National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum Reviews

Came highly recommended and we could see why. Did not have near enough time to see it and have already planned to stop again as we return home from our next trip. Just a lot to see, we got a little lost, neither of us found the map/guide particularly helpful, but it didn’t matter. Just roam from area to area and enjoy.

We altered our route home in order to go through Oklahoma City to see this museum. It is extremely well done. Outstanding comprehensive display of everything related to cowboys and western heritage. We particularly liked the replica of a western town, the artwork exhibit, and the section devoted to all of the western movie memorabilia, artifacts, etc. Nice 15 minute film in there which lays out the history of western movies. Beautiful sculptures. The museum has an outstanding display of everything you can think of related to western culture and native Americans.

We stayed there 2 1/2 hours and we could’ve stayed another hour at least. Nice to have a lunch area there and it was clean but the selection was limited. This is an outstanding museum and we thoroughly enjoyed it!!!

Such an interesting museum. Many rooms of art and artefacts. We particularly liked the replica of a western town. The staff in the exhibits were full of information and very interesting to talk to. A great day out, fun but also very educational. We would recommend it highly.

Wow! Absolutely everything having to do with cowboys or western life in general. A whole room of saddles. Another with bridles, rope, barbed wire, etc. We wore out before finishing the entire museum.

We are glad we stopped by to see thus museum. We enjoyed our guided tour with docent Lou. Very informative. Had time to go back and discover more after the tour. A lot happening here. Great history and art

There are a ton of things to see and do here for all ages. Check in was a little long or maybe I was just a little too impatient. I think the restaurant was closed that day so I cant comment on that. There were alot of kids there that day due to a local kids rodeo that was going on nearby so that was really cool for them.

Price seems a little steep, but once you get in, you will see that it is worth the price. Great artwork, sculptures, and history. We were there for 2 hours and could have stayed for 4!

This museum is HUGE so make sure you leave enough time to experience everything inside and out. Probable leans toward over glorification of the cowboy at the expense of a little realism but it’s still quite informative.

Absolutely amazing museum! For those with the time, you could easily spend an entire day here; however, it is equally enjoyable for those with only a few hours to spare. The reasonable ticket price also does not leave you feeling guilty if a few hours is all you have. Great mix of traditional museum exhibits and interactive displays. Life size reproductions and films really add to the experience. Definitely a must do!

What an experience, highly recommend to everyone visiting Oklahoma. The museum is huge, they did such a good job with it. Extremely educational and so many cool things to see.

It did take at least 3 hours for visiting. There are two puzzles outside the building, it was fun don't miss them if you love puzzle

Big set of displays- both art and artifacts- plus outdoor exhibits- docents are available for tours- or you can explore on your own

All of the different galleries and exhibitions were very interesting. Many of the saddles were beautiful. I don't really like going to art museums, but the sculptures were amazing.

Spent 6 HOURS there and could have done more. Feel that I missed a lot. So much to see. Covers all aspects of western life. Would recommend this to everyone but make sure you have several hours to totally enjoy it. I read that John Wayne encourage that start of this museum and donated his entire collection of native American artifacts and his personal colle tions of western art to the museum. Well worth the trip to see this.

2nd Visit and well worth it . Great items on display and well displayed at that . Huge Halls and some truly dramatic sculptures.

This is a good stop when you are in OK City to learn a little about the Western culture. Some exhibits change over time which makes it neat to visit at different points. The outdoor exhibits and Western town exhibits were neat to see. I would suggest spending 2-3 hours there.

Stopped in to visit during a cross-country road trip. Some excellent exhibits and western art works. The End of the Trail sculpture is particularly impressive. (Though my favorite western museum is still the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, WY!)

This would have to be one of the very best museum’s in the world and I have visited plenty. The art work is also some of the best I have seen

Good museum to spend a nice 3-4 hours ! Gives you a perspective on cowboy history in USA and you learn quite a bit ! Like Africa had first cowboys and there is cowboys culture all over the world! Good intro to saddles as well as rodeo! Kids will like it and so will parents. Food is only available till 2 pm - so be aware if you have little ones.

We were here for about three hours and still probably didn’t see everything. It was interesting. They also have interactive features for younger kids and a play area.

I married a Texan 40+ years ago so he was very excited to have look at the museum. The exhibits were excellent, especially the photos of farmers from many states. We were there 2 hours and could have spent more time.
Enjoy!

Beautifully done, with a great selection of art and artifacts. Many items from various genres, including the "real West" and the West of our TV and movie imagination. You can get worn out so allow several hours. I especially enjoyed the Charlie Russell works.

This museum has been here as long as I can remember. It has remained updated over the years, changing galleries so that return visits are always fresh. Lots of hands on items and an authentic western town to keep the kids entertained. The gardens are spectacular though some renovation & building is going on currently. Take the family! It’s wonderful!

A really great place to visit but leave enough time as there is so much to see.The variety of exhibits is impressive both inside and out. There are tours and guides if you want them or you can just browse on your own.They have a fabulous shop to enhance your visit. A great value good day out.

Great art and artifacts about the native american culture as well as the cowboy culture from the early 1850's through the current day. Take your time walking through it and don't miss anything.

This place is huge. You could spend at least half a day looking at all the exhibits.
Fascinating cowboy history. The museum covers a lot of different aspects of the eary settlers and way of life.

Loved walking back through history . Loved all the movie memorabilia. Beautiful Indian artifacts. Loved the rodeo history

This is a must see please it will take you back into the west a part of the museum is an old town simulating the west in the 1800s the exhibits or athletic items From the west it is a very educational site on Indians black cowboys and other items that was used at that time it is a huge place so put on your walking shoes in the gift shop is fantastic they have jewelry that was made by Cherokee and other Indians nations. From the west it is a very educational site on Indians black cowboys and other items that was used at that time it is a huge place so put on your walking shoes in the gift shop is fantastic they have jewelry that was made by Cherokee and other Indian nations

Wow! Loved this place! Didn’t realize it was so big and didn’t allow enough time. We spent 3 hours and could have spent all day! If you like anything about the West or cowboys, visit here! Staff was very friendly and helpful when I lost a sweater, limited cafe food (thanks, Covid☹️) was delicious.

Went to the Cowboy Museum our last day in OKC. The staff were all very welcoming and helpful. The exhibits were interesting and we especially enjoyed the test your knowledge of old TV shows quiz.
Mountain Lion sculpture was amazing.

Whether you're dressing up for a rodeo, festival, or just embracing the Western lifestyle, Wilder West is your go-to destination for authentic, high-quality Western fashion.

This place is vast and really does cover everything you ever wanted to know about cowboys and more besides.

For us there were far too many galleries of very expensive artwork for sale before we actually got to the museum galleries themselves. When we did, some of these early displays were dark and you couldn’t really see much.

The section on rodeos was very atmospheric, we felt we were right back in Cody. The performers gallery was very detailed, John Wayne, Clint and all.

A couple of the rooms (Native American and Frontier West) did themselves no favours by skirting over the story of Indian removals and, surprise, surprise, no mention of the US Cavalry’s brutality towards the same Indians …. but then this is unashamedly a COWBOY museum!

Staff were all very welcoming, gift shop was ridiculously expensive. The outside area was fabulous too and the two hours we’d allowed ourselves really weren’t enough.

I guess I didn't realize just how sizable this installation was until we started wandering through it. There are several distinct areas within the museum that cover everything from Indian artifacts, Rodeo Hall of Fame, western movies, historic guns, and even Andy Warhol’s fascination with the West when he was young. It will take you a solid three or four hours to see everything in this museum so you may want to take a look at a map and decide what's really important to you if you don't have that kind of time to spare. The museum's exhibits were very high quality and very well done. I especially enjoyed the photo Gallery of Dorothea Lange whom I knew nothing about, even though I had seen some of her pictures in the past. I am a bit of a gun person so the exhibit on historic firearms from the West was interesting and then I also enjoyed all of the accouterments collected from the western cinema perspective. There was also an exhibit on singing Cowboys, as well as the rodeo Hall of Fame. There is even a replica of a small western village that you can wander down the wooden sidewalk which creaks underneath your feet just like it does in any Clint Eastwood movie. It was a good museum and well worth the time an admission fee. Recommended

A couple of hours here will improve anyone’s knowledge and appreciation of both the legends and the facts of Western life.

The 5000 mile trip from London was worth it !
This was my thought when I saw the John Wayne and the Gunsmoke TV series paintings. Standing alongside the Duke, Doc Adams, Festus Hagun, Marshall Matt Dillon, Mis Kitty..... quite fantastic.

This place is huge and will take you at least two to three hours to do it justice. Brought back memories of my childhood as they have an exhibit of all the old Western TV shows and the board games that followed them. Loved it.

This was our first visit to OKC, and this place was recommended, and we are glad we went there. Even if you are not necessarily a cowboy/western fan, you will find things to do here and there are tons of things here to learn about. We were there for 3 to 3.5 hours and could have easily spent more time but were closing.

One cool touch is they have replicated a cattle town, and you can go into various buildings at the time, such as a school, marshal’s office, or a church. We almost missed it, but outside they have a bunch of exhibits as well. It was a hot day and between that and we were pressed for time, we did not spend as much time as we should have so if we came back, we would focus more on that.

They have many different exhibits and one thing we spend a good deal of time on is they have a few galleries of western art. Some of the pieces are available for sale but they show a good picture (no pun intended) of how life was, and it was very interesting. There is also a good exhibit on how the US got obsessed with westerns on TV and radio and recommend watching the ~15-minute movie on the history of them.

We did not go to the restaurant but found plenty of nice items at the gift store. If we go back to the area, we will come back!

An excellent museum with wonderful volunteers who eagerly explain the background behind the art. It is huge so allow at least 4 hours and leave time for the museum store. My favorite was exhibits that featured the old west cowboy movies... I could have stayed there for hours!

This place leans more towards being an art museum. There is plenty to see in each area. They cover movies, tv, Indian art, cowboys and cowgirls. Our favorite part was the outside area. You can wander through different types of early housing and also see the graves of horses.

Whoever is the curator of this museum must be applauded, because the exhibits and intricate detailing of the works of art is lovely and tells a story! The photography is breathtaking and the historical cowboy and western artifacts are a sight to see. The architecture is stunning and the museum is clean, when I mean pristine, it is spotless! This is a wonderful place to bring your children because there are activities and even adults can participate in them! For example, there was paper and some crayons for everyone to draw a horse and then you hang it up like it is your very own work of art and this was a fun activity to do. Even a cowboy and security guard praised me for participating in the activity! The giftshop has a little bit of something for everyone. The entire staff is helpful, welcoming and super kind, the nicest people. I enjoyed looking at the Christmas decorations inside the museum lobby. This was a touching thing for me because everything has become soo secular and to see actual Christmas decor was warming. Please visit this gorgeous museum.

There were many more displays than we expected. You can spend hours in this self-guided museum looking at a variety of western items and historical displays.

My only regret was that we didn't have enough time to see everything. This is wonderful experience. We will have to visit again.

Very interesting museum. Had the tour and the guide was very informative. Then walked rest on own. Lots of interesting galleries

Got there 1/2 hour before closing and just had time to breeze through. Very impressive in that limited period. Outdoor grounds and inclusion of Native American tribes, ways of life and even recordings was outstanding. Fantastic artwork and sculpture of western motifs if that is your thing. Very neat indoor mockup of a frontier Western town. Wish we had more time to explore it!

It's a great place to take children. It was nostalgic for my husband and me because we took our children to it and saw some things we use to play with when we were kids. They do not just have galleries of painted art. It's galleries of MANY things. They even had collections of John Wayne's belongings. it was a great teaching moment for our children.

This is the finest museum I ever went to on the Old West! They have an excellent of collection of artifacts that are wonderfully displayed. Highly recommend.

