Oklahoma, United StatesOKC
Oklahoma City
A friendly plains capital with a moving national memorial, cowboy culture, a canal district and a pro basketball team. A solid overnight on I-40 and Route 66, with more to do than most people expect.
- Best months
- Apr to Oct
- Ideal stay
- 1 to 2 days
- Train
- Not confirmed
- Bus
- Not confirmed
Photo by Jakob Knox on Unsplash
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Best months
- January
- February
- March
- April, a good time to go
- May, a good time to go
- June
- July
- August
- September, a good time to go
- October, a good time to go
- November
- December
Known as
- Big city
- Capital
- Historic
Getting there
- Highway / road trip
- Commercial airport
- Local public transit
Train and bus
- Train
- Not confirmed
- Bus
- Not confirmed
People
681,054
in the city, 1,512,813 in the metro area
Languages
English
Oklahoma City is a plains capital that has put a lot of work into its center. The core is compact, with Bricktown's old warehouses, the Scissortail Park lawns and the glass towers beside them. Beyond that the city sprawls in every direction, as flat cities do, and driving is how most people get around. Cowboy culture is real here, from stockyards that still operate to western wear stores, and so is the weight of April 1995, which shapes how the city sees itself. People are warm and direct, the pace is easy and the sky is large. It repays a short stay.
The Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum is the main stop, built on the site of the federal building bombing, and it is quiet and carefully done. The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum holds a large collection of western art and artefacts. Bricktown has a canal with water taxis, restaurants and a minor-league ballpark. Myriad Botanical Gardens and Scissortail Park are good for a walk, and the Oklahoma City Museum of Art has a large Chihuly glass collection. Stockyards City has cattle auctions, boot shops and old steakhouses. Out on the Oklahoma River, the Boathouse District hosts rowing and has a riverside trail.
Steak is the obvious order here, and Cattlemen's Steakhouse in Stockyards City has served ranchers and travelers for decades. Chicken-fried steak, barbecue and fried onion burgers, a plains habit, are standard menu items. The Paseo Arts District, the Plaza District and Automobile Alley offer a newer round of coffee shops, bars and restaurants, and Asian food is strong along Classen Boulevard. Bricktown is the nightlife center, with bars, live music and sports crowds when the Thunder play at the Paycom Center. Craft breweries have multiplied in recent years, and country music turns up at dance halls and honky-tonks.
Downtown and Bricktown are the easiest places to stay, with the memorial, the canal and the arena nearby. Midtown, just north, is a good alternative, close to restaurants and bars with a more local feel. Out on the north side, Nichols Hills and Classen Curve have shopping and quieter hotels. Hotels near the airport are practical for road trippers. EMBARK buses and a small downtown streetcar loop exist, but this is mainly a car city. Parking is easy almost everywhere, and the streets are wide.
Spring and autumn are the best seasons, with warm days and cool evenings. Spring can also bring severe thunderstorms and tornado warnings, so watch the forecast when traveling in April and May. Summer is hot and windy, and winter can bring ice storms and brief snow. One night is enough if you only want the memorial and the museum. Two nights lets you add Bricktown, the stockyards and the arts districts without hurrying. The city is usually quiet midweek and busy on game nights. Most major sights are within a short drive of each other.
Oklahoma City sits where Interstate 40 and Interstate 35 cross, which makes it a good break between Dallas and Kansas City or between Memphis and Albuquerque. Route 66 runs through town, with the Round Barn at Arcadia to the northeast and old roadside stops toward Clinton and Amarillo to the west. Tulsa is a straightforward drive northeast on the turnpike. South, the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge has bison and granite hills. The Heartland Flyer train links the city to Fort Worth once a day each way.
Highlights
- Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum
A memorial and museum on the site of the 1995 bombing.
- National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum
Western art, history and rodeo exhibits.
- Bricktown Canal
A restored warehouse district with water taxis and restaurants.
- Stockyards City
Cattle auctions, western wear and old steakhouses.
- Myriad Botanical Gardens
A downtown garden with a glass conservatory.
- Oklahoma River Boathouse District
Rowing venues and a riverside trail.
- Paseo Arts District
A cluster of galleries and restaurants in Spanish-style buildings.
- Route 66 sites
The Round Barn in Arcadia and neon signs along the old road.
Neighborhoods
- Bricktown
Brick warehouses along a canal, now filled with restaurants, bars and a ballpark.
- Downtown
The memorial, the gardens and Scissortail Park within a short walk.
- Stockyards City
Cattle auctions, western wear stores and old steakhouses.
- Paseo Arts District
Galleries and small restaurants in Spanish-style buildings.
- Plaza District
Murals, vintage shops and small bars on a short main street.
- Automobile Alley
Old car showrooms turned into restaurants and boutiques.
