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Oklahoma City, OK

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First Americans Museum

4.6 (71 reviews)
Open • 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

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Safia S.

What an absolutely wonderful experience! This is a must if you are in Oklahoma City!! from the outset, the building is a marvel of modern glass and traditional stone façade. Once you're inside, take the time to go through each exhibit and immerse yourself in the history of our native peoples. This museum is so well curated and a true testament to the resilience of native Americans. I spent a good 2 1/2 hours here, but I easily could've spent the whole day! Don't forget to check out the amazing gift shop! There is parking on site that is plentiful. You can also opt for a tour with the museum guides that run frequently. a great place for the whole family.

Headdress, attributed to Geronimo
Mikey C.

I asked an acquaintance that had been here how long it took to fully experience this beautiful museum. He said, It depends on whether you're one of those people that read everything or a person that can just read selectively and move along. Of course, that's true of any museum. But hearing it made me think a minute about my motivation. What did I want to get out of my visit? Since I knew I was going to read everything, and it was going to take me hours, I decided to split the museum in half. Easy to do because there are two floors. This visit I'd explore the ground floor. Next visit, upstairs. And that turned out to be an excellent plan. It allowed me the luxury of a leisurely pace and gave me a chance to appreciate not only the exhibits, but the building itself. It's a beautiful building. I like how it looks from a distance, it's an unmistakable point on the horizon as you cruise by on the freeway. And up close it's even more appealing. It's worth taking some time outside before you go in to appreciate the setting and structure. The exhibits inside are outstanding. I particularly loved the Mis/Representation exhibit that highlighted the way images of First Americans have been used in American culture (advertising, movies, etc). Another feature I loved was the presentation of the work of Contemporary First American artists. I'm passionate about textiles and fiber art, and I'm not gonna lie, the beautiful pieces on display here made my tail wag. There was also a really interesting exhibit on Warrior Culture. A fantastic, in depth, examination of what it meant to be a warrior. I just took photos because the exhibit was particularly text rich and too much to digest on the spot. Also, along the way there was a cool exhibit that featured Peace Medals. I had only read of them, it was good to finally see one. My favorite aspect of the First American Museum was the Timeline. This was important to me because I don't know jack about First American History. And this is actually history every American should know. And one of the first important historical facts you are presented with is: This Has Always Been Indian Country. Before colonizers arrived, this was the land of the Apache, Caddo, Tonkawa, and Wichita. The museum honors those as well as all other indigenous peoples that have historical ties to the region, including the Comanche, Kiowa, Osage and Quapaw. Further, it acknowledges that the land the museum was built on was originally assigned to the Muscogee (Creek) and Seminoles. The welcoming exhibit makes an important point. It explains that there are 39 distinct tribal nations in Oklahoma, with individual cultures. Many forceably relocated from ancestral lands all across the United States. And you should know, they're not there by choice. That's heavy. That's something to think about. And that's what 5 Star Museums do. They make you think. Mikey C says: see you next time I'm in town, FAM

Patricia M.

There is such beautiful balance to the viewing perspectives of every area of this museum! Its doesn't just tell the history, it does it in such an artful perspective that blends Native ancestral with Native Nuevo fluidly! Its more than worth the trip!

Teresa L.

This place is amazing. Learned more about Native Americans the different tribes, history, and culture. The café is reasonably priced and has really good cappuccinos . There is also a gift shop. We had a tour guide that was very knowledgeable and welcoming. I highly recommend going to this museum.

Lizzy C.

We got the opportunity to visit the First America's Museum while visiting OKC. This museum honors the 39 recognized tribes native to Oklahoma. We learned so much about natives local to this area. The museum was beautifully set up and we loved how they have sections that natives paint the walls on every few years. This included the moon terrace, sun terrace ans star terrace. We also took the Mound tour and learned about mound people. It was great to learn about how the sun will come through the tunnel during summer solstice and that it has to be aligned just right. If you are in the area I highly recommend checking out this museum.

Acee Blue Eagle at his best!
Annette F.

Give yourself a full day here. The first floor is filled with text, objects, videos and more capturing the lengthy history of Native Americans in Oklahoma. The intro video telling the origin stories of several tribes is beautifully done. Exhibits on the second floor draw from rich collections at the Smithsonian taken from Oklahoma peoples. Don't forget to look at the artwork outside of the building as well. Make or take time for a bite in the restaurant. The food and the view are worth it. Actually the entirely day at the museum is worth it.

Outside
Tracy S.

What a wonderful museum! The mound is special--try to catch the tour to learn more about mounds. The museum artifacts are plentiful. There is so much to read and learn. There are interactive light/action activated games that are fun. I think the stickball game was my favorite. The gift shop is nice and has lots of beautiful art. Don't miss the restaurant.

