Found almost exactly in the middle of the USA, Oklahoma City (OKC) is about as authentic America as you can get. Cowboy culture is living and breathing throughout the city, with the saloons and stockyards sitting comfortably alongside the high-rise Business District. Oklahoma City is also home to the longest urban stretch of Route 66 that manifests itself as whacky roadside attractions and captivating murals. The whole city offers the perfect juxtaposition between the nostalgic and contemporary.
Oklahoma City is nicknamed the ‘Big Friendly’, simply oozing with small town charm and warm hospitality. If you’re lucky enough to get the chance to visit, you’ll be welcomed in with open arms. To help you plan your stay, we’ve rounded up some of the best things to do in Oklahoma Coty, so you can make the most of your time in ‘The Modern Frontier’.
Cross the Oklahoma River from Downtown and it immediately feels like you are transported to the ‘Wild West’. Welcome to Stockyard City. Here, you’ll find the world’s largest Feeder and Stocker Cattle Market at the Oklahoma National Stockyards. You can experience the electric atmosphere of the auction for yourself, as the live cattle auctions take place every Monday and Tuesday, and are open to the public.
After immersing yourself in the hustle and bustle of the stockyards, it’s time to refuel. A renowned Stockyard City establishment, and the oldest continually-operating restaurant in OKC, Cattlemen’s Steakhouse, has been visited by presidents, film stars, music legends and athletes alike. As you’d expect, the steak is fantastic, but it is also known for its lamb fries and the coconut cream pie.
For a real sense of the Old West, head to McClintock Saloon and Chop House. The owners spent over a year meticulously researching and designing this authentic saloon, and you can tell that they’ve thought of everything. The 50-foot long hand-crafted oak bar steals the show, from which you can order over 170 types of whiskey!
Wandering through Stockyard City, you may feel like the odd one out without a pair of boots and a cowboy hat. So, you’re in luck as Stockyard City is full of quirky shops selling all manner of Western apparel. Langston’s Western Wear is the perfect place to start, whilst Ol’ Glory Hat Company, or Shorty’s Caboy Hattery, will help you to find your perfect hat.
The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum brings the history and stories of the American West to life. Explore galleries dedicated to cowboys, rodeo, Native American cultures, and frontier life. You can even wander through Prosperity Junction, a recreated prairie town.
Oklahoma City’s story begins with several tribal nations that have always lived in the area, long before it became the city we know today. This heritage is noticeably honoured throughout OKC, and it would be remiss not to learn about the city’s heritage during your stay.
The First Americans Museum is the perfect place to start, bringing together the histories of 39 distinctive First American Nations into a fascinating museum, sprawling over 175,000 square feet. Through artwork, interactive media, and film you will hear personal stories from different generations of First Americans.
To further explore the region’s heritage, we’d recommend venturing out of the city to Chickasaw Country. Just over an hour’s drive away, in the town of Sulphur, you’ll find the Chickasaw Cultural Center. This immersive museum tells the story of the Chickasaw people through powerful performances and demonstrations, and you can walk through the Chikasha Inchokka’ Traditional Village.
With the state of Oklahoma encompassing over 400 miles of Route 66, and OKC boasting the longest urban stretch, where better to experience the eccentricities of this legendary American road trip? You can visit some of the most iconic landmarks along the ‘Mother Road’, admire colourful murals, dine in quirky roadside diners, and delve into the history of this famed highway.
Follow the route through the city and you’ll find plenty of roadside curiosities. One such historic attraction is Milk Bottle Grocery. Constructed in 1930, the tiny red brick store is overshadowed by the towering milk bottle perched on its roof. The building was once a stop on a streetcar line and it has housed several businesses since, now maintaining its status as a Route 66 icon.
The towering neon sign for the Tower Theatre is similarly recognisable along Route 66. The original 1936 theatre has been carefully restored to its former glory, being used again as a music and movie venue. Just across from this historic theatre, you’ll encounter an endearing 8-foot robot, with a nod to Route 66 on its chest.
Route 66 passes through Oklahoma City’s 39th Street District, which is certainly worth exploring. A real hub of LGBTQ+ culture in the city, the district feels welcoming and colourful, with boutique shops and exciting music venues. You’ll also find the ‘Summer of 66’ Mural, its intricate design encompassing lots of the most iconic sights along the route.
After strolling through 39th Street District, you may like to quench your thirst with a visit to POPS 66 Soda Ranch. This unique drink shop has fascinating steel and glass architecture, punctuated by the 66 foot tall soda bottle that stands proudly outside, brought to life with LED lights after dark. The shop stocks over 700 kinds of fizzy drink, with flavours beyond your wildest imagination (think banana, bubble gum or even bacon!).
The former warehouse district of Bricktown has now been transformed into a lively hub, full of restaurants, bars and entertainment venues. One of the best ways to explore this trendy neighbourhood is to cruise along the canal aboard the Bricktown Water Taxi. A 40-minute trip takes you all the way from Downtown to the northern edge of the Oklahoma River. Along the way, the knowledgeable guides will narrate points of interest, and you can soak up Bricktown’s easy-going atmosphere from the water.