We really enjoyed our trip here. They are requiring masks inside the business. Everything we saw was beautiful and it wasn’t crowded. All the information and history was awesome. They have bench seating through the museum if you can’t walk for a long time. There was also a motorized cart when we entered that I think was free to use but I’m not sure since we didn’t need one. Here’s just a few pics from our visit.

Lame. Don’t waste your time. Very old and outdated. Not a lot to see. Disappointed. We love the cowboy life and rodeo and this missed the mark completely.

This is a very thoughtful museum with large, creative displays. There is a space for rodeo, Native American artifacts, Civil War, Western town shops, small art museum, statues, and much more. One of our favorites was the beautiful outdoor space with different, full sized Native American homes. You could spend as much time here as you want to plan for. I would say 1.5 hours would be minimum, and you could spend hours here if you take your time and read everything in detail.

You might think this is only a tourist site to take visitors from out-of-town. But it's much more than that. Yes, there is a lot of cowboy memorabilia, like elaborately tooled saddles (beautiful) and items related to competitions. The surprising element is the western-themed art collection. It's excellent. The West seemed to fascinate European artists and they were moved to capture the drama and exotic aspects of both the landscape and the people. American artists, too, especially well-known sculptors. Plan on extra time to take it all in and don't wait until you have out-of-town visitors.

Enjoy the 100,000 sf Liichokoshkomo (Let’s Play) outdoor areas. Adventure Days at the Cowboy Birdapalooza is July 13 - 19, 2020 in the huge rear outside space. All kinds of fun activities and interactive hands-on activities. Examples of some of the opportunities —walk through the many different Native American tribe housing styles and crush corn for cornmeal or make a bird feeder, or try your hand at roping a wooden horse, or test your Morse Code skills.
Inside the museum there are many hours of fascinating and informative exhibits despite the closure of some galleries for renovation. One cannot possibly leave the museum without attaining an appreciation for western and cowboy heritage, traditions, and culture. View areas such as a western town street, many types of barbed wire, clothes from cowboy personalities—on the screen performers and on ranches—types of saddles, and so much more. Note that entrance is free for NARM members.

Hubby had been following #hashtagthecowboy and insisted on a visit. We lucked into a really fun tour starting right when we arrived. Waaay more stuff than I expected. My favorite was John Wayne’s eyepatch from True Grit. However, I did make fun of them on social media for having a sculpture of labradoodles in a museum dedicated to the Old West. Really?

Lots of artifacts to look at and there is ample reading information about the pieces. There was also multiple volunteers around the museum to answer any questions you may have about the cowboys and Indians. Outside there is replica houses of the different kinds of shelters the Indians would live in.

Many years ago I visited the then Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City OK. My recent visit revealed such expansion. The exhibits are great, the statues so realistic and the art throughout the museum is elaborate. Thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Oh, did I mention they have a great restaurant too? Yum.

This is an expansive, well-laid out museum. It’s exactly what you’d think it would be. I’m giving it four stars for the breadth of material and the poignant First Americans statue. On other things, it scores less than four, but Yelp!/Trip Advisor doesn’t allow for that.

Anyone interested in the west, cowboys, and/or stars of western films, this is your place. When I went, one large exhibit was dedicated to modern western art, which could be purchased. It was literally part “art museum.”

There are also sections on rodeo, hunting, the civil war, western stars such as John Wayne. They have an impressive collection of artifacts, including personal possessions of celebrities, antique firearms, and authentic western clothing/gear/saddles etc.

And again, the rescued plaster sculpture of the First Americans person is one of the saddest and most moving things I’ve ever seen.

That being said, I’m off-put by the fact that the museum barely even skids over what has been done to the American indigenous people. In addition, black cowboys, native cowboys, cowgirls, and anyone not a white man were mostly shoved into one single room toward the end of the museum, with a small blurb.

Things take time to change, but haven’t y’all had enough time to start to address some of these issues? The museum dedicates more space and effort to a library of barbed wire (not kidding) than non-white, non-male cowboys/girls.

Pretty sure my ticket was 15 dollars. Worth it to see some of the art and the sculpture. There are docents who give guided tours, and hopefully they would add more nuance.

Worth a visit, but keep in mind this history is whitewashed.

My husband and I recently drove from our home in southeastern PA to OKC to spend a week learning about OK’s history, settlement, flora & fauna, etc. A visit to this excellent museum was a highlight of our time in OKC.

The amount of western art here is impressive—beautiful paintings and also items worked from leather, silver, bronze, etc. (many pieces were for sale). Other exhibits featured hunting, cowboys & ranchers, the rodeo, western wildlife, and more. One room contained a huge display of different designs of barbed wire. An Indian Cultures gallery showed beautiful articles of beaded clothing. There was an interesting exhibit on American Western movies and movie stars.

A favorite feature of mine was Prosperity Junction—a recreated typical western frontier town street scene. Various residences and business storefronts were filled with artifacts; some buildings offered a bit of narration. Within that wing, a wide-screen video (7 minutes) about the American West was shown.

The galleries in this comprehensive museum seem to be endless; a quick perusal of the detailed museum map confirms how expansive this facility is. We spent three full hours browsing the numerous galleries, which was not enough time to see everything (and we never got outside to see their grounds). In hindsight, we spent too much time enjoying the paintings at the beginning of the museum, in view of all the galleries still awaiting us.

Our visit included a quick bite to eat in the museum’s café; selections were very limited. I would suggest they keep the café open a bit longer in the afternoon. Also, do not close the main restrooms for cleaning during peak afternoon visitor hours but clean them before/after museum hours! Lastly, allow visitors to stay until the closing time of 5:00 p.m. rather than shooing people out beginning 4:45 p.m. Plentiful free parking here.

don't miss this place when visiting OKC. Its a three hour joy for your eyes and knowledge of the West. The staff is great and its art collection is one of the best i have ever seen anywhere in the world for Western subjects.

I'm from Tucson and some of my best friends are cowboys but I had a lot to learn and this museum was just the place to do just that.

My favorite was the barbed wire room and how big this place is. Definitely better for the older kids to appreciate the work shown. Definitely worth the money. They have seasonal displays and art shows as well as movies.

Excellent museum both visually and content wise. We went to this museum with our 18 year old son this past weekend. My husband had last been to this museum in 1972. It did not disappoint.
I really enjoyed the main hall and all the Oklahoma Route 66 history. There were also lots of interesting artifacts on cowboy history and I love that they included a lot of Native American history and exhibits.
If you are a cowboy buff or even if you aren’t but just want to learn more about this part of Americans history you will certainly enjoy this museum.

went with my daughters , both young adults , we spent about 4 hours there , my girls didnt get bored , plenty to see inside art and outside , great art and statues , would recommend to any family ,

This museum was recommended and we can tell you it was well worth the time. So many western cowboys from silent films, movies and TV were on display. For those that love Cowboys, this will peak your interest and you'll wonder where the time went. Beautiful oil paintings that are superb. We highly recommend a visit!

This is an absolutely incredible museum. Lots of exhibits so be sure to allow lots of time! Family-friendly with lots of activities for kids. Take the one-hour guided tour to get a great introduction to the exhibits which points out things you may not know if you do a self-guided tour.

If you enjoy cowboy and Indian art, you will love this place! And it’s more than that. There is an entire area dedicated to western film as well as the rodeo. It took about 4 hours to go through everything inside and out. We did stop and watch each of the films that were being offered but did not read each exhibit. Those ranged from 7-15 minutes each. A few places were under construction, and I can’t imagine having more to look at!
My husband loved the weapon exhibits. I loved the miniature western town where you could walk through a street and look or go into buildings to see what it was like during that time. They do have an original Remington sculpture (only one made) that is beautiful.

We came to OKC specifically for my daughter who loves art to see the End of Trail sculpture..... that did not disappoint. It is so much larger than imagined. But really the whole museum was amazing. We all enjoyed every bit of it. First of all, the employees were all so nice & welcoming. And the art work was some of the best I've ever seen - all the beautiful Native American beadwork, leather tooled saddles, and sculptures & paintings galore. I was so impressed with everything.

Very informative! Varied displays. People were helpful. Weather was beautiful in September so we enjoyed the outside displays too! We were glad we came!

Visited with my husband, parents, aunt and uncle and had a great time! This museum is extremely well done and interesting. The exhibits vary from paintings to sculptures to museum style exhibits. Something new around every corner. We ate there too and the food was very good and plenty of it. We will definitely be back!

This is a very interesting museum with numerous type of exhibits. The "old town " is probably the best. We entered at 9AM with the "old people ", so there was no crowd. Seemed very clean. However, does not compare to the Buffalo Bill museum in Cody, WY.

Took a UK Group in to this facility in October. HAd a great guide and the group all had a lovely time. Very enjoyable - don't miss it if you are in Oklahoma City!

A great place to take a horse-loving kid or a Western loving senior citizen- or both! Interesting exhibits and beautiful artwork. Unfortunately the old fashioned “town” was closed for remodeling but other exhibits were wonderful.

An exceptional experience! Great parking, great staff, educational. This is geared for all the family, young & old. Room after room of Cowboy memorial. Room cater to different themes, very entertaining and educational. Enjoy

I loved this place. So interesting. Scavenger hunt makes it fun for little ones. Indian artifacts are great for everyone. Cowboy movie memorabilia was neat too.

You want to allow yourself at least 3 hours to read about and enjoy so many different exhibits because it will surprise you for the size outside, how much to cover inside !!

I love all kinds of museums and have visited many museums in the US and abroad. I usually do not gush about how great a place is, but I have to say that this museum is by far one of the very best museums I have ever visited.
It is laid out in a great format and has so much to see and explore. We were there most of the day, and we could have used more time if we wanted to delve deeper into each area.
It is pristine and seems brand new.
There are so many areas to the museum: Native American and western art, Native American culture and history through modern times, cowboy history through modern times, cowboy outfits and tools (including for example a giant collection of different types or barbed wire), famous or notable cowboys famous cowboy and western TV and movies, rodeos through the years, famous rodeo stars (female and male), pioneers and western expansion, etc.
Everytime we turned the corner, there was more to explore.
Outside there are examples of many Native American dwellings and a tribute to famous horses and cowboys.
Inside, there is also a large western village to explore what life was like in the old west. Some building examples were the church, school, saloon, blacksmith, hotel, jail, livery, store, etc.
There is definitely something everyone can find to enjoy here.
You will not be disappointed if you visit. I was really impressed with everything.

The museum is absolutely great !! There is so much to see and do. There are even a lot of interactive features for children. There are outside things and a play yard geared toward children as well. My husband and I don’t have any small children so it was just he and I, but we spent 2 1/2 hours there and were thoroughly impressed. We will definitely go back again !!

I spent a little under 2 hours at this museum and only skimmed some areas - it has a number of sections which will be of varying interest to visitors - a rodeo exhibit with a hands on game, a hall of Western tv and movie icons with a film, a weapons collection, a series of exhibits on the evolution of the Western cowboy, a Native American hall and several rooms of Western art.
I'd read some negative reviews from persons who were interested in more than an art museum; I don't find their criticism well founded as there is much more in the museum than the art collections. As for me, I am interested in Western art and found these rooms the highlight of the museum - a splendid Bierstadt, rooms of Charles Russell, Frederic Remington and others. The museum sponsors a Western art contest and the exhibit of prize winners, in the opposite end of the building, is worth visiting.
I also enjoyed the section on Western movies and associated memorabilia, in particular the section devoted to John Wayne.

Like so many, I was drawn into the The Cowboy by the museum’s social media account run by the now famous Tim the Security Guard. What a great museum that interprets the history of the West in such a beautiful way. I thoroughly enjoyed the well thought out exhibits and the beautiful paintings they have in their collection. I highly suggest timing your visit with the Prix de West. I was impressed with the dynamic artwork chosen for the sale. And the diversity of artists. A great mix of Native American history as well as America’s Manifest Destiny. I especially enjoyed Prosperity Junction which is a replica of a town during the United States expansion. Again, the detail and layout of the exhibits is perfectly thoughtful. Highly recommend this to anyone visiting Oklahoma City. #HashtagTheCowboy

While visiting family in the area, the vote was unanimous by all to visit the museum.
We were there for two hours and there was still more to see. We also had an 8 year old with us and she thoroughly enjoyed it. The tour guides were very friendly and very knowledgeable. We do plan to return on our next visit to view the exhibits we missed.

