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Oklahoma is an American state located in the western United States. The state is roughly rectangular with a long narrow area at one end often referred to as the panhandle. Oklahoma is bordered by Texas to the south, Arkansas and Missouri to the east, New Mexico to the west and Colorado and Kansas to the north.
Oklahoma travel is primarily dependent on the automobile. Fortunately the area is well served by three major highways. Interstate 40 crosses the state horizontally and links the bustling capital of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City to Amarillo, Texas. Interstate 35 crosses the state vertically and links Oklahoma City with the small and pleasant city of Wichita, Kansas. Another important highway in Oklahoma is highway 44. This well traveled road crosses the state diagonally. It makes it easy to travel from the small city of Norman to Oklahoma City and then to vibrant Tulsa in the state¡¯s northeastern corner. Visitors may then take the highway into the lovely Missouri cities of Springfield and St. Louis.
The majority of the state¡¯s population is centered around several of Oklahoma¡¯s larger cities including Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Lawton, Norman, Muskogee, Stillwater and Ponca City.
Oklahoma City is the state¡¯s largest city and has many attractions. The city sprawls over 625 miles. When the suburbs are included the entire metro area is home to more than a million people. Will Rogers World Airport is Oklahoma City¡¯s main airport. You can also use Amtrack to get there from many American locations.
Oklahoma City was most recently in the news after a terrorist attack that killed 168 people in 1995. Attack victims are remembered in a lovely memorial of grouped chairs near the rebuilt Federal building. While the memorial attracts many visitors, there are other things to see and do here including an excellent zoo and water park. The city¡¯s frontier heritage is honored at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. Another attraction sure to please young girls is the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame. Oklahoma City is served by several forms of public transportation including an extensive grid of bus routes. Visitors can also take a ride on the city¡¯s refurbished and gaily decorated trolleys that serve the more compact downtown area.
Those who prefer to stick to cars will find lots of parking garages and many metered spaces. Parking for the entire day should run less than $6.
Tulsa is Oklahoma¡¯s second largest city. This centrally located city of approximately 400,000 people is less than three hours by air from 95% of the US¡¯s population. The city¡¯s main airport is Tulsa International Airport. Once there getting around is easy. Visitors may rent a car or use the city¡¯s inexpensive public transportation system. The system relies primarily on a large fleet of buses. In addition to Interstate 44, the city other roads include US 412, US 64 and US 75.
Places to visit in Tulsa include the three story Philbrook Museum of Art, the large Oklahoma Aquarium and the Gilcrease Museum which specializes in western American art.
Beyond the allure of Oklahoma¡¯s two largest cities lies an area often referred to as Frontier County. Located in central Oklahoma this region has many pleasant small towns. Typical of this area is the college town of Stillwater. Stillwater is home to Oklahoma State University and has a beautiful historic downtown area full of shops as well as a wide variety of recreation options.
Those in search of Oklahoma¡¯s cowboy past should stop by the Read Ranch in Guthrie just off of Interstate 35. Read Ranch is an actual working ranch often rented out to film companies where the Read family raises cattle, buffalo and paint horses. Visitors can ride horses, watch cowboys at work and eat buffalo burgers.
The state of Oklahoma is very worthwhile place to visit. Sightseers should have no trouble getting around.
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