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Great Getaways: City Fun Arts & Culture Water Fun Western Adventure The Great Outdoors Heart of Oklahoma

City Fun

(Oklahoma City and Norman)

Day 1

Arrive in Oklahoma City; check in at the Courtyard by Marriott, 4301 Highline Blvd., (405) 946-6500. Mobil 2 Star property; amenities include an outdoor pool, whirlpool, exercise room, restaurant, in-room movies, coffee, hair dryer and iron. Rates: (2 doubles) $69-$91.

Spend the afternoon in the slides, rafts and pools at White Water Bay, 3908 W Reno, (405) 943-9687. Adults $23.99, Junior (under 48") $18.99, Children under 2 FREE, Parking $4 (look for discount coupons available at selected metro area stores). Get wet at Oklahoma's favorite family water park, featuring 25 acres of speed slides, tube rides, a relaxing river and wave pool. Dive-in movies are featured throughout the summer, and lockers can be rented to hold personal items. Additional charge for tube rentals.

Dinner at Kona Ranch Steak House, 2037 S. Meridian Ave, (405) 681-1000. Hawaiian-themed restaurant featuring traditional steaks, seafood, and specialty Hawaiian dishes. Entrees: $6-$22.

Day 2

Spend the day at two of Oklahoma City's family-friendly destinations: Omniplex, 2100 NE 52nd, (405) 602-6664, and the Oklahoma City Zoo, 2101 NE 50th, (405) 424-3344. Omniplex is an amusement park for the mind offering seven museums under one roof, the state's only dome-screen theater, a museum café and gift store! Plan to allow at least three hours here. All-inclusive pass (Omniplex, OmniDome and Planetarium) Adults $11.50, Seniors $9.50, Children (3-12) $9.50. Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 11am-6pm. The Oklahoma City Zoo is located right next door, and home to more than 2,800 animals. Special exhibits include Aquatics, Cat Forest/Lion Overlook, Great EscAPE, Butterfly Garden, and Island Life. Tram rides, concessions and picnic areas also on site. Adults $6, Kids $3 (age 3-11), Children under 3 FREE. Memorial Day-Labor Day: 9am-6pm (exhibit buildings close at 8pm), Winter hours: 9am-5pm (exhibit buildings close at 4:45pm).
Dinner at Shorty Small's Great American Restaurant, 4500 W. Reno, (405) 947-0779. This fun, family restaurant is known for their huge portions, and still boasts the world's largest chicken fried steak, the original onion loaf, and famous handmade cheese sticks. Entrees: $5-21.

Day 3

Check out of hotel. Head to the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, (405) 236-3100. This three-story, 110,000 square foot facility includes special exhibition galleries, a permanent collection of 3,000+ works, theater, cafe and gift shore. Join us on our rooftop terrace every Thursday from 5-8pm in the summer for Cocktails on the Skyline, which includes a drink ticket, salsa bar, gallery admission and a great view. Adults $7, Seniors/Youth $5, Children 5 and under FREE. Hours: Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, Thu 10am-9pm, Sun noon-5pm.

Visit The Elevator Indoor Climbing Gym, SE 3rd Street, (405) 319-1400. Housed in a former grain elevator, visitors will find a unique indoor climbing experience with a variety of surfaces and heights in easy, intermediate and advanced levels. Gear and equipment can be rented on site; classes in rope techniques, climber communication and proper belay use available. Day pass: Adults $10, Youth $7 (13 and under); Belay orientation $5. Mon-Fri 4-10pm, Sat noon-8pm, Sun noon-6pm.

Check in at Sheraton Oklahoma City Hotel, One N. Broadway, (405) 235-2780. Located in walking distance from Oklahoma City's Bricktown entertainment district, you'll find the Westin's trademark Heavenly Bed here, along with an outdoor swimming pool, exercise room and restaurant. Call for room rates and weekend specials.

