11 Best Things To Do In Edmond, Oklahoma

Just minutes north of Oklahoma City, the city of Edmond, Oklahoma retains its small-town charm even as it becomes a hopping and artistic destination full of shopping, festivals, arts, and outdoor fun.

Home to two universities, dozens of public spaces and parks, plenty of boutiques and antique shopping, and a bursting culinary scene, this suburb is also beloved for its championship golf courses, indoor and outdoor food halls, historic sites, Route 66, and the outdoor playground of Arcadia Lake. However, for the residents of Edmond, the community offers so much more than just diversion.

“I am a third-generation Edmond resident, raising the fourth,” said Maggie Murdock Nichols, partner in Bluebird Books, an independent, women-owned bookstore in Historic Downtown Edmond. “I chose to stay in Edmond and be part of making it the place I want to be. This is where I want to be.”

Originally founded as a railroad town in the 1880s before Oklahoma was even a state, nothing is boring or average about Edmond. With plenty of entertainment, Edmond has become a hub of originality, arts, dining, and entertainment. Here are the best things to do in Edmond, Oklahoma.

Dining And Drink

Taste the Town and Eat Local

Edmond is home to dozens of locally-owned and locally sourced restaurants that rival its larger neighbors. The city is also diverse in its tastes, with restaurants serving everything from Southern fare to sushi to Ethiopian cuisine and more.

“Edmond has lots of great local restaurants to choose from,” said Chef Robert Black, owner and founder of Edmond’s Spring Board Consulting Services, Twisted Tree Baking Company, Cafe Evoke, The Lofts, and Bluebird Books. 

“For instance, Cafe 501 is an Edmond icon and has the best business/casual lunch in town. The Holloway family has several businesses right next to each other near the newly redone Stephenson Park. This part of town is arguably the first independent dense pocket community in Edmond, and Cafe 501 is the OG and the gold standard. If you have family or guests in from out of town and want to take them to a great local lunch spot, this is it. Go for the Coyote Chicken Sandwich all the way!”

cafe501.com, 501 S. Boulevard, Edmond, OK 73034 

Go For Something Fancy

For a more upscale dining experience, Black also recommends the Signature Grill, a classic, 1990s-style dinner-only French bistro with small, intimate spaces and a warm and aromatic vibe.

“We’re biased because this is where my wife and I got engaged, but for good reason. Signature Grill is owned and operated by Clay and Jessica Faulkner, and there has never been a time that we ate dinner there when those two weren’t hosting and cooking,’ Chef Black said. “I have never not gotten the foie gras appetizer that chef does, but his risotto is notable and praiseworthy as well.”

For visitors yearning for traditional Italian cuisine, the locally-owned Gabriella’s Italian Grill stands out. Gabriella’s has served traditional country Italian cuisine for more than 50 years, and the chef still makes the chopped salad herself while the waiters sing to diners.

‘It’s hard to pick a favorite dish, but I love the mussels, chef’s Chop Salad, and the Bucatini Festival the most,” Black said.

signaturegrilledmond.com, 1317 East Danforth Road, Edmond, OK 73034

gabriellasokc.com, 3601 S. Broadway, Ste. 600, Edmond, OK 73034

Explore Options at Edmond's Food Halls

Indoor dining and music come alive on Edmond’s stretch of Route 66 at the Edmond Railyard, a new district in downtown that pays homage to the city’s rail history. This modern addition is home to eight restaurants like GoGo Gogi Korean BBQ, Oak City Pizza Co., and The Railyard Pie Company, as well as the 1884 Cocktails, Wine and Cigars craft bar.

The Icehouse Project is another Edmond outdoor gathering space just west of Broadway and Route 66. This dining hall has its own vibe with options like American Solera Brewery, The Fried Taco, an onsite creamery, Prelude Coffee Roasters, and Woodward Pizza. With a focus on sustainability, the spent grain from the brewery is converted into a food source for the cows providing the milk used at the creamery.  

