Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum

I remember when I first visited this location not long after the event (1996). You could feel the sadness and heaviness all around you. This is the first time I've been back since then and I felt peace. The sorrow this land holds will never be forgotten, remembering those innocent lives with this memorial is very important. The city and her people have done such an amazing memorial for the lives taken. It's a very beautiful memorial to commemorate those precious souls. Thank you Oklahoma City!

This was an amazing experience I have visited outside of the museum multiple times, I took my daughter there we visited the museum in the daytime and she wanted to come back at night to see the outside with the lights on. Inside the museum It brought tears to my eyes hearing the stories from the survivors and seeing the aftermath from the events that took place. This is a true life touching experience.

Visiting the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum is a profoundly moving experience that stays with you long after you leave. From the moment you approach the beautiful Outdoor Symbolic Memorial — with the serene reflecting pool and the hauntingly empty chairs representing each life lost — you are immediately enveloped in a space of deep reflection, respect, and remembrance. The museum itself is impeccably curated. It walks you through the events of April 19, 1995, with incredible care and sensitivity, honoring the victims, survivors, first responders, and all those forever changed by that day. Through personal stories, powerful artifacts, and multimedia displays, you are given a vivid and emotional understanding of the tragedy — not just what happened, but who it happened to. What stands out most is the overwhelming sense of hope, unity, and resilience that rises from the sorrow. The Survivor Tree, still standing tall and strong, is a living symbol of that spirit. Every exhibit, every corner of the memorial, seems to whisper a message: that even in the darkest moments, humanity's light can endure. This is not just a place to learn about history; it is a place to feel it — to honor it — and to carry its lessons forward. No words can truly capture the depth of emotion that the Oklahoma City Memorial and Museum evokes. It is a must-visit for anyone seeking to understand the power of community, healing, and remembrance.

We visited on a weekday and this is one of the best and moving museums we have visited. They walk you through the day of and handle the remembrance very tastefully for such a tragic event. I would highly recommend anyone visiting OKC to visit and learn more about this part of our history. I would also recommend walking the outdoor grounds, which are free to visit.

It feels surreal to be writing a review of Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum on the 30th anniversary of the event that changed Oklahoma City and the world forever. The nature of violence and its impact on the residents are quite accurately captured in the museum. I visited here back in September 2022 and was stunned and shaken to observe what happened on April 19, 1995. The museum takes you through the events of the day as if you are reliving it again--starting with the seemingly mundane events of the day leading up to 9:02am which is when the incident happened at the Murrah building. What follows is a deep exploration of the tragedy and the resilience shown by the community in coming together and dealing with both the violence and its aftermath. The museum captures the stories of people who passed and you stop and wonder what they could have been, and also the survivors and the scars that the incident left on them. The perpetrators, how they were caught, the trial and their eventual fates are all shown as well. When we think about violence, we think about it as something alien and as if it could never happen to us. But when it happens in the heart of a bustling downtown that is Oklahoma City, you wonder if you are ever safe from violence. The museum and the memorial grounds outside remind you that violence is always around the corner. Your gaze then wonders toward the survivor tree standing tall, and you find some solace and hope. All in all, Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum is an important place to visit if you are in the area. The augmented reality experience is available on the eponymous app as well. It might just well be the best museum I have ever visited. There is so much to learn here and I highly recommend it.

Very somber but nice place to pay respects. They did a great job preserving the memory of the victims and keep it very clean as long as the homeless and pot heads stay away from the families trying to mourn and pay their respects.

Top notch 100% 30 years later, and Oklahoma has shown resilience by putting together a wonderful museum of an event that should have never happened! The interactive self guided tour is heart moving. You feel sad and yet feel the spirit of all the good that happens when a city stands with one another. We will never forget!

The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum is an incredibly moving and well-designed experience. The museum is highly accessible, with elevators, ramps, and clear pathways that ensure everyone can engage fully. The outdoor Field of Empty Chairs is stunning, especially at night when they softly glow in remembrance. The Survivor Tree stands tall, a symbol of resilience. Inside, the museum brings history to life with vibrant images, interactive exhibits, and active displays that immerse you in the events of April 19, 1995. The recorded audio of the explosion is chilling, and personal stories make a lasting impact. The layout is thoughtful, leading visitors through tragedy, recovery, and hope. This is more than a memorial—it’s an emotional journey. Whether you’re a history buff or simply passing through, this museum leaves an unforgettable mark. A must-visit to honor those lost and appreciate the power of resilience.

