Oklahoma City National Memorial
Park Memorial and museum commemorating 1995 bombing victims
An outdoor memorial and interpretive museum commemorating the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, featuring the Field of Empty Chairs and exhibits on the attack and its aftermath; visitors come for remembrance and historical context.
The Oklahoma City National Memorial commemorates the victims, survivors and rescuers of the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building and occupies the building’s former site in downtown Oklahoma City. The outdoor memorial and the adjacent museum together provide remembrance, documentation and educational exhibitions.
Most widely recognized is the Field of Empty Chairs - 168 chairs arranged on the building’s footprint, each marked with a victim’s name, and the Gates of Time that mark 9:01 and 9:03. The Memorial Museum offers a chronological and personal account of the attack, the rescue and recovery, and the community’s response.
The outdoor memorial was dedicated in 2000 and the museum opened shortly thereafter to preserve artifacts, oral histories and interpretive materials related to the event. The complex is located in downtown Oklahoma City on the site of the former federal building.
- Number of victims represented: The outdoor memorial features 168 chairs representing the lives lost in the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building.
What to See #
- Field of Empty Chairs: The Field of Empty Chairs, an outdoor installation of 168 individual chairs set on the footprint of the former Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building to represent each victim.
- Gates of Time: The Gates of Time flanking the memorial entrance, marked with the times 9:01 and 9:03 to frame the moment of the 1995 bombing and the minute of silence.
- Memorial Museum: The Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum adjacent to the outdoor memorial, providing detailed exhibits on the bombing, its victims, rescue efforts and aftermath.
How to Get to Oklahoma City National Memorial #
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By car and on foot: The Oklahoma City National Memorial is in downtown Oklahoma City on the former federal building site, within walking distance of Bricktown and other downtown attractions. From I‑40 follow signs into downtown and use nearby parking or street parking.
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By public transit: OKC’s EMBARK bus network serves downtown stops; the Memorial is a short walk from the downtown transit corridors and transit center. From Tulsa the drive to Oklahoma City is roughly 100-110 miles (about 1.5-2 hours).
Tips for Visiting Oklahoma City National Memorial #
- Visit the outdoor memorial at sunrise or sunset for quieter, more reflective conditions around the Field of Empty Chairs and the Reflecting Pool.
- Go to the Memorial Museum (in the adjacent Journal Record Building) earlier in the day when interior visitor traffic is lighter and staff are available to explain exhibits and personal stories.
- Take advantage of the on‑site interpretive materials and tours - spending extra time with the personal narratives and timelines adds context that many casual visitors miss.
Best Time to Visit Oklahoma City National Memorial #
Spring or autumn are the most comfortable times to visit the outdoor Oklahoma City National Memorial-mild weather and moderate crowds.
Weather & Climate near Oklahoma City National Memorial #
Oklahoma City National Memorial's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -3°C to 35°C. Moderate rainfall (928 mm/year).
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 9°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (32 mm).
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February
February is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (41 mm).
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March
March is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (78 mm).
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April
April is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm).
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May
May is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 15°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (142 mm).
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June
June is warm with highs of 32°C and lows of 20°C. Significant rainfall (116 mm).
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July
July is the hottest month with highs of 35°C and lows of 22°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm).
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August
August is warm with highs of 34°C and lows of 21°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm).
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September
September is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 17°C. Significant rainfall (104 mm).
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October
October is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 11°C. Regular rainfall (88 mm).
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November
November is cold with highs of 16°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm).
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December
December is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (46 mm).
