Are you looking for an adventure out of the ordinary? Well, you're in luck because Oklahoma has its fair share of attractions that are anything but humdrum. From bowling ball art to rose shaped rocks to a Star Trek studio, these somewhat peculiar attractions will give you a unique experience. Check out these 12 that are an absolute must-visit:
1. Timberlake Rose Rock Museum, Noble
This museum and gallery showcases the official state rock, the barite rose, found almost exclusively in central Oklahoma. Unique rose rock clusters and pioneer photos are on display. Barite rose rocks in many shapes and sizes, along with more than 50 other rocks and fossils are available in the gift shop. Rose rocks – the reddish-brown sandy crystals of barite that resemble a rose in full bloom – are more abundant in Oklahoma than anywhere else in the world.
2. Starbase Studios: Star Trek Attraction, Oklahoma City
Starbase Studios is an Oklahoma City-based, Star trek TOS era fan film studio. Their goal is to provide quality sets to fans to produce their own fan made productions. Use of the studio is no charge for anyone wishing to
produce their own fan film, all they ask is a donation to at least cover
your production's expenses.
3. National Rod & Custom Car Hall of Fame, Afton
Darryl Starbird built the world's first bubble-top "Car of the Future" in 1960.
He named it "The Predicta," and it's on display in his personal hot rod museum, along with dozens of other wild vans, pickups, and concept cars. Although technically they're not all cars-of-the-future, nearly all of Starbird's vehicles look like something George Jetson would drive. The 40,000-square-foot museum also houses a replica of the original tin-roofed body shop that Starbird opened in 1954. He lives on the museum property, and he's still building cars.
4. Cloverleaf "Quirky" Store, Ardmore
If you're looking for spirited shopping off the beaten path, then Cloverleaf is your destination. Located in Ardmore, between Oklahoma City and Dallas, Cloverleaf is run by self-confessed "junker" Heidi Chapman. Outdoor decor ranges from old carnival rides to several dozen rainbow-colored bicycles. So, if your'e looking for unique shopping, this is your place.
5. Architecture DNA, Oklahoma City
Architecture DNA is an art installation by Fitzsimmons Architects of Oklahoma City. It is the original spiral staircase fire escape from the historic (1909) Marion Hotel across the street, which was renovated into apartments. The spiral stair is suspended in mid-air and resembles a DNA strand. Location: 121 NW 10th St., OKC, OK.
6. Shattuck Windmill Park & Museum, Erick
Located in Shattuck, Oklahoma lies a large collection of windmills dating back to the nineteenth century.
7. Chris Barbee’s Bowling Art Yard, Nowata
"Bowling Ball Man" Chris Barbee has been transforming his yard with retired bowling balls since 2006. They form a fence, cover a shed, and appear in assorted sculptures. The yard is open to the public during select hours and is located at Country Road 021Nowata, OK 74048.
8. Heavener Runestone Park, Heavener
One of the most unusual historic sites in the
South can be found on a mountainside in
Oklahoma. Some believe that Vikings came
here more than 1,000 years ago and left a
sign of their passing carved on the face of a
massive boulder. The huge rock, now called the Heavener
Runestone, is the centerpiece of the park.
9. The Longest Straight Road and Straightest Road, Guymon (Hwy 412)
The longest straight road in the United States isn't the famous Route 46 in North Dakota (the longest straight section of which runs for just over 27 miles). There are two separate sections of the same highway in the Oklahoma Panhandle which surpass Route 46's length by a substantial margin. And if you get on Hwy 412 in Guymon, heading west, you will drive on the straightest road for 50 miles.
10. American Banjo Museum, Oklahoma City
If you like Banjology, this is the place - over 300 banjos of all shapes and sizes, over two floors in the heart of Bricktown. The museum houses the largest collection of banjos on public display in the world with interpretive displays that present the history of the banjo.
11. 24-Hour Prayer Tepee, Apache
"Open to all; Always Open" is the motto of this prayer tepee. Inside the tepee is a beautiful little chapel lined with wood. The tepee is located on Coblake St. in Apache.
12. Sipokni Western Town, Tishomingo
Located right outside of Reagan, Sipokni West is an old west look-alike town featuring a telegraph office, sheriff's office, general store, barbershop, stable, hotel, and more. Visiting Sipokni West, you'll feel as though you walked onto an old western movie set because, in fact, you have - many old western films have been filmed here.
Have you visited all of these unique places? What’s your favorite unique Oklahoma attraction? You can find a few more "odd" places to visit in this article.
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