OKANA: An Exciting Indoor Waterpark Adventure Less Than Four Hours From DFW

Located in Oklahoma City, OKANA is an easy getaway for DFW families looking for fun, excitement and a waterpark all under one roof.

The EA Crew is always up for a good time. We love to explore, travel, swim and just generally try new things and see new places. I'm always on the lookout for our next weekend adventure, vacation getaway or must-try new activity in Texas, in the South, in the US and absolutely beyond. 

Okana Resort & Indoor Waterpark in Oklahoma City

So, naturally, Okana Resort and Indoor Waterpark is a spot that has been on my list since it opened its doors in Oklahoma City last spring. 

Let me list the reasons why...

• Less than 4 hours from DFW
• Indoor water park and seasonal outdoor water park
• On-site entertainment, including an arcade, daily activities for families and eateries with various activities to enjoy as you dine
• Rooms with bunk beds for kids so they have their own "space," plus rooms that can accommodate large families without breaking the bank (y'all... the overnight rates at Okana are amazing!)
• So much to do at one destination, plus it's just across the highway from downtown OKC and all the fun offerings in Oklahoma

Okana Resort & Indoor Waterpark in Oklahoma City. 

Tell me more about the waterpark. Is it really worth the drive?

Yes! The indoor waterpark kept four of my six travel mates (yep- I traveled with 6 kiddos, ages 7, 10, 12, 13, 16 & 16) happy for literally 8 hours. There is a wave pool, a flow rider surf simulator, a kids splash area, a little kid area (think 2 and younger), a lazy river and multiple slides, some of which require tubes. Plus, the indoor waterpark has cabanas for an extra fee, three restaurants within the waterpark and a bar and hot tub for those 21 and over. My crazy crew (of all girls, by the way!) played hard. 

We recently visited, after it was already cold and the outdoor waterpark closed for the season. But the outdoor waterpark looks awesome, too, and we hope to travel back next summer to check it out!

Hitting the water slides at Okana Resort. 

But what else can we do while we are there? My kids will only want to swim for so long.

My girls loved the on-site arcade. They are in their claw machine era... Don't ask me how much we spent on those! Plus, next to the resort, at an area called the Boardwalk, is a restaurant called Curveball, where guests of all ages can hone their baseball skills while they nosh on great sports fare (think hot dogs and mac and cheese!). My softball player loved this (not sure what I'm talking about? Think TopGolf, but for baseball!). Not into baseball? No worries. Head next door to Bullseye, where you can try your hand at darts or axe throwing or other games of skill while you eat and drink. How's that for have your fun and eat it too?

Be sure to check the resort entertainment calendar each day of your trip, too. The resort offers different programming for kids each day so they can try something a little different. During our stay, the girls entered a limbo contest, made fall lanterns with tissue paper, plastic jars and tea lights and competed in races inside the waterpark and snagged some sunglasses as a prize. So fun!

There is also a candy shop in the resort for kids (and adults!) who need a little treat at the end of a wonderful (but exhausting!) day. 

Curveball in Oklahoma City

What about the adults in the group? Is there anything that might appeal to them?

Besides the hot tub and bar in the waterpark I mentioned above you mean? How about the onsite spa, where guests can indulge in a myriad of services to help them relax and unwind no matter the time of year? There is also a great Gastropub onsite called Jack Rabbit where you can eat and drink with great views of downtown Oklahoma City outside the window. I also enjoyed the small workout room to get a few workouts in while we stayed, and I enjoyed logging a few miles along the Canadian River, which you can access via walking paths directly behind the resort. 

Greetings from Okana!

Okana is truly a destination unto itself, and we were able to find all the food and entertainment we needed for a two-day stay at this awesome resort. But, if you're looking to explore while in OKC, there are a number of fun things to do that are just a short car ride from the resort. Check out Scissortail Park, the Oklahoma Science Museum and Bricktown, to name a few. 

Thank you, Okana, for hosting the EA crew for a two-day stay. We had an absolute blast and can't wait to come back soon. 

 

Affordable Summer Getaway Less Than Two Hours from Arlington: Tanglewood Resort at Lake Texoma

Did I just discover the metroplex's best kept secret for summer fun that is both close and affordable? Tanglewood Resort at Lake Texoma is all that and more!

Picture this:

A lake setting on the border of Texas and Oklahoma. A resort with various sizes of rooms available to accommodate travel parties of all sizes. Two outdoor pools with a slide plus a small kiddie pool plus an indoor pool with racing lanes and a hot tub. Two on-site dining options: a lakeside grill and a restaurant, plus a snack stand at the pool area. An outdoor playground. An 18-hole golf course with an onsite bar and grill. Pickleball courts. A tower bar (as cool as it sounds!) for 21 and over. Programming for kids and adults all summer long.

Hanging out poolside at Tanglewood Resort at Lake Texoma. 

Are you hooked yet? 

THIS is the fun that awaits guests at Tanglewood Resort in Pottsboro, Texas. They hosted my family for two nights over Easter weekend, and, despite the rain and chill in the air, we had an absolute blast. We could almost imagine this spot bustling with vacationers in the summertime, kids running wild while parents relax in the poolside loungers, soaking up the Texas sun.

Located on Lake Texoma, Tanglewood Resort is the perfect spot to take your boat (the boat launch is less than 10 minutes from the resort) and head out on the water for the day (you can also rent a boat in the area or skip boating altogether- it is a fun spot no matter what!). Once you have had enough of lake life for the day you can head down to the pool area at the resort and relax, maybe grabbing a sandwich and fries from the lakeside grill to nosh on. With or without kids, this place is the perfect DFW escape. For the 21 and over crowd, definitely consider having a drink at the Tower Bar as the sun is setting- the view of the lake from eight stories up is absolutely stunning!

View of Tanglewood Resort from the Tower Bar.

If you have a golfer in your group, they can head over to the Tanglewood Golf Course and play a round of golf and grab a bite at the 19th Hole (and maybe a drink!). Those who want to brush up on their skills before hitting the green can also perfect their stroke at the Golf Simulator. Be sure to check out the rules of the course before you tee off. 

Checking out the Tanglewood Golf Course.

Kids and kids-at-heart will love playing at the indoor and outdoor pools at this property. My girls loved the slide and the waterfall features as well as the lap lanes at the indoor pool. I enjoyed lounging in the hot tub with my oldest while we timed my younger two as they raced down the lap lanes. In warmer weather, the snack bar between the indoor and outdoor pools will offer up refreshments to satiate hunger brought on by all the splashing around! Once they tire of swimming, kids can play tetherball or play on the playground. There is also a beach- Island View Park- about 10 minutes from the resort by car. Talk about options!

Hanging out at the indoor pool at Tanglewood Resort while the kids play. 

I can't say enough great things about the accommodations, to boot. We stayed in a villa with one king bed and oh my gosh! In-room hot tub, fireplace, washer and dryer, all dishes and silverware, a great balcony. We added on an adjacent suite with two queen beds and had loads of space for the whole family with multiple (huge!) bathrooms, multiple TVs and more. This would be perfect for a summer weekend. 

The awesome kitchen area at our villa at Tanglewood Resort at Lake Texoma. 

We enjoyed our time at Tanglewood Resort so much and know that you will too! Book today to secure your summer spot before all the rooms are full (just plugging in random June dates we were seeing the king villas for less than $300 a night. That's a steal!)

Summer is just five weeks away... Not that we are counting or anything! Who wants to meet us at Tanglewood for a fun weekend away?

*Please note: I was given a free stay in exchange for promotion on my social channels and a blog post. All thoughts and ideas are my own.*