing part of northwest Oklahoma City.
The park features a hands-on museum, 3.5 miles of hiking trails and a variety of wildlife. Classes, many of them geared toward children, are offered throughout the year. Guided tours also are available with notice by calling the naturalist a 7550676. Martin Park Nature Center is at 5000 W. Memorial Road. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. The park is closed on holidays and from Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day. Web site: www.okc.gov/Parks/mar tin_park/index.html. 65. George M. Sutton Wilderness Park is great place to find a little country in the middle of suburbia. Located at 1920 12th Ave. N.E., the park has so many trails that can be explored and also is peaceful and scenic place to walk or jog, with two or three ponds and native Oklahoma scenery. Bird watchers also have flocked to the park to take in the wildlife. For more information on the park, call 366-5472. Web site: www.ci.norman.ok.us/parks/georgem-sutton-wilderness-park.
Oklahoma City
66. The University of Oklahoma’s Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art is one of the nation’s finest university art museums. Strengths of the 12,300object permanent collection are French Impressionism, 20th-century
Friday, April 30,2010 American works, Native American and Southwest art, ceramics, photography, contemporary art and more. Though the museum is under construction of a new wing, it is open and fully functional with programming throughout the entire process. In fall 2011, the museum will open the new Stuart Wing, which will house the Eugene B. Adkins Collection of Southwest and Native art, which is shared with the Philbrook Museum of Art, as well as newly renovated exhibition spaces, classrooms and administrative offices. Throughout the construction process, the museum features rotating exhibitions with associated programs. The art museum also has a continually revolving set of traveling exhibits that often have interesting events associated with them, such as lectures and public opening receptions. Address: 555 Elm Ave. Phone number: 3253272 Cost: $5 for adults; $4 for seniors; $3 for children 6-17; $2 for OU faculty and staff; and free for children under 6, Museum Association members, OU students with a valid ID and free to everyone on Tuesdays Web site: ou.edu/fjjma 67. Plaza District is located on N.W. 16th St. between Pennsylvania Avenue and Classen Boulevard in Oklahoma City. The area, dedicated to emerging artists, is home to local shops, galleries, studios and creative businesses. The Lyric Theatre also is part of the Plaza District. The second
Friday of each month is Live on the Plaza, where artists show their work and shops stay open late. The district is an Oklahoma Main Street Community and an Oklahoma City Economic Redevelopment District, according to its Web site. It is run by the Plaza District Association. 68. The Charles E. Sparks Rose Garden in Oklahoma City is home to more than 843 roses, according to the park’s Web site. The 1/2-acre Rose Garden was planted by the Oklahoma Rose Society in 1938 and dedicated as the Oklahoma City Municipal Rose Garden in 1940. The garden, located in Will Rogers Park, can be rented for weddings and other events from May to September. The park is at 3400 N. Portland Ave. in Oklahoma City. Also at the park is the Margaret Annis Boys Arboretum, the Ed Lycan Conservatory, the Will Rogers Garden Exhibition Center, the Will Rogers Park Amphitheater, a aquatic water center, Frisbee golf and the Oklahoma City Tennis Center. 69. The Oklahoma City National Memorial honors those who were killed, those who survived and those changed forever by the April 19, 1995, bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City. The outdoor symbolic memorial to the 168 people who died in the blast is open 24 hours a day, year-round. Rangers are on site 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Friday, April 30,2010 The memorial museum is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors 62 or older, $8 for military and $8 for students age 6 to 17 or college students with current ID. Children 5 years and younger are admitted free. The memorial and museum are at 620 N. Harvey Ave. More information is available by calling 235-3313. The Web site is www.oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org 70. The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, at the junction of Interstates 44 and 35 in northeast Oklahoma City, houses a large collection of western art, with gardens and sculptures. It is nationally accredited. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and it is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Admission is $12.50 for adults, $9.75 for seniors, $9.75 for students with valid ID, $5.75 for children 4 to 12 and children under 4 are admitted free. Parking is free. More information is available by calling 4782250. The Web site is www.nationalcowboymuseum.org. 71. Originally known as the Kirkpatrick Planetarium, Science Museum Oklahoma was created with a donation from the Junior League of Oklahoma City and funds from the John E. Kirkpatrick family in 1958. The facility opened its current location, 2100 NE 52nd St. in Oklahoma City in 1978, adding a planetarium a few months later. In 1980 the Oklahoma Air
101 Fun Things offer orchids, palm trees and cacti, a 35-foot waterfall, suspended skywalk, water gardens, sculptures, sunken lake and much more. Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is adults $6; $5 for seniors 62 and older and students ages 13-18 or adults with a college ID; $3 for children age 4-12 and children age 3 and under are admitted for free. For more information, call 297-3995.
