| Oklahoma is a state filled with natural wonders and | | | | Lawton is a city of 92,757 people. It is home to large |
| attractions. In fact, it has the most diverse terrain in the | | | | granite deposits and cotton fields. It is also home to |
| United States on a mile-per-mile basis, according to the | | | | The Percussive Arts Society Museum, Museum of the |
| EPA. | | | | Great Plains, Medicine Park Village, Mount Scott, and |
| The state has four main mountain ranges (Ouachitas, | | | | Fort Sill (which includes Geronimo's gravesite). |
| Arbuckles, Wichitas, and the Kiamichis). It also has over | | | | Lawton is also home to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife |
| 200 man-made lakes, giving it more than any other | | | | Refuge. Herds of buffalo, elk, longhorn, and deer are |
| state. The largest lake in the state is Lake Eufaula, | | | | visible as they roam the open plains. |
| which covers 102,000 surface acres of water. | | | | Jenks, Oklahoma - A suburb of Tulsa, Jenks is home |
| The EPA also recognizes Oklahoma as having 11 | | | | to over 13,000 residents. One of the most popular |
| distinct ecoregions. These include: Western High Plains, | | | | tourist sites is the Oklahoma Aquarium, which is the |
| Cypress Swamps and Forests, Ouachita Mountains, | | | | state's only freestanding aquarium. |
| Hardwood Forest, Ozark Forest, Ozark Highlands, | | | | It is located on the banks for the Arkansas River. The |
| Caves and Prairie, Cross Timbers, Tall Grass Prairie, | | | | 72,000 square foot facility was built in 2002 and brings |
| Central Great Plains, and Southwestern Tablelands. | | | | 500,000 annually to the Tulsa area. Exotic marine life |
| The state is also filled with various natural museums | | | | are on display, as well as fish and freshwater animals |
| and conservation centers which are open to the public. | | | | native to Oklahoma. A huge shark tank is the most |
| Below, I have attempted to detail of few of these | | | | popular exhibit, and the facility also has the largest |
| sites. Be sure and check them out if you find yourself | | | | collection of fishing tackles in the world. |
| in Oklahoma. | | | | Grove, Oklahoma - Grove is home to the |
| Tonkawa, Oklahoma - Located in Kay County along | | | | Lendonwood Gardens, a botanical garden which is |
| the Salt Fork Arkansas River, Tonkawa is home to | | | | free to the public. Founded in 1995, the gardens feature |
| the North Oklahoma Botanical Garden and Arboretum. | | | | a blend of American and Japanese gardening |
| This facility is located on the campus of Northern | | | | techniques. |
| Oklahoma College (1220 East Grand Street). It is open | | | | There are over 500 varieties of daylilies, 25 types of |
| daily to the public and there is no price for admission. | | | | dogwood, over 50 bonsai, 75 kinds of Garden Maples, |
| The gardens were established in 1901 and include an | | | | 70 varieties of hostas, as well as a koi pond and much, |
| arboretum, butterfly display, herb, perennial, rose, and | | | | much more. |
| sensory gardens. There is also a greenhouse, and | | | | In addition to the natural beauty of Oklahoma, the |
| 4,000 to 6,000 bedding plants are added each spring. | | | | above towns and cites each have Indian casinos and |
| The annual Redbud Festival also sees the mass | | | | bingo halls within close proximity. After enjoying the |
| planting of over 150 redbuds each year. | | | | beauty of God's creation, why not stop in and risk a |
| Lawton, Oklahoma - Located in Comanche County, | | | | little of your hard-earned money? |