This is an amazing Museum and memorial that spawned out of one of the largest domestic terrorism incidents in our country's history. There is commercial garage parking available, that you can have validated if you visit the museum. There is also metered street parking available as well. The memorial is outdoors and is available to visit 24 hours a day. The memorial is designed very well and is very respectful. It consists of a survivor tree, the Field of Empty Chairs, the Survivor Wall and Reflecting Pool. The survivor tree is a tall American elm that miraculously survived the blast and is thriving to this day. It is located on a plaza area that they have built around it and has a kiosk where you can select videos to give you information about the tree. The Field of Empty Chairs in located right on the site of where the building use to be. There are 168 chairs that represent those killed during the bombing They are arranged in nine rows, representing a floor of the Federal Building. They use smaller chairs for the children that were killed The most noticeable feature of the memorial is the Reflecting Pool. It is a shallow pool of water with a calming flowing stream sound that is intended to provide a peaceful setting for quiet thoughts. The Reflecting Pool is flanked by the Gates of Time on each end. The gates serves as the memorial entrance and one gate has a time of 9:01, which represents the innocence before the attack. The other one, the 9:03 Gate symbolizes the moment healing began. You will find the Survivor Wall on the Memorial's East end. l It is the only remaining wall from the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. The wall has salvaged pieces of granite from the Federal Building lobby with more than 600 names inscribed on it. Other feature of the memorial include a children's area that consists of tiles that were hand-painted by children and sent to Oklahoma City. There is also buckets of chalk and chalkboards built into the ground of the area where kids can continue to express their feelings. There is also The Fence. A part of the original Fence that was put up to protect the federal building after the bombing. It gives people the opportunity to leave tokens of remembrance and hope. To date, tens of thousands of those items have been collected and preserved in our archives. Unlike the memorial, the museum has hours of operation and admission.The museum admission is reasonably priced and it was dedicated in 2002. is wonderful and has 2 levels of interactive exhibits. There are tons of artifacts archived here. The museum does a great job putting visitors into that day and honoring the victims of the tragedy. The museum spans 30,000 square feet and tells the story of the horrific events on April 19, 1995, and its aftermath. It is laid out to tell the story of teh bombing like a chapter book, with 10 chapters. The museum has videos throughout it exhibits and and can be summarized into five basic areas. Pre-bombing, bombing, investigation, trial, aftermath (Are We Safer Today). Some notable exhibits in the museum include actual room that was preserved as it was left the after the bombing. There is also an overlook of the memorial that gives visitors a panoramic view of the memorial grounds and site of teh bombing. I really like the mock Oklahoma Water Resources Board meeting. It sets the tone of the museum and really puts you at the bombing. There is an exhibit that features the bombers vehicle and details his arrest on unrelated charges that led to his arrest for the bombing. The museum covers the bomber's accomplices and their respective trails. The rescuers are celebrated at the museum. The news media and their coverage has an exhibit here. And of course the victims are honored in the Gallery of Honor. Here you will find pictures and artifacts of the 168 bombing victims. It is a place of honor and reflection. The museum is well organized, very clean and modern. I was honored to be able to visit the museum and see it for myself. This is one of the best museums that I have visited and serve a great purpose to "Never Forget". If you can only visit one attraction while in Oklahoma, this is easily the one.I wish I could give it 7 stars. I give this place my highest recommendation. It is a must see and should be included on everyone's bucket list.

So much to know. The museum takes you through a time line beginning before the explosion. At first it's by the hour, then by the day. Many photos of the initial rescue and then recovery. A CAD video shows how/why the building collapsed and helped with recovery. Artifacts from the site include everyday objects such as shoes, pencil sharpener, wall clock, coffee cups. There is information on the surrounding area destructuon. An audio of the explosion, taken during a meeting in the building that now houses the museum is shocking. A corner of the building remains as it was after the explosion. It absolitely tells the tale of the destruction of that day. In the latter parts of the museum is the 'get away' car, a time line of events by the perpetrators pre andnpost-explosion, police tracking, arrest, and trial. More information throughout than one review can include. Park in the garage across from the museum and the parking is free with museum entry. Chat with thr Nat'l Park ranger on site. They have a lot of information to offer. A beautiful memorial and excellent museum.

