Nicholle Miller

Have a Blast at Oasis Animal Adventures

Bonding with animals is a profoundly enriching and rewarding experience that transcends words. Whether it’s a loyal canine companion, a playful feline friend, or an exotic creature, the process of building a connection with animals is marked by a unique and unspoken language. The memories of your interactions with the fascinating creatures at Oasis Animal Adventures will linger, making it a day well spent for anyone who values the beauty and importance of wildlife. Book your stay at the nearby Shangri-La Resort to experience it for yourself.

Staying at the Shangri-La Resort is a blend of luxury, serenity, and impeccable service. Our resort’s amenities are a playground of relaxation and enjoyment with an activity park, on-site spa, lakeside golf courses, fine dining, and more. Nestled in a breathtaking Oklahoma location, our Grand Lake resort provides an oasis of tranquility, where every detail is masterfully curated to ensure a memorable and indulgent stay.

What Is Oasis Animal Adventures?

Oasis Animal Adventures offers delightful animal encounters that share with guests from near and far the joy of bonding with animals. Their motto is that animals are the gateway to the heart, and we couldn’t agree more! During your trip you will be able to meet camels, kangaroos, horses, lemurs, mini horses, North African Sulcata Tortoises, zebras, donkeys, and local celebrities Daisy the Spider Monkey and Sally the Sloth.

This is a great family activity, and kids ages two years old and younger get in for free!

Journey to Jesus With Oasis Christmas

The holiday season is an enchanting time to visit Oasis Animal Adventures. During the beginning of December, you can stroll through the Bethlehem market, petting zoo, and birthplace of Jesus. There will also be camel rides, concessions, and pony rides.

Experience the Animal Therapy Programs at the Oasis Barn 

The Animal Therapy programs at the Oasis Barn Center are a wonderful way to experience unconditional love with their animals. They are certified as EAL (Equine Assisted Learning) through the O.K. Corral Series by EAGALA Founder Greg Kersten. The animal therapy programs at Oasis Animal Adventures are ideal for at-risk youth, people who have experienced trauma, children and adults with special needs, or anyone else eager to experience the healing benefits of bonding with animals. 

Explore Oasis Animal Adventures and other local treasures by booking your stay with Shangri-La Resort. Ultimately, staying at Shangri-La Resort is an escape into luxury and tranquility, where every moment is an invitation to relax, indulge, and create cherished memories!

Explore the Lendonwood Gardens in Oklahoma

A vacation at the Shangri-La Resort is nothing short of a dream come true. Our world-class destination offers an unforgettable experience with plush accommodations, an activity park, lakeside golfing, and fine dining. Nearby, our upscale Grand Lake resort in Oklahoma is Lendonwood Gardens. 

Explore the eight gardens at Lendonwood Gardens, featuring 75 varieties of Japanese maples, 25 varieties of dogwoods, 200 varieties of conifers, 125 varieties of hostas, more than 500 varieties of daylilies, and 25 varieties of viburnums. Begin your visit at the Welcome Center for a butterfly stamp and a bingo card of items at the garden that, if you find, you could win a prize. Click here to see photos of Lendonwood Gardens to get a taste of its distinctive beauty. 

Take a Stroll Through 8 Distinct Lendonwood Gardens 

1. Azalea Garden

This garden was established in the Lendonwood Gardens in the 1970s and boasts a lovely palette of pink, lavender, white, and red hues in the spring. Set your sights on magnolias, mature pink dogwoods, redbud, Japanese Maples, yew, and a large Canadian hemlock.

2. American Backyard Garden

The plants in this garden can thrive with minimal water and bloom with vibrant colors in the summer. The gazebo is the centerpiece of this garden, featuring zinnias, marigolds, crape myrtle, Knockout roses, and several varieties of daylilies.

3. Display Garden

You can find this garden near the entrance of the Lendonwood Gardens. This is where you will find most of Lendonwood’s collection of 75 diverse varieties of Japanese maples. One of the most significant treasures in this garden is the Dawn Redwood, which was once thought to be extinct. 

4. Oklahoma Garden

Come and venture through this garden with plants and trees that thrive in the diverse Oklahoma climate. They have all been certified as “Oklahoma Proven” by the Oklahoma State University Extension Service.

5. English Terrace Garden

You will find this lovely Oklahoma garden near the back of the Lendonwood Gardens. Explore numerous rhododendrons, Thuja Green Giant evergreens, a weeping katsura tree, a beautiful magnolia tree, and a variegated dogwood.

6. Oriental Garden

This garden highlights the plants that thrive in the shade, with peak bloom time beginning in the summer. Stroll to the end of this garden to set your eyes on a 150-foot stream with pools emptying into each other.

7. Japanese Pavilion

This is a popular attraction in the Lendonwood Gardens inspired by the Hosokawa Pavilion in Japan. From the pavilion, you will get a stunning view of the Koi Pond framed by the surrounding garden. 

