Visiting OKANA resort? Here's the best restaurants, shopping and activities in OKC nearby
The Horizon District, a collaboration between the Chickasaw Nation, OKANA and the First Americans Museum, was unveiled in 2023. It aims to be Oklahoma City's latest 'cultural and entertainment district.'
Located on the southeast corner of I-35 and the Oklahoma River, the Horizon District's two main attractions will make it a bustling area in the city. Since it's still a relatively new district, developments are still occurring, but there is still lots to enjoy during a visit to OKANA.
Here are some other things to do and restaurants to try near the Horizons District while you stay at OKANA.
More: From a tiny hotel to a $400M resort: OKANA was 50 years in the making for Chickasaw Nation
Located along the Oklahoma River and near the crossroads of Interstates 35, 40, 235 and 44 is Oklahoma City's First Americans Museum. The museum is dedicated to sharing the collective histories of the 39 federally recognized tribes in the state of Oklahoma.
Visitors can explore the cultural diversity of the distinctive tribes and, for many of the tribes now residing in Oklahoma, learn what the process of removal from their ancestral homelands was like 200 years ago. In addition to this history, the museum aims to showcase Indigenous-inspired food and community events that celebrate that same history.
Single-day admission for youth (4-12) is $5, while adults (18+) pay $15. Students, seniors, teachers, first responders and tribe members pay $10.
Oklahoma's largest indoor and outdoor flea market is just along S Eastern Ave at Old Paris Flea Market. The business has over 450 vendors throughout the property, each with their own business and products for sale.
The family-owned and operated company has operated in Oklahoma City for almost 50 years and continues to see visitors, locally and tourists, enjoy the products for sale.
Suppose you're looking for more activities in nearby districts. In that case, the Boathouse District includes Bar-K, the perfect bar for families with dogs or those who head to the RiverSport areas like RiverSport's track and mountain bike trail or their rowing facility.
The district has an Olympic-level training facility and will help host the 2028 Olympics for all outdoor water sports.
The Horizons District is slowly growing so eating outside of the resort has less picks than nearby districts. But still within a 10-minute drive, one can try numerous highly rated restaurants including:
Deep Duece Grill, 307 NE 2 St
The Gilded Acorn, 120 N Robinson Ave
Kitchen No. 324, 324 N Robinson Ave
Mickey Mantle's Steakhouse, #7 Mickey Mantle Dr.
The area offers many opportunities for outdoor exploration. Regatta Park, Scissortail Park, and Wiley Post Park are all within a 10-minute drive of OKANA and the First Americans Museum.
Each surrounding park has a good view of the Oklahoma River and surrounding districts, such as the downtown business district or historic Capitol Hill.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Things to do near OKANA: See top restaurants, shopping and more in OKC

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Associated Press
a day ago
- Associated Press
How do you move a beloved Swedish church down the road? With prayer, engineering and some Eurovision
KIRUNA, Sweden (AP) — How do you move one of Sweden's most beloved wooden churches down the road? With a little bit of engineering, a lot of prayer — and some Eurovision for good luck. The Kiruna Church — called Kiruna Kyrka in Swedish — and its belfry are being moved this week along a 5-kilometer (3-mile) route east to a new city center as part of the town's relocation. It's happening because the world's largest underground iron-ore mine is threatening to swallow the town. This week, thousands of visitors have descended upon Kiruna, Sweden's northernmost town at 200 kilometers (124 miles) above the Arctic Circle. It's home to roughly 23,000 inhabitants, including members of the Sami Indigenous people, spread over nearly 19,500 square kilometers (7,528 square feet). Lena Tjärnberg, the church's vicar, is set to kick off the move with a blessing on Tuesday morning. The journey is scheduled to end Wednesday afternoon. The church was a gift from the mining company In 2001, the Swedish people voted the wooden church the 'best building of all time, built before 1950' in a poll connected to the Ministry of Culture. Built on a hill so worshippers could overlook the rest of Kiruna, the Swedish Lutheran church was designed to emulate the Sami style as a gift from LKAB, the state-owned mining company. The Kiruna mine itself dates back to 1910 and the church was completed in 1912. Its neo-Gothic exterior is considered the town's most distinctive building and tourists regularly traveled there before it was closed a year ago to prepare for the relocation. It's set to reopen in the new location at the end of 2026. Tjärnberg said the final service in the old spot was bittersweet. 'The last day you go down the stairs and close the church door, you know it's going to be several years before you can open it — and in a new place,' she said. 