Outdoor Symbolic Memorial and National Memorial Museum

Memorial Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States

What to expect

The Outdoor Symbolic Memorial is a place of quiet reflection, honoring victims, survivors, rescuers, and all who were changed forever on April 19, 1995. It encompasses the now sacred soil where the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building once stood, capturing and preserving forever the place and events that changed the world. The memorial features several symbolic elements, including the Gates of Time, Reflecting Pool, Field of Empty Chairs, Survivor Wall, Survivor Tree, and Rescuers' Orchard. The Children's Area provides a space for kids to express their feelings and share their thoughts. The memorial also offers a Walking Tour and a book that provides a deeper look at the meaning and symbolism of the Outdoor Symbolic Memorial. The Oklahoma City National Memorial Outdoor Symbolic Memorial was dedicated on April 19, 2000, by U.S. President Bill Clinton

Plan your family visit to the Outdoor Symbolic Memorial and National Memorial Museum with these blog insights 👇

Family Guide to the Best Things to do in Oklahoma City | OKC with Kids

This family's experience:

Activities: We visited the Outdoor Symbolic Memorial and National Memorial Museum and saw the two large walls with a reflecting pool in the middle

Highlights: The outdoor memorial was peaceful and we were able to talk to our older kids about what occurred here ✨

Hidden Gems for a Family Road Trip- Six National Parks in Oklahoma

This family's experience:

Activities: We walked around the grounds and explored the memorial elements, including the Reflecting Pool and Gates of Time

Highlights: We were moved by the solemn and reflective atmosphere of the memorial ✨

Family Friendly Things to Do in Oklahoma City

This family's experience:

Activities: We visited the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, learning about the tragic event of April 19, 1995

Highlights: The museum was well-done and informative, and the kids were respectful of the subject matter ✨

Oklahoma City – May 1-7, 2024

This family's experience:

Activities: We discovered the National Memorial in Oklahoma City during a homeschooling day. We participated in a seismic construction workshop. We discovered the museum, which recounts the day of April 19, but also the federal investigation that followed, and visited the garden filled with well-thought-out symbolism

Highlights: We had a great experience at the National Memorial! The garden is filled with symbolism and everything is coded and thought out; each object, sculpture, or tree has a meaning. We also participated in a workshop about building the most earthquake-resistant building ✨