Spotlight On: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oklahoma City has a wide variety of attractions, food options, and historical sites to suit just about anyone’s tastes. If you’re seeking a family-fun adventure, exciting dining and entertainment options, or a journey through history, Oklahoma City has you covered.
Spotlight On: Adventure
Plan your next adventure in Oklahoma City, where there’s something fun for the whole family!
The Oklahoma City Zoo features 1,900 animal species and an expansive botanical garden. The zoo offers fun activities like camel rides, a petting zoo, the Elephant Express Tram, a lorikeet habitat where you can hand-feed the birds, and a carousel ride featuring endangered species. Themed habitats at the zoo include Stingray Bay, Great EscApe, Cat Forest and Lion Overlook, Oklahoma Trails, and Sanctuary Asia. See wildlife like you never have before with Wild Encounters, which lets you go behind the scenes for an up-close and personal interaction with Komodo Dragons, giraffes, bears, bison, Indian rhinos, Galapagos tortoises, and Asian Elephants. If you get hungry during your amazing adventure, dine at one of three themed restaurants or one of the seasonal food vendors located throughout the zoo.
okczoo.org/
Visit the Oklahoma Railway Museum for an interactive learning experience about railroads and how they shaped Oklahoma and the rest of the nation. The museum has freight cars, passenger cars, and a real steam engine on display. If you’ve ever dreamed of riding on a vintage diesel locomotive or a historic passenger coach, now’s your chance! Train rides happen every first and third Saturday of the month from April through August, but the museum arranges special event rides throughout the year. Don’t miss the Halloween train, which is fully decorated for the spooky event. Your ticket gets you a candy gift bag, and there are other special events, as well. You can explore the museum grounds for a fun-filled Halloween treasure hunt, or play through the special mini golf course.
oklahomarailwaymuseum.org
For an unforgettable learning experience, spend the day at the Science Museum Oklahoma. This expansive science museum contains more than eight acres of hands-on science experiences and features thousands of space, aviation, and cultural artifacts. Travel beyond the Milky Way in the Kirkpatrick Planetarium, experience the explosive fun of Science Live, and discover where the familiar meets the fantastical in CurioCity. Other exciting exhibits include a Tesla coil, a Mercury Capsule simulator, and a tornado simulator.
sciencemuseumok.org/
Spotlight On: Sports
Oklahoma City has something for every sports fan, whether you love participating in the action or enjoy being a spectator!
If you an extreme sports enthusiast, plan a visit to Riversport OKC. This expansive sports complex along the Oklahoma River is your passport to thrilling adventure. The 80-foot SandRidge Sky Trail is the world’s tallest adventure course, and features six levels of challenges that increase in difficulty the higher you climb. A secure safety harness lets you feel free to take it to the next level. Challenges include rope bridges, balance beams, zig-zag elements, and more. When you get to the top, you can go down the high-speed 72-foot Sky Slide, jump from the 80-foot Rumble Drop free fall experience, or soar across the Oklahoma River on the SandRidge Sky Zip. The park also includes exciting watersports, such as boarding a raft or kayak for a whitewater excursion at Riversport Rapids. For a calmer experience, you can paddleboard or kayak on the calm waters of Lake Overholser or Lake Hefner. Those new to the sport can sign up for a kayaking or paddleboarding lesson. If you prefer to stay on the ground, Riversport also features a bike course, an indoor ski slope, and an eSport Virtual Reality Arena.
riversportokc.org/
If you love baseball, don’t miss the opportunity to see the Oklahoma City Dodgers play at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. The ballpark was constructed with over 480,000 bricks and provides seating for up to 9,000 Oklahoma City Dodgers fans. Statues of legendary baseball players with ties to Oklahoma are featured at each of the park’s three main gates. A bronze statue of Mickey Mantle stands on a 3-foot granite base at the third base pavilion. The 9-foot statue of Johnny Bench greets fans at the ballpark’s home plate gate. A statue of Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Warren Spahn sits just outside of the ballpark’s right field gate. Other ballpark amenities include shops, luxury suites, and a sports-themed restaurant that’s open all year.
