Spring is always a magical time of year, but especially in a place as chock-full of beautiful natural treasures and family-friendly fun as northeast Oklahoma’s Green Country. Check out the ideas below to discover the perfect destination for you and your loved ones to enjoy gorgeous weather, beautiful blossoms, baby animals and more springtime delights.
One of the most popular attractions in the Copan Lake Area, Woolaroc Museum & Wildlife Preserve is a one-of-a-kind gem of Western and Native American history, art, and artifacts. In addition to all this, Woolaroc’s Animal Barn is a huge magnet for animal lovers young and old. Open Wednesdays through Sundays throughout springtime, the season brings an array of cute baby critters including rabbits, chickens, goats, and donkeys you can meet and interact with. Equestrians can also enjoy a tour of Woolaroc’s beautiful Osage Hills surroundings during the Spring Trail Ride – a fantastic annual tradition showcasing miles of scenic trails rarely seen by the public, offering riders the opportunity to spot wildlife such as the bison, elk, and deer which call the preserve home.
Springtime ushers in a flood of gorgeous natural colors during Tulsa Botanic Blooms. Pay a visit to the Tulsa Botanic Garden to see the more than 200,000 tulips, daffodils, redbuds, peonies, and other flowering plants blossom in the nearly 6,000 square feet of the A.R. and Marylouise Tandy Floral Terraces, the Children’s Discovery Garden, and other locations throughout the Botanic Garden grounds.
Those interested in a bit more untamed natural beauty can point the car towards the southeastern shore of Keystone Lake to enjoy a little time in the living monument to natural history that is the Keystone Ancient Forest. Choose from three trails suitable for everything from a relaxed family stroll to a brisk jog as you soak up the untouched loveliness of 1,300 acres filled with 300-year-old post oaks and 500-year-old cedar trees, and keep an eye out for the huge variety of wildlife often found here including bobcats, migratory birds, mountain lions, and deer.
A favorite with visitors to the Grand Lake Area year-round, Lendonwood Gardens in Grove offers an assortment of uniquely themed areas designed around diverse motifs from American Backyard to English Terrace. The gardens also provide a number of activities to keep young nature lovers engaged and entertained, such as plant species bingo cards and a koi pond with fish food dispensers (so don’t forget to bring a few quarters!). Garden pathways are handicap and wheelchair accessible, and golf carts with drivers are available for those who need a little help getting around – just call a couple of days before your visit to request one.
The city of Muskogee rings in spring each year with a gorgeous display during the Azalea Festival at Honor Heights Park. Throughout April, the park’s manicured 132 acres come to life with a colorful show as its azaleas, dogwoods, tulips, and other springtime bloomers dazzle visitors with a kaleidoscope of bright hues. Both walk- and drive-through experiences are available, and several events including a parade and a fun run liven up the festivities over the course of the month.
Even after all the beauty of the Azalea Festival, there’s still more to see at this amazing local park. Another favorite with locals and visitors to Muskogee alike is the Honor Heights Butterfly Papilion. Open from Mother’s Day weekend through late September, the expanse of colorful flowers here attracts more than 20 species of butterflies from around the region, and the onsite Butterfly House is the state’s only public butterfly enclosure. This one-of-a-kind destination provides the perfect setting for any springtime family trip or big group outing.
Pack up the car and head just south of Tulsa for a day full of family fun at Joe’s Farm in Bixby. The several acres of this you-pick farm offer a range of certified organic produce such as strawberries, blackberries, broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes, and many other seasonal fruits and vegetables. You can also visit Joe’s onsite store to find a wide variety of plants and herbs to grow in your own garden, as well as a recipe wall full of delectable ways to prepare your fresh harvest once you get it home.
If you’re looking for a fun way to get your lawn and garden in shape for the season, Springfest at the Tulsa Garden Center is a wonderful resource. As Oklahoma’s longest running garden market, this annual celebration of all things green offers a huge selection of popular flowers, herbs, and other plants, as well as garden tools and lawn art to beautify your home. In addition to all this, several gardening experts are on hand providing tips and advice to make sure your spring plantings live up to their fullest potential.
Enjoy an authentic rural springtime experience with a visit to Woolly Weekend at Shepherd's Cross & Heart of the Shepherd. Situated in the scenic countryside near Claremore, this working farm and Christian mission is home to a treasure trove of farming equipment, animals, and activities. One of the most popular is the perennial shearing of the resident sheep herd during the last weekend of April. Watch as the animals are shorn in a time-honored tradition of preparing them for the heat of summer, then stick around to see as the collected wool is washed, spun, and woven into usable products right before your eyes. While you’re there, you can stop by the farm animal petting area to meet and interact with adorable baby critters like goats, alpacas, horses, rabbits, and others.
Held on the second Saturday of May since 1948, the Stilwell Strawberry Festival draws more than 30,000 visitors to this small Green Country community each year. Festivalgoers flock to town to find delicious treats like strawberries and ice cream while enjoying free live music, carnival rides, a car, truck, and bike show, baking competitions, and much more. See the festival’s iconic parade and watch as the Strawberry Queen is crowned, then explore a bit to enjoy great food and fantastic fun for all ages throughout the day at this wholesome Green Country tradition.
If you love music, art, delicious food, and good times, don’t miss a weekend-long party right in the heart of Oklahoma’s cultural capital during Tulsa Mayfest. Dance the night away as both local musicians and famous national bands play on multiple stages, browse artworks created by regional and national artists, and feast on an array of food and drink from vendors offering both fair food favorites and a constellation of international cuisines. In addition to all the outdoor fun and activities, several downtown museums and galleries will be open to the public, so don’t miss out on all there is to see and experience at this annual springtime spectacular!