Getting around
Most visitors drive, and parking is easy. Downtown has a small streetcar and the Bricktown water taxis, but buses are limited for sightseeing.
- Airport
- Will Rogers World Airport (OKC)
Scores
Good
- Rated by Route By Design.
- About 676 violent crimes per 100,000 people a year in the city itself; the US average is about 370. Source: Violent crimes per 100,000 residents in the city, 2024 (FBI/agency data compiled on Wikipedia).
- The other scores are estimated from the city’s size, attractions and transport links.
Where to stay
- Camping nearby
- Some
- Hostels
- None
Showing 1 to 6 of 14
HotelsAC Hotel Oklahoma City Bricktown411 E Sheridan Ave, Oklahoma City, OK HotelsAmbassador Hotel Oklahoma City, Autograph Collection1200 N Walker Ave, Oklahoma City, OK HotelsColcord Hotel15 N Robinson Ave, Oklahoma City, OK HotelsEmbassy Suites Oklahoma City Downtown Medical Center741 N Phillips Ave, Oklahoma City, OK HotelsFordson Hotel900 W Main St, Oklahoma City, OK HotelsHyatt Place Oklahoma City / Bricktown20 S Russell M Perry Ave, Oklahoma City, OK RV parksNorth RV ParkRed Mans Path, Oklahoma City, OK RV parksOKC Fair Park RV Park3001 General Pershing Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK HotelsOmni Oklahoma City Hotel100 W Oklahoma City Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK HotelsRenaissance Oklahoma City Downtown Bricktown Hotel100 E Sheridan Ave, Oklahoma City, OK RV parksRockwell RV Resort720 S Rockwell Ave, Oklahoma City, OK HotelsSkirvin, a Hilton Hotel1 Park Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73103 HotelsThe Ellison, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel6201 N Western Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73118 RV parksTwin Fountains RV Park2727 NE 63rd St, Oklahoma City, OK
Things to do
Showing 1 to 6 of 51
EntertainmentAMC2501 W Memorial Rd, Oklahoma City, OK EntertainmentAMC Penn Square 101901 NW Expressway, Oklahoma City, OK climbing gymsBlocworks Edmond104 S Broadway, Edmond, OK climbing gymsBlocworks Midtown1210 N Hudson Ave Suite 102, Oklahoma City, OK Sightseeing & toursBricktown Canal EntertainmentBricktown Comedy Club409 Kings Of Leon Ln, Oklahoma City, OK zoos aquariumsChester's Party Barn & Farm5201 Cimarron Rd NW, Piedmont, OK stadiumsChickasaw Bricktown Ballpark2 S Mickey Mantle Dr, Oklahoma City, OK EntertainmentCivic Center Music Hall201 N Walker Ave, Oklahoma City, OK Parks & outdoorsCrystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory301 W Reno Ave, Oklahoma City, OK Family activitiesEarlywine Family Aquatic Center3101 SW 119th St, Oklahoma City, OK stadiumsEnergy FC Field at Taft Stadium2501 N May Ave, Oklahoma City, OK EntertainmentFactory Obscura25 NW 9th St, Oklahoma City, OK casinosGrand Casino Hotel & Resort777 Grand Casino Blvd, Shawnee, OK Parks & outdoorsHappy Tails Dog Park1903 NE 12th St, Moore, OK EntertainmentHarkins Theatres Bricktown150 E Reno Ave, Oklahoma City, OK climbing gymsHigh Plains Climbing200 SE 4th St, Oklahoma City, OK Family activitiesHurricane Harbor3908 W Reno Ave, Oklahoma City, OK stadiumsJim Wade Stadium2601 N Kentucky Ave, Oklahoma City, OK casinosKickapoo Casino Harrah25230 US-62, Harrah, OK Parks & outdoorsMargaret Annis Boys Centennial Arboretum2108 Smiling Hill Blvd, Edmond, OK zoos aquariumsMartin Park Nature Center5000 W Memorial Rd, Oklahoma City, OK Parks & outdoorsMidtown Mutts Dog Park407 W Park Pl, Oklahoma City, OK Parks & outdoorsMyriad Botanical Gardens Museums & galleriesNational Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum casinosNewcastle Casino2457 N Main St, Newcastle, OK Family activitiesNortheast Community Pool1226 NE 33rd St, Oklahoma City, OK EntertainmentOKC Improv1755 NW 16th St, Oklahoma City, OK Museums & galleriesOklahoma City Museum of Art415 Couch Dr, Oklahoma City, OK Museums & galleriesOklahoma City National Memorial and Museum Family activitiesOklahoma City Zoo2000 Remington Pl, Oklahoma City, OK zoos aquariumsOklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden2000 Remington Pl, Oklahoma City, OK EntertainmentOklahoma Film Exchange701 W Sheridan Ave, Oklahoma City, OK Parks & outdoorsOklahoma River Boathouse District Parks & outdoorsPAW OK Private Dog Park3301 NW Grand Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK