The 35 Best Things To Do in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

When we think of great Southern cities, a few places typically come to mind. There’s the major metropolitan of Atlanta. There’s the country music capitol of Nashville, and the incredible soul and history of New Orleans. We visit these places time and time again seeking out that palpable energy that never seems to leave them. There’s always something to do, something new to see, and an enigmatic spirit that’s hard to define.

In the past few years, a new contender in the arena of great Southern cities has begun to take shape; and this time the excitement is happening out west in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. From 2020 to 2022, OKC was the sixth fastest growing city in the U.S., and as of 2023, it’s the 20^th largest city in the country. Oklahoma City’s population has soared to 700,000, with more than 1 million people living in the metro area, but that’s not the only thing growing in the capital city. With a thriving arts and culture scene, excellent dining options, and a robust collection of entertainment districts each with their own flair, visitors are flocking to explore the destination. Here are 35 reasons to visit Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Explore the Immense Dining Scene

Great eats are easy to find in Oklahoma City. With so many delicious places to choose from, you’ll need to stay a couple weeks (or months) to try them all. But if you’ve only got a few days, here are some good places to start. Your first night in town should be spent at The Jones Assembly, a 20,000-square-foot dining and entertainment hub in downtown OKC that’s known for its creative regional cuisine, craft cocktails, and regular live music. Other excellent dinner options include Flint (get the fried oysters) and Ludivine, where Chef Russ Johnson serves a thoughtful menu of seasonal dishes, plus a chef’s tasting menu.

Oklahoma City’s Wild West roots means there are plenty of great places to get a meal befitting of a cowboy, but nowhere is more iconic than Cattlemen’s Steakhouse, the state’s oldest continuously operating restaurant. The restaurant serves up huge portions any time of day. At breakfast it’s all about giant omelets, thick-cut French toast, and hearty hot cakes. For lunch and dinner, order the Presidential Choice T-Bone Steak with a baked potato and homemade roll. Burgers are a main food group in OKC. Sample some of the best at SPARK, a fun, modern version of the classic burger joint, or at playful and irreverent Burger Punk.

Oklahoma City excels in American eats, but there’s also plenty of international cuisine for those looking to wake up their palates. Head to Nunu’s Mediterranean Café for fresh Lebanese dishes, Barrios Fine Mexican Dishes for perfect Tex-Mex in a fun courtyard dining room, and Riviere Modern Banh Mi for creative takes on the favorite Vietnamese sandwich, as well as traditional pho and vermicelli noodle bowls.

If you need something to wash all that tasty food down with, head to Sidecar for an expansive spirits selection and craft cocktails, or hit up the legendary Bunker Club, where the walls are covered in memorabilia, the crowd’s always fun, and the drinks (including their famous Manhattan Project) flow freely. If day drinking is more your speed, Oklahoma City has 17 breweries to choose from. Stop into one or two to get a taste of what the city's brewing. We recommend Skydance Brewing Company, the city’s only Native American-owned microbrewery or Prairie Artisan Ales for funky farmhouse ales.

Learn About The Local Culture At Museums

Oklahoma City was incorporated as a city in 1890, but its history as a home to humans started well before that. Learn a bit of that history at the First Americans Museum, which documents the collective histories of 39 distinctive First American Nations in Oklahoma. Another big part of Oklahoma City’s upbringing, visit the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum next. The museum focuses on Western history, art, and culture through permanent galleries and collections, as well as rotating exhibits that dive deeper into subjects like Black cowboys and women of the West. Continue your education of Oklahoma City history by visiting the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, a moving memorial that tells the story of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, while honoring its victims and survivors.

Seek Out The Arts

The arts are alive, well, and gaining steam every day in Oklahoma City. You could easily spend an entire day getting lost among the expansive collections inside the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. If you go, be sure to allow plenty of time to see one of the largest Dale Chihuly glass collections in the world. See contemporary works at the Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, which got a brand-new home in downtown OKC in 2020. You won’t find a more mind-bending, hands-on art experience than at Factory Obscura, a 6,000-square-foot playground of handmade immersive art.