It was like being in a real life pop up book. Your kids will love it.
Diseree' B.

I'm a total nerd and love to visit museums. This place is great for everyone. I learned a lot. Both adults and kids would love it here. The staff had wonderful attitudes. They knew a lot of the establishment. Great visit.

Rose J.

I was so excited to visit this museum. I've never been to a first Americans museum. I have limited knowledge of the history just what was exposed on television which is not always the best description of culture. Alittle disappointed because they don't appear to have a lot of original artifacts at best most things seem to be a replica. Maybe I was in the wrong area but I didn't notice anything that appeared original. Again I could have missed an area or overlooked something. There is so much we don't know and I still don't know or understand!

Entrance
Amy B.

For anyone visiting or living in Oklahoma, this museum is a must. The history of genocide against Native Americans (or First Americans) is something we should all know a lot about. The exhibits were high quality and labeled well. We wanted to eat at 39, the restaurant in the museum that offers Native American food (and named 39 because there are 39 Native nations in Oklahoma), but unfortunately, it was closed.

Dara M.

For a truly remarkable, humbling, and unique journey through True American history of the 39 tribal nations of Oklahoma, you simply must visit the First Americans Museum. Written word is simply too incapable of properly illustrating the impact this museum makes in combining the use of story telling, art, imagery, cinema, and relics to demonstrate the impact of colonialism in decimating over 99% of the population of First Americans - and the incredible resilience of the 0.004% who survived and have continued to maintain the traditions of their tribes. I learned so much from the exhibits. I will definitely return. First Americans Museum has discounted ticket prices for first responders, students and military. There is a separate gallery for children with climbing tunnels and interactive exhibits. There is a restaurant and gift shop with native made products. All staff members were knowledgeable and friendly. It was truly a wonderful experience.

Debra K.

I visited NMAI in D.C. a few years ago and I have to say that FAM is so much better...more to view and more to learn. I was totally impressed and will recommend this to anyone and everyone visiting OKC (and Oklahoma). It's worth the trip to OKC. The stories are truthful and heart wrenching but there are the stories of triumph and resiliency. I would definitely revisit! It's also in a great and upcoming area.

February 2023
Mary Margaret M.

A lot of Yelpers have shared a tremendous amount of helpful information regarding the history, contents of the museum, and future plans. What I can add, is to say that anyone living in Oklahoma and those visiting can be enriched by the experience of visiting this sacred museum. Come spend a few hours here and learn something new about our first American peoples and the place we all call home. One of my favorite parts of the museum is are the immersive video experiences which help to share the history, rich cultural practices, and generations of stories of the native peoples. I am hopeful that the exhibit spaces will be dynamic in the years to come. I will continue to come back to this museum to learn more about this lands' deep history prior to European settlement. I'll come here to deepen my understanding of the reverence of the sacred natural world which our First American brothers and sisters embody so fully. There is so much I want to learn about the stories of triumph and sadness and a people who have shown much resilience. The network of OKC museums is strengthened by this fantastic new museum. Their restaurant is worth coming to on its own. Brunch is a delight. May 2023

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fantastic display of all sorts of First American culture and great short films in the theater

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Review Highlights - First Americans Museum

“In 2015/2016, OKC, the state of OK, and the Chickasaw Nation of OK took on the remaining funding so it could be completed.”

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Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum - Statue located adjacent to memorial on a church property- a memorial to the OKC bombing.

Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum

4.9(503 reviews)
2.2 mi•Park Plaza

The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum is an incredibly moving and powerful experience. I…read morehonestly did not leave with a dry eye. Even before entering the museum, you begin to feel the heaviness of what happened. Along the street, there is a section of chain-link fence covered with memorial items, photographs, and mementos honoring the victims of the Oklahoma City bombing. Nearby, the statue of Jesus weeping sets an emotional tone for the experience that follows. Everything flowed very smoothly from beginning to end. After purchasing your ticket at the small ticket booth and gift shop, someone walks you into the museum and helps guide you through each section, explaining what to expect next. Unlike museums where you can freely wander from room to room, there are sections here where visitors are encouraged to stop and watch videos before moving on. In some areas, the next door doesn't open until the video has finished. At first, this may seem unusual, but it becomes clear that they intentionally want you to slow down and truly immerse yourself in the experience. One of the most powerful moments for me was sitting in a quiet, dimly lit room around a conference table with a telephone and microphone. You begin hearing the actual recording of the meeting that was taking place that morning. About a minute into the recording, you hear the bomb explode, followed by the chaos and confusion as people realize what has happened and begin running for their lives. Hearing the actual recording made that moment feel incredibly real and was something I will not soon forget. Throughout the museum, you also hear firsthand testimony from survivors and learn their stories. The combination of photographs, artifacts, recordings, videos, and personal accounts brings the history to life in a way that a textbook simply cannot. This is not a lighthearted museum visit, but it is an important one. It is heartbreaking, sobering, and deeply emotional, while also highlighting incredible stories of courage, resilience, compassion, and hope. I highly recommend visiting the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum. Give yourself plenty of time, don't rush through it, and be prepared for an emotional experience. It is something I believe everyone should experience at least once.

