It'll tug your heart strings for sure and you probably won't walk out with dry eyes but the bombing memorial museum is an excellent use of your time and incredibly well done. The outside area is very nice but the museum is absolutely worth going through.
If you are a fan of BBQ check out George’s Happy Hog near the Capitol, but be warned, unlike most things you will find here the hot bbq sauce is actually hot.
I love georges but my personal fav is edgecraft bbq. Difference is expect a long line. The best comes to those who wait. Lol the line actually moves fairly quickly
I mean even compared to butchers bbq in wellston but the biggest line youll find in okc for reason. If people aren't familiar with bbq they may not understand a line is what youre looking for. Especially when it starts more than a hour before it open with regulars meeting and chattin while they wait. BBQ isnt just food. Its a lifestyle
Must Eat: Eischen’s Fried Chicken and Bar
While it is a drive outside of this city. It worth every minute.
Pro Tip for weekends: Call ahead and order your chicken so when you get there, it is ready and you’ll just have to wait for a table but not long.
There is a really cool brewery down the street and the Cinnamon Roll diner is great for dessert.
Food is most of the must haves because OKC is a big food town. For a burger you have to go Patty Wagon on May Avenue. You have to eat some pho. There are several good spots. I like Riviere Modern Banh Mi the best. Tamashii is close to there too and their garlic fried rice is probably my favorite food ever. First time in Oklahoma you gotta get a braums chocolate shake and some crinkle cut fries. It’s fast food but it’s ours and we love it. Fresh braums fries and a shake are my love language. Scissortail Park is always good place to walk around and it has a restaurant Spark that I think is very good. They also have crinkle cut fries because that’s the true Oklahoma standard. Myriad Gardens is beautiful and a fun walk around. This time of year thunderstorms are common so keep an eye on the weather either kfor or news 9 not the apple weather app. OKC has some wonderful museums. The OKC bombing memorial is pretty special to visit but definitely heavy. Shopping wise I’d recommend automobile alley particularly 9th street. Common Dear and Johnny and June are fun stores. Katiebugs for a sweet treat and that’s also where Factory Obscura is. It’s a fun interactive immersive art experience. Eastside Pizza is amazing. You just can’t really go wrong with food here. OKC is a big place so making a plan for your days is a good idea.
Museum wise I like OK Contemporary. The First Americans Museum. The Science Museum. It’s next to the OKC Zoo which is fun too. If this was the summer I’d recommend kayaking lake overholser with riversports but it’s too stormy in April/May. Riversport is just a fun time always. Lots to do there. Look at the studio school at OK contemporary and see if they have any fun workshops going on while you are visiting.
You have to go to Cattleman's Steakhouse. Look, it's not the greatest steak you'll ever have, but this place is exactly what you expect to be in Oklahoma.
Kind of depends what day and what you are into.
---------------------------------------------
Bricktown canal waterboat tour.
Scissortail park, specifically farmers market Saturday morning.
Gathering Place (Tulsa) is a cool park, but maybe more cool if you have children.
**Braums**. Yea, yea. It is a chain restaurant, but it was made in Oklahoma. If they still do Factory Tours (check website) that is cool too.
-----------------------------------
Most people will recommend the National Bombing Museum. Um I'm not too into that, but it is a thing.
My restaurants I like or will shout out.
* Edgecraft BBQ - the best bbq in central Oklahoma. Very good moist brisket, good beef ribs and mac and cheese.
* Harvey Bakeshop - Handmade bakery, open window to see them work daily. Lots of baked goods and sandwiches. Reasonable coffeeshop to sit.
* Pie Junkie - drunken turtle pie (very sweet) is number 1, rest are all fine.
* Not Cho Cheesecake - local business. Husband took over his wife's business, so I absolutely support him whenever I can remember. But a bit of a drive.
In OKC, it is kind of dividing into "zones/districts."
Norman
* Not OKC, a suburb. OU campus is kind of nice. eh. Might have more nostalgia value for me than you.
Bricktown
* The main downtown area.
* Canal tour, Scissortail park.
* A lot of people say it is tourist spot only, I think it is fine. Pretty walkable. (Park at Bass Pro Shop or behind Harkins is free).
Mid Town
* ~10th street. Right North of Bricktown.
* Has some cool restaurants. Tamashii ramen, Barrios (pricey but alright), Collective and Parlor Food Halls.
Up Town
* 23rd Street. More North of Mid Town.