milb.com/oklahoma-city/ballpark/chickasaw-bricktown-ballpark
Horse racing fans can saddle up to Remington Park: Racing & Casino, Oklahoma’s premier major-league horse-racing venue and Oklahoma City’s only casino. Open 365 days a year, this facility is a staple to visitors and residents alike. Visitors of all ages can see the horses being saddled in the paddock gardens, then watch them race on the main dirt track or the plush turf course. There is free seating on the Plaza, or you can pay for the cushioned stadium seats of the climate-controlled Clubhouse level. The casino is only for visitors ages 18 and up, and features more than 750 gaming machines and a live entertainment stage. There are also several dining options at Remington Park. Silks Restaurant is located on the Clubhouse level and overlooks the race track so you can eat and not miss any of the action. Bricktown Brewery offers tasty American cuisine like hamburgers, salads, sandwiches, and more. They also carry a variety of handcrafted beers along with a full-service bar. Henry Hudsons at Remington Park is open during racing season and is located right on the track level for an amazing view of everything that is happening.
remingtonpark.com/
Spotlight On: Dining & Entertainment
For delicious food and fun entertainment, Oklahoma has just the ticket!
The mixed-level development at Chisholm Creek has no shortage of dining, shopping, and entertainment options. This 190-acre complex features distinctive entertainment venues, a high-end hotel, event space, and a unique variety of restaurants and retailers. The entire complex is connected by miles of pedestrian trails and expansive green spaces. Enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Chisholm Creek, with restaurants like Hatch Early Mood Food, Birra Birra Craft Pizzeria, and the Mediterranean restaurant Riserva Tapas. Try indoor skydiving at iFly, or stay grounded at Top Golf and Main Event Entertainment. This family-friendly venue features bowling, laser tag, a rope adventure course, video games, and much more! Solo’s Park & Pub is a pet-friendly establishment with a small and large dog park. If you want to dine in the restaurant, there are Bark Rangers that can keep an eye on your furry friend.
chisholmcreek.com/
Take some time to relax with a cruise through the canal when you board a Bricktown Water Taxi. Enjoy a guided tour with a unique viewpoint of the canal’s many attractions, including historical monuments, colorful murals, and local landmarks. Bricktown Water Taxi has been providing this service for more than 20 years, and provides eight group tour options across six unique boats. Guests may also reserve a private charter taxi or a dinner cruise. You can purchase your tickets in advance online, or buy them onsite at the box office.
bricktownwatertaxi.com
For an authentic Oklahoma dining experience, look no farther than McClintock’s Saloon and Chop House. This establishment creates a classy atmosphere with intricate woodwork and a 50-foot-long oak and brass bar hand-crafted by local woodworkers. The three dining rooms feature chic new West décor with elegant chandeliers to blend the old and the new. The mouth-watering menu includes new takes on old favorites with chicken fried steak, frog legs, hand-cut steaks, and racks of lamb. The saloon bar offers specialty and classic drinks with a selection of over 215 different types of whiskey. Located in Stockyard City, McClintock’s Saloon and Chop House promises to be an unforgettable dining experience.
mcclintocksaloon.com
Spotlight On: Arts & Culture
Oklahoma City is a haven for unique art and diverse cultures!
