The Capitol
Located on more than 100 acres in NE Oklahoma City, the Oklahoma State Capitol is the only capitol in the world surrounded by working oil wells. One is even named Petunia #1, because it was drilled in the middle of a flower bed.
The architecture is Greco-Roman and the structure comprises 650 rooms and 11 acres of floor space with murals, restored stained glass, tribal flag plaza and changing art exhibits.
The current site was chosen in 1915 and construction was completed in 1917. Construction of a dome was completed in 2002, a feature that was included with the original design plans of the building but never completed.
The Oklahoma Veterans Memorial is also located on the North side of the capitol complex. Four walls depicting the scenes of WWI, WWII, Korea and Vietnam wars are featured, along with a bronze statue of "The Big Guy" who stands eight and a half feet tall on a three and a half foot pedestal. His bronze face has the features of a Native American and he wears the gear of a Vietnam soldier.
Self-guided tours are available Mon-Fri 8am-5pm and Sat-Sun 9am-4pm. Monday through Friday, trained volunteers conduct informative 45 minute capitol tours at 9am, 10am, and 11am and 1pm, 2pm and 3pm.
If there are more than 10 people in a party interested in taking a tour, please call the Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department's Call Center at 1-800-652-6552 and make a reservation. Additional contact number for State Capitol information: (405) 522-5173.
The Oklahoma Governor's Mansion is open for guided tours on Wednesdays from 12-2 p.m.
There is no charge for admission. Parking is available in the west capitol parking lot, located off of Phillips Ave. Visitors enter at the gate on the west side of the mansion grounds. Guided tours are provided by Friends of the Mansion volunteers. Reservations are not needed,however we ask that you call ahead if you are bringing a large group.
It's always a good idea to call first to confirm the Mansion is open the Wednesday you hope to visit. For more information contact (405) 522-8871.
Smithsonian quality exhibits that bring to life the voice and visions of Oklahoma. Stories, spirits, triumphs and tragedy…the Oklahoma History Center is your opportunity to experience Oklahoma’s inspiring and adventurous past.
Located on 18 acres across from the Capital building, the History Center is a beautifully designed, self-guided exploration of Oklahoma – past to present. Within our 215,000 square-foot learning center are five extraordinary, state-of-the-art galleries housing more than 200 hands-on audio, video and computer activities.
Outside the museum, the Red River Journey offers visitors a walking tour of the Red River Valley featuring land forms, vegetation and important historical locations. The grounds also include an outdoor oilfield exhibit with drilling derricks, a portable derrick and machinery associated with Oklahoma oil explorations.
The Oklahoma History Center is conveniently located on the northeast corner of N.E. 23rd & Lincoln Boulevard, across the street from the Governor's Mansion. Motor coach parking is available, and the Center offers food and beverages at the Winnie Mae Café on the third floor.
The Harn Homestead is an Oklahoma treasure that celebrates the territorial history of Oklahoma offering a “hands-on” and “minds-on” experience. Visitors share in the abundance of a territorial farm, the brilliance of a one-room school house, the grace of a Victorian home, and the waste-not want-not ethic of a territorial farm family. There is no place else in Oklahoma that can offer this experience which captures the spirit of the brave men, women, and children who settled this state.
Group tours (15 or more people) are available by appointment only and can be scheduled any day and time of the week. To schedule a group tour, please call 405-235-4058 or click here.
