Entry No. 42 — the Oklahoma City file — filed under: tarantulas
OSU Insect Adventure (live bug petting zoo)
OSU Extension's Insect Adventure is Oklahoma's only live bug petting zoo, housed on the OSU campus and staffed by a professional entomologist who guides visitors through handling over 25 species of living arthropods — from foot-long millipedes and emperor scorpions to a rotating cast of tarantulas. Public sessions run every 1st and 3rd Saturday morning, 10 a.m. to noon, for just $3 per person.
The move: Arrive at 10 a.m. on a 1st or 3rd Saturday, pay $3 each at the door, and spend the morning daring each other to hold the giant African millipede, pet a tarantula, and race termites — then walk the surrounding OSU Botanic Garden afterward to decompress (and wash your hands).
📍 Before you go Despite the "OKC" tag, this sits in Stillwater — budget roughly an hour-plus drive each way and treat it as a day trip. The bug zoo lives inside the Horticulture Education Center, the building at the southern entrance of The Botanic Garden at OSU, so aim for that southern lot rather than wandering the grounds first. It only opens to the public on 1st and 3rd Saturday mornings, and admission is cash only, so bring small bills. Expect a young, lively crowd, so arrive early. Afterward, the surrounding garden trails are free to roam if you want a quieter walk.
- 📍 Stillwater
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 3300 W 6th Ave, Stillwater, OK 74074 (Horticulture Education Center, The Botanic Garden at OSU)
Hours: Mined 2026-06-07 — confirm current hours before you go.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: extension.okstate.edu · visitstillwater.org · travelok.com
last checked: 2026-06-07