and Space Museum (now part of Science Museum Oklahoma) joined the facility and in 1985 the Kirkpatrick Gardens and Greenhouse opened adjacent to the south side of the building. During the next decade, the museum added many attractions and features, and in 1998 began construction on the Dome Theater, the state’s first large-format, domescreen theater. Museum hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Admission charge for museum exhibits and the Dome Theater is $14.95 for adults, $11.95. for seniors 65 and children ages 4-12 and free for children 3 and under. A variety of individual and group memberships also are available. Info: 602-6664 or 800532-7652, or www.sciencemuseumok.org. 72. At more than 300 feet long the Land Run Monument by Norman artist Paul Moore is one of the world’s largest bronze exhibits. Located along the south end of the Bricktown Canal in Oklahoma City, the monument depicts the Land Run of April 22, 1889, that opened Oklahoma, Indian Territory up to homesteading by settlers. The sculpture consists of 38 people, 34 horses, three wagons, one buggy, one sulky, one dog, one rabbit and one cannon. It is 365 feet long by 36 feet wide and more than 15 feet high. A $1.7 million federal grant was awarded to the Centennial Commission in 2002 to help fund the
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project, along with state funds. The first major pieces, a buckboard and two draft horses, were placed in April 2003. It’s not scheduled to be completed until 2015. Web site:www.crownartsinc.com/land_run.ht m. 73. With theaters, hotels and restaurants, Bricktown is a mini-city inside Oklahoma City. Clubs such as Rok bar, Skyy Barr and City Walk attract thousands of people every night with cover charges that range from $5 to $20. Bricktown also contains the AT&T Bricktown Ballpark, the Cox Convention Center and the Ford Cen-
ter where the Oklahoma City Thunder play homes games. Bricktown is located on the eastern border of downtown OKC and is accessible from Interstate 40, Interstate 35 and Interstate 235. Its boundaries are E.K. Gaylord Avenue on the west, Stiles Avenue on the east, Reno Avenue on the south and Main Street on the north. Web site: Bricktown go to www.bricktownokc.com/ 74. Myriad Botanical Gardens and Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory, in the heart of downtown Oklahoma City, offers a getaway from everyday life. The gardens
75. The collection in the Oklahoma Heritage Association’s Gaylord-Pickens Museum tells the story of Oklahoma past and present through several permanent exhibits and a rotation of exhibits. Originally called the Oklahoma Memorial Association, the OHA began its work in 1927 by honoring Oklahomans for outstanding service. The OHA opened the Oklahoma Heritage House in 1972 and moved to its current location May 10, 2007, 80 years to the date after the group was founded. Museum hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. The museum is closed Sunday and Monday. The museum is at 1400 Classen Drive in Oklahoma City. For more information, call 235-4458 or visit www.oklahomaheritage.com. 76. At 106 years old, the Henry Overholser Mansion is one of the longeststanding homes in Oklahoma City. It is built on land pur-
chased north of the city in 1901 by Henry Overholser and designed by W.S. Matthews, a Londontrained architect. The three-story home has been preserved with original funishings, stained glass and ornate canvas painted walls in an effort to “honor the Spirit of the 1889’ers,” according to the mansion’s Web site. The mansion is open for guided tours 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The address is 405 NW 15th St. in Oklahoma City. For more information, call 525-5325 or visit www.overholsermansion.org 77. Oklahoma River Cruises. Once a nearly dry eyesore called the North Canadian, the Oklahoma River was renovated as part of the original Oklahoma MAPS initiative in 1993. The project was finally completed in 2004, and the area has quickly become a popular destination for fitness and recreation as well as a host of national events such as the Olympic Kayak Trials, drag boat racing and more. Cruises also are offered beginning each April and running into December. A third stop has been added to the tour this year, the Exchange Landing. Passengers can choose which half of the seven-mile stretch they would like to cruise from Regatta Park, 725 S. Lincoln Blvd. in Oklahoma City to the Meridian Landing, 850 S. Byers Ave. on a 65-foot taxi boat. Tickets are $6 for adults, $3 for children under 12 and senior citizens and can be reserved at 702-7755.