'We don't know how it's going to feel to open the door.' The spectacle This week's move has turned into a two-day highly choreographed media spectacle, run by LKAB and featuring an appearance by Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf. Musical performances will include a set from KAJ, Sweden's 2025 Eurovision entry that was the bookies' favorite to win this year's contest but lost out to classically trained countertenor JJ of Austria. SVT, Sweden's national broadcaster, is capitalizing on the showcase and will livestream the move both days, billing it as 'The Great Church Walk' to play off its success with the spring showing of 'The Great Moose Migration' that has enthralled millions of viewers annually since 2019. Known for both the Midnight Sun and the Northern Lights, Kiruna and the surrounding area is a major draw year-round for visitors to Swedish Lapland. The region also features the Aurora Sky Station, the Icehotel and Kebnekaise, the Nordic country's highest mountain. British tourists Anita and Don Haymes had already trekked to Kiruna twice before this year's trip. When they heard about the church's move, they changed their itinerary to ensure they'd be here for it. They took photographs of it propped up on beams and wheels this week before the move. 'It's an amazing feat that they are doing,' Anita Haymes said Sunday. 'It'll be interesting to see it moving, unbelievable.' But not everyone is thrilled about LKAB's extravaganza. Lars-Marcus Kuhmunen, chairman of one of the Sami reindeer herding organizations in Kiruna, said LKAB's plans for a new mine could threaten reindeer migration routes and imperil the livelihood of herders in the area. The mechanics behind the move The move of Kiruna's town center, including the church, has been in the works since 2004. As the mine expanded deeper underground, residents began seeing cracks in buildings and roads. In order to reach a new depth of 1,365 meters (4,478 feet) — and to prevent Kiruna from being swallowed up — officials began moving buildings to a new downtown at a safe distance from the mine. As of July, 25 buildings had been lifted up onto beams and wheeled east. Sixteen, including the church, remain. At approximately 40 meters (131 feet) wide with a weight of 672 metric tons (741 tons), the church required extra effort. Engineers widened a major road from 9 meters to 24 meters (30 to 79 feet) and dismantled a viaduct to make way for a new intersection. A driver, using a large control box, will pilot the church through the route as it travels roughly 12 hours over Tuesday and Wednesday — with a pause each day for fika, the traditional Swedish afternoon coffee break. It's expected to move at a varying pace between 0.5 and 1.5 kilometers per hour (0.31 and 0.93 miles per hour). Stefan Holmblad Johansson, LKAB's project manager for the move, would not say how much it has cost the mining company. ___ Associated Press journalist Pietro De Cristofaro in Kiruna, Sweden, contributed to this report. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
Business Insider
a day ago
- Business Insider
I lived in Italy for 8 years. These 6 places in the US make me feel like I'm back in my favorite Italian cities.
I lived in Italy for eight years, and I still go back every summer to visit family and enjoy Europe. I wish I could go even more often, but it's not always possible to hop on an international flight. Luckily, I've found US cities in California, Michigan, and Florida that feel like Italy to me. When I was in college, studying abroad in Italy was a no-brainer. My great-grandparents are from a tiny village just outside Modena, and I was curious about my heritage. Something that took me by surprise, though, was the realization that I didn't want to leave. After my semester ended, I lived and worked in Rome throughout my early 20s. Eventually, I moved back to the US and became an Italian teacher. Although I now live in Chicago, Italy still feels like my second home: I make a point to spend every summer there, mainly so my daughter can bond with her nonna. As lucky as I am to visit Italy every year, I still wish I could go more often. Thankfully, I've discovered a handful of places across the US that capture the energy of my favorite Italian regions. These cities offer Americans a slice of Italian culture, minus the hourslong flight overseas — and help quench my insatiable thirst for Italy with soul-stirring food, wine, history, and charm. Catalina Island's hidden coves and crystalline waters feel just like Capri. Located off the coast of southern California, Catalina Island is about 22 miles long. It's easily accessible via ferry service, which operates out of three ports near Los Angeles. When I first visited Catalina Island, I was awed by the dramatic shorelines, crystal-clear waters, and hidden coves. I felt like I was back in Capri. I hiked to the top of the Garden to Sky trail, catching panoramic views that felt straight out of a Mediterranean postcard. Then, I soaked