tourism

Last month, the tech giant Google took big steps into the world of online travel, introducing the Google Trips app to its online platform.

Trips, which Google quietly introduced to its online offerings, lists properties around the world and gives customers the chance to book directly through the platform. Google instantly became a one-stop solution for people looking to plan holidays or book trips.

Travellers will now have a plethora of options at hand when booking trips, such as finding vegan hotels, sourcing local tour guides, sampling unique activities at a certain destination or even trying a new destination.

– Richelle Fosberry, The Dubai 100

Washington Post writer Christine Dell’Amore recently gave Oklahoma City a tip of the proverbial cap on a national scale, confirming what Oklahomans have known for a long time — it’s awesome to live here.

Dell’Amore highlighted some of Oklahoma City’s best places to eat, shop, stay and explore in her column published in October. Oklahoma City’s “Old West legacy” combined with modernization and public art were some of the biggest draws for the author.

Her list of places to visit include the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum, Bricktown and the Plaza District, Langston’s Western Wear, the Colcord Hotel and more.

— David Dishman, Jones PR

The Museum of Osteology in Oklahoma City is widely known for engaging locals and tourists with its fascinating exhibits.

With over 300 skeletons from species all around the world, this museum is one of Oklahoma’s most unique places to visit. Other than a tourist attraction, it serves as a popular location for school field trips. Multiple educational programs are offered at the museum, allowing children to gain hands-on experience to learn interesting facts about skeletal structures.

The museum is open to the public daily Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., with different hours of operation on weekends.

– Christian Franklin, Jones PR

Carlton Landing is Oklahoma’s newest town, bursting at the seams with charm right out of a storybook. Placed comfortably on the rolling hills overlooking Lake Eufaula, Carlton Landing feels reminiscent of a small beach town mixed with the best features of rural lake living and new urbanism.

Along with Oklahoma design, spirit and culture, Carlton Landing features about 1,700 acres of land, two small restaurants, a general store, public charter school and 100 farmhouse-style homes, with an additional 60 currently under construction.

It’s no question that Carlton Landing is Oklahoma’s newest getaway spot perfect for rest and relaxation.

– Jake Pasdach, Jones PR

If you haven’t started your holiday shopping and you’re having nightmares about lumps of coal in your stocking … you can save yourself that dreaded trip to the mall by ordering Oklahoma Today gift subscriptions for everyone on your list.

HO, HO, HO! The price is a gift to the giver: a one-year subscription is only $17.95 and two years is $27.95.

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– Deby Snodgrass, Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce & Tourism

Fall is finally here, the air is crisp and leaves are turning orange, yellow and red. What better time is there to explore some of Oklahoma’s state parks?

For those in eastern Oklahoma, try Osage Hills State Park located an hour outside of Tulsa in the heart of the Osage Nation. With its 1,100 acres of forests and rocky, hilly terrain, it offers challenges to hikers and mountain bikers alike.

And for those in the west, visit Red Rock Canyon State Park near Hinton where you can leave the trails and try rock climbing or rappelling the canyon walls.

– Page Jones, Jones PR

If you haven’t experienced the autumn grandeur of Talimena National Scenic Byway, this is the start of peak fall foliage in southeastern Oklahoma.

The reflection of natural sunlight on orange, red and yellow leaves skittering in the breeze creates an impressionist canvas that only nature could create.

This winding byway transports you through ancient formations offering breathtaking panoramic views of the forest’s most regal splendor. Plan your cruise through the Ouachita Mountains today: go to TravelOK.com for more information on Talimena National Scenic Byway and other spectacular Oklahoma fall foliage drives, including Kiamichi Trace and Robbers Cave State Park.

– Deby Snodgrass, Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce & Tourism

As the leaves begin to turn and the smell of pumpkin spice fills the air, it’s time for Oklahoma’s most fantastic fall festivities!

1. Robbers Cave Fall Festival – This annual festival invites you to enjoy beautiful scenery and foliage along with handmade arts and crafts, entertainment and amusement rides.

2. Poteau Balloon Fest – Highlight the skies above eastern Oklahoma with hot air balloon races, high-flying carnival rides and delicious fall food.

3. Cordell Pumpkin Festival – There’s no greater place for family and fun than Cordell’s pumpkin festival. Savor pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin carvings, baking contests and old-fashioned family fun.

– Jake Pasdach, Jones PR

The new Discover Oklahoma Destination Dining Guide, featuring 260 of Oklahoma’s most unique and yummy restaurants, is hot off the press, and it’s free!

The Blue Rooster in Broken Bow, Ceviche in Durant, Lucy’s Two in McAlester, Kendall’s in Noble, Roberts Grill in El Reno, Eischen’s in Okarche, Lucille’s Roadhouse in Weatherford, Eskimo Joe’s in Stillwater, Clanton’s Café in Vinita, Frank and Lola’s in Bartlesville, Hammett House in Claremore, Harmony House in Muskogee and Waylan’s KuKu Burger in Miami are a few of my favorite roadside haunts.

Order your dining guide today here, and start planning your next culinary adventure!

– Deby Snodgrass, Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce & Tourism

Oklahoma has plenty of popular travel spots and adventures, but here are four hidden gems you may not have explored … yet.

Little Sahara State Park: Makes for the perfect dune buggy and ATV adventure across 1,600 acres of sand dunes.

Science Museum Oklahoma: A Smithsonian affiliate and physical science museum, this gem provides incredible hands-on science experiences.

Quartz Mountain Resort and Nature Park: Attractions include an amusement park, rock climbing, hiking and more.

Pawnee Bathhouse & Waterpark: Built from native stone in 1939, this historic bathhouse overlooks a two-acre fresh water pool, sandy beach, water trampoline and more.

– Jake Pasdach, Jones PR

Time to plan an outdoor adventure in northwest Oklahoma! For more than a century, millions of Mexican free-tailed bats have migrated to the Selman Bat Cave near Freedom. During the late spring and summer, the cave becomes home to one of Oklahoma’s largest maternity colonies.

When the sun dips into the horizon, these flying mammals take flight in search of food – an estimated 22,000 pounds of mosquitoes, moths and beetles each night. You can have a bird’s eye view – of both mothers and babies – as they soar through the twilight sky.

It’s an Oklahoma experience you won’t forget.

– Deby Snodgrass, Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce & Tourism

While we live in a digital world, there are still print publications worth an annual subscription.

For 60 years, Oklahoma Today magazine has enthralled readers across America with award-winning photography and stories about Oklahoma and its people. This month’s travel issue cover is a photo of the Milky Way glittering above Black Mesa, “where night skies unpolluted by city lights provide optimal stargazing conditions.” This issue also features a “Going Wild” camping guide and 10 itineraries to plan “an Oklahoma summer unlike any other.”

Visit OklahomaToday.com to order your subscription and use code 10FREEMJ16 for 10 free issues.

–Deby Snodgrass, Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce & Tourism

If Oklahoma City embodies all that is Oklahoma, Tulsa is the state’s beating heart — a pulsating rhythm all its own.

From Cain’s Ballroom, Guthrie Green, Brady Theatre and the Blue Dome District to the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame, Hard Rock, Tulsa Performing Arts and BOK Center, to the historic Church Studio and Woody Guthrie Museum, music is the cultural DNA that defines Tulsa.

You can get your groove on at the Blue Dome Arts Festival, May 20-22; Brady District’s Hop Jam Craft Beer and Music Festival, Sunday May 22nd; and the Mother Road Revival Weekend, September 8-11.

–Deby Snodgrass, Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce & Tourism