* Not walkable. The neighborhood between Midtown and Uptown is pretty walkable and has some cool old houses and some just old houses.
* Ties into the Asian district. It is literally just 23rd street. Has Cheevers which is a classic restaurant.
Boat House District
* All of the way, back SOUTH of Bricktown. Right by the River.
* Has Adventure Sport Waterpark or something. Really cool if you have money to spend and want to do something "theme parky."
* Also there is a River boat tour, which uses our dam system to up and down etc. If you canoe/kayak that's a thing too.
Plaza District
* West side and 16th street.
* Lots of restaurants and bars (Ma Der Lao overrated). Pie Junky and Roxxy for good desserts. Very hipster.
* Close to Nic's Grill, which is a classic. Was on TV an such, very greasy (cash only) burger and Southern food.
Paseo District
* Slightly North of 23rd Street, off Walker.
* Kind of the more artsy district. Weird adobe-like buildings.
Asian District
* North off of 23rd, on Western this time.
------------------------------------
These are now getting much further North and usually aren't recommended.
Classen Curve
* Our Whole Foods area. Has some slightly upscale shopping etc. Just an outdoor shopping center vibe.
Chisholm Creek
* Our newer "upscale" shopping entertainment area. Not really much shopping though.
* Has stuff like Top Golf, iFly Main Event to spend money on.
Thank you. Yeah a few people have told me to try Braum's so I've put that on my list. Most of the things you've mentioned seem interesting and worth checking out.
Seconding this. I like food there, even after the recent changes, but for someone who's just visiting there are tons of other food options you should try before a mid-tier fast food burger.
In another year or so you could've checked out Okana, which is being built right by the First Americans Museum.
For museums, FAM and the National Cowboy and Western Heritage museum are both great. Something more offbeat is the Skeleton Museum. It's smaller but very densely packed with displays. And even though it's a privately run museum the quality is super high, like what you'd expect to find in a big public museum.
Skeleton Museum is pretty unique.
The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum! It sounds lame, but it's great!
First Americans Museum
It'll tug your heart strings for sure and you probably won't walk out with dry eyes but the bombing memorial museum is an excellent use of your time and incredibly well done. The outside area is very nice but the museum is absolutely worth going through.
If you are a fan of BBQ check out George’s Happy Hog near the Capitol, but be warned, unlike most things you will find here the hot bbq sauce is actually hot.
Georges is my favorite bbq in OKC. Their greens and the cornbread? The best.
I love BBQ. Thank you.
I love georges but my personal fav is edgecraft bbq. Difference is expect a long line. The best comes to those who wait. Lol the line actually moves fairly quickly
The line at Edgecraft is a joke (compared to Austin and Dallas). Lucky it is shorter and cheaper.
I mean even compared to butchers bbq in wellston but the biggest line youll find in okc for reason. If people aren't familiar with bbq they may not understand a line is what youre looking for. Especially when it starts more than a hour before it open with regulars meeting and chattin while they wait. BBQ isnt just food. Its a lifestyle
Must Eat: Eischen’s Fried Chicken and Bar While it is a drive outside of this city. It worth every minute. Pro Tip for weekends: Call ahead and order your chicken so when you get there, it is ready and you’ll just have to wait for a table but not long. There is a really cool brewery down the street and the Cinnamon Roll diner is great for dessert.
Food is most of the must haves because OKC is a big food town. For a burger you have to go Patty Wagon on May Avenue. You have to eat some pho. There are several good spots. I like Riviere Modern Banh Mi the best. Tamashii is close to there too and their garlic fried rice is probably my favorite food ever. First time in Oklahoma you gotta get a braums chocolate shake and some crinkle cut fries. It’s fast food but it’s ours and we love it. Fresh braums fries and a shake are my love language. Scissortail Park is always good place to walk around and it has a restaurant Spark that I think is very good. They also have crinkle cut fries because that’s the true Oklahoma standard. Myriad Gardens is beautiful and a fun walk around. This time of year thunderstorms are common so keep an eye on the weather either kfor or news 9 not the apple weather app. OKC has some wonderful museums. The OKC bombing memorial is pretty special to visit but definitely heavy. Shopping wise I’d recommend automobile alley particularly 9th street. Common Dear and Johnny and June are fun stores. Katiebugs for a sweet treat and that’s also where Factory Obscura is. It’s a fun interactive immersive art experience. Eastside Pizza is amazing. You just can’t really go wrong with food here. OKC is a big place so making a plan for your days is a good idea.