This is an extraordinarily hopeful glimpse at a horrifying moment in history…read more It was suggested that we visit, by my partner, and I'm so thankful that he took the time to do so, because it was enriching, and of course worthwhile. This wasn't something I was personally taught in school, and it happened prior to both of us being born, so being in this space was living a historical moment. Seeing what was built from the tragedy meant a lot to me, and and it's a true showcase and human perseverance. I'm thankful that of all the things I saw in Oklahoma that this was one. In terms of visiting this area located in my photos, is open 24 hours, however, the actual museum is open until about 5 PM. I think we did not have the opportunity to visit, but we did see this at sunset, there was ample Street parking available, which was free when we went on a Sunday evening.

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If you enjoy places where you can interact instead of just look, Factory Obscura is an absolute…read moremust-visit in Oklahoma City. We spent about three hours exploring Mix-Tape and still felt like we could have discovered even more. Every room is filled with hidden details, secret passageways, interactive elements, music, lights, and artwork that constantly encourages you to slow down and look a little closer. The experience is whimsical, nostalgic, and surprisingly thought-provoking all at the same time. One of the things I appreciated most was learning about the mission behind Factory Obscura. The exhibit isn't just beautiful--it was created by local artists who are supported for their work. Knowing that the installation continues to evolve with contributions from more than 100 artists made me appreciate every room even more. As a travel photographer, I loved photographing the exhibit. Every corner offered a completely different color palette, texture, or composition. The special diffraction glasses they provide make the lighting even more magical, so don't skip using them while you explore. My advice? Wear comfortable shoes, plan for at least 2-3 hours, and don't rush through it. Open every drawer, look through every little window, touch everything you're allowed to touch, and if you're able, crawl through the hidden passages--you'll discover details most people walk right past. Whether you're traveling with kids, visiting as a couple, hanging out with friends, or exploring solo, Factory Obscura is one of the most creative and memorable attractions we've experienced. It's colorful, imaginative, and unlike anything else in Oklahoma City. We left inspired and would absolutely visit again the next time we're in town.

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4.4(231 reviews)
4.6 mi•Adventure District

All of you have probably been to a science museum. This one is fun! Most science museums (Dallas…read moreScience Museum for example) are kinda boring because they teach you stuff, but aren't interactive. Almost everything here is interactive!!!

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4.6(203 reviews)
5.3 mi•Adventure District

We travel the country and this is our favorite museum! We've been coming since 2022 and purchased…read morethe annual membership last year in order to also join NARM (highly recommend! We use that membership all over the country!). The Cowboy has something for everyone. We have several children of all ages, and they love it here. There are scavenger hunts & also a great play area outside, along with hands-on sites to explore Native American environments throughout history. Our kids also enjoy the Western film history area (they love Westerns), and really liked the immersive exhibit this year (2026). We love all the art at the Cowboy. The painting & sculpture collections are exceptional, with original Charlie Russells and Fredrick Remingtons, along with some beautiful Schreyvogel paintings and many other gorgeous works. The Prix de West room is amazing to explore - check out the 2026 winner, Kim Wiggins. Unbelievable. The film memorabilia is exceptional also - John Wayne was a founding member of the Cowboy (even helped open it on horseback) and so they have an amazing John Wayne collection, including some of his personal Kachina dolls. The rotating exhibits have ways been wonderful. The centennial Route 66 exhibit earlier in the year was a lot of fun, and the current TCAA exhibit is breathtaking. We can't speak to the events since we haven't been in town when they've happened, but we were involved with the Western Heritage Awards, and it's an exceptional event where you become a part of history. The board & donors' commitment to the arts & culture of the West was great to be a part of. We love the Persimmon Hill gift shop also - the kids always grab a Hank the Cowdog book on our way out, and their clothing and jewelry selection are beautiful. After you leave, check out their podcast as well (This Week in the West). Bite-size bits of important western figures and very listenable!

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First Americans Museum - museums - Updated October 2026

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