14 Web site: okrivercruisestix.com. 78. Oklahoma Railway Museum. Ever think about taking a ride into the past? The Oklahoma Railway Museum, 3400 N.E. Grand Blvd. in Oklahoma City, offers the opportunity. The museum also houses vintage locomotives (freight cars, passenger cars, even a real steam engine are on display) that ferried generations across the country. Trains operate first and third Saturdays (April to August), first Saturday in September and third Saturday in October. Museum hours at 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Events include Day Out with Thomas, Sept. 24-26 and Oct. 1-3; Halloween train, Oct. 30 and Christmas Train, Dec. 18. For more information,
101 Fun Things call 424-8222. Info: www.oklahomarailwaymuseum.org . 79. 45th Infantry Museum. If you’re looking for the place where Oklahoma’s military history is housed, venture to 2145 N.E. 36th St. in Oklahoma City. Open six days a week, the museum and Thunderbird Park display artifacts from the state’s military history that date all the back to the Revolutionary War. The Reaves Military Weapons Collection is one of the museum’s highlights and is considered one of the finest in the country. All of the weapons in this collection were selected for their historic significance; representing American warfare from the Revolution through Vietnam.
Thunderbird Park is situated on 15 acres that surround the museum. Included in the park are more than 60 different types of equipment, including wheeled vehicles, full track vehicles, tanks, aircraft and large guns. Web site: www.45thdivisionmuseum.com. 80. ASA Softball Hall of Fame and Museum. The artifacts are only part of the fun at 2801 NE 50th St. in Oklahoma City. Along with plaques, there are thousands of displays honoring the game’s rich history. But odds are there also will be a game going on at the grounds. Don E. Porter Hall of Fame Stadium is the site for the Big 12 Tournament in early May, the Women’s College World Series in late
May and early June and the World Cup of Softball each July. The before, during and after, numerous state, national and international tournaments for softball players of both sexes and all ages call the stadium home. For more information, visit www.asasoftball.com/hall _of_fame. 81. Oklahoma State Firefighters Museum opened in 1969 at 2716 NE 50th St., and has grown during the past 40 years. The museum contains a collection of antique fire apparatus and equipment dating back to the mid1700s, including the first fire station built in, what was then, Oklahoma Territory in 1869. Other exhibits include the world’s largest fire depart-
Friday, April 30,2010 ment patch collection and a one-of-a-kind mural, “The Last Alarm.” The Museum is the new home to several artifacts from the Ben Franklin Collection, a group of items representing the birth of the oldest fire department in the United States. The Museum is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call 424-3440. Web site: www.osfa.info. 82. Two TV shows have been made and many songs written about famous Route 66, which runs right through the heart of central Oklahoma. In Arcadia you can find the Round Barn (www.arcadiaroundbarn.o rg), constructed in 1898.