SO MUCH INFORMATION ABOUT COWBOYS! I regret I only had one day because each display made this experience more and more interesting. I particularly loved all the detail in the recreation of the small western cowboy town, and the information about cowboys from different cultures. I learned a lot! The outside gardens are lovely.

Incredible art, fantastic architecture. The historic village is very fun to walk through; the outdoor spaces are incredible too. Great gift shop as well. Highly recommended!

Beautiful museum, but seems to be a work in progress. The old town inside the museum is fantastic for children.

I can start by saying that this is one of the best museum/attractions that I have ever been to in the US. Their docents are great as soon as you walk in and are very helpful. The amount of memorabilia they have is amazing and the exhibits are so well done it is awesome. They have tons a personal items from western heroes and film stars as well as a great collection of old guns, saddles,etc from the past. If you are in OKC, you must visit this place. You should also plan at least 3-4 hours minimum when you and to really see everything, make it 5-6 hours. You will not be disappointed.

An excellent art museum, permanent collection of 19th century to contemporary American art, with emphasis on the Amercian west. Experience a walk through the history of the American west in a beautiful museum, through paintings, sculpture, works on paper, collections of native American artifacts, firearms, leather, and much more!

The facility was a museum and art gallery combined. It's a large spacious building filled with cowboy/western history in the forms of artifacts, sculptures, and paintings. There is something for every one.

Excellent museum. We have visited this museum several times and think it is one of the very best in the US. The displays and content are excellent. We normally spend 4 to 6 hours each time we visit and look forward to returning.

Love this museum. The cowboy boot exhibit was very interesting. The paintings were beautiful. Nice relaxing. There are wonderful volunteers that you can ask questions to and they have so much knowledge. Can’t wait to be able to bring our grandson to the museum. There are lots for children to do. Looks fun.

WOW very worthwhile but this is not a place for children. The few that were there were bored and complaining. There are not any activities for children available. I would classify this as more of an art museum. Plan on staying two hours to see everything
The museum temperature is kept very cool so bring a light sweater if you have short sleeves.

Visited during July 4th weekend, this is my 2nd visit to the museum. Some items were the same as last time, but other items were new and more improvements are in progress. Enjoyed the outdoor grounds / sites during the cooler morning, and enjoyed indoors during the hotter hours. Several were riding scooters, and everyone practiced social distancing.

This museum has been on our to do list for years. We had only 1 hour 20 minutes there due to travel schedule. Wish we’d had at least half a day. The map/brochure needs to tell what is in the different galleries- I missed the Prix exhibit entirely. Loved the Dorothea Lange exhibit and many of the paintings in various galleries.

An amazing place for lovers of western heritage!! The western art is so beautiful! Fun place for families and couples

The museum has free parking. The museum consists of several buildings and outdoor exhibits. There are exhibits about natives, settlers, soldiers, rodeo, movies, and actors. There are several galleries devoted to Western art. Frankly, it is one of the best art galleries I have ever visited. There is dining and a gift shop. All this for a very reasonable price (as a senior I paid $6). COVID-19: all employees were masked and visitors were expected to be masked and observe social distancing protocols. Hand sanitizer stations are located within the museum.

We attended on a summer Tuesday and it wasn't too crowded, especially when it first opened. There were some items to do with kids, a pretty elaborate outdoor area with different housing structures representing various Native American tribes, and an indoor city that had a church, school, general store etc.
There was a small outdoor walk with sculptures and statues, and a pretty neat exhibit about rodeos. There were many videos to watch and lots of things to read. The artwork was fantastic and very well presented.

There is a small grill, that we didn't eat at, but honestly one that truly enjoyed this era, and art could stay most of a day if they wanted to read everything, watch the short videos and see everything.

Great collection of art and historical artifacts, it will take the better part of a day to work your way through everything. I like how the exhibits are grouped into sections which make easier to take it all in. I especially enjoyed "the town". I also enjoyed the movie memorabilia section. This is probably one of the best museums I have ever been too. If you love cowboy culture and the old west, this place is a must visit!

This is a must see museum, the Indian statue you see as you come in is incredible! The size alone blows you away! It covers every aspect of Western life and is very interesting.The guides are very knowledgeable and helpful.The paintings and sculptures are award winning and rightly so! There is of course a gun hall, but worth a visit!

Must see western art museum. Also the museum store has unique and affordable items—NOT tourist trap fare. Love this place!

All the displays. The revolving pictures on the wall and teepee. I spent over 3 hours there. So much to see. Even an 1800's western town, buildings, stagecoach, horses and buggy, saloon rooming house, sheriff's office etc.
The stable.

A senior group of 49 people had a tour of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in December and had a wonderful tour guide.

The staff are great, helpful, knowledgeable! Fantastic displays and kids activities. The salads are delish.

Wonderful art, displays, historic guns and pieces and a great old west childrens town that adults will love too. Wonderful history. Easy to get through and clean and state of the art!

This was a neat museum. My favorite part was the old town inside. If was made to feel like you were walking down main st. in a western.

One of our go to places to take out of towners. From start to finish this is a well thought out museum that has something for every member of the family.

From beautiful art, to many guns, to outdoor activities, there is something for everyone! Everyone in our group loved this museum! We only stayed a couple of hours, but could have spent more time! There is a grill/ snack bar too!
Very well done!

We loved the art and history of the museum. This was my favorite of the museums. There were older generation people stationed throughout that would add to the history lesson if you had questions. I liked the Remington art and Jeremy Lipking oil "Silence and Sagebrush"

Absolutely stunning displays and exhibitions. Was so good we visited again in 2019 after being theer in 2018. The staff are very knowledgable and friendly and take the time to answer questions. It is a must see place

Wow!! Talk about a pleasant surprise! I had absolutely no idea what to expect when we walked in, and it was incredible!! This museum dives deep into Native Americans, their lands and lifestyles, and the sacrifices they made with the coming of the white man. With these new lands, men were tasked with carving out a new way of life, and the rise of the cattlemen was born. This museum will both inspire you and break your heart. For as much as the Cowboy is to be celebrated, his legacy comes at a tremendous price for the Native American community. This museum offers indoor and outdoor exhibits. This is a MUST-SEE attraction. You will be thinking about what you saw and learned long after you leave.

This museum far exceeded our expectations. There is so much to see here. You definitely want to talk to a docent upon arrival and get the lay of the land because some of the spaces can be maze-like. Every corner has something else interesting. You can spend all day and probably not see everything. This is a can’t miss!

Experience the foundations of America through a lens that is seldom taught in schools. This museum will walk you through both the myth and truth of how the United States expanded beyond the 13 colonies and the west became a little less wild. Exhibits include incredible statues, beautiful paintings, memorabilia, displays and videos that allow you to understand what it took to create a culture that is uniquely american.

Love this location for events. Catering is top notch and they have a lovely gift shop! Love the Pendleton selection.

Very interesting...and very large. We only visited the Cowboy and Western areas. Definitely enjoyed our visit to this museum.

We loved our time at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. We really enjoyed all the western art. They have so many nice paintings and it was so fun comparing them all. The other galleries are just as good. We got to learn about the rodeos, see artifacts from the 1800s, and get a glimpse of what western life was like. In addition, they have outdoor exhibitions and a replica western town. We spent a few hours here and could have been here even longer.

If cowboys, Indians, and the westward expansion are your thing, visit here. Interesting history, including cowboy movies.

This facility is an exceptional window to the American western experience. As a kid who could not get enough of these films.......just loved it. But you have to set aside the better part of a day to see it all......so I'll be back. BEST attraction in the city. Watch a couple Tom Mix films before you come........Jeffery Epstein would still be here if he was not close to the Clinton's.......

Wow... I have been to various museums across the US to learn about the history of the early pioneers and the native Americans and their story, most are very disappointing but this museum brings the history of the west alive. The broad range of exhibits from the stunning art inspired by the west, the way of life, tools, clothes, weapons, utensils, Rodeos, Ranching how Hollywood romanticised the west, and fascinating displays of so many different artefacts (including a room on barbed wire.....) are well staged in visually interesting settings and are really informative. The section on the Native American Indians is probably the most interesting and thorough I have seen and puts the lamentable offering at the Smithsonian in DC or the equally poor Santa Fe museum in the shade. As with most history there are conflicting elements. It’s a complex and in my opinion on the one hand an ultimately profoundly tragic story but also a fascinating one telling of the grit and determination of the pioneers. This museum brings it too life in a truly immersive, fascinating, well pitched and perfectly presented way. I strongly recommend a visit for anyone interested in this piece of history. Thank you Oklahoma!

We enjoyed our visit to the The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. The artwork was incredible. We would recommend taking the tour of the museum. The guide was very informative.
I would recommend spending time outside to see the beautiful grounds. There is a Buffalo Bill sculpture and horse made of metal. There are also a variety of Indian dwellings.

I asked my brother-in-law, who lived in OK City several year for his "must see' recommendations in OK City. This museum was at the top of his list. We were there for 2 1/2 hours and maybe saw half of what there is to see! It's definitely worth the admission fee. From the history of saddles and spurs to the artwork lined aisles and marble statues, it is a beautifully laid out museum. Kids will enjoy the outdoor play area with it's Indian living quarters and frontier town set-ups. I enjoyed reading about the construction methods of the various Indian camps, teepees and huts as much as I am certain kids would enjoy crawling around in them.

So much to see so have several hours. So much history here. The staff is very friendly. The facility is very clean and well kept.

Took a guided tour with Ben of this outstanding and modern museum. Ben imbued the spirit of the cowboy (and cowboy tales) as he walked us around. Importantly, he pointed out all the stuff we should go back and see after the highlights tour. This is and expansive museum with grounds and requires a solid 1/2 to gain the full experience of the art collections, history exhibitions, and just cool artifacts.

I wasn’t sure about looking at a ‘cowboy’ museum. I am so glad we did! This is the most beautiful museum! It’s huge! There’s so much to see! Plan to spend several hours here! The gardens outside are pretty and complete with fish in the ponds. There’s a cafe that closes at 2. We didn’t go there, but it was busy.
The front desk reception is friendly and offered us a locker to keep our water bottles in. Then they gave us a key to access the locker, - quite helpful!
We could easily go back a second day to see everything we missed! If you have the time, enjoy the museum! Much more to see than just cowboy stuff!

Beautiful facility, easy to navigate and extensive collection which was very well organized. Quiet and not overly busy during our visit. We were able to view majority of the collection in an afternoon, but you could easily spend the whole day here. I particularly loved the television historical section. If you come anywhere near Oklahoma City ok, this museum is a must! Very educational for teenagers and older.

We found this to be a very interesting museum in OKC. Neither of us grew up in the ranching environment or west, but the displays were very well done and informative. Because of the weather, we did not experience their outside area, but I suspect that it also is very nicely done. Great way to spend an afternoon.

This museum was beautiful! Much larger than expected and with a variety of different displays pertaining to not just cowboys, but life in the West as well. You should plan on at least 2 hours to see everything. The outside grounds are quite nice and should not be missed. Museum store was lovely as well.

Be sure to allow yourself enough time, because there are so many things to see. I was so impressed at how much there was to see. The first room/exhibit we saw was artwork. The rest of the rooms was filled with Native American and Cowboy artifacts. It ranges in exhibits of Western actors, to modern day PBR. There is so much to see, I read somewhere to allow yourself 3 hours to go through the museum, and it takes every bit of that to go through it and the outside part too!

