| Oklahoma City -- or OKC, as it is known in the
local verbal shorthand -- is a rapidly growing city that has cultivated
big-city diversity and modern sensibilities without losing its southern
frontier charm. Just over 1 million people call Oklahoma City home; well,
the city and the many quiet towns which dot its borders, that is.
Visitors are often surprised upon arriving in this little metropolis:
no longer is it the harsh, parched land many imagine -- associating the
city with memories of the 1930s "Dust Bowl" Oklahoma. No, this
is a land of lakes, forests, rolling green hills, red rock canyons, big
sky and beautiful sunsets. And blended into these delightful pockets of
nature are the neighborhoods of the city. Every personality and taste has
a place here, whether athletic-, artistic-, or business-minded.
Downtown Bricktown
Today, after a multi-year revitalization campaign, Downtown OKC -- dubbed
"Bricktown" for its old-fashioned bricked streets -- has truly
regained its status as the city's premier dining and entertainment
district. Stepping off the Oklahoma Spirit trolley, visitors find
themselves in an urban hotbed brimming with good eats and a wealth of
diversions. Refined cultural pursuits -- distinguished Ballet Oklahoma and
the Oklahoma Philharmonic at the Civic Center Music Hall -- exist
alongside those aimed at a sportsman's heart -- Wranglers arena football
at the Myriad Convention Center and RedHawk baseball at the new Bricktown
Ballpark. Those who come downtown soon find that having fun is a full-time
pursuit. Board a Water Taxi and float down the Bricktown Canal, which runs
throughout the district, enter a tropical wonderland in the Myriad
Botanical Gardens and Crystal Bridge, or join the festivities. There seems
to be a perpetual party carrying on in these streets -- any holiday or
special event brings out revelers. Downtown is also home to a bittersweet
part of city history -- the Oklahoma City National Memorial. Here,
visitors can reflect in its quiet solitude and celebrate the lives of the
168 men, women and children who lost their lives on April 19, 1995.
Stockyard City
If Bricktown is the city's modern nucleus, then Stockyard City -- adjacent
to downtown -- is the neighborhood of living Oklahoma history. Its main
attraction is the National Stockyard Exchange, where cattle auctions are
held every Monday and Tuesday. But, a trip here is not complete without
taking a meal at Cattlemen's Steakhouse. The 90-year-old restaurant
continues to be a symbol of the old cattle baron lifestyle and serves some
of the most mouth-watering steaks in the city. At every turn, visitors are
reminded of the way of life in frontier times -- stores like Langston's,
Shepler's, and Tener's can outfit you in authentic Western duds and
performers at the Oklahoma Opry will serenade you with sweet country
melodies. Don't pass up an opportunity to journey into this cowboy
country.
The Paseo
North of Bricktown, around the area of 30th Street and Dewey, is OKC's
only artists' district, the Paseo. Designed in the style of an old Spanish
villa, the area's buildings house numerous galleries and studios, along
with a few popular restaurants and coffee bars. One such popular meeting
place is Galileo's Bar and Grill, an eatery with a Mediterranean flavor,
which also hosts a poetry night. Memorial Day brings a flurry of activity
to the area, when the annual Paseo Arts Festival is held. As you travel
further north on Western, just outside of the Paseo, you will find a
seemingly unending path of boutiques, salons, and shops perfect for
browsing. Among them is the city's own "Restaurant Row". These
six fine dining establishments serve a variety of cuisines and, be
assured, some tantalizing tastes await you here.
Northwest, Nichols Hills & The Village
For the finest shopping experience, head to the twin communities of
Nichols Hills and the Village, which hold a multitude of upscale boutiques
and luxury services. Outlets like Penn Square Mall and 50 Penn Place carry
only the most ultra-chic goods. This is the place to be seen -- hands-down
the most exclusive area in the city. The larger northwest district
revolves largely around one major thoroughfare: the Northwest Expressway.
Not really a "neighborhood" per se, the street is synonymous
with the district, as it cuts through the entire northwest side of the
city and holds many of its dining and shopping treasures. Aside from
Bricktown, no other area of the city compares to it in the concentration
of commerce and interchange. The area also holds entertainment attractions
like the Oklahoma City Art Museum and State Fair Park, as well as outdoor
retreats like Hefner Lake, Martin Park Nature Center, and Will Rogers
Park.
Northeast
Northeast OKC holds some of the city's most prominent establishments. As
home to the State Capitol and governmental district on Lincoln Avenue, it
is the power center. It is the place where pols and dealmakers meet -- a
heady thought -- but throughout there is also a distinct undercurrent of
fun. The world-renown Cowboy Hall of Fame brings western history to life;
Frontier City lets you play in a Land-Run-era theme park; ponies thunder
and adrenaline surges at Remington Park; the Oklahoma City Zoo delivers an
African safari and aquatic harbor to you here in the plains -- and these
are just a sampling!
Southside
While not often afforded the attention given to other areas of the city,
the southside is an important district in its own right. Home to Will
Rogers World Airport, it serves as the travel hub of Oklahoma City, where
thousands of travelers come and go. Correspondingly, the surrounding area
holds a high concentration of hotels. Respected names like LaQuinta,
Holiday Inn, Extended Stay America, Howard Johnson and Ramada are all
here, along with many, many others. Whether you are searching for opulent
luxury or practical lodging, you are sure to find it. The area seems to be
strictly business, but don't be fooled -- clusters of great little
eateries and shops are to be found all over.
Historic Route 66 Towns
As you travel west in the city, located along America's historic road,
Route 66, are two perfect little towns, Bethany and Yukon. Both just
minutes from the heart of the city, these towns specialize in laid-back
living. Bethany is home to Southern Nazarene University, but is not a
typical rowdy college town. Quiet, tree-lined streets only add to its
small-town charm. Around every turn, visitors will find antique and
country-flavored gift shops, as well as family-run restaurants. Yukon is
similar to Bethany -- a tight-knit, family-oriented community -- but has
one major distinction: it is the home of country music legend Garth
Brooks. Here you can see the water tower emblazoned with his name in his
honor. In these two towns, visitors can experience true Oklahoman
hospitality.
Oklahoma City is where the cowboys of the old west still ride -- their
thundering hoofbeats echoing through time to be felt as the hearty pulse
of life here today. So brush off those dusty memories of an antiquated
Oklahoma where covered wagons are the preferred mode of transportation,
and meat and potatoes are considered haute cuisine. We're ready to show
you a bustling, lively city, combining the best of the good old days with
that of present prosperity.
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