A very moving memorial. We arrived a few days after the 30th anniversary. All the plaques of the deceased were very were honored as they held flowers and other memories. Worth a stop if in the area.

What a great way to honor the memories of the many people who lost their lives here. The outside portion of the memorial with the timed gates and reflection pool is very serene. The chairs set up in the lawn are almost heart breaking - especially the little chairs that are smaller to represent all the children lost on that tragic day in April 1995. Inside of the memorial museum they've done a great job at telling the story of this tragedy and in showing how the community all came together to support one another.

Great place to remind people that we need to remain vigilant. History is great and precise of the events that took place there. The while thing starts at the 2nd floor. The pictures of men, women, and children that lost their lives there is very moving. If you are in OKC, make this one a priority to go see. Never forget history. Enough said!

I have been to this museum quite a few times over the years, and it is just as emotional every time. The memorial outside is free, and you can walk around it. They have chairs to represent each person killed and a reflecting pool. They also have a tree that survived the bombing. The museum is $18 per adult and they do timed entries. The museum is incredibly well done and it is very moving. The tour is self guided, and they have a good mixture of reading and videos. The museum is broken into two floors. They start you off on the morning of the bombing and then you walk through the aftermath. The whole museum took us about 2 hours to walk through.

We were in downtown Oklahoma City for Thanksgiving day, and it was a bright sunny, although chilly, day, and we decided to walk off our lunch. We walked to the memorial and spent quite some time walking around and exploring. The museum was closed, but we were able to go to the display on the lawn. There is a plaque at one end of the display that explains the layout and the significance of each part of the memorial. The walls, the reflecting pond, the chairs, everything was very moving and understandable. There is also a small memorial across the street on the site of the Catholic Church parsonage that was also destroyed the day of the bombing. The whole area is very solemn and beautiful, and definitely worth a stop.

This is a very nice memorial. Well design. Definitely match and honor the people who lost theirs life here. The memorial has two gates. The 9:01 gate represents the innocent life before the attack. 9:03 gate represents the healing beginning. The bombing happened at 9:02 April 19, 1995. It was the sad moment for the city. The reflection pool is previously N.W. Fifth Street allow the visitors to reflect and memorize the wounded heart. It is still healing. I was very sad while walking next to the chair. Especially when I see the small chair there. That represented the children whom lost their life. There is survivor wall with name of survivors. There is a chain link fence allow flower and pictures to be placed.

I only visited the outdoor area, but it was set up nicely and memorialized the terrible tragedy that took place in the past. There was a park ranger on site to explain things or answer questions. There are a few video boards that give short clips of information. The memorial is a nice place to stop by to learn about what happened and to pay respects to the people lost on that fateful day. If you are going to the museum, there is free parking across the street in the lot.

If you are in town with nothing to do, this Memorial Museum is a thing to do. I took my kiddos here for the first time on October 16th. Buy your tix online with your smart phone, PC, or tablet ..you will get to park in the parking garage across the street on 6th street and Harvey St. Get a scan ticket at the gate. So when you go in to the counter to show your scan code on your phone or print out, the counter check in will give you another ticket for scanning the gate at the garage when you leave the parking garage.. keep both paper tickets, this is your paid parking ... unless you are already parked elsewhere downtown, that's fine too. I won't give any spoilers. But you will learn a lot of the history and the stories here on the fateful day of April 19, 1995. I was in the 8th grade and in my first hour class in Muskogee, OK. Never forget.