Having lived in the area for years now, I had only previously been here for a political speaker/dinner and was isolated to the banquet hall. I finally got to see the full facility as a chaperone for a field trip - WOW! My expectations were exceeded!

The outside gardens are gorgeous with exhibits and art throughout - and inside is an endless trove of interesting exhibits!

This is a quiet secret in OKC!

Loved this museum. As someone who has gorwn up with grandparents who were obsessed with the Golden Western Age of Hollywood, this museum exceeded my expectations. More than just all the cowboy artifacts, the attention and detail given to the history and artifacts of the indigenous peoples of the United States is outstanding. This museum is worth it.

I honestly didn’t know what to expect, but was pleasantly surprised. First of all, the place is HUGE. There was room after room of artwork, sculptures, artifacts from the old west, western movie memorabilia, and much more. We spent an hour and a half in there and still didn’t get to see it all. Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough time to stay. Anyway, highly recommended to see. Set aside several hours if you want to see it all.

Very well laid out, displays are educational and not just panel after panel, real items. The outdoor displays help you understand the realities of the old West.

This was my husbands choice but I enjoyed as much as he.
If you are a Remington fan, you will enjoy the great collection here. We spent 2 hours in the West Wing and never made it to 2/3 of the Place. It is absolutely beautiful Museum. I loved the stage coach and huge sculptures. Stunning Native American relics. The war head dress a real favorite. Cowboy hall of fame information. Championship buckles and s movie of the rodeo history.
Military discount for my handsome veteran. Bring your proof of service. Not a retiree.
Kids will love the full size horse models. Lots of beautiful old rifles. Beautiful art.

The staff is excellent. We had a friendly overview of what was where and off we went. There is a lot to see - art on display and available for purchase. All the different saddles, the clothing of the western Indian tribes, the movie display, the military display. All were very well laid out and informative.

There were many parts I enjoyed--from the very large statues to the giant 3 -part paintings to the walk down the street of an old western town. This is definitely a must see museum!

This was the reason we visited the Oklahoma City area and were not disappointed. The Museum was a wonderful place to visit and really takes more than the time we had to spend there. We will be back.

Wow! What a place. In fact more than one can take in one visit. So allow plenty of time to see what interests you the most. From paintings, tepees, western towns, to tributes on pretend TV cowboys, it is an excellent place to spend an afternoon, day, or two! They have some nice outside exhibits especially for children and great walking paths through statues and water features. A wonderful museum. Very comprehensive but never boring!

This musuem is HUGE !
It is well thought out and is diverse in its collection. Lots of Charles Russell paintings and sculptures.
We took the complimentary tour at 1 pm. Had a wonderful guide.
Take the tour the tid bits shared help make it more meaningful.
It's well worth the cost and time.
Enjoy

Was not impressed, mostly was art and not much history out of that. Name of Museum should be an art museum. If you're into art, this is the place for western art. Historical artifacts and stuff, don't go or be dissapointed.

The place was amazing. It is made up of the East Wing and West Wing. We spent 3 hrs in the West Wing, got tired and did not spend time in the East Wing. West Wing had more exhibits: Rodeos, Indian Living, 19th Century Army and Calvery, and the typical businesses in a small town. There were halls and halls of paintings and some sculptures. I was disappointed that it did not cover the Cowboy Way of Life. What was the typical cowboy's daily routine, the gear they used every day on the ranch, how did they live and what did they do on cattle drives? You can easily spend all day there.

$30/pp for adults.

Code of the West, carriage for pics, Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan statue is on the East Wing and snack bar. Not much else.

The cowboy, Indian, rodeo and bulk of the exhibits are on the West Wing.

Some very interesting exhibits and photos and items from the west. Quite a few items that caught my eyes.

We were pleasantly surprised by all there was to see at this museum. Art gallery, Indian heritage, homestead history, movie history and we didn't even make it outside! If you can call a Cowboy museum elegant, this was it. Definitely slating a return trip when back in Oklahoma!

We visited the museum and were impressed by the quality of the displays and information available. Everything was done in a professional manner.

An amazing museum, you need at least three hours to appreciate this place. It's filled with cowboy/cowgirl history. Native American communal information abounds. Hollywood cowboy heroes are specially remembered and there is an entire display devoted to barbed wire!
There's something for everyone interested in American heritage.

This was my husbands idea of something to do. He's a history NUT. For me it was alot more walking than I'd like. Some of the stuff I didn't feel was all that exciting to look at.

This museum is on a par with the one in Cody, Wyoming. The art, sculpture, artifacts and historical information is remarkable. There was an area dedicated to the Western Hollywood heroes (of my youth). There was also an exhibit of modern award winning painting and sculpture. The exhibit of modern silver artwork, both decorative and functional was remarkable. One room had a large exhibit of Native American tribal history and art. Worth at least a half-day.

There is so much to see it is overwhelming. The museum is so well organized and layed out. Separate sections for art, art you can purchase, rodeo, TV & Film star history, memorabilia from the old west, etc. We really enjoyed it.

A large open foyer greets you as you enter, and it’s quite daunting to know where to begin. Our visit coincided with an Art Exhibition called Prix de West where cowboy, western and Native American art were on show and for sale (reminded us of the London Royal Academy’s Summer Exhibition which works in a similar way). Some of the art and sculptures were awesome but all out of our price range! We enjoyed the other galleries - they cover rodeos, some cowboy dioramas and a huge section on westerns on tv and in the movies. The 15 minute film was a real trip down memory lane for us.

We spent a half a day going through the museum and exhibits and loved every minute of it. The outstanding works of art and displays are fantastic and educational. We especially enjoyed the short films that detailed trivia and experiences of the early days of the "wild west' ,and the movies depicting how it was a century ago. I really enjoyed the barb wire and saddle exhibits.

A very nice museum. Plenty of interactive exhibits and a strong gift store. A nice park-like walk outside as well.

If this review is useful, please give me a "thumbs up" or “helpful” vote.

1. Bottom Line Up Front/frame of reference for my remarks. This was my first visit. I am a retired Marine Corps Infantry Officer, history buff and a tour guide aboard a museum ship; as such I have high expectations of all types of museums; I have visited over 20 of this type (art and specialty) in the United States and abroad. This museum is professionally-curated at the highest level and contains a great deal of exhibits. I made a special trip from North Carolina just to visit this museum and the 45th Infantry Division Museum; I thoroughly enjoyed my visit !

2. Background & Layout of museum. Opened in 1955. 200,000 square feet and divided into multiple exhibit halls. Also, there is at least one large convention/special event hall.

3. Details of my visit

3.a. Date & Time. Saturday 21 June 2025 (morning-afternoon).

3.b. Other patrons. During my visit, although the parking lot was near-capacity, the museum was not too crowded. I very much appreciated the fact that parents had control of their children, keeping the museum relaxing and peaceful.

3.c. Length of visit. I recommend no less than 3 hours.

4. Location. I plugged the address in to my iPhone and it took me directly there.

5. Access/parking. The parking lot is paved and free.

5.a. Passenger vehicles. The parking lot can be accessed by any type of passenger vehicle. There are a great deal of parking spaces.

5.b. Buses and RVs. I believe there are dedicated parking spaces for these oversize vehicles.

6. Exterior. The exterior is very well-maintained and beautifully landscaped with rough-cut stone,.native plants and prairie grass.

7. Exhibits – indoor. Multiple exhibit halls containing, but not limited to:

7.a. Boots

7.b. Saddles.

7.c. Firearms

7.d. Artwork - Wildlife

7.e. Artwork - Landscapes

7.f. Artwork – Livestock, camplife, settler life. Native Americans.

7.g. Barbed Wire

7.h. Branding Irons

7.i. Western films and actors.

7.j. Stagecoach and Chuck Wagon.

7.k. Rodeo / Stockyards Room. This exhibit hall is designed to look like cattle/horse stalls. Contains video screens exsplaining the different types of rodeo events.

8. Exhibits - outdoor. Unfortunately, I was too tired to tour the outdoor exhibits after I completed my tour of the indoor exhibits.

9. Admission. Check the museum's website for current rates.

10. Hours of operation. Check the museum’s website for current information.

11. Handicap access. The museum is completely handicap-accessible and there are benches scattered throughout the museum.

12. Child friendliness. I would consider that the museum is child-friendly; but I do not recall seeing a "hands-on” Discovery Center.

13. Permissions/prohibitions

13.a. Weapons. I do not recall seeing any signs prohibiting knives or firearms; I recommend checking with the museum if this is a concern.

13.b. Photography. Photography is permitted.

13.c. Pets and service animals. I do not recall seeing any signs but I would imagine that pets are not permitted but that legitimate service animals are permitted. I recommend checking with the museum to confirm/deny.

13.d. Food & water (including bottled water) are not permitted in the museum.

14. Amenities.

14.b. Climate control. The museum is heated/air conditioned.

14.c. Restrooms. Yes, multiple locations.

14.d. Water fountains. Yes

14.e. Cafe. Beverages and food are available (primarily salads and sandwiches). There is also a dedicated seating area (tables and chairs).

14.g. Gift shop. The museum has a very large gift shop with a wide variety of items to include, but not limited to: books, clothing, food items and memorabilia.

15. Conclusion. This is a beautiful museum and was the highlight of my trip to Oklahoma City. I highly recommend it to anyone in the area or as a weekend trip combined with other attractions in Oklahoma or elsewhere in the Midwest (see my other reviews).

This was my most enjoyable experience during my time in Oklahoma City. If I was a huge fan of cowboys and westerns, I would have spent the whole day here. The museum is very well-kept and has countless exhibits and dioramas covering the entire spectrum of cowboy history. My favorite exhibit was the recreation of a western town, which I heard will soon be enhanced with additional features. It was a bit too cold to enjoy the Definitely worth the time.

This museum is REALLY well done and it’s HUGE! I wasn’t sure what to expect going in- I’m not particularly interested in western heritage/cowboys, but I still learned a lot from my visit! They have tons of exhibits- I imagine you could spend a whole day there and still not see everything.

Wow the perfect Museum for the west!
It has everything, cavalry, Indians, cowboys, rodeo heroes and the great tv/ movie stars who portrayed the western heroes!
The museum is literally separated into different areas, each with a theme. The outside area has a great display of Indian homes over the countries past.
This museum truly is a beautiful and peaceful place to stroll through history.
It has a small cafe, and the sandwiches and salads are worth the trip! We truly enjoyed our hoagie and pasta salad.
The museum is a definite must see for all the children and adults who love the stolid the old west!
A store located inside has all the necessary items to turn you into a western hero!

Adults will enjoy the amzing art exhibits and kids will LOVE the old-town! We always have a good time.

This was a great place to visit. So many displays and history in every room. They offer senior and student admission prices, and a gift shop that is really interesting as well. Highly recommend

This museum was awesome. The authenticity and the realistic displays were a real treat to be seen. It was nice to see history displayed in such a manner. I would encourage everybody to see this museum.

This museum is huge and I learned so much about cowboys, American Indian and western heritage here. I loved the replica of the western town inside and the different types of homes outside.

Even if you aren’t fascinated with cowboys and the American West this well-funded Museum is worth a look. The permanent galleries showcase various aspects of life in the days of the cowboy including art by Remington and Russel, the well-known sculptors and painters. We found the section on films and actors especially interesting. Way more than only John Wayne.

There is a small restaurant with simple fare such as chili, soup, salad and sandwiches that is reasonable priced.

The huge gift shop is worth a visit - no admissions until past the gift shop.

A new outdoor, hands-on exhibit for children will open this summer and is well underway.

Good collection of paintings related to the western US of 1800’s.
Some very nice pieces of sculpture but mostly what they have concentrated on is paintings.
I believe that anyone who is interested in history will find this a good place to visit.

This is an extensive display of all things cowboy and western as you will find anywhere. Guides are throughout the museum and are eager to engage to give insight into the exhibits. The outside grounds provide even more exhibits/information on the various Native American tribes of Oklahoma. Everything from memorabilia, artwork, videos and more can be found here. It’s almost overwhelming to see it all in one visit.