Get Funky at Empire Slice House

Another locally-owned restaurant, Empire Slice House expanded into Edmond’s bustling downtown and became a local favorite in the city. Known for its hip and music-centered vibe, the pizzeria serves big pies loaded with unique ingredients and served with the famous Empire “pink sauce.”

“Probably because I eat there so frequently. Empire is one of my favorite places because of their thin crust pizza by the slice and cool laid-back atmosphere,” said Reian Williams of Reian Williams Fine Art, a professional contemporary artist from Edmond specializing in portraiture and figurative artwork. 

For a true taste of why Empire Slice House is so popular, go for the JOEZILLA Pizza with its roasted chicken, red bell, red onion, and BBQ Sriracha drizzle or the FIGGY STARDUST, topped with basil pesto, marinated mozzarella, roasted chicken, ham and figs.

empireslicepizza.com, 15 W 1st Street, Edmond, OK 73003 

Take a Sip of Edmond's Personality

Edmond’s coffee and craft alcohol scene is just as big as in larger cities, and residents are quick to point out their favorite java or locally-produced beer hangouts.

“Cafe Evoke has truly exceptional coffee and great food,” said Murdoch Nichols. “I recommend the peanut butter granola, the Smoked Salmon Toast, and the Buttermilk French Toast. The classic waffles are great, too. All the pastries, baked goods, and bread are freshly baked from Twisted Tree Baking, which is just down the street and another place you must visit.”

Other notable coffee lounges to enjoy include Ellis Island Coffee and Wine Lounge, Summer Moon Coffee in Edmond’s Railyard District, and Aspen Coffee Co.

Boozy Beverages

Not to be left out of the craft alcohol scene, Edmond is home to cocktail lounges and breweries, including Frenzy Brewing Co., located right in the middle of downtown Edmond. With a stellar open taproom, the brewery is always packed with fans of beer and live music.

“It’s my favorite place to send out-of-towners for sure,” said Chef Black. “The beer lineup is unique and changes often, and the tap room always has a fun event happening.”

Just down the road, the Patriarch Craft Beer House & Lawn also has an impressive selection of craft beers on tap. Located in a multi-story, old mansion, the venue is usually hopping on nice days thanks to the large outside backyard area that hosts live music and events. 

The Oklahoma City-based Bricktown Brewery also has a presence in Edmond, serving up the signature brews that made it so famous in central Oklahoma.

A newer hangout serving up beers and cocktails is Round Midnight, a blues and jazz bar that looks and feels swanky and inviting.

“Round Midnight is such a cozy, little jazz bar,” said Murdoch Nichols. “They have great cocktails, coffee, and live music almost every night. Locals really like this place for the moody vibe and comfortable seating perfect for chatting while listening to jazz.” 

Arts And Culture

Explore the Arts in Edmond

From live jazz at the University of Central Oklahoma’s Jazz Lab to massive street festivals, Edmond is known for its vibrant arts scene. It’s not uncommon for downtown to feature outdoor arts events and special entertainment, so if it's creativity and imagination you’re looking for, Edmond is the place.

“Of course being an artist, I gravitate to the more artsy-focused events and spaces,” said Williams. “The Edmond Fine Arts Institute in downtown Edmond has art instruction and a featured artist exhibition on the first Thursday of every month. During the summer months, they also hold an event called VIBES throughout downtown Edmond that features all types of artists, street performers, and musicians.” 

Every third Saturday from March through October, the downtown streets come alive for "Heard on Hurd.” Sponsored by a local Citizens Bank of Edmond, Heard on Hurd features food trucks, pop-up shops, live entertainment, and music, and the event is usually packed with locals and visitors alike.

