Oklahoma City National Memorial, Oklahoma City (must see)

The Oklahoma City National Memorial commemorates the Oklahoma City bombing of 1995 through a collection of interactive exhibits for visitors of all ages. All the collections of exhibits help tell the stories of the victims and survivors, as well as teaching visitors about the impact of violence that took place that fateful day. This site is made up of both a memorial and a museum.

The Outdoor Symbolic Memorial is on the site where the Murrah Building stood before the explosion. This outdoor area is open 24 hours a day. One of the most memorable sights to see is the "Field of Empty Chairs", with each chair representing a person who died in the bombing.

A famous part of the outdoor memorial area is The Survivor Tree. This American Elm tree survived the bombing and has become an important symbol of survival and resiliency for members of the community.

Visitors who want to see the museum will find it in the former Journal Record Building that dates back to 1923 and withstood the explosion. Self-guided tours let visitors look at things from the perspectives of those who died in the bombing, the survivors, and those living with changed lives.

All of the stories are told using a variety of formats to connect visitors in a compelling way. There are hundreds of videos that help provide a closer look at how this event has changed lives. There are over a million items in the archives that include documents and artifacts that help put everything into perspective.

Why You Should Visit:
An amazing collection of displays that provide a look into the lives of those impacted by this tragedy.
The stunning memorial area outside that visitors can access any time of the day.

Tips:
Rangers from the National Park Service are on-site daily aside from Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.