The Bricktown canal is lined with relaxed cafés and restaurants, perfect for a sunny day. Local favourite ‘Brickopolis’ is another fantastic way to enjoy an afternoon, with the mini-golf course, laser tag and arcade games offering fun for every generation. Bricktown is also home to the Oklahoma City Comets baseball team, so you might like to catch a game at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.
Neighbouring Bricktown is Oklahoma City’s Downtown District, with fantastic museums, galleries and sports grounds dotted amongst the high-rise. The Oklahoma City Museum of Art has a range of exhibitions, from classical paintings to modern sculptures. Downtown Oklahoma City is also home to urban green spaces, like Scissortail Park. Here, you can enjoy a gentle walk around the lake, or admire the city’s iconic Skydance Bridge, which connects the north and south sections of the park. Myriad Botanical Gardens is also worth a visit, its 15 acres boasting a huge conservatory and beautiful floral displays.
On OKC Thunder game days, Downtown really comes to life. The NBA Basketball team play at Paycom Arena, with single game tickets available so you can experience the fast-paced action and the electric atmosphere for yourself.
You don’t have to venture far for outdoor activities in Oklahoma City. To try water sports, the Boathouse District is the place to visit for the official training site of the USA Olympic canoe, kayak and rowing teams. OKC RIVERSPORT offer a range of activities, like rafting, kayaking and paddleboarding. There is even a zipline alongside the river, if you’re feeling adventurous.
Lake Hefner is another popular spot for outdoor recreation. Beside the lake, you can enjoy biking routes, running trails and a huge golf course, whilst kitesurfing and sailing are on offer on the water. Nearby, sitting beside Lake Overholser, Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge encompasses 1,000 acres. Exploring the refuge’s hiking trails you can spot whitetail deer, beaver, and hundreds of bird species.
Further outside of the city, Chickasaw National Recreation Area boasts crystal-clear lakes, rugged hills, spring-fed streams and waterfalls. The activities on offer include swimming, boating, hiking and wildlife spotting, with the opportunity to see bison, deer and migratory birds.
Delving into the food scene is the perfect way to experience Oklahoma City. Downtown houses some of the region’s best steakhouses, with legendary institutions like Mickey Mantle’s Steakhouse standing the test of time.
Head to OKC’s art districts, the Plaza District and the Paseo Arts District, for more intimate and experiential dining, restaurants tucked between galleries and boutiques. Picasso Café upholds the view that “great food is art”, whilst Paseo Grill serves American classics in an intimate setting.
The Asian District is known for its incredible cuisine, thanks to the influx of Vietnamese immigrants in the 70s. Grab a bowl of pho at Pho Cuong or Pho Lien Hoa, try traditional Chinese dim sum at Grand House, or sample Korean cuisine at Seoul Pocha, where you can also enjoy a spot of karaoke.
After dinner, OKC has no shortage of trendy bars. In Bricktown, Michael Murphy’s Duelling Pianos offers an incredible interactive show as two pianists battle for the best audience reactions. Hidden underground at The National Hotel you’ll find The Vault, an intimate speakeasy with a fun cocktail menu. For Honky Tonks and Western bars, head to Chisolm’s Saloon or Oklahoma Ranch, or you can learn to line dance at the Redneck Dance Hall.
Oklahoma City is the perfect starting point for exploring Chickasaw Country, a region of south-central Oklahoma that is shaped by its First American heritage, Western culture and wide-open landscapes.
Around an hour-and-a-half’s drive south of the city is the town of Duncan, a destination where the heritage of the American West remains palpable, with evident reminders of the cattle drives that once crossed the state. Duncan is closely associated with the Chisholm Trail which carried millions of cattle north through Oklahoma during the late 1800s. At the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center, you can learn about life on the trail through interactive exhibits, Western art and performances at the theatre.
Beyond its historic sites, Chickasaw Country is a great place to get outdoors. Lakes, rivers and woodland are scattered across the region, offering the chance to enjoy hiking, fishing, boating and swimming. Turner Falls Park is home to the state’s tallest waterfall, which drops 77 feet into natural swimming pools among the Arbuckle Mountains. For lakeside walks, boating and fantastic views, head to Lake Murray where you can enjoy miles of scenic trails, take advantage of boat and paddleboard hire or ascend the Tucker Tower.
Oklahoma City definitely deserves a place on your Route 66 holiday or Wild West itinerary. Browse the holidays below, or get in touch with our America Experts to plan a bespoke trip.
Fort Worth | Grapevine | Chickasaw Country | Oklahoma City | Tulsa | Fort Smith | Hot Springs | Memphis | Nashville
San Antonio | Austin | Fort Worth | Oklahoma City
Grapevine | Duncan | Oklahoma City | Amarillo | Santa Fe | Albuquerque | Flagstaff | Santa Monica | Los Angeles
Fort Worth | Grapevine | Chickasaw Country | Oklahoma City | Tulsa | Fort Smith | Hot Springs | Memphis | Nashville
San Antonio | Austin | Fort Worth | Oklahoma City
Grapevine | Duncan | Oklahoma City | Amarillo | Santa Fe | Albuquerque | Flagstaff | Santa Monica | Los Angeles
Grace joined the Marketing Team at Freedom Destinations after she returned from three months backpacking around Australia. Her long-haul travels have also taken her to Canada, the U.S. and South East Asia so far, but her destination wish list is far from complete!