My wife and I were driving the Old Route 66 visiting as many exhibits we could find. The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum was a great stop. The museum was so large we only saw part of it. The exhibits were excellent and showed a lot of history.

For a wee boy growing up in '60s and' 70s Scotland, watching countless cowboy and Indian movies and TV shows this was a dream come true, a step into a dream, a golden ticket to Willie Wonka's, a trip to Mecca and it didn't disappoint.
This was one of the main reasons we travelled to Texas and Oklahoma this year and every minute of the 4 hours we spent here was magical.
The place is huge, much bigger than we imagined. We spent so long looking at the wonderful art not realising that there was so much more.
The costumes, the rodeo, the Hollywood memorabilia, the guns, the native American history, I could go on and on and we did.
The outside was amazing too.
It was worth our entire trip, so much to see, to appreciate and have to thank #hashtagtimthecowboy for really sparking our interest during the pandemic, we said when the world opened up we'd come and we did and it was so worth it.

This is a great museum! I had read to give this museum 3 hours but that is without the guided tour. The guided tour was supposed to last 1.5 hours and it actually lasted 2. Baillie was great and passionate about the history and artifacts at the museum. You can tell he loves to share his knowledge. So I’d say give 4-5 hours minimum for this museum if you want to see everything. There is a lot of history about cowboys, rodeos, native Americans and more. There is a lot of artwork as well. I liked the museum and felt it was worth the money to see it.

Went here to learn some of the history of the West. We were not really that interested in western art or some of the other exhibits. We concentrated on the exhibitions on cowboys and ranch life,rodeos and Western films. Found it very well laid out and educational. The short videos available were very good.

While passing by OKC I have not been to the Cowboy hall of fame is about 20 years, place change a lot in thet time, great ehibits showing the history of the Calvery,Cowboy, Rodios and Native Americans. Its a must if you have school ages kids

This museum is large and if you look at everything will take quite a bit of time. If I were to do it over again I would spend less time looking at the western art (which seemed a bit repetitive) which would have allowed me time to look at the rest of the things. It was fun seeing different saddles and why they were chosen as well as clothing, spurs, etc. There is a photograph display of women that I found interesting to look at. It may be related to the Women's Suffrage exhibition they have going on. There is so much to see we didn't get to an entire wing. This is a excellent way to spend an afternoon when it is cloudy, rainy or too hot to be outdoors.

This museum is huge. We were there four hours and didn’t finish. There are fun exhibits about cowboy/western actors, movies and tv shows. Serious art including Remingtons and Russells. Rodeo, barbed wire, cavalry, brands, hats, etc The best is the original End Of the Trail Sculpture of the Indian slumped on his horse. Not just the detail and size of the sculpture, but the emotion it brings up. Just bought a drink the cafe but the food didn’t look spectacular

The title of the museum explains it all, it is a significant display starting with the western artist and carries you through the evolution of the West to its present day.

Loved this museum! It is large and a lot of walking but very pleasant indeed. Staff is nice, gift shop is nice too. Loved all of it. My favorite part was the western TV show and movie memorabilia section.

I can’t say enough about this museum. It’s not that I am a fan of all things Western, but the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum is simply one of the best museums I’ve visited, and I’ve gone to hundreds around the world.

The collection is unrivaled, there’s just enough info about each item to keep you interested (without the usual politically correct BS that most museums have to throw in these days), and the staff is helpful and extremely knowledgeable.

Expect to spend 2 - 4 hours here; we spent 3 hours and there were some areas outside that we missed simply because of the hot weather. Top notch museum!

We enjoy some of the areas and others did not interest us. We liked the exhibit reviewing cowboys in movies. We did well on the trivia machines and watched the short film.

We thought this was going to be just a bunch of painting on the wall. We're really pleased and surprised how well it is all put together. Everyone should check this out.

This is well worth a morning visit. We will return and encourage friends to make the trip. The variety of exhibits offered something for everyone.

What an amazing place. I can't wait to bring my husband and my Dad to see this awesome Museum. Loved everything in it and so well organized.

This is a great place not only to view excellent art, but also to look at native American artifacts. The museum is arranged thematically, so it is easy to navigate and to understand the time period. One of our favoirte exhibits was the western movies and tv room. We also enjoyed the clothing and the section on the western novels and illustrations. There is so much to see here, and there is something for everyone.

From stone and bronze sculptures to prize winning paintings; rooms full of gorgeous and well displayed native American clothing, implements, and art; and several rooms dedicated to everything cowboy. One wing has items as a tribute to many of the early iconic actors and films. Other areas have a fine collection of western period guns. If saddles, bridles and roping are interested in there is a large collection. A beautiful gift shop offers many high quality items.

This was a stop in Oklahoma City that ended up being a half day visit. There is a huge gallery of Western art, area devoted to western actors from silent movies to television. There are large exhibits on everything from rodeo to gun collections from all the American manufacturers. This is a must see if you are ever in Oklahoma City.

Wonderful collection that tells the story of cowboys and the West. From works by Remington and Russell to Native Americans to Hollywood, it covers everything. You cannot possibly cover it and do it justice in one day or one visit. The docents are very knowledgeable and eager to answer your questions. Highly recommended!

I’ll just be honest right up front—we didn’t love it. We’ve traveled extensively and we’ve been to A LOT of museums and this one just fell really flat to us. We all agreed that it’s too “museum-y.” There is not much that is interactive or audio/visual. There were a lot of cowboy paintings and sculptures and artifacts, and a lot of panels of information on the wall to read, but just not a lot to bring cowboy history and culture to life. I was hoping for more stories of American cowboys—maybe video histories or testimonies from ranching families or rodeo cowboys. It was just kind of boring.

Logistically speaking, the layout is very confusing and the flow is hard to follow—we kept missing rooms and our group got separated and we actually struggled to find each other for a bit. Also, when we were visiting, there was a lot of very loud construction going on inside the museum—that made it a somewhat unpleasant experience, too. If we’d known that ahead of time, we may have skipped it. The one plus is that it had a fantastic gift shop. If you’re short on time in OKC, this is one site that I’d skip.

1st off this place is unbelievably large. We were only there 2 hours and we didn't even put a dent in seeing everything. What we did see and the tour we went on was very interesting. So much history so allow yourself enough time. It's not that expensive you could always go back another day. When we are visiting Oklahoma City again we will be going back.

This was my second trip to the National Cowboy Museum. I flew in just to visit here. The artwork is plentiful and gorgeous. The exhibits are beautiful and educational. The staff is very helpful. It is one of my favorite museums. Long live the cowboy and the code of the west.

My group Loved the museum. They needed more than the 1.5 hours the leader allowed to see everything. Plan on taking 3 hours.

Maybe we just had different expectations but this museum was weird. First of all, Andrew at the front desk is a straight up jerk. I called before hand to ask some questions and he was rude. When we got to the museum and went to the desk to buy tickets, there's Andrew with his crappy attitude and he wasn't in a better mood either. Rudely told us our water bottles weren't allowed. Okay dude, fine, no need to be rude about it.

The rest of the staff seemed great though, the docents throughout were very friendly and chatty, which is why this isn't getting one star.

As for the museum - do you like overpriced art? Do you like seeing galleries of paintings for $50,000+? Me neither! Skip that whole section if you go.

The rest of the museum was a hodge podge of things - a makeshift rodeo, boots, spurs, saddles, it was just pretty boring and blah. Would have preferred more about native Americans and shoot - tell us exactly what a cowboy is, why they do what they do, and why they do these stupid rodeos and hurt the calves. That's probably what did it in for us. We're animal lovers and much of this was hard to stomach.

Very nice tribute to Cowboys, the western plains military, native Americans as well as the west in general. Some awesome displays. The display on western movies is especially nice.

Not sure my words will be adequate. What an amazing place and must see! We spent 2 hours and no doubt missed something. Loved it!

This is a great museum. We thought it would be a short morning visit and we ended up spending the whole day there. The artwork collection is incredible. The sculptures are fantastic. You learn about rodeos, daily life and everything cowboy. Lots of rooms are devoted to native Americans. It was enlightening and inspiring. If the weather is good, there is a huge sculpture garden to enjoy outdoors. Not to be missed.

Almost overwhelmingly large and comprehensive collection of absolutely everything cowboy and Western in nature. There are only so many saddles, lassoes, brands, boots, armaments one can look at before it becomes a blur. But the art exhibits were truly extraordinary. The Remington castings, the Indian beadworks, the spectacular landscape imagery were first rate - and curated beautifully. The museum gallery layout can be confusing; I'm sure I missed entire rooms of exhibited works in my wandering. The detailed narratives describing the notable women of Western Heritage was quite engaging. Recommend setting aside 3 or more hours to do this place justice - but by all means, plan to visit!

Honest, thought it would be a 'hokey' cowboy thingy. NOT! Spent 3hrs there and still did not view or read 50% of what was there. It is huge! Cowboys/Girls has no race, color, gender or nationality intent. Native Americans are in there as to what they went thru - a history kept! Impressive and sad... must view

Went here with my college during President's Day.

Honestly, I wasn't expecting a lot before coming here. I thought it was just a museum about Oklahoman cowboys. I'm so happy to be proven wrong! The museum and galleries were amazing!

Our guide was very knowledgeable about American history--- made the tour outstanding. He was able to put you in that place in history. The museum was really huge! We were here for half a day and I feel like I still could go around and explore the exhibits more. I'm not even American but I really enjoyed the whole experience. I learned a lot and enjoyed the sculptures, artworks and exhibits. There's even a life-sized cowboy town you can walk through. If you only have one day to sight-see Oklahoma, make sure you visit this museum!

This is a great museum covering cowboys and the American West. The exhibition space is much larger than you might think. We spent 3 hours there and did not finish seeing the exhibits.
They had a lot of artworks from Remington and Russell, but also other artists. The was also an area displaying winners of their annual art competition. These were very good and not "modern art" pieces. They had exhibits on the military, Native Americans, black cowboys and vaqueros, and well as Hollywood's portrayals of the American West. The life of a cowboy was also discussed.
Outside, there are burial sites for a number of horses and bulls, a waterfall, multiple statues (including a large one of Buffalo Bill) and displays showing the "homes" of various tribes.
The gift shop is very nice, though of course fairly expensive. One negative- another bathroom would be nice.
Overall, I highly recommend this museum!

I was here as a child, many decades ago, and it's always nagged in the back of my mind that I should return as an adult. When the pandemic shut its doors, The Cowboy launched a genius social media campaign that featured Tim, the security guy. Inspired, I ordered a T-shirt in March 2020 with Tim's hashtag and that cemented a road trip goal with my son. It took us three years to get there.
I may have gotten teary when I walked into the lobby and saw the massive End Of The Trail sculpture I remembered as a child. The beautiful artwork, the outdoor gardens and interpretive areas, coupled with a vast amount of artifacts, memorabilia and detailed information about the West, those who lived it first, and those who came after, is overwhelming. It's the Sistine chapel of barbed wire and totems. There's no way to get through it before lunch. We finally quit out of self defense somewhere past the Rodeo Exhibit and made a wild dash for the gift shop. I wish I'd had another day to return, well rested, and tackle the remaining half of the museum we didn't cover.

Kudos to the staff, curators and board for continuing to grow this treasure of the West.

Lots of beautiful artwork, activities for the kids indoor and outdoor, and great exhibits. We particularly liked the cowboys in Entertainment section and the replica of the Western town.

Grandma, Grandpa, adult sister and 65 year old male , teen brother with Down syndrome and 7 year old all enjoyed the museum. We spent about 3 hours and could have spent more time. They had a “scavenger hunt” with a decoder that kept the 7 year old happy. The 65 year old male really enjoyed the museum and he had been before. Grandma and Grandpa (mid 50’s) one had been as a youngster and was impressed at how different it was. She remembered two dioramas. There were some interactive exhibits and plenty of video for a change. We enjoyed the exhibit with memorabilia from True Grit - both the original and the new. We also enjoyed the western town tableau. We could have spent longer but we got tired!

