Welcome to Oklahoma City. At first glance, it may seem like any other metropolitan area, but those who have been around for awhile, know that Oklahoma City is unique. It had an exciting beginning that has never been forgotten. It is a growing and expanding city, one that residents encourage by voting to support expansion. A one-cent sales tax for the Metropolitan Area Projects (MAPS) first began in Dec 1993. It has afforded improvements to downtown Oklahoma City areas, like Bricktown, the Cox Center, and the Ford Center. Voters approved to continue the temporary one-cent sales tax in 2009. This paves the way for more city improvements under the MAPS 3 project.
The people who live here are a resilient bunch. Oklahoma City’s forefathers survived the dust bowl and the Great Depression. More recently, in 1995, residents came together to respond to, what was at the time, the deadliest terrorist attack in U.S. history. Oklahoma residents are a friendly bunch as well, welcoming visitors not only into their culture, but also into their hearts. They are happy to offer directions or recommend personal favorite places to eat or things to do if you ask. Residents here are the type of people who wave as they pass or stop to say hello and see how you are doing. When a neighbor is in trouble, they lend a helping hand where and when they can even if their own misfortunes are great.
Oklahoma City is family-friendly, which is evident by all the things there are for families to do around the area. It has an employment rate that’s better than the national average. In Feb 2009, according to Fortune magazine, three of the 100 best companies to work for are located here—Chesapeake Energy, Devon Energy, and American Fidelity Assurance. Forbes called Oklahoma City a recession-proof city and while part of its success comes from its connection with the oil and gas industry, its economy base is diversified, making it resilient to economic down times. In Nov 2008, CNN listed Oklahoma City as one of the “30 Best Cities to Find a Job.” Oklahoma City was the largest city on that list.
Oklahoma City has made its mark not only here but also across the country and the world. Its future looks bright and with the commitment of the community and its leaders, Oklahoma City will continue to grow and thrive. It is a city on the move and that move is upward.
Are you interested in learning about the history of the state? Want to dip your toes in a cool stream? Interested in seeing botanical gardens? Then look no further than downtown Oklahoma City.
In the heart of downtown is the Myriad Botanical Gardens and Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory. To the west of downtown on Reno Avenue is White Water Bay and just north of downtown, are the Oklahoma History Center and the National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Center.
Some of the attractions can be seen in a couple hours. Others take all day. I have noted those attractions where visitors should plan to spend all day. In all cases, guests should take their time. Each attraction has something different and unique to offer.
There are a number of attractions that are across the street, down the street, or next door to one another. The Oklahoma History Center is across the street from the Governor’s Mansion and the Oklahoma City Zoo is a short walk away from the Science Museum and across the street from Remington Park. Once you go to one, you may be tempted to pop into another. The zoo and Science Museum, however, will each take an entire day.
You will find that most of these attractions are the busiest in the summer months so plan a visit for the spring or fall if you want to avoid crowds. Spring and fall are also the best times to visit because it is not so hot. Summer months—June, July, and Aug—can be brutal because of the heat. If you decide to go to an outdoor attraction during these months, go early in the morning, saving indoor attractions until the afternoon when you will want to escape the heat.
All months in Oklahoma have the potential for severe weather, but spring is when the most severe weather occurs. It can be clear at 1 p.m. and by 3 p.m. torrential rain and hail may be falling. Be prepared. Take raincoats and umbrellas and always keep an eye to the sky.
Hours and admission prices in the listings below were current at the time of this writing. They are always subject to change, however, so it is good to call ahead or check the attraction’s Web site before you go.
This chapter does not provide a comprehensive list of everything there is to do in Oklahoma City. You can also check the Kidstuff, Nightlife, the Arts, and Annual Events chapters in this book for more ideas on things to do.
As you read or flip through this book, you will find that there is a lot to do in and around Oklahoma City, so you better get started.
Adults shouldn’t have all the fun. Kids should have fun too. That’s what this chapter is all about. Some of the entries in this chapter are also listed in the “Attractions” chapter, but here’s the twist: This chapter gives information on what children can specifically do at these places.
Throughout the Oklahoma City area, parents will find all sorts of activities to involve their children in. Some require only child participation, while others require parents be on hand to supervise. In all instances, parents are responsible for the safety of their child. If you do not feel comfortable with leaving your child, then don’t. A good rule of thumb is to check with other parents to get their take on activities where you will not be present.
When parental supervision or participation is required, use the opportunity to bond with your child. Don’t hesitate to jump into these activities with your children. Many classes are offered for parents and children from science to art. Classes and camps are offered by different organizations at different times throughout the year. Some have after-school programs or weekend programs, while others have weeklong activities.
The Oklahoma area offers a number of entertainment options, including fun parks, a zoo, activity centers, playgrounds, and movie theaters. There are several museums, such as the Science Museum, that offer hands-on activities that keep children entertained.
Keep in mind that the weather plays a large part in which activity you will want to involve your child. Early mornings work better for outdoor activities in the months of June, July, and Aug. It gets hot quickly in these months. If you do decide to go outdoors during the heat, take plenty of water and wear a hat, and light-colored clothing. In the afternoon, indoor activities would be wise.
During the year, there are many events with special activities for children. Check out the “Annual Events” chapter to learn more about those. You can also look in the “Sports and Recreation” chaper where I have listed bowling alleys, tennis courts, parks, and playgrounds where children can run off that pent-up energy.
Another good source for activities for your children can be found in MetroFamily magazine (405-340-1404; www.metrofamilymagazine.com). Each month, this publication lists a calendar of events. Sarah Taylor, the publisher, also has a family-friendly Web site that offers activities and events for children. At www.exploringok.com, parents can connect with other parents, find coupons for some of the area’s attractions, and learn about new or upcoming events.
Even though there are enough things to do in Oklahoma City to keep you busy, sometimes it’s nice to escape the hustle and bustle and see and do something a little different. All of the locations listed in this chapter can be reached by car in about an hour, two at the most. Getting out of town is easy. You can travel south or north on I-35 or east or west on I-40. These main arteries will take you to smaller highways that will get you to your place of interest.
Some places will only take a day to see. For others you’ll want to take a few days. If you head down to the southwest part of the state, you can learn about the American Indians that came to Oklahoma before it was a state. If you head northeast to Ponca City, you can learn about the early settlers. In the east and southeast are numerous forests and lakes to visit.
I’ve put 11 destinations in this chapter, almost one for each month of the year. All are located within Oklahoma. For those hearty explorers and the more adventurous, Dallas, Branson, Tulsa, Wichita, or Amarillo can be reached in half a day’s drive time. If you’re interested in flying, you can reach Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport in 30 minutes.
For any of the destinations here, contact the area’s chamber of commerce a week or two in advance to learn more about what’s going on there. If there is a festival, tournament, or community activity taking place, then you may have to make hotel reservations weeks in advance. If you are going to an area for a specific event, checking with the chamber to see if the event is still happening is another good idea. You don’t want to drive for an hour only to be disappointed.
Whichever destination you choose, I’d like to offer a piece of advice. Plan to take your time. Oklahoma has a lot of interesting things along the way that could not be listed here. If you are driving to a destination and something catches your eye, stop and check it out. By being flexible and taking your time, you will discover your own favorite places and enjoy your trip even more.