Pops Soda Ranch also is in Arcadia (pops66.com) and features the world’s largest soda selection. The state’s capitol building lies on Route 66, as does the Yukon’s Best flour mill. The mill, at East Main Street and South Third Street in Yukon, has a large framework advertisement on top with individual bulbs that light up to spell “Yukon’s Best Flour” at night. El Reno also is on the Route, and is known as the birthplace of the onion burger. 83. The Orr Family Farm, 14400 S. Western Ave. in Oklahoma City, touts itself as “Agri-Tainment.” The farm features an animal petting barn, a carousel, fishing, duck races, pony rides, a maze, a wedding garden and a train that runs visitors around the park. Dr.
Friday, April 30,2010 Glenn Orr, a retired veterinarian and horseman, and his family have owned the farm, known as Celestial Acres, for 32 years. It has 240 horse stalls, a racing track, a running track and an indoor and outdoor arena. A “Farm Pass” for 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday is $10.50. A “Farm Pass Plus,” which has additional features, is available for $14.50 on Saturday. It also is open for birthday parties and field trips. Web site: www.orrfamilyfarm.com. 84. Stockyards City, in south Oklahoma City, began a century ago as “Packingtown,” a collection of businesses that started booming in 1909. The Oklahoma National Stockyards Company began operating the next year and it quickly became one of the landmark locations in central Oklahoma. Stockyards City is home to Cattlemen’s Steakhouse, which has been serving steaks since 1910. The original Langston’s country and Western wear store, established in 1913, also is a featured location. Stockyards City has working stockyards and there are cattle auctions 9 a.m. every Monday and Tuesday. Guided bus tours are $25. The official Stockyards City Centennial Celebration is June 26 and will feature a wine tasting and Rodeo Opry. Web site: www.stockyardscity.org. 85. White Water Bay water park, at 3908 W. Reno Ave. in Oklahoma City, features water slides, a wave pool, private cabanas and raft rides, including the Big Kahuna tube ride which seats up
to four passengers. A great way to cool off during the hot Oklahoma summer, White Water Bay also features weekly “Dive In Movies” June 11, 18, 25, July 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 from the cool comfort of the water. Adult admission is $25.99 and junior admission is $21.99, though season passes are available. Web site: www.whitewaterbay.com. 86. Oklahoma’s only theme park, Frontier City, is right off of Interstate 35 in north Oklahoma City. Frontier City is home to concerts and a Westernthemed amusement park which features the Mindbender catapult, the Silver Bullet roller coaster and the Eruption vertical ride. Frontier City also has a the Renegade Rapids and Mystery River Log Flume water rides. Adult tickets are $36.99 and children under 48 inches, seniors over 62 and handicapped tickets are $19.99. Season passes are available, as is a two-park pass for Frontier City and White Water Bay. The park opened in 1958 at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds, but moved later to its current location. Web site: www.frontiercity.com. 87. Started in Edmond in 1985, Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park relocated in 2007 to Oklahoma City, with summer performances now presented at the Bicentennial park in front of the Civic Center. This year’s shows include “Taming of the Shrew” (June 17-July 10), “The Comedy of Errors” (July 15-Aug. 7) and “Romeo and Juliet” (Aug. 12 to Sept. 4). Performances are 8 p.m. Thursday through
101 Fun Things Saturday. Web site: www.oklahomashakespeare.com. 88. The Harn Homestead, 1721 N. Lincoln Blvd. in Oklahoma City, takes visitors back to the state’s territorial days with a “hands-on” experience of an early-day Oklahoma farm. After the Land Run of April 22, 1889, there were many claim disputes. William Fremont Harn was appointed by President Benjamin Harrison to be a special land commissioner to settle those disputes. William and his wife, Alice, moved to the territory and bought 160 acres. They donated 40 acres to relocate the state capitol which sits just north and east of the farm. Gates are open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Admission is $5, $4 for seniors. There are guided tours daily at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. It also is available for rental for weddings or other events. For more information, call 235-4058. The Web site is www.harnhomestead.com. 89. Oklahoma City Zoo and the Zoo Amphitheater, 2101 NE 50th St. in Oklahoma City, is a fully accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the American Association of Museums. The zoo is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Cost is $7 for ages 12 to 64, $4 for children age 3 to 11 and children 2 and under are admitted for free. Parking is free and same day re-entry is
