Summit OklahomaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Summit, Oklahoma.
1. Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum
SOLEMN HISTORICAL TRIBUTE
The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum honors those affected by the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. Visitors can explore the outdoor symbolic memorial with its reflecting pool and field of empty chairs representing each victim. The museum offers a moving chronological journey through the events, aftermath, and healing process following the tragedy.
2. Bricktown
VIBRANT ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT
Bricktown is Oklahoma City's vibrant entertainment district featuring restaurants, shops, and attractions along a picturesque canal. Visitors can enjoy water taxi rides, catch a baseball game at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, or explore numerous dining options housed in historic warehouses. The district comes alive at night with its lively atmosphere and illuminated walkways.
3. Gloss Mountain State Park
SHIMMERING SELENITE MOUNTAINS
Gloss Mountain State Park features unique mountains with a high Selenite content that creates a glass-like shimmering exterior. The park offers a popular hiking trail from the parking lot to the top of Cathedral Mountain, providing spectacular views of the valley floor and Lone Peak Mountain. Though there are no lodging options within the park, visitors can enjoy picnic areas, pavilions, and public facilities from sunrise to sunset.
4. Robbers Cave State Park
HISTORIC OUTLAW HIDEAWAY
Robbers Cave State Park is nestled in the San Bois Mountains and was once a hideout for infamous outlaws like Jesse James. The park features 25 miles of hiking trails with spectacular clifftop views and Lake Carlton for paddling and fishing activities. Fall visitors can enjoy the annual Robbers Cave Fall Festival, while winter anglers appreciate the trout-stocked stream below the lake.
5. Henry Overholser Mansion
VICTORIAN ARCHITECTURAL GEM
The Henry Overholser Mansion is a beautifully preserved Victorian-era home built in 1903 by one of Oklahoma City's founding fathers. Visitors can tour the three-story mansion featuring original furnishings, hand-painted ceiling canvases, and stained glass windows. The historic home offers a glimpse into the elegant lifestyle of early 20th century Oklahoma high society.
6. Arcadia Round Barn
ROUTE 66 LANDMARK
The Arcadia Round Barn is a unique architectural wonder and iconic landmark along Historic Route 66. Built in 1898, this distinctive red barn features a perfect circular design with a self-supporting roof constructed without center supports. Visitors can explore the museum inside, attend live music events on weekends, and purchase Route 66 memorabilia from the gift shop.
7. The Outsiders House Museum
LITERARY FILM LOCATION
The Outsiders House Museum preserves the actual home used in Francis Ford Coppola's film adaptation of S.E. Hinton's novel. Restored by musician Danny Boy O'Connor, the museum displays movie memorabilia, props, and photos from the iconic coming-of-age story. Visitors can step into the world of the Curtis brothers and experience a piece of both literary and film history.
8. Tulsa Garden Center at Woodward Park
HISTORIC BOTANICAL HAVEN
The Tulsa Garden Center at Woodward Park offers a serene botanical experience within a historic mansion surrounded by themed gardens. Visitors can explore the Italian Renaissance-style Villa Philbrook, numerous display gardens including the acclaimed Municipal Rose Garden, and participate in educational programs. The 45-acre park provides a peaceful retreat with seasonal blooms and horticultural displays throughout the year.
9. Fort Washita
FRONTIER MILITARY HISTORY
Fort Washita is a historic military post established in 1842 to protect the Chickasaw and Choctaw Nations from Plains tribes and illegal settlers. Visitors can explore the preserved barracks, chimneys, and foundations while learning about frontier life through interpretive exhibits and living history demonstrations. The site hosts annual events including a Civil War reenactment and candlelight tours that bring its rich history to life.
10. Blue Whale
QUIRKY ROUTE 66 ICON
The Blue Whale is a beloved roadside attraction and iconic Route 66 landmark built in the 1970s as an anniversary gift. The 80-foot-long smiling whale sits in a pond where visitors can walk through its interior, picnic in the surrounding area, and take memorable photos. This whimsical attraction represents the golden age of American road trips and has been lovingly restored to preserve its charm for future generations.
11. Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
NATURAL BISON HABITAT
The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge spans 59,000 acres of protected habitat for bison, elk, deer, and other wildlife species. Visitors can enjoy hiking the Bison Trail, fishing and kayaking on Jed Johnson Lake, or driving up Mount Scott Road for panoramic views. The refuge combines natural beauty with recreational opportunities including wildlife watching, photography, and rock climbing.
12. POPS
ICONIC SODA DESTINATION
POPS is a unique Route 66 attraction featuring a 66-foot-tall soda bottle sculpture that illuminates the night sky with a dazzling LED light show. The combination gas station, restaurant, and soda ranch offers visitors over 700 different kinds of bottled sodas and beverages from around the world. Guests can enjoy classic American diner food while admiring the colorful display of soda bottles lining the walls of this modern roadside attraction.
13. Totem Pole Park
FOLK ART WONDER
Totem Pole Park showcases the remarkable folk art creations of Ed Galloway, featuring the world's largest concrete totem pole standing 90 feet tall. The park contains multiple totems, a fiddle house museum displaying handcrafted wooden instruments, and numerous concrete sculptures all created between 1937 and 1961. Visitors can wander the grounds for free while admiring this unique roadside attraction that represents one man's artistic vision and dedication.
14. Martin Park Nature Center
URBAN WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Martin Park Nature Center offers a 144-acre oasis of natural habitat within Oklahoma City with over three miles of gentle hiking trails. The center features an interactive learning center with live animals, natural history exhibits, and educational programs for all ages. Visitors can observe native wildlife including deer, foxes, and over 200 species of birds while enjoying this peaceful retreat from urban life.
15. Centennial Land Run Monument
DYNAMIC BRONZE SCULPTURE
The Centennial Land Run Monument is one of the world's largest bronze sculptures, depicting the historic 1889 land run that opened Oklahoma Territory to settlement. The monumental installation spans 365 feet in length and features 45 larger-than-life figures of riders on horseback, wagons, and people on foot racing to claim land. Visitors can walk alongside the dynamic sculpture located in Bricktown to appreciate the incredible detail and dramatic movement captured by artist Paul Moore.