OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark has been included on TIME’s World’s Greatest Places of 2026 list. The recognition highlights the continued expansion of tribal tourism offerings beyond gaming to include broader hospitality and entertainment experiences. Developed by the Chickasaw Nation in partnership with Architectural Design Consultants, the $400 million resort is located in Oklahoma City’s Horizons District, adjacent to the First Americans Museum. Together, the two destinations form a cultural and entertainment corridor.
The project incorporates Indigenous art and design elements throughout the property, reflecting input from the Chickasaw Nation. Artwork appears across public spaces and guest accommodations, including murals and other commissioned pieces. The resort’s name is derived from the Chickasaw words for water and friend.
The property includes 404 guest rooms, including multi-room suites designed for both leisure and group travel. Guest room design incorporates references to historical and cultural themes, including interpretations of early Chickasaw mapping. In addition to lodging, the resort features a boardwalk area with multiple dining and entertainment venues, as well as a full-service spa. These amenities are intended to serve both visitors and the local community.
The resort also includes a 100,000 sq. ft. indoor waterpark and a 4.5-acre outdoor lagoon, along with a 36,000 sq. ft. retail, dining, and entertainment complex, two amphitheaters, and a marketplace featuring Indigenous artisans. Project stakeholders have indicated the development is expected to attract significant visitation and contribute to the regional economy through job creation and tourism-related spending.
The inclusion on TIME’s World’s Greatest Places list reflects broader recognition of tribal-led hospitality developments within the global tourism sector.
