1 Day - Sample Itinerary
Ponca City, OK

10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Arrive for a tour of the Marland Mansion. The "Palace on the Prairie" will simply take your breath away. Mr. Marland spared no expense when it came to his dream home. Modeled after the Davanzatti Palace in Florence, Italy many details denote Mr. Marland’s love for his hunting dogs and polo ponies. The regal atmosphere is created through the Waterford crystal chandeliers and the hand-painted and gold-leaf ceiling. This dramatic home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Tour the Mansion Grounds
The estate originally featured five lakes, a boathouse, stables, gatehouses, an art gallery, polo grounds, Olympic sized swimming pool and elaborate gardens, cared for by 85 gardeners. Currently, the Bryant Baker Studio, the new Marland Oil Museum and the chauffeur’s house, which in later years was known as "Lydie’s Cottage" are housed on the grounds of the Marland Mansion and are open for tour.

11:45 - 1:00 p.m. - Lunch

1:15 - 2:00 p.m.
Visit the Pioneer Woman Statue and Museum- the Pioneer Woman Statue erected at a cost of $300,000, as a gift from Mr. Marland to the citizens of Oklahoma. Unveiling ceremonies were held on April 22, 1930, with a dedication service described by national writers as the most stirring outdoor event in the history of Oklahoma. The statue itself is 17 feet tall and weights 12,000 pounds. From the base to the top of her sunbonnet measures 30 feet.
The Pioneer Woman Museum was dedicated on September 16, 1958 on the 65th anniversary of the Cherokee Strip. The museum preserves the legacy of women from all races, creeds and nationalities who have contributed to the development of Oklahoma. The entrance of the museum, which is represents the pioneer woman’s bonnet, is inscribed with the words, "I See No Boundaries."

2:15 - 3:00 p.m.
Tour the Poncan Theatre. Opening in 1927, this atmospheric theatre was the grandest in town. Live performances and silent features were accompanied by a Wurlitzer organ, two pianos and the Poncan Orchestra. The Poncan Theatre played host to such superstars as Ethel Barrymore and Will Rogers. Today, the Poncan Theatre has been restored to its original glory and enhanced with state-of-the-art sound and lighting, making it a top quality performing arts center. Special events are scheduled regularly, from ballet and orchestras to country shows, community theatre and top-notched entertainment.

2 Day - Sample Itinerary
Ponca City, OK

Day 1

10:00 a.m.
Arrive for a tour of the Marland Mansion. The "Palace on the Prairie" will simply take your breath away. Mr. Marland spared no expense when it came to his dream home. Modeled after the Davanzatti Palace in Florence, Italy many details denote Mr. Marland’s love for his hunting dogs and polo ponies. The regal atmosphere is created through the Waterford crystal chandeliers and the hand-painted and gold-leaf ceiling. This dramatic home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Tour the Mansion Grounds
The estate originally featured five lakes, a boathouse, stables, gatehouses, an art gallery, polo grounds, Olympic sized swimming pool and elaborate gardens, cared for by 85 gardeners. Currently, the Bryant Baker Studio, the new Marland Oil Museum and the chauffeur’s house, which in later years was known as "Lydie’s Cottage" are housed on the grounds of the Marland Mansion and are open for tour.

12:15 p.m. - Lunch

1:45p.m.
Visit the Pioneer Woman Statue and Museum- the Pioneer Woman Statue erected at a cost of $300,000, as a gift from Mr. Marland to the citizens of Oklahoma. Unveiling ceremonies were held on April 22, 1930, with a dedication service described by national writers as the most stirring outdoor event in the history of Oklahoma. The statue itself is 17 feet tall and weights 12,000 pounds. From the base to the top of her sunbonnet measures 30 feet.
The Pioneer Woman Museum was dedicated on September 16, 1958 on the 65th anniversary of the Cherokee Strip. The museum preserves the legacy of women from all races, creeds and nationalities who have contributed to the development of Oklahoma. The entrance of the museum, which is represents the pioneer women’s bonnet, is inscribed with the words, "I See No Boundaries."

2: 50 p.m.
Drive by the Cann Memorial Gardens. This 10-acre estate is the original home of Lester and Mary Cann. Lester Cann was a civic leader in Ponca City and Mary Cann was a leader in the development of the Garden Council of Ponca City. There are brick walks and benches, and the original lily pond and wisteria arbors were restored. It is also home to the annual Herb Festival the first Saturday in June.