This is a very powerful memorial & museum. I cried several times throughout the memorial. My family and I were visiting from out of town a week before the holidays, and the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum was on our list to go see. We spent half a day inside the National Memorial & Museum. There is a lot of information. I was really young when this happened. The Museum provides a walk-through of the tragic events that occurred on April 19, 1995. The memorial is located in downtown Oklahoma City. It pays tribute to the 168 lives and hundreds that were injured during the event. The Memorial and Museum was designed to honor the victims, community, and survivors. Some of the most powerful pieces were hearing live recordings of the news, individuals impacted by the event, and the water board recording. You'll see a lot of artifacts from the bombing and mementos from individuals. A few iconic pieces at the memorial include the Outdoor Symbolic Memorial. These monumental bronze gates frame the moment of explosion, gate marked 9:01, the minute before the blast, and the other 9:03, the minute after. There are reflecting pool runs between the gates. There is also a donation box near the pool. The field of empty chairs, outside in the museum, is made up of 168, empty bronze and glass chairs, representing each individual who lost their life. The chairs are arranged in a specialized order. It symbolizes all the different floors in the Murrah Building. There are smaller chairs for the 19 children. It was a somber yet powerful tribute. This is a must-see for locals and visitors in Oklahoma City. It provided an in-depth and educational experience, chronicling the events of April 19, 1995, and the aftermath.

Had a very powerful and profound tour today of the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum (OKCNM) led by Dean & Mayor Holt and Kari Watkins, Executive Director of OKCNM. The 30th Anniversary of the 1995 Bombing will be next year on April 19th, and if you are new to OKC the OKCNM is a must-visit. Also learned that the architects/designers behind the memorial were Hans and Torrey Butzer, with Sven Berg, who were living in Germany when they submitted the winning entry. The Butzers decided to make Oklahoma their permanent home while they worked on the Memorial project. See https://memorialmuseum.com/educators/international-design-competition/ Also, the bronze used for the "gates of time" were also used for the chairs representing the lives taken in the bombing and those bronze pieces were deliberately not replaced in order to parallel the age of the bronze with the age of those human lives lost in the bombing. Revisiting the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum today, I wanted to focus on more of the legal background of the April 19, 1995 bombing and was again very impressed by the materials compiled on Tenth Circuit Judge Alfred P. Murrah (the namesake of the Federal Building destroyed in the attack), WDOK U.S. District Judge Ralph Thompson, a previous Chief Judge who just so happened to be in then-Chief Judge Russell's office during the bombing, WDOK Clerk of Court and Oklahoma City University School of Law Alum Robert Dennis and Tenth Circuit Judge, former Dean of OCU Law and President of OCU Robert Henry who provided testimonials the day of, U.S. Magistrate Judge and OCU Law Alum Ronald Howland who presided over the arraignment of Timothy McVeigh, Tenth Circuit Chief Judge (and then WDOK U.S. Attorney) Jerome Holmes who worked on the prosecution of McVeigh, and even individuals from California like Battalion Chief Doug Mochizuki of the Orange County Fire Authority, who responded to the OKC Bombing with California Task Force 5, a FEMA Search and Rescue Team based in Orange County, CA.

While visiting Oklahoma City for the 1st time ( Tuesday, 11/21/2023) we visited the Oklahoma City National Memorial so we could pay our respects before heading back home to Texas. This isn't a city park...it's an outdoor memorial (located right next to the Museum) in honor & remembrance of the 168 lives lost in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing & also to the survivors & first responders. I highly recommend for anyone who has the opportunity to visit to do so. During our visit we didn't pay the museum fee to go inside the actual museum but instead just visited the outside grounds, which is free to visit. This outdoor memorial is so beautiful & such an emotional experience...from the Field of Empty Chairs, which has 168 total empty chairs for each life lost, arranged in 9 rows, one for each of the 9 floors in the building, to also seeing the beautiful Reflecting Pool in the middle of the grounds, the huge Survivor Tree, and even the chain link fence located on the sidewalk that is filled w/ gifts & messages. I really appreciated the interactive screen that's located in the back corner of the grounds that you can tap on that explains the significance of each symbolic element located w/in the memorial grounds. It was very helpful so you could then take a self-guided tour through each of the areas. Additional helpful info: --- parking : there was metered street parking & we were able to park right across the street. We did visit during the week so we had no issues w/ getting a parking spot. --restrooms: are located outside and were unlocked. Very clean & had a baby changing station ---no dogs allowed even though this is an outdoor memorial Hope this info helps. Rebecca

Good, but sad. Very emotional yet educational. It was a humbling experience that makes one Grateful for the GOD-Hiven Gift of Life!

A horrific tragedy made into a beautiful respectful memorial. It never is easy to step back into that time but this memorial is outstanding & well done.