“Finally, the Downtown Edmond Arts Festival is held every year during the first week in May,” said Williams. “With quality artists from all over the nation, this is a must-see for any art lover.”

ucojazzlab.com, 100 East Fifth Street, Edmond, OK 73034

edmondfinearts.com, 27 E Edwards St., Edmond, OK 73034

Head Outdoors

Take a Swing at Edmond’s Championship Golf Courses

With seven golf courses to choose from, it’s understandable that this suburb city is beloved for its golf culture. The most well-known of Edmond’s many golf courses is Oak Tree National, a newly renovated course with a premier teaching facility that played host to the 2014 U.S. Senior Open, the 2012 Trans - Mississippi Championship, the 2006 Senior PGA Championship, the 2000 PGA Club Pro Championship, the 1988 PGA Championship and 1984 U.S. Amateur. 

The course is so popular that in 2027, the USGA U.S. Senior Open will once again return to Edmond.

KickingBird Golf is Edmond’s oldest and one of Oklahoma’s premier public courses, but golfers can also take in the greens at Rose Creek Golf Club, Oak Tree Country Club, River Oaks Golf Club, and Fairfax Golf Club, 

For a daily fee experience, golfers won’t find a more scenic course than The Golf Club of Edmond. This course was renovated in 2014 by Mark Hayes and features 419 Bermuda grass tee boxes and fairways, and multiple water and sand features.

Take Advantage of the Plenty of Sunshine

With an average of 235 sunny days per year in Edmond, the outdoors plays a major role in the city’s quality of life. The city itself maintains 26 parks throughout the city and one dog park. With 300 miles of trails for walking, running, or biking, the sunshine doesn’t go to waste. 

E.C. Hafer Park, Mitch Park, and the Pelican Bay Aquatic Center are among the most popular outdoor park areas in the city with trails, disc golf, public pools, and pavilions for rent.

Wild on the Water at Arcadia Lake

Arcadia Lake on the outskirts of Edmond features 29 miles of soft surface trails, camping, equestrian trails, bird watching, swimming, fishing, boating, disc golf, hiking, and biking. Recently completed, the new Spring Creek Trail multi-use trail has 6.5 miles of views of the lake, while the on-site UCO Boathouse at Arcadia Lake offers ziplining, a ropes course, a fleet of kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddle boards, and mountain bikes for rent.  

The lake is also a fishing hot spot, stocked full of large-mouth bass, catfish, and bluegill.

Other Must-See Attractions

Explore Route 66 in Edmond

The historic and famed Route 66 highway cuts through the heart of Edmond, and sites along the way include can't-miss experiences and photo opportunities on The Mother Road. While cruising this legendary route, stop at the 1889 Territorial Schoolhouse, which records say is the first school built in Oklahoma Territory after the Land Run of 1889; the Arcadia Round Barn; Pops 66 with its neon giant soda bottle and more than 700 types of soda to choose from; the Blue Hippo; and more.

Catch a Festival All Year Long

Edmond loves to throw a party, and throughout the year, it is host to numerous public festivals and events. 

LibertyFest, a two-weekend celebration over the 4th of July, is more than just fireworks and a parade. This patriotic fest includes a car show, rodeo, and a free outdoor concert in the park, ParkFest, and more.

The University of Central Oklahoma International Festival, held in November, highlights cultural groups from around the world in a celebration of International Education Week in Downtown Edmond. International students showcase their culture through display booths, live performances, and authentic cuisines.

Cyclists flock to the city for Edmond Cycle 66 in November for the annual urban and rural bicycling tour along historic Route 66. Cyclists can choose from a 1-mile fun ride, 10-, 33- or 66-mile routes, and a Criterion was added in 2022 in preparation for the 100th Anniversary of Route 66 in 2026.

During the holidays, Luminance brightens the sky with 3D lighted displays, a public ice rink, and dozens of holiday light displays, including a 30-foot-tall Christmas tree. 

As one of Oklahoma’s top arts festivals, the Downtown Edmond Arts Festival in May highlights more than 140 artists selling everything from jewelry to paintings to sculpture and pottery and more in downtown Edmond. This free event also slings out festival food, fun activities for the kids, and live music.