Published: July 04, 2009 06:21 pm         

Explore the attractions in our own backyard!

Enid and northwest Oklahoma offer a variety of museums and attractions. While it’s not possible to list all of them here, it’s easy to find local attractions by looking in the newspaper, the phone book or on the Oklahoma Department of Tourism Web site.



Railroad Museum of Oklahoma, 702 N. Washington. This hidden treasure of fascinating train displays includes eight cabooses, a baggage car, motor cars, a three-dome tank cars and others. More than 1,000 pieces of railroad dining car china and an array of railroad memorabilia is on display. Hours are limited, so call 233-3051 for information.



Midgley Museum, 1001 Sequoyah. This is another of those hidden treasures many locals haven’t visited, but they should take the time. The displays are an eclectic assortment of antiques and artifacts collected over a lifetime of rock collecting by Mr. and Mrs. Dan Midgley. It’s open Wednesday through Friday and also on Saturday and hours vary. Call 234-7265.



Southern Heights Heritage Center, 616 Leona Mitchell Blvd. This fascinating display provides lifelong learning opportunities in appreciation of the ancestry, heritage and history of ancestral African-Americans. Hours vary. Call 237-6989.



Enid Woodring Wall of Honor & Veterans Park, Woodring Regional Airport. Take some time to visit this patriotic place of remembrance in honor of the men and women of the armed forces of the United States.



Meadowlake Park, South Van Buren. The park is bustling with activities in the evening as the summer temperatures cool. Ride the Kiwanitrain and other rides. Play a round of miniature golf. If you want to host a family reunion, there are several shelters that can be rented.



Putt-Putt Golf Course, 710 Overland Trail. Run by the 4RKids group, this activity is open seven days a week. 237-7888.



David Allen Memorial Ballpark. Everyone loves baseball, and games are going on several days and nights a week at Enid’s premiere downtown ballpark. Check the newspaper for game schedules.



Leonardo’s Discovery Warehouse and Adventure Quest, 200 E. Maple. Come play and learn. The Discovery Warehouse is an old red brick grocery warehouse that has been converted into a hands-on art and science museum for the whole family. The outdoor area, Adventure Quest, is a large communty-built playground. For information call 233-2787 or go online to www.leonardos.org.



Splash Zone Water Park, Champlin Pool and Gore Splash Park. These public water attractions will help you cool off this summer. Hours vary at each of the venues. Check the phone book for numbers.



Golf courses. The Enid area has three 18-hole public golf courses and three nine-hole courses. Meadowlake Municipal Golf is the city-run course. Pheasant Run Golf Club is a link-style course and Turkey Creek Golf Club, located five miles west of Hennessey, is a par 70 course. Check the phone book for numbers.



Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center and Humphrey Heritage Village. It’s not completed yet, but the new regional heritage center is set to open later his year and will include a variety of state-of-the art exhibit. The center will be operated under Oklahoma Historical Society. Humphrey Heritage Village, an authentic recreation of pioneer buildings, is open to the public this summer. Visit an old-fashioned school house, a church and the original land office for the Cherokee Strip.