A must see and it was much more emotionally impactful than I could have ever imagined. Whoever designed the museum exhibit should be commended.

This memorial is incredibly beautiful as well as incredibly sad. It's an absolutely must see and an Excellent tribute to the citizens of Oklahoma City bombing along with victims and survivors.

The Oklahoma City bombing is the largest white domestic terrorism attack in USA history. April 19th 1995 at 9:03 am Timothy mcveigh a white nationalist drove an ammonia nitrate bomb into the building killing 170 ish people. The museum is harrowing but necessary for understanding these type of attacks. I wish they had gone a little more into how mcveigh was not a lone wolf and part of a terrorism community but they did mention the turner diaries so that's a start. It's also fascinating to see how Okc rebounded compared to like a New Orleans or Memphis. Overall very much worth your time.

I was in kindergarten when the bombing happened. Today was my first time going to the memorial. IT. WAS. AMAZING! We only got to spend two hours and I know I could probably spend the whole day there just reading everything. I appreciate the ppl that sponsors the free day! It was very emotional watching the news clips and seeing all the faces of the innocent lives , especially those babies Definitely recommend!

Bring your tissues because you will cry multiple times. As sad as this was I also found it very informative and well organized. I was very young when the Oklahoma City bombing happened so I learned a lot. It was such a great memorial to remember and honor the lives lost that day. Throughout the museum they had many video clips of survivors and family members. They also had pictures and real items. It was heart breaking but also showed some of the good that came out that day with the heroes. I definitely recommend everyone checks it out. The outside is beautiful too!

My out-of-town Guest wanted to stop here. She had seen a documentary on the bombing and wanted to experience the site in person. A very beautiful site. We could feel the gravity of what happened here. Especially outside they had a memorial that showed you when each victim passed away. And the thing that made me tear up were the tiny little memorials to represent the children.

Great place to help understand what actually happened at a deeper level. A must visit for everyone!!

A very moving memorial for those who lost their lives to the senseless and cowardly domestic terror attack. No words can do justice. I highly encourage you to look up the meaning behind the memorial design then come see and experience this memorial yourself.

Stunning memorial space and museum: I saw this on the news so many years ago, but coming back and watching the archival footage and standing in the actual space really gave me the big picture perspective on the whole disaster many years later. I think maybe, for our age and sensibility, there was too much detail on the perpetrator, but it was an age where so much information could be gathered, sometimes too much information might glorify the "bad guy", I could be wrong but it was a gut impression I had. The memorial is very peaceful and moving outside, the staff are pleasant, and the event is displayed in all it's ugliness for us to understand the deep trauma that occurred in this healing scar of a location.

I went to this museum on impulse while passing through on a road trip, and am so glad that I did. On the day I went, a group of school kids were leaving as it was a field trip day, and it makes sense--it was an attack that impacted their local community in a way still felt today. Honestly, I didn't expect too much from this museum. I've been to many that were more a series of artifacts set up in no real order. But this one started out with an immersive experience. I don't want to give away what happens when go into one of the earlier rooms, and the doors close behind you. The audio that plays, and you know what it's leading to, and you're standing where it happened...holy sh*t. It was a gut punch. When the next set of doors opens, and you're standing amidst some of the ruins... The whole museum was done so well that it's like you're there. When you start reading about a doctor needing to use rudimentary tools to do an amputation without anesthetic to save a life, and then you see the tools...it's haunting. Every single part of this museum will punch your heart. I live two time zones away, and really have no reason to go back to Oklahoma City. I was just passing through. But I'm planning a trip with my daughter and husband since this museum is one that everyone needs to see.

