There are many sides to Oklahoma City, but its friendly and warm atmosphere adds an indescribable layer that isn’t found (to this extent, at least) in many places around the world.
On top of the welcoming vibes, there’s plenty of art, culture and great food to fill your memory bank. It’s an ideal setting for a three-day weekend getaway, as its neighborhoods all have distinctive vibes, from the hip Western Avenue to the culture-filled City Center area.
And don’t you dare call it a flyover city — while it may fall into the technical definition, the unexpected energy of Oklahoma City will win you over before you wrap up your first day.
As always, check for travel restrictions and closures before planning your trip.
Friday: Get Inspired
Find a little inspiration, by walking the streets of the Paseo Arts District. This distinct destination is ideal for doing a little gallery hopping and getting to know the local creative scene. The Paseo Arts District is home to more studio spaces than you can likely see in one day, all showing off different mediums and styles.
The best part? They all want to welcome you in to come and say hello, especially during the first Friday of every month when they open their doors to visitors from 6 to 9 p.m.
Looking for something uniquely Oklahoman? Pay a visit to Bone Dust, where you’ll find hand-carved art alongside a few other gallery-worthy pieces. For something a bit more modern, check out the Contemporary Art Gallery to find works by local masters that you can buy right off the wall.
Or, walk over to JRB Art at The Elms where you’ll find a mix of emerging and established local and internationally known artists displaying paintings, sculptures, ceramics, crafts, functional objects and more.
After getting your fill of art it’s time to fill your belly. For unpretentious eats (that is also beloved by the critics at Food + Wine), stop into Tucker’s, a burger spot that’s as classic a diner as diner’s get. Vegetarians are welcomed: the shop is now serving Impossible Burgers.
For a fancier bite out, head to Frida’s Southwest, an American-Southwest dining venue that includes menu items like seafood tamales, southwest spring rolls and Wild Isle salmon. When you’re done, pop over to The Other Room, a laid-back local bar for a nightcap.
Saturday: Shop Vintage
Start your second day in OKC at Western Avenue, a neighborhood that perfectly blends high and low shopping and arts venues.
The tiny but mighty neighborhood packs a punch when it comes to luxury shopping thanks to Classen Curve, a shopping center that brings the mall vibes into the 21st century. Inside, visitors will find everything from one-of-a-kind shops to high-end retailers like Bonobos and Kendra Scott. You can also indulge in beauty treatments at DryBar and the Gloss Nail Salon inside, as well.
For a different pace, walk to the neighborhood’s antique and vintage stores, including destinations like Antique Avenue, an antique store selling rare goods, unique furnishings and sought-after collectibles. And, for music lovers in the group, there’s Guestroom Records, a music store selling everything from new and used LPs, CDs and even the ’90s classic cassette tape.
Come here to browse and listen or ask the friendly music staff to help you find something that will match your taste. (Bonus points if you walk in wearing a flannel t-shirt and Doc Martens for good measure.)
Stick around the neighborhood for a bite to eat at any of its delicious restaurants including spots like the Republic Gastropub, a restaurant serving contemporary American food including dishes like burgers, salads, ribeye sandwiches and jalapeno-glazed salmon. After dinner, stop at the Metro Wine Bar and Bistro for a glass of wine and toast to the day
Sunday: Take in the City’s History
Head to Flint to kick off your day, a contemporary dining spot serving everything from breakfast, brunch and lunch delights. Grab a cheesy vegetable omelet or a sweet treat like the vanilla pancakes so you feel full and ready to go all day.
From here, spend a day in its City Center neighborhood. This is where you can find a few culturally significant museums and memorials, including the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, which pays homage to those who lost their lives in the tragic 1995 bombing.
At the museums, guests can learn about that fateful day through interactive exhibits and learn more about how the city came together to grieve and overcome as one.
Following a visit to the memorial, head over to the neighborhood’s most surprising place, the Myriad Botanical Gardens & Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory. The 15-acre botanical garden is home to thousands of tropical and desert plantings that will make you feel like you’re about as far away from the American midwest as you can get.
See how many of the botanical garden’s 750 varieties of plants you can identify, before walking over to spend a few moments gazing upon the stunning waterfall and a sky bridge at the center of it all.
When you get a little peckish, try getting a table at Vast, a fine dining venue perched on the 49th and 50th floors of The Devon Tower and offering vast views of the city below. Come for the seared gulf shrimp or the pan-seared duck breast, but don’t miss the inventive cocktails like the GGJCB, made with Malfy grapefruit gin, lemon, simple syrup and topped with JCB #69 sparkling rosé.
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