3:30 p.m.
Tour the Poncan Theatre. Opening in 1927, this atmospheric theatre was the grandest in town. Live performances and silent features were accompanied by a Wurlitzer organ, two pianos and the Poncan Orchestra. The Poncan Theatre played host to such superstars as Ethel Barrymore and Will Rogers. Today, the Poncan Theatre has been restored to its original glory and enhanced with state-of-the-art sound and lighting, making it a top quality performing arts center. Special events are scheduled regularly, from ballet and orchestras to country shows, community theatre and top-notched entertainment. You will also want to see the world's largest collection of Hand Painted 1930's Lobby Art on display in the Poncan Theatre. Each is a unique one-of-a-kind work of art from the golden age of the Hollywood studios.

4:30 p.m. - Check into area hotel

5:30 p.m. - Dinner

7:00 p.m.
Tour Festival of Angels- Ponca City’s holiday lighting celebration is held Thanksgiving through New Year’s. Visitors into Ponca City will be greeted by the official 30 foot Angel Host at the Pioneer Women Statue. Twinkling lights and heavenly displays highlight City Hall, the Library, downtown Ponca City the Cann Memorial Gardens, Marland’s Grand Home, Centennial Plaza, Lake Ponca Park and many neighborhoods. You won't want to leave before visiting Angel Central, downtown Ponca City, to purchase your angel ornament and other souvenirs and gifts relevant to the holidays.

8:30 p.m. - Depart for Hotel

Day 2

8:00 a.m. - Breakfast at hotel

9:00 a.m.
Arrive at Marland’s Grand Home- E.W. Marland’s magnificent 22 room home on Grand had one of the first indoor swimming pools in the state and air conditioning. Built in 1916 this home also features an impressive handing staircase and is listed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks. Lydie and George, Marland’s adopted children often entertained their friends on the large outdoor patio. Visit Marland’s first home today and see the Indian Museum, D.A.R. Memorial Room and the 101 Ranch Memorabilia.

10:00 a.m.
Drive though Downtown Ponca City- The Centennial Plaza, with its backdrop of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, features the dramatic Centennial Monument of a settler stepping off his horse to stake his claim. Feel history beneath your feet with 6,527 named bricks of homesteaders, their descendants, and present day Ponca Citizens. Also featured at the plaza is the War Memorial Fountain and statue of E.W. Marland, one of Ponca City’s oil barons of the 1920’s. The Centennial Plaza is currently being updated and will house the City of Ponca City offices. The Ponca City Library is known for it’s large collection of books written by Oklahomans. It is also home to the collection of oriental and western art donated by Richard Gordan Matzene.

10:30 a.m.
Take a walk down Grand Avenue and enjoy the beauty of our statues, restored buildings and many gift shops, jewelry, music and clothing stores. Stop in at ArtsPlace, a unique gallery that features exhibits, workshops and lectures.

11:30 a.m.
Tour of Standing Bear Native American Memorial Park- Sixty-three acres overlooking the Arkansas River valley at the intersection of Highways 60 and 177. Standing Bear Native American Memorial Park was opened on October 1996 with the unveiling of a 22 foot sculpture of Ponca Chief Standing Bear. The memorial side of the park includes the statue and viewing court as well as 2 orientation and 6 tribal courts. With the recent addition of the Labyrinth, the park now provides trails for body, mind and soul. Learn about Native American culture at the Standing Bear Museum & Education Center. Exhibits provided by each of the 6 Native American tribes of the area, Ponca, Otoe-Missouria, Osage, Kaw, Pawnee and Tonkawa as well as Native American art exhibits and sculptures.

12:00 p.m. - Lunch

1:30 p.m.
Tour the Ponca City Art Center- The Art Center is housed in the Soldani Mansion. The Art Association purchased the building in 1966. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Center is open to the public Wednesday- Sunday. Exhibits are regularly scheduled and various art classes are offered. The Art Center also hosted the annual Fine Arts Festival on the grounds in September and the Christmas Tree Collage in December.

2:30 p.m.
Before leaving town, you will want to stop by the Conoco Museum. Be inspired. Starting small but thinking big, Conoco used pioneering spirit to create the nation's oldest refinery and a worldwide legacy of remarkable achievements. Explore a doodlebugger work site, a 1950's R&D laboratory and a replica of an early service station with a visible gravity-fed gasoline pump. See a reconstruction of E.W. Marland's boardroom and witness the evolution of Conoco from a small kerosene distributor serving 19th Century America to a diversified global energy company.

3:30 p.m. - Heading for home? Don't forget nearby Kaw Lake boasts 17,000 acres and 168 miles of shoreline. Activities include boating, camping, fishing, and nature watching.