allowed. For more information, call 424-3344. The Web site is www.okczoo.com. 90. Designed by famed architect Solomon Layton and built by prisoners between 1914 and 1917, the Oklahoma State Capitol Building at NE 23rd Street and Lincoln Blvd. in Oklahoma City is considered a classic GrecoRoman (also known as neo-classical) style building. Constructed for $1.5 million, the Capitol is made primarily from white limestone and Oklahoma pink granite. Originally, Layton’s plans called for a dome but a tight budget and the outbreak of the World War prevented the dome from being built. Eighty-five years later — in 2002 — Layton’s original dome was added. The building also is home to more than 100 works of art, including bronze sculptures murals, portraits and paintings. The Oklahoma State Capitol is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Admission is free. The Web site is www.oklahomadome.com 91. Spanning almost 10 miles, Oklahoma City’s Lake Hefner Trails surround the lake and connect with the lake’s recreational areas. A portion of the trail is the existing on-road bicycle lane along the dam. Portable toilets and drinking fountains also are provided on the route. Most of the trails are 12foot wide asphalt multipurpose trails, with some 6foot wide pedestrian-only trails on the east side of the lake.
15 The trails also provide access to the lake’s playgrounds, Lake Hefner Golf Course, picnic areas, benches, fishing docks, sailing, sail boarding, restaurants, ball fields and the lake itself. Oklahoma City officials plan for more than 200 miles of trails through the community to be constructed as funding becomes available. For more information, call the Oklahoma City Action Center at 297-2535. The Web site is www.okc.gov/trails/hefner.html 92. The Rocktown Climbing Gym is considered by many to be the premier rock climbing destination in Oklahoma City. Formerly known as OKC Rocks, the facility features indoor and outdoor top rope and lead climbs up to 90 feet, bouldering and instruction. “We cater not only to the die-hard expert climber but to families and those of all abilities seeking adventure,” said Aaron Gibson, a climber of more than 15 years’ experience and one of the owners of the facility. Originally an abandoned grain unit, the facility was transformed into a climbing center more than a decade ago. Gibson said few climbing gyms can match the building’s total wall space and vertical height. A typical gym or commercial climbing wall will top out at about 30 feet; Rocktown’s tallest reaches 90 feet. The gym has 36 handhold routes to pick from, ranging in difficulty class ratings from 5.6 to 5.13 under the Yosemite decimal system — a climb above 5.5 requires securi-
ty rope and usually a belaying partner, with increasing strength, stamina and protection required up to the world’s most difficult ascensions at 5.15. The Rocktown Climbing Gym is at 200 SE 4th St. in Oklahoma City. For more information, call 319-1400. The Web site is rocktowngym.com. 93. Remington Park is Oklahoma’s horse racing destination. The park also has a casino on site that offers activities 10 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Wednesday; 10 to 2 a.m. Thursday; and 10 to 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday. The casino also offers lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. For more information on Remington Park, One Remington Place, Oklahoma City, call 424-1000. Web site: www.remingtonpark.com. 94. Sponsored by Oklahoma City’s First Christian Church, Jewel Box Theatre has been in existence for 51 years, making it Oklahoma City’s longest-running community theater. The theater sponsors a playwriting contest and presents world premieres of some of the winning plays. The current production is “Coming Back to Jersey,” by Carl L. Williams which opened April 15. Show times are 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets for adults are $15 for plays and $18 for musical; student tickets are $10 for both. The production runs through May 9. Web site: www.jewelboxtheatre.org. 95. Oklahoma City’s
