If there is one thing this state is not short on, it is quality museums. It does not matter if you want to stick to the metro or venture out for a daytrip somewhere a few hours down the highway. Either way, you can bet there is a worthwhile and enlightening collection awaiting you somewhere in the vicinity. Here are a few of our recommended destinations:
Museum of Osteology
10301 S. Sunnylane Roadmuseumofosteology.org
405-814-0006
Visitors to the Museum of Osteology will have a whale of a time seeing and learning about the bones and skeletons on display there. That is a literal statement because the museum’s centerpiece is a gigantic humpback whale skeleton suspended over the museum floor. Hours of operation are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free-$10.
Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art
1900 W. MacArthur St., Shawnee|mgmoa.org
405-878-5300
Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art is much more than a collection of historic paintings. It’s a walk-through encyclopedia featuring classic antiquities like Egyptian mummies, Native American buckskin regalia and weapons of the ancient world. Though Mabee-Gerrer is located on the former campus of St. Gregory’s University, it is unrelated to the school and remains open. Museum hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 1-4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free-$5.
American Banjo Museum
9 E. Sheridan Ave.americanbanjomuseum.com
405-604-2793
This Bricktown-based museum is home to the largest collection of publicly displayed banjos in the world, documenting everything from the instrument’s roots in American slavery to its modern association with bluegrass and folk music. The museum is open 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free-$8.
Ninety-Nines Museum of Women Pilots
4300 Amelia Earhart Roadmuseumofwomenpilots.org
405-685-9990
Personal possessions of Amelia Earhart and other historic women pilots are proudly displayed at the Ninety-Nines Museum, named for the historic and groundbreaking international organization of female pilots. The museum can be found just outside Will Rogers World Airport. Hours of operation are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Admission is free-$5. Reservations are required for group visits.
Toy & Action Figure Museum
111 S. Chickasaw St., Pauls Valleytoyandactionfiguremuseum.com
405-238-6300
Dedicated to the art and sculpting of action figures, the museum located about an hourlong drive south of Oklahoma City has welcomed more than 50,000 guests since opening in 2000. The museum is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free-$7.
Sod House Museum
4628 State Highway 9, Alineokhistory.org
580-463-2441
Who’s ready for a road trip? Northwest Oklahoma is home to Oklahoma Historical Society’s Sod House Museum dedicated to preserving the state’s only remaining sod house and knowledge of the day-to-day experiences of early 20th-century pioneers. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Admission is free-$7.