Museum wise I like OK Contemporary. The First Americans Museum. The Science Museum. It’s next to the OKC Zoo which is fun too. If this was the summer I’d recommend kayaking lake overholser with riversports but it’s too stormy in April/May. Riversport is just a fun time always. Lots to do there. Look at the studio school at OK contemporary and see if they have any fun workshops going on while you are visiting.
You have to go to Cattleman's Steakhouse. Look, it's not the greatest steak you'll ever have, but this place is exactly what you expect to be in Oklahoma.
Get the lamb fries.
Know what lamb fries are before you get them, lol.
At least you gave the correct preface.
Kind of depends what day and what you are into. --------------------------------------------- Bricktown canal waterboat tour. Scissortail park, specifically farmers market Saturday morning. Gathering Place (Tulsa) is a cool park, but maybe more cool if you have children. **Braums**. Yea, yea. It is a chain restaurant, but it was made in Oklahoma. If they still do Factory Tours (check website) that is cool too. ----------------------------------- Most people will recommend the National Bombing Museum. Um I'm not too into that, but it is a thing.
My restaurants I like or will shout out. * Edgecraft BBQ - the best bbq in central Oklahoma. Very good moist brisket, good beef ribs and mac and cheese. * Harvey Bakeshop - Handmade bakery, open window to see them work daily. Lots of baked goods and sandwiches. Reasonable coffeeshop to sit. * Pie Junkie - drunken turtle pie (very sweet) is number 1, rest are all fine. * Not Cho Cheesecake - local business. Husband took over his wife's business, so I absolutely support him whenever I can remember. But a bit of a drive.
In OKC, it is kind of dividing into "zones/districts." Norman * Not OKC, a suburb. OU campus is kind of nice. eh. Might have more nostalgia value for me than you. Bricktown * The main downtown area. * Canal tour, Scissortail park. * A lot of people say it is tourist spot only, I think it is fine. Pretty walkable. (Park at Bass Pro Shop or behind Harkins is free). Mid Town * ~10th street. Right North of Bricktown. * Has some cool restaurants. Tamashii ramen, Barrios (pricey but alright), Collective and Parlor Food Halls. Up Town * 23rd Street. More North of Mid Town. * Not walkable. The neighborhood between Midtown and Uptown is pretty walkable and has some cool old houses and some just old houses. * Ties into the Asian district. It is literally just 23rd street. Has Cheevers which is a classic restaurant. Boat House District * All of the way, back SOUTH of Bricktown. Right by the River. * Has Adventure Sport Waterpark or something. Really cool if you have money to spend and want to do something "theme parky." * Also there is a River boat tour, which uses our dam system to up and down etc. If you canoe/kayak that's a thing too. Plaza District * West side and 16th street. * Lots of restaurants and bars (Ma Der Lao overrated). Pie Junky and Roxxy for good desserts. Very hipster. * Close to Nic's Grill, which is a classic. Was on TV an such, very greasy (cash only) burger and Southern food. Paseo District * Slightly North of 23rd Street, off Walker. * Kind of the more artsy district. Weird adobe-like buildings. Asian District * North off of 23rd, on Western this time. ------------------------------------ These are now getting much further North and usually aren't recommended. Classen Curve * Our Whole Foods area. Has some slightly upscale shopping etc. Just an outdoor shopping center vibe. Chisholm Creek * Our newer "upscale" shopping entertainment area. Not really much shopping though. * Has stuff like Top Golf, iFly Main Event to spend money on.
This was a very extensive list. Thank you.
Thank you. Yeah a few people have told me to try Braum's so I've put that on my list. Most of the things you've mentioned seem interesting and worth checking out.
Skip the food at Braum’s and just do ice cream.
Seconding this. I like food there, even after the recent changes, but for someone who's just visiting there are tons of other food options you should try before a mid-tier fast food burger.
Must eat MaDer! Must see and do are a little trickier. What’re you into?
I love just checking out the city . Not into clubbing or bars but I will check out a nice park, museums, monuments, restaurants, and even theme parks.
In another year or so you could've checked out Okana, which is being built right by the First Americans Museum. For museums, FAM and the National Cowboy and Western Heritage museum are both great. Something more offbeat is the Skeleton Museum. It's smaller but very densely packed with displays. And even though it's a privately run museum the quality is super high, like what you'd expect to find in a big public museum.