I don’t know about you but it seems like for our family summer always flies by way faster than anticipated. As much as I dream about a week long vacation to Disney or the Rocky Mountains, a fun Tulsa staycation seems to fit into our schedule much better. Half the travel time twice the fun – check out our favorite things that are only a few hours from home.
-Robber’s Cave State Park
TRAVEL TIME: 2 Hours 3 Minutes
Outlaws, caves, and hiking OH MY! This state park is located in the scenic, hilly woodlands of the Sans Bois Mountains of southeast Oklahoma. If you are looking for an outdoor adventure for the whole family then look no further. This park is a favorite of rappellers, equestrians, hikers and outdoor lovers of all kinds. The park and adjoining wildlife management area offers trout fishing in season, miles of hiking and equestrian trails, rugged cliffs for climbing and in the fall get ready to be blown away by the changing leaves. Robbers Cave also enjoys notoriety as a former hideout for outlaws Jesse James and Belle Starr.
-Crystal Bridges
TRAVEL TIME: 2 Hours 15 Minutes
The mission of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is to welcome all to celebrate the American spirit in a setting that unites the power of art with the beauty of nature. Crystal Bridges takes its name from a nearby natural spring and the bridge construction incorporated in the building, designed by world-renowned architect Moshe Safdie. A series of pavilions nestled around two spring-fed ponds house galleries, meeting and classroom spaces, and a large, glass-enclosed gathering hall. Guest amenities include a restaurant on a glass-enclosed bridge overlooking the ponds, a Museum Store designed by architect Marlon Blackwell, and a library featuring more than 50,000 volumes of art reference material. Sculpture and walking trails link the Museum’s 120-acre park to downtown Bentonville, Arkansas.
-Alabaster Caverns State Park
TRAVEL TIME: 3 Hours 22 Minutes
The highlight of the 200-acre Alabaster Caverns State Park is the cavern formed of alabaster, a rare form of gypsum, making it the largest natural gypsum cave in the world that is open to the public and the only gypsum show cave in the United States. Daily guided tours of Alabaster Cavern leave promptly on the hour from 9am-4pm. For safety reasons, a maximum of 40 visitors are allowed on each tour. A fee is charged for the tour. The cavern tour includes interpretation by a guide and a well-lit path. Group tour rates are available for school and youth groups only and only after a reservation has been made and a confirmation number been issued. Group reservations are required at least two weeks in advance by calling the park office.
Stay tuned for part II of our Summer Staycation article, in the mean time happy travels!
