I usually write about DIY projects, but since it’s August, I thought it would be fitting to share a couple of ideas for a ‘DIY adventure’. August is the perfect time to take one last day trip before getting back into the normal rhythm of work and school. These trip ideas strive to be cost-effective, family-friendly, and of course – lots of fun!
ALABASTER CAVERNS STATE PARK DAY TRIP
The first time we went to Alabaster Caverns State Park, located in Freedom, I was absolutely stunned by the architecture of the cave and all we learned from our tour guide about the rock formations. If you’ve never been before, Alabaster Caverns is a short 1.5 drive west to the state park. Once you’ve arrived, you will first head to the visitor center to purchase tickets for a low fee for the tour. When your tour group leaves the visitor center, you’ll head to the cave entrance and be transported into a cool, dimly lit oasis beneath the ground, where you’ll go on a guided adventure through the cave.
Afterwards, I highly recommend checking out a couple of the small trails that leave the visitor center area (remember to always ask for a map) and enjoy the lovely scenery. After all that exploring, we certainly were hungry, and I highly recommend packing a picnic. We thought it would be fun to bring our camping stove and ingredients for a simple meal. If you’re with kids, this may be a fun option because you’ll get the feeling you’re ‘camping’ with the ability to quickly pack up and head home.
ROUTE 66 EXPLORATION DAY TRIP
There is nothing more fun than a summer road trip, but if you’re short on time, why let that stop you? Some of our favorite memories have been exploring the quirky roadside attractions on Route 66 in Oklahoma. Over the years, we’ve enjoyed visiting the Round Barn, Pops 66, the Blue Whale of Catoosa, and some others. Luckily for us Oklahomans, Route 66 cuts through a large portion of the state, so there are a variety of locations or stops to choose from. I highly recommend the roadside attractions in Acadia or Tulsa. You can’t go wrong no matter what you choose, as this is truly a pick-your-own-adventure type of day trip!
To get started, I recommend viewing Oklahoma’s Route 66 Guide on Travel OK and picking the locations and activities that interest you and your family the most. A fun addition could be watching Disney’s Cars the day before with the kids to get them excited about their adventure. Most roadside attractions are free or come at an extremely low cost, and there are plenty of food options for any budget, whether that’s packing a car picnic or stopping by a classic diner like Sid’s Diner in El Reno, Oklahoma. No matter where you go, I promise you the simple pleasures of spending one more summer trip with your loved ones will be a sweet memory to hold onto.
