Located in Oklahoma City along historic Route 66, the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum stands as one of the premier institutions dedicated to preserving and interpreting the history of the American West. Perched on landscaped grounds overlooking the city, the museum invites visitors to explore the complex stories of cowboys, Native Nations, ranching communities, artists, and settlers who shaped the region.

ABOUT NATIONAL COWBOY & WESTERN HERITAGE MUSEUM

Founded in 1955, the museum houses an extensive collection of Western art, cultural artifacts, and historical exhibitions. Inside, visitors encounter sweeping galleries featuring works by renowned Western artists, life-sized dioramas, and immersive exhibits that trace the evolution of frontier life. From cattle drives and rodeos to Hollywood Western films, the museum captures both the lived experience and the mythology of the West.

A significant portion of the museum highlights Native American history and artistry. Exhibits feature beadwork, regalia, pottery, and contemporary Native art that reflect the diversity of Tribal cultures across the Plains and Southwest. By presenting Indigenous perspectives alongside ranching and cowboy traditions, the museum offers a broader understanding of how Native Nations and settler communities shaped the region together.

One of the museum’s most popular features is Prosperity Junction, a recreated turn-of-the-century cattle town that allows visitors to step into a stylized frontier streetscape. Outdoor sculpture gardens and rotating exhibitions further expand the experience.

For Route 66 travelers, the museum provides context to the landscapes they are crossing. Oklahoma sits at the crossroads of Plains, tribal homelands, and cattle country, and this institution helps interpret that layered identity. A visit here connects travelers to the art, culture, and enduring legacy of the West while grounding the journey in the real histories of the people who lived it.

VISITOR INFORMATION

Museum Store: Retail space offering books, Western art prints and regional merchandise.

On-Site Dining: Casual café serving light meals and refreshments.

Educational Programs: Lectures, workshops and school programming throughout the year.

Parking: Free on-site parking available for visitors and tour buses.

Accessibility: Fully accessible facility with elevators and wide gallery spaces.

Hours of Operation 

Monday – Thursday

10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Friday – Saturday

10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Sunday

Noon – 5:00 p.m.

Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day

Admission & Fees

Typically paid admission (visit museum’s ticket desk or official site for current pricing; often around ~$25 adult, discounts available; kids 5 and under free).