8. Angel of Hope Garden

Inspired by the novel The Christmas Box, this garden is dedicated to all those who have lost a loved one, especially a child. Every year on Children’s Day (December 6), the Lendonwood Gardens hosts a remembrance ceremony at the Angel of Hope statue in this garden.

Book your stay to experience the distinctive beauty and charm of Shangri-La Resort and the surrounding area!

Your Guide to Exploring Monkey Island, Oklahoma

If you’re looking for a vacation destination that’s equal parts relaxing and adventurous, look no further than Shangri-La Resort. Found at the tip of Money Island in northeast Oklahoma, our lakefront resort is the perfect place to unwind from the stress of everyday life while creating lifelong memories. We have gone the extra mile to ensure our grounds have everything you need for the ultimate getaway.

Nestled on the shores of Grand Lake, there are countless things to do both on-site and nearby. After dropping your bags off in your spacious accommodation, set off to discover how many incredible attractions and activities you can find. To help give you a head start, we’ve made a list of some of our favorite adventures. If you are planning on venturing away from the resort, call the concierge desk at 918-257-7705 to learn more about our shuttle service.

A Checklist of Things to Do on or near Monkey Island

  1. Play your way through 27 holes of championship golf. Our on-site courses: Legends, Heritage, Champions, and The Battlefield, are ideal for golfers of all skill levels.
  2. Pamper yourself to a day at the spa in Monkey Island, Oklahoma. Treatment options range from massages to facials to nail care.
  3. Spend a day out on the lake. Sail Grand Waterfront, located at our marina, offers a range of rentals, including pontoons, fishing boats, and ski boats. 
  4. Test your luck at Cherokee Grove Casino, found only 10 minutes from the resort. The Oklahoma casino has hundreds of electronic games that may lead to a big payday.
  5. Surround yourself with stunning Fall flora at Lendonwood Gardens. This natural attraction near Monkey Island, Oklahoma, is home to eight gardens, each with its own theme.
  6. Enjoy playing Pickleball at our indoor courts or improving your golf game on the TrackMan Simulator at The Anchor.
  7. End each day in Monkey Island, Oklahoma, watching a breathtaking sunset from one of the numerous vantage points at the resort. We highly recommend the lighthouse, marina, The Anchor, and along the lakeshore.

Discover even more fun things to do and see on Monkey Island, Oklahoma, and at Shangri-La Resort by booking your stay today!

Your Guide to the Best Route 66 Attractions

Route 66 is filled with iconic attractions and is among the most famous roads in the world. It spans over 2,400 miles and eight states, starting in the booming city of Chicago and ending on the Pacific Coast in Santa Monica. Since 1926, the Mother Road has brought people together on journeys through iconic United States destinations. The Oklahoma portion of Route 66 is a captivating journey through time, culture, and the American spirit. 

Shangri-La Resort is an enchanting Oklahoma resort to stop during your journey nestled on Grand Lake. Immerse yourself in a resort that seamlessly blends luxury, natural beauty, and exhilarating activities. We crafted each lodging option to offer modern comforts while showcasing the beauty of the natural surroundings. Relax after a day on the road in our rejuvenating spa or on one of our lakeside golf courses. You’ll also be able to indulge in a delectable culinary experience with our diverse dining options

Top Route 66 Attractions on the Ultimate Mother Road Trip

Illinois – Grant Park

Too many vintage attractions on Route 66 have been lost, but you can find the “End Historic Route 66” sign at the Jackson and Michigan Avenues intersection.

Missouri – Gillioz Theatre

This has been one of the greatest old theaters in the Midwest since it was built in 1926. 

Kansas – Brush Creek Bridge

Check out the last remaining fixed Marsh Rainbow Arch bridge on Kansas Route 66.

Oklahoma – Shangri-La Resort

Unwind by taking in the natural beauty of Grand Lake at our full-service marina, our luxurious spa services, or enjoy fine dining. You can also get out and spread your legs at our activity park featuring arcade games, simulator bays, virtual reality games, a wiffleball park, and so much more. We truly stand out as one of the most enchanting attractions in Oklahoma just a 30 minute detour from Route 66. 

Texas – McLean Commercial Historic District

This is one of the best Route 66 attractions to get a glimpse of what it was like in its full glory during the mid-20th century. 

New Mexico – La Bajada Mesa

Explore one of the most well-preserved and historically significant sections of El Camino Real

Arizona – Petrified Forest National Park

Venture through the largest concentration of petrified wood, historic structures, archeological sites, multi-hued badlands of the Painted Desert, and over 200 million-year-old fossils.

California – Broadway Theater and Commercial District

Step into a stunning example of Los Angeles and Southern California’s fast-expanding growth between 1900 and 1910.

Book your stay at Shangri-La Resort, one of Oklahoma’s most enchanting attractions just a 30 minute journey off of Route 66!