This museum is a "Must See" for any Old West history buff. They have a Wells Far stage coach, displays of frontier clothing and firearms, native beading and artifacts, western movie props, tributes to all the different types of Cow-Boys, frontier military displays, and even a full size Old West town that's built inside the museum. As an added bonus, they also have wonderful western art galleries and sculptures located througout the museum. Plan to spend some time exploring the museum, it's one of the treasures of our western heritage!

I didnt know what to expect. It was a very nice museum with knowledgable staff. Hit the outside first, especially if it is hot.

I've been to many historical museums this is the best I've seen,its massive and getting bigger,so many beautiful paintings sculpture history, definitely plan on spending the day, take hour tour very informative and guide was great had many stories about museum definately a must stop when in okc

I don’t know what we were expecting from this place but it surpassed what we thought it would be like. We enjoyed the section with the old western films and the actual town from back in the day the most! Worth seeing!

We visited this museum on June 4. There is free parking at the entrance. When we visited the museum we were able to view the entries for the Prix de West competition. You will also gain insight into what the term “Cowboy” means in all its facets. On the outside area you can visit some homes of the indigenous population. There is a dining facility.

A major museum in the OKC area. Lots of paintings, lots of sculptures, and an area commemorating Hollywood's biggest western stars. Worth a look.

The art is wonderful and almost overwhelming. Be sure to see the Prix de West exhibit of past winners.

This museum was one of the best I've ever visited. I thought I would be bored, but it was fascinating! Many knowledgeable people working here, and readily share their knowledge. Beautiful building, beautiful art. Especially loved the Native American sections.

There wasn’t much in Oklahoma . We read about this so decided to stop off .
There’s lot to see and has a cute little cinema in it that shows old westerns .
Worth a visit .

We stopped here as a spur of the moment stop during our road trip. Great stop. Art, movie history, rides information, a real old west town inside. So much to see. Not boring or stuffy, with lots to experience. Nice place!

We spent 2 hours here and ONLY covered the inside exhibits (some of them quickly)! Incredibly well done museum with a wide range of art and artifacts to view, learn about and explore. Be sure to budget at least half a day to see it all! Very friendly team as well.

Been taking relatives and friends who visit OKC to this museum for years. 1st time we went we thought it would be a joke; NO! Great museum. I particularly liked the large floor maps of the cattle trails and believe it or not, the barbwire display--never knew there were that many types of barbwire There are story high sculptures in and outside the museum walls that are fantastic. Highly recommend this place. They accept military and student discounts.

What a great museum. This place is a MUST visit. We spent about 5 hours in here. The exhibits were unbelievably amazing! Great great museum. Im glad I visit it. Highly recommend it!

I thought that the museum was a lovely mix of exhibits. There was a lot of art on display - but that was very interesting for me to see. The other exhibits which gave an insight into the cowboy life from all angles were also fascinating. The staff were helpful and it was well displayed. Well worth a visit.

This is one of the greatest museums I’ve ever been to, but it’s almost too big with too many intriguing things to look at. I’m good at a museum for about 3-4 hours then I start getting burnt out. I wasn’t even halfway through the museum and still hadn’t been outside. If I could, I’d take my time over 2-3 days the next time I visit. It really is an incredible collection. If only every museum covered their subjects and surrounding culture so well.

We visited the museum and took the guided tour.Baillie,our guide took us through the history of how the horse came to the USA and we looked at saddles and other equipment used by cowboys.We then went on to see the art and sculpture works at the museum, especially the Russell and Remintons.The sections on Native American clothing and pottery was very interesting. He took the time to take us to a gallery where there were giant Russell tripychs,which were unique. For those who are interested in cowboys in films and TV, there is a whole section to see.We were there for over 4 hours and probably could have been there longer.There are things for children to do and explore.I would certainly recommend it.

If you like the West, cowboys or western movies. The museum is very detailed. Full of examples: 500+ barbed wire examples, movie star memorabilia, art work, interactive Indian lodging, statutes, and awesome volunteers. There is an entrance fee. Depending on your Western preference, plan on anywhere from 1 to 4 hours at the museum. The museum offers tours; call front desk for exact times. Tour was scheduled for 1 p.m. when we were visiting. There is not an easy flow to the museum; you wander from area to area loosing track of time enjoying the exhibits. The exhibit labeling offers good explanations. There are interactive children areas.

There was a lot of art exhibits. There was a few interactive exhibits and little theaters for shorts clips that explained history. There was exhibits that showed different Native American dwellings that's was really cool. If you are a western movie buff there is a section for all the more popular actor(s) and stuff about them. It is a really big museum so wear comfy shoes since there will be a lot of walking.

The museum far exceeded our expectations! The exhibits were interesting and well done. The art was exceptionally good. The outside area was interesting and would be helpful for families with young children (so they could run around for a while). The exhibits outside were well done and informative. The food was good. You will want to plan to be there for at least 5-6 hours. We loved it and would highly recommend it.

The art exhibits were beautiful, but the clothing/tools exhibits really caught our eyes. We visited with 2 kids (10&7) so we weren’t able to slow down to read and appreciate the details, but really enjoyed browsing it all visually. The outdoors was a nice break for the kids to play a bit. Every detail in and out was perfectly thought out and executed. Gorgeous museum!

While seeing the sights in OKC we stopped in here. A beautiful museum. Lots of great displays, beautifully designed and laid out. A must see if you are in the area!

I would have given the Museum a rating of five today, except that the staff starting shooing people out 15 minutes before the posted closing time on December 15, 2019.

I had paid my admission fee at 1:49 PM on that day and thought that I had plenty of time to tour the large museum. However, I was not finished looking at the many exhibits at 4:45 PM. It was very annoying to be told to leave when it was clearly not time yet. A more customer serving attitude would be to start closing at the posted time and not a minute before.

Go for the great art work. They have a free tour at 1:00 pm that brings it all together then go back and enjoy the art.

This was an excellent historical experience learning about American western culture and American cowboys and cowgirls. This is a must do if you want to learn about this topic. There is so much to see that we spent the entire day there. It had amazing professional artwork (paintings and sculptures) with time period artifacts that told the visual stories of life on the western range since the 1800s. It covers multiple ethnic people, men and women, that were part of this time period like the Spanish, Africans, and Chinese in addition to the Native American tribes. Hollywood western films are shown with famous actors. There are outdoor exhibits too. Even military soldiers’ displays are here. Do the 1 pm tour with a docent for an hour. It is a great introduction. Mr. Doug was excellent! This museum is SO WELL KEPT. The $18 admission (each adult) for the three of us was worth the overall experience.

We weren’t sure we would enjoy this museum as we are not from the world of cattle and cowboys. We were pleasantly surprised. This place had so much to see. Everything from ranching life, to military, to native Americans, to rodeo, even Hollywood western movies and actors, and a full model western town. (I never knew there were so many types of barbed wire). The place is huge and has something for everyone! They even have activities to keep kids engaged and learning. Plan a full day and be prepared to walk…. A LOT!

This museum is a must see for any western fan when in the Oklahoma City area. Much bigger than I anticipated and a truly enjoyable museum. Plenty of art and artifacts to see. Even has a complete western town to walk through and view. Can’t say enough about the helpful staff. The place is clean and modern. Plan for a few hours and plenty of pictures. John Wayne lives.

A gem! I knew about the western movie memorabilia and some of the many artifacts from the old west. What I did not know is how much fine art was here, paintings and sculptures to rival many American art museums. It takes about three hours to see everything. It's more than worth the price of admission.

Very nice museum that is mostly nice art.

It is worth a 90 minute stop. Some of the paintings were beautiful and many were for sale. The highest price tag I noticed was $60,000.00

There were some roaming employees who were very knowledgeable and helpful.

I'm not a huge cowboy fan but my husband is, however, this was still quite interesting to me. It's large but well laid out. The outside grounds are beautiful and well kept. There was a Dorthea Lange and Andy Warhol exhibit going on, so that was fabulous.

Unbelievable and Fascinating. This is even more spectacular than any of the Smithsonian Museums in DC. We are completely stunned. The museum is HUGE! And so beautifully presented. You really do need the best part of a day to see it all. Having lived in Dallas for 30 years, we thought we knew what there is to know about cowboys, rodeo, Indians and the West. But we were constantly surprised. There is an entire room devoted just to John Wayne. This is a Must Do event in OKC.

I really enjoyed my visit and spent two very relaxed hours here. The Art Galleries were excellent and gave me a great introduction to some aspects of American art.
I really enjoyed the rodeo gallery, as a non-American, but keen sport/pastime fan it was great to read about.

I can't say enough good things to see there. Everything I imagined as a boy came to life. Loved the centerpiece sculpture.

We arrived in time to join the 1:00 pm tour of an hour conducted by an in-house guide. The presentation by Doug was entertaining and very informative. The artifacts on display convey a fresh and learned experience. We spent approx 4 hours and enjoyed every moment. The museum changes frequently enough we will surely return. As we travel frequently, we visit many museums every year—this is truly a special attraction not to be missed. It is astounding to learn how we have been manipulated by Hollywood and our government concerning what “true” Cowboys and Indian culture is about. The educational lessons about how the USA really was influenced by these cultures are extremely valuable.

We were overwhelmed at the space and amount of exhibits. We went on a recommendation of a friend not knowing what to expect. The space is loaded with exhibits and impressive art. I really enjoyed the And Warhol and Dorotha Lange exhibits and count ourselves lucky to see them on the last weekend. We did not see much of the outside section, as we went in the afternoon and it was just too hot. So much to see and do here, we spent a couple of hours but could have stayed much longer.

Visited for the first time and was greeted by a friendly volunteer upon entry. He started by giving an overall description of the museum which was appreciated but then he went into a DETAILED 20 minute long talk about all we would see at the museum. At one point I even said, “Great! This all sounds wonderful. Which way to the old town?” And he replied “I am getting to that. Be patient.” I know he was trying to be kind but it was a little bit excessive. The interactive exhibits were awesome and the outdoor exhibits were gorgeous! Loved visiting the old west town and the tribal homesteads. Worth the visit but I would hope the volunteers would share some insight (briefly) and then allow us to visit on our own.

I visited on a blustey November day, and I hope the following obsevations are helpful-if not particularyly brilliant or original:
1. I am not interested in horses, saddles, tack, or guns, but I still found much to interest me.
2. The portrayal of native americans is sympathetic, but very shallow. I would like to have seen more information about the Indian wars and the present state of the Indian nations.
3. The artwork and photograophs are excellent. I especially enjoyed the black and white photographs of the vaqueros.
4. To my surprise, my favorite section of the Museum was the section dedicated to Westerns-big screen and small. I grew up watching Roy Rogers, and, of course, Gunsmoke. The film narrated by Sam Elliott is well done.
5. The outside area is very attracive and worthwhile-even on a cold day and with a gang of obnoxious teenagers climbing on everything. (Their teacher kept saying "you probably shouldn't do that-hurry up before you get caught." ) The Buffalo Bill sculpture is fabulous.
6. The cafe is quite nice, and refreshingly quiet and inexpensive after the gouging I received in the airports flying to OKC.
7. The Museum is not near downtown, and my Uber was about $15.00 with tip included.
8. The Museum store is large and has a large selection. My untrained eye saw expensive, attractive items and the usual gift store bric-a-brac.

I grew up watching many of the cowboys in this museum on the big screen and also black and white TV. Of course my hero was the "Duke", John Wayne. This museum is jam packed with memorabilia and western art work. It also has tons of information on the sport of Rodeo and the big names in the sport, both male and female.

I had hoped to see the Russell and Remington western art work, but that part of the museum was being remodeled. Outdoors they have full scale models of different Native American habitats. They brought in individuals from each tribal nation to build the habitats to be as factual as possible. There is also a large section on the US Calvary in the 1870s and the Buffalo Soldiers.

