Travel Oklahoma The 35 Best Things To Do in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma By Tara Massouleh McCay Tara Massouleh McCay Tara Massouleh McCay is the Senior Travel and Culture Editor for Southern Living. A writer and editor with 10 years of experience in producing lifestyle content for local, regional, and national publications, she joined the Southern Living team in 2021. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on August 27, 2024 In This Article View All In This Article Explore The Immense Dining Scene Learn About The Local Culture At Museums Seek Out The Arts Go Neighborhood Hopping Spend Time In The Great Outdoors Get Your Kicks On Route 66 Pick Your Home Away From Home Close Photo: Courtesy of Visit OKC 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 capital of Nashville and the incredible soul and history of New Orleans. We visit these places time and time again seeking out that indelible and palpable energy. 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 July 2022 to July 2023, OKC was one of the 15 largest-gaining cities by numeric change in the U.S. 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. Whether for fun or contemplation, Oklahoma City is worth a visit. With its 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 things to do on your visit to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Courtesy of Visit OKC Explore The Immense Dining Scene Grab A Bite At The Jones Assembly Great eats are easy to find in Oklahoma City. With so many delicious places to choose from, you’ll need to stay for a couple weeks (or months) to try them all. But if you’ve only got a few days, 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. thejonesassembly.com, 901 West Sheridan, Oklahoma City, OK 73106 Savor The Classics At Flint Kitchen And Bar Another excellent dinner option is Flint Kitchen and Bar (get the fried oysters). The dinner menu features classics like chicken fried steak, bacon-wrapped meatloaf, and shrimp and grits. Pair your meal with a glass from the award-winning wine list. Come back for brunch, and fill up on sausage biscuits and gravy, chicken and waffles, or breakfast tacos. flintokc.com, 15 North Robinson Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73102 Courtesy of Visit OKC Sidle Up To Cattlemen's Steakhouse 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. cattlemensrestaurant.com, 1309 South Agnew, Oklahoma City, OK 73108 Bite Into A Burger Burgers are a main food group in OKC. Sample some of the best at SPARK, a fun, modern version of the classic burger joint. From the basic cheeseburger to the BLC Spark with pimiento cheese, bacon, and a cheddar crust, burger lovers will be satisfied. eatatspark.com, 300 Oklahoma City Boulevard, Oklahoma City, OK 73109 Chow Down At Burger Punk At playful and irreverent Burger Punk, choose from menu mainstays like the Whiskey Mushroom Burger or monthly burger specials, and add crinkle fries on the side. The menu also has other tasty dishes like Mosh Pit Fries, loaded with cheese, bacon, and fried onions, and Thrash Nachos, featuring a Nacho Doritos base and house chili. burgerpunkokc.com, 3012 North Walker Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73103 Courtesy of Visit OKC Experience Nunu's Mediterranean Café 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, where vegetarians, vegans, and meat lovers will all find something on the menu of healthy options. If you can't decide, order the Sampler Plate which features beef kafta, cabbage roll, chicken kabob, and hashwa, a Lebanese rice dish. nunuscafe.com, 3131 West Memorial Road, Oklahoma City, OK 73134 Opt For Tex-Mex At Barrios Head to Barrios Fine Mexican Dishes for perfect Tex-Mex in a fun courtyard dining room. Order a few things to share, like Queso Fundido with homemade flour tortillas or Traditional Smashed Guacamole. Shrimp, chicken, and beef fajitas are wood-fired. barriosmexicanokc.com, 1000 North Hudson Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73102 Try The Bahn Mi At Riviere Modern Bahn Mi Riviere Modern Banh Mi offers creative takes on the favorite Vietnamese sandwich, as well as traditional pho and vermicelli noodle bowls. Try one of nearly a dozen gourmet bahn mi varieties, or opt for other creative dishes like Gangham-Style Fries with bulgogi and beer cheese fondue. riviereokc.com, 905 North Hudson Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73102 Sip At Sidecar If you need something to wash all that tasty food down with, head to Sidecar for an expansive spirits selection and craft cocktails. The barley and wine bar also serves snacks and sandwiches and live music. sdcrbar.com, 1100 North Broadway Avenue Suite 100, Oklahoma City, OK 73103 Have A Good Time At Bunker Club 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. With events like happy hour, weekend brunch, trivia, karaoke, and music, there's always a reason to visit. bunkerclubokc.com, 433 NW 23rd Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73103 Visit Local Breweries 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. Head to the taproom for specials and events, and see what's on tap. skydancebrewing.com, 1 NE 7th Street Suite A, Oklahoma City, OK 73104 Sample Prairie Artisan Ales For a unique pint, visit Prairie Artisan Ales for 16 taps featuring funky farmhouse ales brewed on-site. With fun names and flavors, there's something for every preference, from fruity ales like Hawaiian Tko with tangerine, strawberry, and pineapple, to kicked-up Spicy Pickle Monster to Chocolate Noir, a barrel-aged imperial stout. prairieales.com, 3 NE 8th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73104 Courtesy of Visit OKC Learn About The Local Culture At Museums Learn About The First Americans 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. famok.org, 659 First Americans Boulevard, Oklahoma City, OK 73129 Explore Western History 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. nationalcowboymuseum.org, 1700 Northeast 63rd Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73111 Remember The Oklahoma City Bombing 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. memorialmuseum.com, 620 North Harvey Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73102 Courtesy of Visit OKC. Seek Out The Arts Browse Art Collections The arts are alive and gaining steam every day in Oklahoma City. You could easily spend an entire day getting lost among the expansive contemporary and European 