The foodie scene is thriving in Oklahoma City’s Asian District, where an influx of Vietnamese immigrants in the 1970s created a vibrant district. Known for its Asian fusion cuisine, you can find some of the best Asian restaurants in Oklahoma City. Discover authentic Pho, Hong Kong dim sum and hot pot, and Taiwanese bubble tea. The district’s most famous landmark is the iconic Milk Bottle Grocery. This popular Route 66 photo-op is a triangular building with a giant milk bottle on top, and features the logo for the Oklahoma dairy company, Braum’s. The Asian district also offers seasonal events. Don’t miss the Vietnamese Lunar Moon Festival, which features lion dancing and traditional dance performances, food trucks, shopping, and children’s games.
www.visitokc.com/districts/asian-district
Explore unique art and architecture when you visit the Paseo Arts District. The district, formerly known as the Spanish Village was built in 1929 as the first commercial shopping district north of downtown Oklahoma City. The Paseo District now features more than 80 working artists and 20 studios. This curved, two-block street has maintained the original stucco buildings and clay roof tiles. Among the art galleries are fantastic restaurants, shoe and clothing boutiques, gift shops, a yoga studio, barber shops, and a hair salon. The Paseo hosts the First Friday Gallery Walk every month, and features new artworks from studio owners and guest artists, live music, and a unique family-friendly atmosphere.
www.thepaseo.org
If you’re looking for artistic inspiration, spend the day in the hip and trendy Plaza District. This small enclave features locally-owned shops, neighborhood bars, lots of quirky galleries, and fun restaurants. Named for the historic Plaza Theater built in 1935, the area has become a mecca for creativity and local businesses. Its namesake theater is now known as the Lyric on the Plaza Theater, where you can still see live performances throughout the year. In addition to its thriving art scene, The Plaza has some of the best craft beer in Oklahoma and a pizza shop that serves the pie until 2 a.m. Monday through Saturday. If you have a sweet tooth, be sure to order some salted caramel ice cream from Roxy’s Ice Cream Social, or have a slice of delicious pie at the Pie Junkie. You can also find affordable, one-of-a-kind clothing, accessories, and gifts at one of the district’s eclectic boutiques.
plazadistrict.org
Spotlight On: History
Go back in time and gets your kicks on Route 66 and beyond when you visit Oklahoma City’s historical sites and museums.
Explore Oklahoma’s Western history, art, and culture, at Oklahoma City’s National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Founded in 1955, the museum collects, preserves, and exhibits an internationally renowned collection of Western art and artifacts. The facility also sponsors dynamic educational programs to increase interest in the legacy of the American West. The museum features a collection of classic and contemporary Western art, including works by Frederic Remington, Charles M. Russell, and sculptor James Earle Fraser’s moving work, The End of the Trail. An exhibition wing features interactive history galleries with a focus on the American cowboy, rodeos, Native American culture, Victorian firearms, frontier military, and Western performers.
nationalcowboymuseum.org
Automobile Alley, a historic district north of downtown Oklahoma, was originally home to the city’s car dealerships. This history is immortalized by the neon signs that still hang from its original buildings. The past and present come together and give the district lots to offer, including some of Oklahoma City’s best shopping, dining, and nightlife options. Automobile Alley has also become a haven for immersive art experiences like the whimsical world of Factory Obscura’s Mix Tape and the over-the-top art pieces in the Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center. Enjoy a variety of foods ranging from a new twist on the classic American burger with quirky toppings, to the wood-fired meats and handcrafted cocktails of an urban chop house concept. Craft beer lovers will enjoy the eclectic range of brews from tangy sours to delicious Imperial Stouts. You can also find single-malt scotch and bar food that consists of smoked salmon, gourmet paninis, and fresh hummus. Don’t forget to pick up a souvenir at one of Automobile Alley’s unique boutiques.
automobilealley.org
Oklahoma contains more than 400 miles of Route 66, which is more than any other state, and Oklahoma City serves as a center point. Travelers can find a mix of modern and historic experiences along the route, and Oklahoma City is home to some of the most iconic landmarks, attractions, and destination dining. Some of the most popular attractions on this stretch of Route 66 include the Tower Theatre, the State Capitol Complex, Milk Bottle Grocery, The Gold Dome, Lake Overholser Bridge, and the Skyliner Motel.
visitokc.com/things-to-do/route-66
