EXPLORING OKLAHOMA WITH CHILDREN
BY LINDSAY CUOMO . PHOTOS PROVIDED. 2020 Prime Oklahoma vacation spots in If you’re seeking to explore the great state we call home in 2020, we’ve got your vacation plans covered for every season of the year through this two- aficionado, we’ve uncovered some out-of-the-box ideas for family fun, intermingled with can’t-miss favorites. First up, discover winter destinations that deliver education and culture and spring spots to add to your travel bucket list. part series. Even if you’re a Sooner State adventure
LEFT: THE BLACK KETTLE NATIONAL GRASSLAND. TOP: THE WASHITA BATTLEFIELD NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE. ABOVE: THE VISITOR CENTER.
Winter
Southwestern Oklahoma is Great Plains Country, home to the sweeping plains so eloquently described in our state song. The region invites families to take a tour of a bygone era, highlighting the events and people that helped shape Oklahoma. The rugged landscape of the short grass prairie and towering granite mountains paint a beautiful backdrop to the area’s storied history, poignantly captured in the small towns that dot the old Chisholm Trail and historic Route 66. Here are three family-friendly destinations perfect to explore this winter. Washita Battlefield National Historic Site - Cheyenne (140 miles west of Oklahoma City) As one of three sites in the state operated by the National Park Service, the Washita Battlefield National Historic Site recounts Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer’s
surprise attack on a Southern Cheyenne village. Visitors can learn about the tragic clash of cultures, what lead up to the attack and the history of the Great Plains Wars. Explore the museum’s exhibits, including narratives from survivors, and watch a film focused on the military engagement. Outside, walk the hallowed grounds and experience what life was like on the plains after the Land Run. A paved loop invites visitors to explore a dugout house, working windmill and Native garden. Embark on a self-guided walking trail to see the prayer tree and site of the conflict, with educational stops along the way. The first half of the one-and-a-half-mile trail is paved, wheelchair and stroller accessible. The second half is a dirt and grass path that leads to picturesque views of the Washita River. On the way, you’re likely to spot some of the wildlife that
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