Coming to this National Memorial and Museum was far and away the BEST thing I did while visiting Oklahoma City. Not to get personal, but to hear the story, the intricacies, to better learn more about this devastating act of terrorism certainly put into perspective, for me, to be grateful in general and it also reinforced my belief to be kind to others out there. At the end of the day, this OKC Memorial & Museum was a simple reminder to try and be an overall, better human being. Sometimes there are these out of body instances, fight or flight moments, that can throw your world upside down, forever. I remembered the headlines about the bombing from back in 1995, but then I was just a foolish teenager, not ready to put into context why people perform such cruel acts of violence. It wasn't until I was actually in the center of the 9/11 terrorism acts, running for cover as the Twin Towers were crashing that I realized how very precious life is. The Memorial and Museum are located in downtown OKC. Since it was a Saturday when I arrived, parking was free right on the side streets and it was $15 for entrance. Hours are 9am - 5pm daily, except Sunday is 12pm - 5pm. After purchasing a ticket, I took the elevator to the 2nd floor and worked my way around and on down to the 1st floor. They say you need about 90 minutes of time to explore, though I found walking through the exhibits and reading through little details to be quite intriguing that it took me a full 2 hours. It may be incredibly difficult to put yourself in other people's shoes and the Museum and Memorial may not be for everyone. But.... If you have the courage to learn (although heartbreaking), you get to comprehend everything that happened. From the events the morning of, during, and the horrific ramifications after. All the innocent people affected, families, children, the daycare hosting children, loved ones and their stories explained, the heroes that emerged, and even including the backgrounds into the anti-government extremists...Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols who performed this harrowing attack on the Federal Building and one of the deadliest in the USA. In my opinion, the Museum displayed a fair balance about going into great detail describing the events that occurred while simultaneously showing incredible sympathy and compassion to those who were taken away far too soon. After completing the Museum, one of the best aspects to being here is then exiting outside (where the Federal Building used to stand) where the beautiful Memorial is featured, dedicating the events to those lives lost. There's the Survivor Tree standing tall as a symbolic image to how strong, we, as Americans, can come together in the face of adversity. In the heart of the Memorial is the Reflection Pool where you can leisurely walk and soak up the tranquil setting. It was so peaceful here. Off to the side of the Reflection Pool is a long area of grass with gravestones. Overall, I believe they did a terrific job in designing the Memorial. It's a sympathetic tribute, yet respectfully done. And from the Memorial, you are finished. In the end, I can't say enough good things about this Oklahoma City National Museum and Memorial. Learning about the story, how in times of uncertainty and struggle, as a nation and for humanity, we can come together for a greater cause. This was my first visit to Oklahoma City. I am humbled by the experience and will never forget my time here.

This was very nice and the memorial area was very beautiful and had a nice range there. He was really cool and down to earth I remember when all this went down it was so sad. I'm glad I was able to visit there.

The trip to OKC was made specifically for this monument and to witness the humble experience that is in this space. I was not disappointed. I was dumbfounded. Awestruck. And speechless. At some points brought nearly to tears. Parking looked like it could be problematic- but I had a handicap placard. That allowed us 2 hours parking pretty close to the building. We took closer to 3 hours but I didn't get towed. Walking the grounds cost nothing. But the museum tickets range from $12-$15. Again- a very sobering experience. And a sad reminder of that tragic day in 1995.

What a truly beautiful memorial dedicated to the victims of the OKC Bombing. Very innovative and unique for when it was built. The grounds are impeccable and peaceful. We appreciated the history presented on screens. A nice modern touch and it does a great job explaining each portion of the memorial. I'm glad we made the drive into town to visit and I'd recommend other travelers to do the same.

The story behind the largest domestic terrorism attack in America. The story behind it, the destruction, the investigation and trial. Each very detailed information. The whole setup is very well done.

The Oklahoma City National Memorial is a must-see memorial and historical site in Oklahoma City. The memorial pays respect to the 168 Americans that lost there lives, in our nations worst act of Domestic Terrorism. This is an outstanding memorial and landmark.

It has taken me a while to write this review due to the emotions this experience evoked. I'm so glad that I had the privilege to attend this museum while visiting OKC over the summer. My visit was short but well worth it! I do not remember if they provide a military discount for admission to the museum. Overall, I remember the price being reasonable. Customer service was okay. I do remember staff telling me that the museum would be closing soon. They weren't rude about it but the message could've been delivered a bit softer and more professional. The museum is self guided with staff positioned in various areas to provide direction or information. It was eerie listening to a recording of a government meeting that took place on that tragic day in April 1995 and to hear the explosion along with disaster that followed. The part of the museum that moved me emotionally is when a young lady (staff member) pointed out to me on a virtual 3D map where the Ryder truck was parked prior to the explosion. To also see the place in the park where the street once stood was equally moving. I also found it interesting where a large map of the US is displayed with A LOT of places where McVeigh did various things prior to this catastrophe. It was eerie seeing all of these places that detailed what he did in each community. I remember Colorado (my home state) was a place (Boulder) where McVeigh visited to buy a book. The map with various locations details the locations very well. Behind the map is the car McVeigh drove when stopped by law enforcement and arrested. Other areas in the museum also details and highlights various aspects of the catastrophe along with the aftermath and court proceedings that followed. There are various videos to watch as well. Visiting here was a highlight of my visit to OKC. I will never forget it. I recommended that every American visit this museum once in their lifetime. Again, it was a very moving experience for me.

