Media

OKLAHOMA CITY — With more than 2.5 million visitors each year, the attractions in Oklahoma City’s Adventure District contribute significantly to the state’s $4.5 billion tourism industry.  The attractions hosted development and tourism leaders on Nov. 15 to discuss opportunities for additional attractions, hotels and restaurants near the Adventure District.

Located in northeast Oklahoma City, the Adventure District includes the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Omniplex Science Museum, Remington Park Racing Casino, National Softball Hall of Fame Complex, Cinemark Tinseltown USA Theatre, Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden and Oklahoma State Firefighters Museum/Memorial.

The attractions, which have long been major tourist destinations, continue to develop.  Combined, the Adventure District attractions plan to invest $60 million in capital improvements by 2010. This is in addition to $39.6 million in capital expenditures made in 2005, the most recent year of complete records.    

The recent growth of the attractions, specifically the opening of Remington Park Racing Casino in 2005, has increased the number of full-time employees in the District to 732, up from 507 in 2004.  In total, more than one thousand people throughout the Metro area are employed by Adventure District attractions, including 396 part-time employees. The jobs create a payroll of more than $18.5 million each year.  

The District welcomes guests from all 50 states and at least 12 countries.  The National Cowboy Museum recently announced it has more than 100,000 annual non-local visitors, special event attendees and facility rental guests, and the Museum creates an annual economic benefit estimated at $45.7 million.

With Oklahoma’s centennial celebration quickly approaching, the Adventure District looks forward to another year of impressive attendance as it welcomes many returning and new visitors to Oklahoma City.

The Oklahoma City Zoo, which had record attendance of more than 787,000 visitors during fiscal year 2004-05, will open the much-anticipated Oklahoma Trails exhibit March 10, 2007.  The eight-acre Oklahoma adventure will showcase more than 800 native animals.

The National Softball Hall of Fame will again host the World Cup of Softball July 12-16, an international event that attracted more than 25,000 fans in 2006.  
Omniplex Science Museum will unveil a new permanent exhibit in early 2007.   Science Tree House Adventure, which is centered around what was once the mightiest Oak in Oklahoma, teaches about simple machines through interactive pulleys, incline planes and levers.  

The Oklahoma State Firefighters Museum/Memorial boasts the one-of-a-kind “Fallen and Living Firefighters Memorial” that recognizes all firefighters – past, present and future.  

Cinemark Tinseltown USA recently lowered prices from $7 to $5.50 for adult evening tickets, making Tinseltown one of the most affordable cinema theaters in Oklahoma City.

For more information about Oklahoma City’s Adventure District, visit www.okcadventure.com or call (405) 290-PLAY.
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