Sightseeing & toursPaseo Arts District EntertainmentPaycom Center100 W Reno Ave, Oklahoma City, OK casinosRemington Park1 Remington Pl, Oklahoma City, OK casinosRiverwind Casino1544 West Hwy 9, Norman, OK AttractionsRoute 66 sites Family activitiesScience Museum Oklahoma2020 Remington Pl, Oklahoma City, OK Family activitiesScissortail Splash Park701 S Robinson Ave, Oklahoma City, OK AttractionsStockyards City zoos aquariumsThe Patch16315 N MacArthur Blvd, Edmond, OK climbing gymsThreshold Climbing, Fitness & Yoga6024 W Memorial Rd, Oklahoma City, OK zoos aquariumsTiger Safari Zoological Park963 County Street 2930, Tuttle, OK EntertainmentTwisters Comedy Club & Dance Hall13801 N Western Ave, Edmond, OK stadiumsUSA Softball Hall of Fame Complex2801 NE 50th St, Oklahoma City, OK Parks & outdoorsWill Rogers Gardens3400 NW 36th St, Oklahoma City, OK Parks & outdoorsWill Rogers Gardens Exhibition Building3400 NW 36th St, Oklahoma City, OK Parks & outdoorssniff spot4107 SE 12th St, Del City, OK
Food & dining
Showing 1 to 6 of 22
Breweries & wineriesAnthem Brewing Company908 SW 4th St, Oklahoma City, OK Breweries & wineriesBackyard Vineyards1200 W Reno Ave, Oklahoma City, OK Breweries & wineriesBricktown Brewery Downtown1 N Oklahoma Ave, Oklahoma City, OK Breweries & wineriesCastle Spirits Distillery1249 NW 4th St, Oklahoma City, OK RestaurantsCattlemen's Steakhouse1309 S Agnew Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73108 Cafés & coffeeClarity Coffee431 W Main St, Suite A, Oklahoma City, OK 73102 Breweries & wineriesCrestwood Vineyard2515 NW 16th St, Oklahoma City, OK Cafés & coffeeElemental Coffee815 N Hudson Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73102 RestaurantsGuyutes730 NW 23rd St, Oklahoma City, OK 73103 Bakeries & dessertsKatie Cakes OKC Bakery11 NE 6th St, Oklahoma City, OK Bakeries & dessertsLing's Cakery2723 N Classen Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK Bakeries & dessertsMochinut OKC2431 N Classen Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK Markets & food hallsNEOKC Farmers Market1920 N Kate Ave, Oklahoma City, OK RestaurantsNic's Grill1201 N Penn Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73107 Markets & food hallsOKC Farmers Public Market311 S Klein Ave, Oklahoma City, OK Markets & food hallsPaseo Farmers Market3020 N Walker Ave, Oklahoma City, OK Markets & food hallsPrairie Earth Gardens8500 N Eastern Ave, Oklahoma City, OK Breweries & wineriesPut A Cork In It115 E California Ave, Oklahoma City, OK Bakeries & dessertsQuincy Bake Shop1135 N Broadway Pl, Oklahoma City, OK Markets & food hallsThe Market at EastPoint1708 NE 23rd St, Oklahoma City, OK Bakeries & dessertsTiff's Treats Cookie Delivery505 E Sheridan Ave Building 2, Oklahoma City, OK Breweries & wineriesWoodworks Distilling Co912 W Britton Rd, Oklahoma City, OK
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Oklahoma City scores 5.9 out of 10 for remote work (good), in the top 33% of the cities we score.
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Where to next from Oklahoma City
Pick a city to see how far it is and how to get there, then add it to your route. Choose how many miles out to look, up to 200.
5 cities within 140 mi of Oklahoma City by road.
Zoom with the buttons, or hold ctrl while you scroll. Our cities are the markers; other towns on the map are for reference only.
Pick a city on the map to see how far it is and add it to a route.
All 5 cities within 140 mi, with travel times
- Edmond Oklahomaabout 19 mi · about 31 min by car · estimated
- Norman Oklahomaabout 22 mi · about 35 min by car · estimated
- Guthrie Oklahomaabout 34 mi · about 55 min by car · estimated
- Tulsa Oklahomaabout 127 mi · about 2 h 24 min by car · estimated
- Broken Arrow Oklahomaabout 131 mi · about 2 h 29 min by car · estimated
Routes through Oklahoma City
- Los Angeles to Raleigh on the central line15 days · 9 stops · April to May, September to October
- Route 66 by motorcycle: Chicago to Los Angeles12 days · 9 stops · May to June, September to October
- Route 66 flavor, Chicago to Oklahoma City11 days · 7 stops · April to June, September to October
- Southern Plains spring run9 days · 7 stops · April to June
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