If you find yourself in Oklahoma City, you need to stop by the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum. I don't really remember the tragic event from my childhood but that didn't stop me from leaving the memorial in tears. The outside area is very peaceful and beautiful. The inside of the museum is very well organized. I would definitely take advantage of the virtual tour available on your smart device through the memorial's app. The accounts given by survivors and first responders paints an amazing and accurate picture that tugs at the heart strings. Don't miss out on this experience that allows you to learn, grow, and possibly heal. Also, if you hold a Bank of America debit or credit card, you are able to attend for free during the first weekend of the month.

Beautiful museum, inside and out. Lots of thought and care has gone into the details of this important event in our country's history.

This is a very well done museum went into the background and how it affected the families. It is a very sad story just be prepared.

Beautiful, well done memorial to a real tragic event.... The outside is amazing....even more so at night. It is a can't miss! The inside has amazing stories.... It picks up steam throughout. I felt they should tell the outcomes of the stories more clearly for some of the victims! Overall well done!

So much detail and time has gone into this museum. I was in early elementary when the OKC bombing occurred. Going thru the exhibit I could remember some of the details and emotions I felt back then. There is so much content and details to read, examine, and watch. I thought going into the museum, thus will be a quick 30 min trip. Instead we took our time reading each exhibit and watching each video clip. 1 could spend the whole day here. After the museum, we went to the memoriam outside and the surviving tree If in the area, I definately recommend stopping here

This is something that you must see if in Oklahoma City. The memorial is nicely done, with a long reflecting pool and an empty chair to symbolize each of the many victims of this awful crime. The museum is worth much more than the $18 entrance fee. There are different sections that cover different aspects of the bombing. There's a room in which an audio tape is played of a water board meeting that was recorded when the bomb exploded that brings home how a completely mundane day instantly became a horrifying tragedy. There are sections on the victims, on the first responders, and on how the greater Oklahoma City community rallied to support everyone involved. I especially appreciated the section on the media and how they responded. In a time in which it's fashionable to bash journalists of all kinds, it serves as a strong reminder of the importance of the media in our society. Ultimately, the museum highlights the terrible losses and the suffering of victims and their families as well as the compassion and strength of the community around them. And it makes it clear that the perpetrators didn't deliver a justified blow to tyranny or a righteous response to oppression. All they did was take the lives of a bunch of people just like you and me, who did nothing whatsoever to deserve such fates. Something anyone even remotely considering political violence needs to think long and hard about. Mike sez absolutely, positively check it out but brace yourself for an emotional experience.

Pros: Nice memorial Well laid out and easy to navigate Cons: Some areas could be better maintained - mulch beds, pick up trash Pro tip: Spend some time wandering the grounds. Lots to see and reflect on.

Beautiful memorial, very well done. They had chairs for each person that passed away, very moving. I heard it's even more impressive at night, the chairs light up. Very beautiful reflection pool and gardens.

Go, just go. Very powerful and a must see experience. Very beautiful place and does a fantastic job of explaining the events.

I had no intentions of visiting. I remembered seeing the sad events of that day on the news, but, forgot that it happened in OKC. April 19, 1995 at 9:02 AM the worst case of homegrown terrorism occured in the nation's history. The National Memorial and Museum now stands where the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building use to be. The reflecting pool, the field of empty chairs, the survivor tree, the gates of time are just some of the things that you can see. A 'ranger" is stationed outside to discuss the events of that sad and fateful day. There is much more to see inside the museum. Homegrown domestic terrorism killed 168, including 19 children, and injured countless others. Extremism whether right or left is wrong because this is the result of it. The name calling in politics is wrong. Sadly it is now part of our history.