up the sunshine at Descanso Beach while sipping a chilled glass of prosecco. Florida is home to Coral Gables, a city that always reminds me of Lake Como. With its glamorous Mediterranean-style architecture, lush gardens, and waterfront estates, Coral Gables feels like Florida's answer to Italy's Lake Como. The Italian Renaissance-inspired Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, built in the early 1900s, reminds me of the grand villas that line Como's shores. If you plan your own visit, don't forget to check out the Venetian Pool — this public swimming spot was carved from a coral rock quarry, and (true to its name) feels straight out of Italy. Chicago and Milan are "sister cities," and it's easy to see why. It's no surprise to me that my hometown of Chicago and the metropolis of Milan are officially sister cities. Both cities feature vibrant street art, designer boutiques, and — unsurprisingly, maybe — delicious Italian food. I always recommend that tourists plan a trip to coincide with the Randolph Street Market, a pop-up vintage extravaganza. You can also explore Chicago's dynamic mural scene with a street art tour. Finally, Chicago's pizza is as hearty and rich as any slices you'd find in Italy. You can't leave my hometown without trying our legendary deep dish. For a classic experience, head to Giordano's. The stuffed pizza here is a masterpiece of cheese and sauce wrapped in a golden crust. Sonoma bears an uncanny resemblance to Tuscany. The first time I visited Sonoma, California, I was struck by how much it resembled the Tuscan countryside, from the golden hills to rustic farmhouses. When I found myself gathered around a long wooden table at Pedroncelli Winery, surrounded by laughter, clinking glasses, and the comforting scent of fresh herbs and olive oil, I felt wrapped in the same warmth and magic of the Italian countryside. Perhaps the most obvious similarity, though, is the locals' deep appreciation for wine. You can even immerse yourself in vineyard life by staying at one of the several wineries that offer accommodations. Venice Beach in California feels just like the Italian city of the same name. Venice Beach's bohemian vibe and canals are an almost perfect replica of Venice, Italy. Developed in 1905, the canals of this coastal Los Angeles neighborhood were designed to look like those in Venice. Whenever I stroll along the picturesque bridges and waterfront homes, I almost feel like I'm in Italy … all that's missing are the gondolas. Frankenmuth, a mountain town in Michigan, reminds me of the Italian Dolomites. This Michigan city's Alpine-style buildings, hearty cuisine, and mountain-town charm really resemble the Dolomites in northeastern Italy. Moments like browsing handcrafted wooden ornaments at Bronner's Christmas Wonderland (the world's largest Christmas store), enjoying a traditional Alpine feast, and setting off on a riverboat cruise on the Cass River made me feel like I was celebrating Natale — or Christmas — in Europe.

3 days ago
Pakistan will not restrict mountaineering expeditions despite the recent deaths of climbers
PESHAWAR, Pakistan -- Pakistan has issued no warnings or restrictions for mountaineering expeditions in the north, an official said Sunday, despite the recent deaths of climbers. Climbers were well aware of the harsh weather and all the other risks and challenges, said Faizullah Faraq, a spokesman for the government of Gilgit-Baltistan, the northern region home to some of the world's highest mountains. 'Despite that, they willingly accept these challenges and come here to attempt these summits.' Chinese climber Guan Jing, 37, was the latest person to perish on one of Pakistan's mountains. She died last Tuesday after being hit by falling rocks on K2, the world's second-highest peak known for its treacherous slopes and extreme weather conditions. Rescue teams recovered her body on Saturday. Her body was still in the mortuary of the Combined Military Hospital in Skardu on Sunday. Contact has been made with Chinese authorities in Islamabad, and 'now it is up to them to make further decisions in this regard,' said Faraq. Jing's death occurred several weeks after German mountaineer and Olympic gold medalist Laura Dahlmeier died while attempting Laila Peak in the Karakoram mountain range. Bodies of foreign climbers who die attempting to summit mountains in Pakistan are typically recovered at the request of their families. But if the family declines a rescue, the remains are left at the spot where the climber died. Faraq said authorities were trying to provide climbers with better infrastructure, rescue facilities, security and a friendly environment. Mountaineering expeditions are the backbone of the local economy, bringing in millions of dollars in direct revenue. A large number of people work on these expeditions from May to September, feeding their families for the whole year with these earnings, he added. Hundreds of climbers try to scale mountains in northern Pakistan every year. two Russians spent six days stranded on a remote peak before they were rescued.