16 Reduxion Theatre Company was founded in 2000 by Tyler Woods. The company’s first show, presented Nov. 28 to Dec. 13, 2008, was a staging of “Romeo and Juliet” set in post World War II Japan. On stage this year: Shakespeare’s “Titus Andronicus” directed by Rodney Brazil, May 13-29 at City Arts Center at Fair Park in Oklahoma City. For more information, visit http://reduxiontheatre.com 96. Paseo Art District An easy day trip from Norman, the Paseo district is from Northwest 28th Street and Walker Avenue to Northwest 30th Street and Dewey Avenue. Many may know of the yearly Oklahoma City Arts Festival, but the Paseo District is like an arts festival that never shuts down. One popular attraction is the Gallery Walk, which takes place the first Friday and Saturdy of every month. As many as 17 different galleries and more than 60 artists participate. However, typically, almost any time one’s sure to find a local artist plying his or her trade. Don’t wory about food or drink. Many options are available. Web site: thepaseo.com. 97. The Oklahoma History Center, 2401 N. Laird Ave. in Oklahoma City, sits on 18 acres just northeast of the State Capitol. The 215,000 square-foot learning center explores Oklahoma’s history. Indoor exhibits tell the story of Oklahoma commerce, agriculture, oil and gas, military accomplishments, the arts, Native
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Friday, April 30,2010
Americans, weather, government and law. Outdoor galleries explain the different nations who have lived here, claimed the area and fought for control of the land. Admission costs are $7 for adults, $5 for seniors, $4 for students. Children five and under are admitted free. Family cost is $18 and groups of 10 more get in for $5 each. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Call 5225248 for more information. Web site: www.okhistorycenter.org.
Univeristy of Oklahoma 98. Located at the south end of the Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium at Lindsey Street and Jenkins Avenue, the Switzer Center houses football offices, the football locker room, equipment room, the 13,000square-foot Siegfried Strength and Conditioning Complex, the 8,000square-foot Freede Sports Medicine Center and the 7,000-square-foot Touchdown Club Legends Lobby. Outside the building is the Anderson All-American Plaza and a large wall honoring every OU AllAmerican to wear the crimson and cream. The names of every letter winner from each OU sport also are displayed. Due to construction in the south end zone, the Switzer Center and Legends Lobby are closed
until August, officials said. Normal hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Admission is free. For more information, call the Athletic Department at 325-8200. Web site: www.soonersports.com/facilities/swit zer-center.html. 99. The University of Oklahoma Visitor Center is inside Jacobson Hall at 550 Parrington Oval. Prospective student tours of the OU campus are offered 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9:30 a.m. Saturdays, except for national and university holidays. Free tours for those who are not prospective students are offered on an as-scheduled basis as tour guides are available.
Tours last between an hour and an hour and a half. For more information, call 325-2151 for prospective student tours or 3251188 for non-prospective student tours (the center encourages at least two weeks’ advance notice for scheduling non-prospective student tours). Web site: www.ou.edu/discover/di scover_home/visit.html. 100. Besides Memorial Stadium or Lloyd Noble Center, no building on the University of Oklahoma campus gets more foot traffic than the Oklahoma Memorial Union. Or better known as the Student Union. Whether it’s to have meetings, meet with professors or just lounge around until
the next class, the union is a popular destination on campus. The Union contains eateries such as Chick-fil-A, Crossroads Restaurant, the Laughing Tomato, Quiznos Sub, Starbucks, Sbarro University Club and Wendy’s. The University Bookstore, a post office and Student Art Gallery make their home in the building. The union is at 900 Asp Ave. and has an adjoining parking garage. For more information, call 325-2121. 101. For history buffs, one local resource that cannot be overlooked is the Western History Collections in Norman. It is a collection within the University of Oklahoma Libraries system focused on the history of the
American West. Established in 1927, the collections document the history of the whole American Southwest, including the Spanish and Mexican peiors, American Indian history and the westward expansion of the American frontier. The collections include books, photographs, manuscripts, maps, typescripts and oral histories. Western History Collections, Monnet Hall on the University of Oklahoma campus, Room 452, are open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost for admission is free. For more information, call 325-3641 or visit libraries/ou.edu/locations/default.aspx?id=22.