Another must-see is Kirkpatrick Center , the city s cultural and recreational center. We were impressed all the more because this is the Great Plains by the tropical rain forest inside Crystal Bridge at Myriad Botanical Gardens . Part of a downtown greenbelt, the bridge is a huge glass conservatory with waterfalls and an upper-level skywalk that has great views of the gardens below. Save time for the fine Oklahoma City Zoo . If you like the zoo, you might also want to see the Martin Park Nature Center , a large nature preserve with 200 species of birds as well as beavers and coyotes.
Exhibits illustrate the center s ecosystem.
There are many public parks and recreation areas in Oklahoma, including 51 state parks and five state resorts. They re perfect for brief stopovers on the drive between destinations as well as extended visits. Today, a man-made lake covers much of the area, and it attracts such migrating birds as whooping cranes, pelicans and eagles. Be sure to walk the Eagle Roost Nature Trail, at nearby Great Salt Plains State Park . The observation tower is a good place to see pelicans, geese and eagles.