Over the past decade, Oklahoma City’s downtown area has been completely revitalized and is packed with trendy restaurants, concert venues, and a lively bar scene. Several old factories and warehouses that sat dormant for years are being renewed and reinvented as the city continues to establish itself.
Start your weekend with a local brew at one of OKC’s many craft breweries. Locals favor Stonecloud Brewing, located in an old laundry facility built in 1929. Grab dinner at arguably the coolest restaurant in town, The Jones Assembly. Here you can feast on wood-fired pizzas with seasonal toppings or try local favorites like fried okra or cornmeal-dusted catfish.
Adventure lovers can’t miss Riversport OKC’s wet and wild whitewater rafting, heart-pumping zip lining, and high-speed slides. You’ll also want to check out the Oklahoma City Museum of Art (MOA) and the expansive Myriad Gardens downtown. Both offer fun activities for kids and parents alike, from splash pads and playgrounds at the gardens to interactive arts and crafts at the MOA.
Walk along Automobile Alley, where former car dealerships have been transformed into an exciting strip of unique shops and restaurants. Plenty Mercantile will capture your imagination with unique gifts, such as hand-made jewelry and Oklahoma-themed apparel for everyone you know. Then head down the street for a pick-me-up at Coffee Slingers. If you get hungry, stop for a mouth-watering charcuterie plate or a succulent steak at Broadway 10, housed in the historic Buick building (be sure to look up to see the iconic sign). Pro tip: sit at the bar and get a complimentary bowl of bacon to snack on.
Start your next day with a full belly. Breakfast in Oklahoma City is a pretty big deal. Places like Neighborhood Jam and Cafe Kacao can boast hour-long wait times, but the food is well worth it. For something a little more casual, Waffle Champion and Hunny Bunny Biscuit Co. are delicious options. Looking for a sophisticated brunch? Kitchen 324 and Cheever’s have menus that will appeal to every appetite and classy cocktails to match.
Families will also want to visit the Oklahoma City Zoo, where you’ll find lions and tigers and bears and a soon-to-open Sanctuary Asia featuring amazing animals of the Asian continent. Right next to the zoo is the Science Museum, full of educational hands-on fun for everyone.
No trip to Oklahoma City is complete without a visit to the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum. It’s a beautiful yet somber dedication to the lives lost in the Murrah Building Bombing on April 19, 1995. Runners should also add the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon to their race list when athletes from around the world run together to honor the victims of the bombing. The race begins at the Memorial and passes 168 banners placed throughout the course to pay homage to those who lost their lives in the bombing.
Lastly, don’t forget to add a little romance to your weekend in OKC. Head to the top floor of the Devon Tower for dinner with a view at Vast restaurant before taking a stroll through the Bricktown Canal, or even jumping in a water taxi for a more relaxing way to take in the city.