They did such a phenomenal job with this National Memorial. I was 9 when this happened and honestly didn't know too much about it. So when we walked up I noticed how beautiful it was but needed to learn more. What an experience. I learned so much. We stayed for about 3-4 hours. The museum holds sooo much of the actual items from the tragedy. It felt eery at times. My experience entering vs. exiting was very very different. This is an absolute MUST do when in OKC. I was hoping to visit at again at night to see the chairs lit up but wasn't able to. If I am in the area again it will be something I will definitely go back for. My prayers are with all the people affected by this horrific act. Those poor babies. They honored the deceased as well as the survivors very well. God bless.

A must-see if you are in the area. I was there 4+ hours and could have been there longer--there was that much to take in. It captures the solemnity of the event. It honors the victims in an unforgettable way. You start with the Water Board Agency simulation, which is powerful. They even have McVeigh's car. The memorial grounds are serene and peaceful. The southern walls of the original Murrah Building form the perimeter, which is brilliant in every way.

The memorial is beautifully done and it's obvious how much love and respect went into designing a memorial to honor the victims, their families and all the first and second responders. This is my second time visiting the memorial and its even more moving the second time because I could take more time to watch some of the videos. The videos are informative and some are gut wrenching. Visiting the memorial is a visceral experience. We had the good fortune of joining Ranger Larry's tour in the memorial chair garden. Larry passionately described the meaning of the chairs and the significance of their formation. He told us stories about some of the bombing victims. One of the chairs that I was drawn to was the child's chair in the 4th floor. The military recruiting office was on the 4th floor and I was curious why she was there (opposed to the daycare where the majority of the children were at the time of the bombing). Larry told the story of her being their with her family since her dad has just been transferred to Oklahoma. Larry's ability to share that story is very touching. Larry then took us to the survivors tree. What a beautiful story of hope that tree gives us. I appreciated Larry's antidotes and historical info. And his reminder of what the pool between the 9:01 and 9:03 walls. 9:02 was a dark moment in our country. If you know someone having a 9:02 moment, reach out to them and offer your kindness and encouragement. If you have an opportunity to tour with a ranger, I highly recommend it! I learned more in my time with Larry than I did on my own on my first visit. My photos do not do the memorial justice. I highly recommend visiting and allowing at least 2 hours to take it all in. Allocate time if you want to read the articles and watch the videos.

The most significant terror attack in the United States up to that date. That's a terrible phrase to write, but yes, in 1995 this was as bad as we thought it could get. On April 19, 168 people were killed and more than 680 others injured. The explosion caused $652 million in damage. It remains the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in US history. On to the site. The Oklahoma City National Memorial takes up the space where the Murrah Federal Building stood. (Like Dealey Plaza in Dallas is named for an unrelated local businessman whose name now lives on in infamy, the Alfred P. Murrah Building was named for an unrelated federal judge who was an Oklahoma native nominated by FDR and served until 1975.) The memorial is powerful, evocative and a strong tribute to those we lost on this day. The Field of Chairs is like nothing I've ever seen before. Simple chairs standing on glass bases - big chairs (for the adults) intermixed with small chairs (for the children who were in the day care center). The foundation of the wounded building remains as the backdrop with a reflective pool and the "Survivor's Tree" that serves to memorialize the loss. There was a park ranger on patrol. A friendly young lady, she let people know that the grass can be walked on and she was available for any questions. I found free street parking nearby as the meters were not enforced on the weekends. [Review 16217 overall - 57 in Oklahoma - 1723 of 2021.]

A piece of history we'll never forget!! All around amazing. A lot of public parking. Inexpensive to take the tour. Staff are informative, attentive and friendly. They took their time to speak with us when we had questions. A must to visit if you're in OKC!

A very moving monument to what happens when extream nationalist nut jobs act out. I was very taken with the site and the memorial should be a warning to us all of the dangers of domestic terrorism-very much so in light of American politics today. Well worth the visit if you are in the area.

The museum itself is amazing. We only had an issue with an older lady with gray hair who was rude, condescending, and homophobic. She was standing guard and targeted us for going at our own pace through the museum and insisted that we back out and wait. Just crazy She does not need to be in the position that she is in. Overall, the other staff was amazing. I will be filing a formal complaint with the manager as well as filing a complaint with Kari Watkins CEO and President.