Of course, art doesn’t only exist within the confines of four walls, and the Paseo Arts District is a perfect example of that. The colorful neighborhood is home to the studios and galleries of dozens of working artists, plus an eclectic mix of fine dining spots, live music venues, and cool cocktail lounges—so you can enjoy everything from the visual arts to performance and culinary arts.

Go Neighborhood Hopping

One of the city’s biggest strengths is its incredible diversity. Each pocket of town offers something a little different, a flavor that’s unique to that specific area. One of the most popular places in OKC is Bricktown, a former warehouse district located just east of downtown. There’s so much to do here, from dancing and listening to live music to catching a movie or grabbing dinner. To see it all from a different vantage point and learn more about the area’s history, take a trip on the Bricktown Water Taxi, where you'll hear more about the landmarks, murals, and monuments as you glide along the Bricktown Canal.

Automobile Alley was once the street of downtown where the city’s biggest car businesses had their offices. Today, it’s a hot spot for night life at places like Broadway 10 and Sidecar. For an authentic Oklahoma experience, visit Stockyards City, a district where you’ll find any and everything related to ranch life and western culture. Shop for a new pair of boots, belly up to the bar at a classic saloon, or attend a live cattle auction (held on Mondays and Tuesdays) at the Oklahoma National Stockyard, the largest stocker cattle market in the world.

Spend Time In The Great Outdoors

Oklahoma City may be a major metropolitan, but that doesn’t mean its devoid of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. Downtown OKC alone is home to both Scissortail Park and Myriad Botanical Gardens. Oklahoma’s version of Central Park, Scissortail offers 70 acres of greenspace, sports fields, an outdoor amphitheater, playgrounds, and a dog park. Rent pedal boats, kayaks, or canoes and get out on the lake. Attend the bi-weekly farmer’s market, or grab a bite to eat at SPARK or a visiting food truck. In addition to offering gorgeous outdoor gardens, Myriad Botanical Gardens is also home to a conservatory, seasonal pumpkin patch, carousel, and art gallery.

If your idea of outdoor adventure is a lot more adrenaline-inducing than just a walk in the park, Riversport Adventures is the place for you. Situated on the Oklahoma River, this multi-activity adventure complex has it all. Try surfing, skiing, whitewater rafting, stand-up paddleboarding, ziplining, and flatwater kayaking.

Get Your Kicks On Route 66

Route 66 spans 2,400 miles and eight states, but Oklahoma claims the title of having more drivable miles of the iconic road than any other state. What makes Route 66 so special are all the kooky, surprising, and historic landmarks along the way. In Oklahoma City alone, you can see nine. Highlights to add to your road trip bucket list include the Tower Theatre, one of Oklahoma City’s last original movie houses (it still has its original neon marquee); the Oklahoma State Capitol Complex; and the eye-catching Gold Dome.

If you’re in need of a little refueling along the route, several landmarks pull double duty as restaurants. The Milk Bottle Grocery has been known for its giant metal milk bottle since 1948, but peek inside the tiny brick building and you’ll find a grocery store, fruit stand, and sandwich shop. A newer attraction, Pops 66 Soda Ranch is marked by a 66-foot neon soda bottle. The multi-faceted stop also includes a café, shake shop, café that serves burgers and fries, and a convenient store with 500 soda and beverage options. There’s no gimmick to Cheever’s Café, just great food and a pleasant ambiance. This spot is beloved by locals and visitors alike for brunch, lunch, and dinner.

Pick Your Home Away From Home

After a long day of traipsing around town, you’ll need somewhere extra accommodating to rest your head and recharge for another day of exploring. With its dramatic art-deco style from its days as a bank in the 1930s, The National Hotel is where you stay if you want to sleep in style. Think painted ceilings, century-old murals, and stately stone columns. Rooms are modern and sleek, and the hotel’s five food and beverage establishments each offer something different. For a more intimate stay, book at Bradford House. The 36-room boutique hotel isn’t afraid to be bold. Full of bright colors, interesting patterns, and an eclectic mix of art, every square inch of the renovated mansion brings an air of whimsy.

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