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. okcmoa.com, 415 Couch Drive, Oklahoma City, OK 73102 Appreciate Contemporary Artists See contemporary works at the Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, which got a brand-new home in downtown OKC in 2020. The new space features 8,000 square feet of visual art galleries, rotating exhibits, performance spaces, and educational programs. oklahomacontemporary.org, 11 NW 11th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73103 Collaborate With Artists 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. Guests can participate in artist workshops, an interactive garden, and events like open mic night. factoryobscura.com, 25 Northwest 9th Street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73102 Courtesy of Visit OKC Stroll The Colorful Paseo Arts District 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, such as Paseo Pottery, which offers classes in addition to its gallery space, and Studio Six, which features monthly artists. There's also 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. instagram.com/paseopotteryokc, 3017 Paseo, Oklahoma City, OK 73103 instagram.com/studiosixokc, 3021 Paseo, Oklahoma City, OK 73103 Courtesy of Visit OKC Go Neighborhood Hopping Visit The Warehouse District 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. Stop by the American Banjo Museum, or spend the afternoon at Brickopolis playing mini golf, laser tag, or making your way up the Klime Wall. americanbanjomuseum.com, 9 East Sheridan Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73104 brickopolisu.com, 101 South Mickey Mantle Drive, Oklahoma City, OK 73104 Take A Canal Tour 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. bricktownwatertaxi.com, 111 South Mickey Mantle Drive, Oklahoma City, OK 73104 Courtesy of Visit OKC See How Old And New Merge In Automobile Alley Automobile Alley was once the street downtown where the city’s biggest car businesses had their offices. Today, neon signs still hang on their original buildings. but it’s now a hot spot for nightlife at places like Broadway 10, a 1920s Buick dealership, and Sidecar. Stroll the avenue for souvenirs and apparel too. b10chophouse.com, 1101 North Broadway Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73103 Enjoy Western Culture 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. oknationalstockyards.com, 2501 Exchange Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73108 Courtesy of Visit OKC Spend Time In The Great Outdoors Explore Scissortail Park Oklahoma City may be a major metropolitan, but that doesn’t mean its devoid of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. Downtown OKC is home to Scissortail Park. 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. scissortailpark.org, 300 SW 7th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73109 Take In Scenery At Myriad Botanical Gardens In addition to offering gorgeous outdoor gardens, Myriad Botanical Gardens is also home to a conservatory, seasonal pumpkin patch, carousel, and art gallery. The 15-acre park in the heart of downtown also has a children's garden and Thunder Fountain for cooling off. myriadgardens.org, 301 West Reno, Oklahoma City, OK 73102 Courtesy of Visit OKC Sign Up For Adventure 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 paddle boarding, ziplining, and flatwater kayaking. riversportokc.org, 800 Riversport Drive, Oklahoma City, OK 73129 Buyenlarge / Getty Images Get Your Kicks On Route 66 Take A Road Trip 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. towertheatreokc.com, 425 NW 23rd Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73103 oklahoma.gov/governor/about/oklahoma-state-capitol.html, 2300 North Lincoln Boulevard, Oklahoma City, OK 73105 Stop At The Round Barn Built in 1898, this round barn sits alongside Route 66 and is the only wooden round barn in Oklahoma. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977, visitors will see exhibits and a gift shop. It's also a good spot for pictures. arcadiaroundbarn.com, 107 East Highway 66, Arcadia, OK 73007 Peek Inside The Milk Bottle Grocery 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. nps.gov/places/milk-bottle-grocery.htm, 2426 North Classen Boulevard, Oklahoma City, OK 73106 Head To Pops For Soda And Snacks A newer attraction, Pops 66 Soda Ranch is marked by a 66-foot neon soda bottle. The multi-faceted stop also includes a shake shop, café that serves burgers and fries, and a convenience store with 500 soda and beverage options. pops66.com, 660 West Highway 66, Arcadia, OK 73007 Grab A Table At Cheever's Café 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. They serve small plates, steaks, seafood, and a vegetarian Cauliflower Bread Pudding with lentils, mushroom pesto, and red pepper jus. cheeverscafe.com, 2409 North Hudson Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73103 Courtesy of Visit OKC Pick Your Home Away From Home Relax In Style At The National 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. thenationalokc.com, 120 North Robinson Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73102 Book A Room At Bradford House 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. bradfordhouseokc.com, 1235 NW 38th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73118 Stay Near The Action The Skirvin Hilton is located in a historic 1911 building. Here, you'll be close to the action. The Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum, Cox Convention Center, Automobile Alley, and Bricktown are all within a mile. Book a room or suite overlooking downtown. hilton.com/en/hotels/okcskhf-the-skirvin-hilton-oklahoma-city, One Park Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73102 Sleep In Retro Style Step back in time at this 1963 roadside motel in classic Googie mid-century design. Walk to nearby restaurants, entertainment, and attractions, then spend the night in one of the colorful retro rooms. Hang out in the funky lobby or relax on a swing on the covered patio. classeninn.com, 820 North Classen Boulevard, Oklahoma City, OK 73106 Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Sources Southern Living is committed to using high-quality, reputable sources to support the facts in our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we fact check our content for accuracy. U.S. Census Bureau. Top 15 Largest-Gaining Cities. U.S. Census Bureau. Quick Facts: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.