If you are a fan of the Old West and also of the modern sport of Rodeo, this is a place you don't want to miss.

Exhaustive, comprehensive and potentially exhausting (!) Just when you think something has been overlooked, there it is (well except for any mention of Brokeback Mountain, this being Oklahoma after all). From Native Americans to Cowboys of various sorts, movies and TV shows featuring same, to an indoor recreation of an old west main street to exterior displays you may explore (hot as blazes), it's here. Cowboy attire, walls of boots,, guns, hats, et al. The role of women in the West, rodeos, commercialization, civil war and on and on. There's also a extensive art gallery that intermingles with actual (period) Western Art. (The gallery portion seemed to get a genuinely appreciative reception, but a little cheesy paying admission to see the inside of a showroom - want to spend $28,000 for a landscape? Step right up!) All in all just tons to see and you can easily spend 2-3 hours - at that you're still glossing over stuff, though not everything will appeal to everyone.

lovely exhibits of cowboy gear.
great sculptures, as "end of the trail'.
inexpensive admission of $ 8.75 for seniors.

I've been to a host of western murals over the years and they are not my personal favorite. I did think this was well done and provided some information I've not seen before. My wife loved it and I was pleased we came.

We took our toddler here and really enjoyed ourselves! It was interesting for adults and interactive for kids. Both the indoor and outdoor areas were awesome!

Visited Saturday morning. Plan on at least two hours. We took almost three hours and rushed through some of it. Every aspect of cowboy life gets covered here. Worth the small admission price. Thanks goodness there are outdoor spaces just for kids because they're going to be bored with most of the exhibits. Ex: seeing John Wayne's movie outfits or the museum's collection of pristine firearms will mean nothing to them. Parking is free. Other than the small food stand on site and a McDonald's across the highway, places to eat are a drive.

The National Cowboy and Heritage Museum was wonderful. The museum is full of history on Cowboys. Another great feature is the viewing of old Western Television Shows. A wonderful afternoon was enjoyed by us.

My wife and I truly enjoyed our visit to this fantastic building. So much to see so please take your time. If you are into the west and cowboys you will most certainly like this stop. A must see and come back to at a later date.

So, here it is, two years later, and we are back in OKC for another graduation. When we were here two years ago, we spent about 6 hours in this museum (lunch and Gift Shop visit included), and still did not see any of the outdoor portion, as we ran out of time.

The plan, this time, was to see everything outside, and to, again, spend more time in the Western Performers Gallery, which we enjoyed so much two years ago. When we came in, we were told that there were new exhibits, and given their locations.

As you turn right, after admission, there is a most fascinating immersive exhibit called "Find Your West". Large scale, floor to ceiling displays of moving Western landscapes plus sounds surround you from all directions. There are benches, so that one can sit down, to better absorb all this. We loved it so much that I do believe, we spent at least half an hour there. It was like being in a Western movie. Before leaving the Museum, we went back for another 15 minutes. Really unique experience.

From there, we again spent another hour, or so, at the Western Performers Gallery, and then went outside. We had not realized how large the outside area is, and it is laid out like a park with beautiful landscaping, many sculptures, and picnic tables in the shade. As it was such a beautiful day (at the end of May 2025), it was perfect to meander around, look at the exhibits, and enjoy everything.

There’s so much art and history at this beautiful museum. Definitely worth checking out if you’re into cowboy history.

Our experience was actually very good other than this, but I’m giving one star in hopes this gets read by another staff member. We visited on Sunday 9/24/23 and didn’t realize they closed at 5. At 5:15, my Asian boyfriend and I were using the restroom and about to leave. We did not hear any closing announcements over the PA system or anything, and I had been under the impression they closed at 6.

Yes, we should have known they were closing at 5. It was a stupid mistake. I came out of the bathroom to two security guards (one younger, one older, the older one doing most of the talking) behaving unprofessionally and interrogating my boyfriend. He apologized profusely for the mistake, but they said things like “that’s on you” and went on about how “if you know a place is closing at 5, you should close with the place” in a condescending tone. My boyfriend also got a bit of a lecture on respect, which would only be appropriate for a child and not an educated, 30-year-old American Alliance of Museums member. I get that we had made a mistake, but without a closing warning over the PA system this is probably a fairly common. A simple “sorry we’re closed, please leave” would have been professional, but their behavior was not.

The moment I (white lady) stepped into view and apologized, the guard’s demeanor changed. He said “you’re fine” and the guards walked away. The difference in the way the guards treated me and my boyfriend was night and day, and I can’t help but feel there was some racial animosity involved.

It left a bad taste in my mouth.

I enjoyed my visit to the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. I found a few hours here leisurely strolling around was ample time for me. If you are one to read every single card on each artefact, then you could spend a whole day I am sure. I enjoyed the initial hall with the photo displays, and my favourite was the town replica!! LOVED IT! Lunch was nice, the outside gardens were a relaxing finale' to exploring the museum.

We spent hours here and don’t feel like we thoroughly saw all there was to see. The artwork was incredible. The True Grit exhibit was on display, and we found it to be very interesting. We drove four hours to visit this museum, and it did not disappoint us.

We went to see Michael Martin Murphey's Cowboy Christmas Ball in December of 2023. We are so disappointed that Michael will not be coming back this December of 2024. He is still touring the country with his Christmas Show, but for some reason the Cowboy Hall of Fame is not having him back this year. It has been a tradition for us. He has been coming to the Cowboy Hall of Fame for over 20++ years and we have attended many of those shows, even hosted our daughter's Birthday party there at Murphey's Christmas Show about 15 years ago.. I called the museum and they told me that "the Museum had decided to move in a new direction." The entertainment is Red Steagall who is 85 and is very good, but he is 15 years older than Murphey who is 70. Sounds like they are "moving in an older direction." Just one member's opinion.

Have visited before but brought my 13 YOA grandson who loves western stuff. He really enjoyed all the western stars and their items. Also the rodeo area. Well really he enjoyed seeing and reading EVERYTHING. All the attendants in the museum were very helpful and very nice. We really enjoyed our visit for the second time.

WOW! We went with high expectations and this museum blew us away. The Docent Tour guided by Ben Robinson was the best tour we've ever been on...and we've done a LOT of tours. Don't miss this awesome place if you're in OKC.

Last time I visited this museum was 1972. A bit has changed, but even more fabulous. The big thing about this museum is it’s a big thing. The number of quality exhibits is overwhelming! I suggest multiple visits ( at least 2) to truly experience and absorb this museum. Could be done in a full day, but I think it would be more enjoyable broken up.

The End of the Trail statue (featured) is worth the admission just by itself. Make sure to see the triptychs on the east side of the museum (ask someone to take you there) as they are just magnificent. If you can go during the Prix de West exhibition in July-August, which is the SuperBowl of Western art, make the trip.

They have changed the children's area and Prosperity Junction some for the better (outside) and some for the worst (took out train station inside). Galleries always bring back good memories from my trips past 20 years with children

My husband is such a fan of Western movies, and anything Western, that we all knew that he would absolutely love this Museum. Fact is, I could barely drag him out of there, and if we had had more time in OKC, we, most likely, would have gone back three more times. Our daughter dropped us off in the morning, and our son-in-law was supposed to pick us up after work. Well, we texted that we needed more time, so, he sat in the parking lot, and patiently, waited for us to exit.

This Museum is about the size of a smallish airport. When we came in, we turned right, and, after a short walk, found an abundance of galleries down the hall. Each gallery had so many treasures to enjoy. So much beautiful Western Art. We walked and looked, and then, came upon the "Western Performers Gallery", and we, totally, lost track of time. So many familiar Hollywood stars, and so many familiar Western movies!

I looked at my watch, and saw that it was getting close to 2 pm, and we had been told that the small cafe closes at 2. We rushed through the entire terminal like building, and got there in time. Our daughter had told us that there was nothing really special about it, and for that size of a Museum, I think that they could do something much better. However, we did find a pretty nice clean table, and the food was good. My husband had a Nathan's Hot Dog, and it was served hot and tasty, and I had the "Pasta Salad". I only chose it, as nothing else (on the short list menu) sounded appealing. That homemade pasta salad was one of the best I have ever had. I did not expect to eat it all, but I did. It was, truly, delicious.

After our late lunch, (this "Museum Grill" is on the left side from the entrance), we looked at some of the exhibits close by, but, really wanted to get back to that "Western Performers Gallery", so back we went. It was getting later and later, and we still had so much more to see, however, our legs were sore, and giving out. Besides, it was almost pick up time for us.

Dashed into the very interesting, and well stocked Gift Store, and bought ourselves some t-shirts. We don't like to walk around advertising places, so never have we bought a t-shirt at any museum or attraction. However, we felt we wanted t-shirts from the Cowboy Museum, and are very happy with our purchases. Then it was out the door, and our "Uber" driver (son in law) was there waiting for us.

We saw nothing of the outside exhibits, and, later, looking at a layout of this Museum, we saw that we had missed a lot. That is why two day visits are highly recommended. We interacted very little with the docents/volunteers, only because of time constraints. However, they had some very interesting facts they shared with us. Facts we would not have known otherwise, and facts, which enriched our visit.

A big museum beautifully presenting some of the the best of Western art. Also a remarkable recreation of a small western town in about 3/4 size. A lot to offer.

Any specialist in Western tools could spend all day here. I didn't know there could be so many saddles. Each room has a theme. Our hour and a half went by way too quickly.

We visited this museum this morning and were blown away by the amount of exhibits on show. Lots of authentic memorabilia and an enormous collection of art works about life in the days of cowboys and Indians. The museum itself is enormous, and we spent much longer than we anticipated given how much there was to see. Definitely worth a visit.

Came here after hearing about it in Apple News as a must-see sight in OK City, and I have to agree it is. The museums is a combination art museum (western and native american - both recent and past), history museum on cowboys and western life (including an exhibit on western TV and film stars/shows, which was my favorite), and the National Rodeo Hall of Fame. We spent 3 hours and could have spent more. It is well laid out, spacious and modern.

We had the misfortune of being there when the local college was giving the bar exam so there was no parking. We had to walk about half a mile to get in the door. There is so much to see in western art. They also have a rodeo exhibit, a movie and TV exhibit, and several military exhibits. You can spend the entire day here.

A magnificent and huge museum on the fascinating history of cowboys and part of the United States
We learn so much about history, cinema, rodeo, natives, traditions, cultures

It was a wonderful experience. The history was exposed well. A lot of information from the natives of America. We had a great time there

This museum is fantastic. We spent 2.5 hours but could have spent the entire day. It was extremely well done, with magnificent artwork and fabulous history.
A must see.

I have brought several age groups here for a field trip and they all enjoyed it. Something for everyone.

A must visit. So much of the west that I had not known about. Could have stayed in there for another 4 hours. The entire town of oklahoma city and edmon are two of the best places I have ever visited.

This is really what brought us to OKC. It was the reason we drive into the city. we were not disappointed. The displays and exhibits were very nice. Some were exquisite. Many talented artist are featured here. We especially enjoyed the American cowboy and Rodeo section of the museum. The model of town was also really nice. These three sections were awesome to us. We are so glad that western cowboy history is being preserved. It means so much to our country!

This is a very large museum which requires hours to do it justice. The outdoor exhibits are enormous and include a pueblo recreation. Fans of old TV and movie westerns will enjoy seeing their favorite stars such as Clint Walker (Cheyene) and Richard Boone (Have Gun, Will Travel). The art world is huge and deserves a lot of time to study each. This was well worth a trip from Delaware to enjoy.

This place is HUGE but they could do sooooo much better. I was surprised by the size of the place and how much better the displays COULD have been. Visit this place after everything else u need to see in OKC

Outstanding museum with lots of artwork pertaining to the west including Russell and others. This is a very large museum and you should plan on a couple of hours to see.