Dinner in Bricktown. Oklahoma City's hot spot for evening and weekend entertainment, located just east of the downtown area, provides a fun outdoor atmosphere for couples or families. Choose from more than 20 restaurants including Abuelo's Mexican Food Embassy, Coach's, Bourbon Street Grill, Zio's, Crabtown, Spaghetti Warehouse, Bricktown Brewery, Chelino's, Hooters, Gopuram Taste of India, Lotus Restaurant, Mickey Mantle's Steakhouse and Varsity Sports Grill.

Finish the day with a Bricktown Water Taxi canal tour, (405) 236-8666. Passengers may board at any stop along the canal. Operators give a 40 minute round trip narrated tour along the canal route; dinner cruises and private charters also available. All Day Pass $6, Seniors $5, Children (5 and under) $1.

Day 4

Spend the day in Norman, a college town just 30 minutes south of Oklahoma City along I-35. The Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, 2401 Chautauqua Avenue, (405) 325-4712, is sure to delight young and old, as you stand eye to eye with a dinosaur, learn about native cultures or explore archaeological wonders. As the nation's largest university-based museum, more than 50,000 square feet of exhibit space is featured, including the world's longest Apatosaurus, a museum café and gift shop, and a hands-on discovery room. Adults $5, Seniors $4 (65+), Children (6-17) $3, Children 5 and under FREE. Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 1-5pm.

Take a break for lunch and visit Campus Corner, a favorite hangout spot featuring lots of restaurants and unique shops, or embark on a self-guided audio tour or guided tour of the University of Oklahoma, a historic campus with beautiful architecture and manicured lawns.

Enjoy some outdoor fun at Perfect Swing Family Fun Center, 1900 Ann-Branden Blvd. (405) 360-1800. Attractions include two 18-hole miniature golf courses, bumper boats, go-karts, batting cages, lighted driving range, an indoor climbing playground, video games and food concessions. Mon-Thu 10am-9pm, Fri-Sat 10am-11pm, Sun 1-8pm. All-you-can-do-outdoor wristband $14.75 (above 44 inches), $8.45 (below 44 inches). Individual activity rates also available.

Take in dinner and a game in Bricktown, where a visit wouldn't be complete without a stop at the Ballpark. This state-of-the-art stadium is home to the Oklahoma Redhawks, Oklahoma City's AAA baseball team for the Texas Rangers. Ticket prices: $5-$14. Season runs April-September.

Day 5

Check out of hotel. Visit the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd, (405) 478-2250. If you haven't been to this outstanding museum in a while, you're definitely due for another visit. Having tripled in size over the past seven years and experienced a name change (was formerly known as the National Cowboy Hall of Fame), this sprawling complex features several major exhibition galleries, a life-size western town, large-scale sculptures and works of art, landscaped gardens, a fabulous gift shop and restaurant. Every Memorial Day weekend, the museum hosts the Chuck Wagon Gathering & Children's Cowboy Festival, a fun-filled family event featuring cowboy fare, entertainment and activities. Adults $8.50, Children (6-12) $4, Children 5 and under FREE. Hours: 9am-5pm daily.

Check into Courtyard by Marriott, 1515 NW Expressway, (405) 848-0808. Located near a large shopping corridor, guests can practically walk to Penn Square Mall, one of the city's favorite shopping malls, and other well-known retailers. Property features an outdoor pool, whirlpool and exercise room, premium movies, in-room coffee, hair dryer, iron.

Dinner at Joe's Crabshack, 5940 NW Expressway, (405) 232-1010. A place like no other, this "shack" might make you wonder…but once inside, you'll love the fun atmosphere, unique décor and variety of fresh seafood. Other menu items feature steaks, sandwiches and salads. Entrees: $9-$24.

Day 6

Experience a bit of the Old West at Frontier City, I-35 Service Road (between NE 122nd St and Wilshire Blvd), (405) 478-2412, a western-themed amusement park and member of the Six Flags family. More than 50 thrilling rides are available, including four roller coasters and two water rides, along with wild west shows, western shops and eateries and a kiddie area. A nightly fireworks performance is scheduled throughout the summer and special concerts and festivals at the park are also planned on selected days. Adults $27.99, Juniors (under 48") $18.99, Children under 2 FREE. Call for operating hours and special discount offers.