Top Five Destinations of Oklahoma City

I had taken a bit of time before thinking about visiting Oklahoma City because in the past year it suffered a terrible tragedy when an F5 tornado hit in the vicinity and it seemed frivolous to discuss my ideas on tourism. So, I gave it some time, and I realized that when I came back to this great city, it would coincide with basketball season, and the Thunder have a fun, young team that would be fun to write about. Then I realized that they are the home to the Redhawks, the AAA affiliate of the Astros, and it is possible that four of their top five prospects (per Fangraphs), Mark Appel, Mike Foltynewicz, Jonathan Singleton and George Springer could all be playing there at some point this season. There?s a steakhouse with Mickey Mantle in its name. There?s Ludivine, a restaurant that has things like roasted bone marrow, Sandy Springs brisket stroganoff and apple bread pudding.

However, once I started to research, my eyes were drawn not to these things that I would normally recommend, nor even some cool hiking or natural areas. Instead, I saw the museums located there and they are fantastic. So, without further ado, I won?t mention food, sport or even the Oklahoma City National Memorial (which would be a somber site to pay respects to the victims of the 1995 bombing), because these following museums sound too cool not to mention.

Museum of Osteology

I had no clue what the Museum of Osteology was, but as soon as I clicked on the link, I found out it is America?s only skeleton museum. That?s just awesome. If I could figure out a way to tour it at night with a breeze blowing gently to keep things creaking, I would transmogrify into Shaggy and scream at the top of my lungs, ?Let?s get out of here Scoob!?

45th Infantry Division Museum

This museum is completely dedicated to the 45th Infantry, a collection of soldiers gathered from Oklahoma, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico that serve as part of the National Guard. During World War II, they served as part of General Patton?s 7th Army.

American Banjo Museum

Yes, the American Banjo Museum is just banjos, banjos, banjos and banjos. They have over 200 banjos on display. I hope part of the museum spends time talking about Earl Scruggs and Steve Martin and maybe help me to discover more banjo virtuosos.

National Softball Hall of Fame

It?s that time of year again where a bunch of old sportswriters get up on their high horses to preach and moralize about how the game of baseball is tainted like never before with men that cheat, steal, drink and fornicate. I think that?s what they say as I stopped paying attention. However, if I was the curator of the National Softball Hall of Fame, I would pay attention so I could take all of the players not inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame this year (including Pete Rose), induct them into the Softball Hall of Fame and hold the induction ceremony the same week as the Baseball Hall of Fame. Repeat until the BBWAA becomes as irrelevant as the braying sounds they make each holiday season.

Ninety-Nines Museum of Women Pilots

Lastly, I plan to read all about the women who stood up and said I will not let the boys have all the fun soaring through the air at the Ninety-Nines Museum of Women Pilots. Each little step of any group of people toward making themselves viewed as equals in all areas of life is definitely something to celebrate. Plus, I love planes.

Any suggestions for things that I missed? Any additional recommendations for the area? Just let me know in the comments.