Even if you are mildly interested in Western art and artifacts, this will blow you away. Spacious and very nice - room after room of excellent things to see. It just goes on and on.

What a great museum. I heard about this museum 30+ years ago.

Was in OKC for a concert and had a few free hours. So much to see, very well curated and the docent tour was very interesting.

I think this would be a great place to take children, I know my daughter would have loved it then and now at 21.

Great history of southwest, amazing paintings, and monumental statues.

Definitely a must do!

This museum was HUGE and chock full of a variety of Western-related art, ranging from paintings to jewelry to clothing to textiles to pottery to saddles and more. Well organized with something for everyone. We are not big Western aficionados, but we appreciated the museum’s offerings. Plenty of free parking.

My wife and I were in Norman for a prophecy conference in October 2023 and visited this museum. Incredible museum with tons of stuff to see. Some of the highlights for us were the replica western town and the outside Indian dwellings of various tribes. I've been to lots of museums around the country, and this was one of my favorites. Many life sized dioramas and lots of period items. Way too much to list in my review, but we have zero negative things to say and I wish I could have spent more time there. Also an incredible collection of period firearms. Also so much information on Native American culture. Being from the New Orleans area, this museum was different from things we have seen in the southeast. We enjoyed it immensely, and I would gladly go again.

Most beautiful art! This is a must see museum. We always take out of town guests here. There is truly something for everyone.

So much to see and do. Many displays and artifacts. Beautiful artwork. We took a tour (free) and felt that it added to the experience. Lots of walking. It's deceiving so much that you could spend an entire day. Had a snack in the restaurant which was very good.

This was a great location to spend some time at. Glad we went here. If you are a fan of the Pioneer Era, cowboys and Native American Indians then this is the place for you. Great prices with lots of discounts available. We spent about 2 hours here and it wasn't enough. Next time we are in town, this is a must for us.

A must visit but make sure you spend at least 3 hours here. There is so much to see, the museum is like a maze of history, art, sculpture, stories, fun and interaction. There are tours available of you can walk through yourself. A wonderful surprise was our family got in free with the bluestarfam military honour. Grab a drink at the cafe that is open till 2pm and spend another half hour in the massive gift shop.

We are visiting our son in Tulsa and my husband just HAD to make the 1.5 hour or so drive into OKC to see this museum. He has been following their Twitter feed throughout the pandemic and it became almost a pilgrimage!

This museum was beautiful. The artwork was spectacular. Though I really just tagged along, I found that I truly enjoyed myself and learned a lot about western history and culture. The layout was such that we had no problem keeping to social distancing. The docents who seemed to always be nearby were very pleasant and helpful.

My husband is already planning our next trip to OKC to return to this museum!

Wow, just so much here, it’s too much and overwhelming. The expansive collection of art and heritage items are impressive. All friendly staff walking around to help. We stayed 2.5 hours, saw everything but didn’t read everything. Almost need to come back bc just can’t do it in one visit. Don’t forget the outside sculpture garden.

This place exceeded are expectations by a large margin. If you love history, the west, art or rodeo this is a must visit. Plenty of parking, staff helpful as well. My wife and I really enjoyed our two hours here.

We enjoyed our visit to the museum. It wasn’t crowded when we visited in late May, which was nice. The exhibits are very interesting. We enjoyed browsing for a few hours. It was definitely with the stop.

Awesome a must do if you visit okc loved it everything you would want from a museum good price lots to see and very friendly staff

Fabulous museum and grounds. We were lucky to have a tour that was so informative because there is just so much to look at and read in this place! Room after room of displays. More information than you can absorb in one visit. Don't miss the grounds.

My husband loved watching a short video in the recreated little movie theater. I loved seeing clothing & guns from Annie Oakley. We both loved seeing what villages of each Indian tribe used to look like. This museum has one room of priceless relics after another. All displayed in such a classy manner. We left here loving our country.

wonderful art, sculptures. Memorbilia and history. Great presentation, Great Flow and clean. Well maintained. Definite list topper for any trip to OKC.

We love to visit this museum. It's always a great way to spend the day! We loved all the native American art as well as the café.
It's across from the race track, the zoo and several other museums that are fantastic journeys.
Make a weekend of it and spend a couple days exploring each of the offerings nearby!

My daughter and I came here to visit during a visit to OKC. I had never heard of this museum and we did this as a way to spend a Sunday afternoon but I must say we were beyond impressed! I assumed it would be of little interest to someone who is not especially a part of "cowboy culture" but this museum has something for everyone. The displays are amazing. Although there is a lot of very impressive western, cowboy, and Native American art this museum is not just a collection of statues and paintings. There are several immersive exhibits both indoors and outdoors. We went on a beautiful sunny day in January with very pleasant weather and enjoyed the outdoor displays as much as the indoor ones. We hope to return and spend more time here!

What a great museum. Even if you’re not interested in cowboys you should go here. It’s well worth the time. There is something about western history here for everyone.

We loved exploring this museum. We were there for over 3.5 hours, and could have easily spent longer. The kids enjoyed learning/playing at the new outdoor area which showcases dwellings across the plains. The artwork we saw was stunning, including the Dorothea Lange and Andy Warhol visiting exhibits. Also seeing the rodeo room and cowboys from the movies was also fun! There were a couple gallery rooms closed, but even so, there was so much to see, I wish we could have stayed longer!

Well worth a visit. It only cost 12.50 per person and it took us about 2 hours. If it had been warmer weather it would have taken much longer. There is a huge part of the museum that is outside and very kid friendly. A must see when in OKC.

I spent a couple of hours at the museum on a Saturday and was lucky enough to catch a 1:00 tour. It was free! The docent was wonderful...an eighty-year-old fellow who really knew his stuff and could tell a good story. In an hour and a half, he showed us many parts of the museum including the western art, the Native American craft and clothing, Hollywood and the west, and life as a cowboy on the ranch and on the trail. Fascinating! Highly recommended!

Went there not expecting to be wowed but the locals recommended as a must see. We were not disappointed! This was much larger than expected, well laid-out and educational. The exhibits made you feel as if you were actually a living part of the scene. Be prepared to spend a couple of hours or more to truly enjoy the rich Native American and “cowboy” history.

This was a nice museum and well presented! I'm not a museum aficionado, but this was GREAT. Western art, rodeo memorabilia, western movie stars, and old west town. Very well done.

Gosh there is so much to see at this museum. From barb wire to rodeo trophies. A real education. Set aside at least 3 hours.

Probably one of the best museums in OKC for families. There is something that will interest everyone in your group. From art, to history of the rodeo to several kids activities. Been there several times and it never disappoints. Throughout the year they have large scale events such as the Chuck Wagon festival (late May) and much more. Be sure to follow them on social media for upcoming events.

went with my daughters ( teenage ) , we had plenty to see , alot from art to plenty of displays indoor and outdoor, would recommend for any family day

Surprisingly, this was my least favorite museum that I’ve visited in a long while. It is certainly extensive, but I can’t say it particularly captured my interest. Was it me? Was it the collection? Was it how it was presented? I can’t say for sure. I had the place virtually to myself but I described it later as seeing a lot of saddles… I also apparently haven’t had a great interest in the western movies and books. So if that’s cool to you, maybe you’ll enjoy it more.

We planned an hour here, stayed 2 and could have stayed longer. There are so many exhibits. I personally liked the Remington and Russell art, but they also have prize winners for their art show, all excellent. I also enjoyed the rodeo part. My husband liked the western actor display and another person liked the soldier and native American art. A true treasure, check out this work of art.

Really nice, and HUGE, museum. Everyone enjoyed it, even our 15-yr-old who doesn’t much like museums. Allow 3 hours or more to do it justice.

This is such a well done and spacious museum depicting the cowboy and western life and Art. We spent nearly 3 hours here and enjoyed every minute. I loved the rodeo section and was surprised to be so overwhelmed by the beautiful art work depicting the cowboy era. I am not a Big fan of art museums but I could have spent a full hour in the C M Russell hall. The vivid color of his paintings really brings them to life. There are so many halls, you need the map to make sure you see it all. The outside depiction of Indian dwellings and cliff dwellings were extremely well done. If you are anywhere near Oklahoma City, this museum is a must do! And a big shout out to the 87 yr-old coyboy from Chicago who was so helpful today!

This place is a true treasure of not only the BEST of Western Art but also of Western Heritage with something for everyone in your group including the children

Have visited This Place several times over the year,even way back when it used to be called the national Cowboy Hall of Fame.
Schools in Oklahoma 10 to host field trips there. And I actually haven't been sensei was in school. Now that I'm an old guy with a bunch of kids. My wife and I decided to you let the kids experience this place. And it is fantastic. The huge museum for the state of Oklahoma! The company I work for also had a formal get together
At the Museum. It was a catered event with drinks. And that service was decent too.

I've been to this museum once before in 2020. Large collection, you could spend hours looking at everything. On this visit I enjoyed seeing the Spiro exhibit. But my family's strange encounter with a guard left me unhappy. I had gone to catch up with my sister since we'd split up and found a guard telling her about Osage history. But then he started talking about Native American DNA and history. He seemed to have his own ideas about native origins and made the odd claim that Comanches were from Mexico. Seems he thought they didn't have a legitimate connection to the land. Went out of his way to point out that natives were killing each other before Europeans arrived, I've heard this kind of thing before and it goes with a racial and political agenda I've heard from people on the far right of politics. I was getting annoyed and he kind rushed off after saying everything we're taught in school is wrong. I suspect he saw my sister alone and thought to talk her up but by the time he'd finished his weird lecture we'd all caught up with her. After that weird unpleasant encounter it was time to go as the museum was closing soon.

This museum was well worth a stop. There is amazing art depicting scenes/people of the west. The museum was well laid out and full of interesting information. The staff were super friendly and were very helpful in explaining exhibits and pointing you in the right direction.

The museum is huge! Beautiful artwork and exhibits of Native American and Cowboy artifacts includes rodeo and hollywood. Also includes an indoor replication of an old west town. A must see!

Last time I visited, the name was the Cowboy Hall of Fame. Wow! Many things have changed with more to see and experience today! I even got my oldest son's family to visit with us after he started following Cowboy Tim (?) on Twitter. My grand kids enjoyed the exhibits inside and outside. My husband and I were wanting to see the bronzes and other statues, but those exhibits were closed pending renovation. I told him we would just have to come back to see the Prix in September. Great time, lots to see and experience, take time to enjoy all the museum has to offer. There is something for all age groups to experience.

Another wonderful place. One section was artwork and the biggest part was all sorts of Western and Cowboy stuff, saddles, guns, knives, chaps, hats etc. The Rodeo Hall of Fame was located inside the museum.

They have so much beautiful art it was also very informative. We went on a whim on a road trip and we loved it. The paintings and sculptures they have are mesmerizing. It was a new experience for us.

We searched for something to do in Oklahoma City and found this. Thank goodness. It was wonderful. I knew nothing about cowboys except from the movies. What a surprise to learn so much more about the settling of the west. The exhibits are displayed so well. There are so many fascinating areas showing how the west was settled from the standpoint of cowboys, soldiers, and native Americans. They even had a section on cowboys in the movies. You could easily spend hours in the museum. I will visit again if I am ever in this area.

This is a wonderful museum in OKC with incredible art and very informative displays. We learned so much after spending several hours meandering around the beautiful building. The movie theater highlighting western movies was particularly fun. Our plan was to bike ride around OKC however due to a snow/ice storm that activity was tabled. The Cowboy museum was recommended to us by our B & B and we were not disappointed!

What an amazing place. We spent about 4-1/2 hours and discovered later that we missed some outside parts although we did see all the inside galleries which were incredible and told the story of westward expansion with sensitivity and boldness. The gift shop was enchanting and I was able to explore lovely Native American artistry in jewelry, scarves and textiles, books, etc. Very satisfying even the food was good though some of the patio chairs had lost their springs!