This U.S. City Has Been Overlooked for Years—but It's Home to World-class Museums, Luxury Hotels, and Award-winning Restaurants

Travel + Leisure

24-05-2025

Even if you don't book a room, sip coffee or cocktails at the Bradford House.
Visit the 175,000-square-foot First Americans Museum, and get to know the state's First American history and culture.
Feast on a classic chicken-fried steak at Cattlemen's Steakhouse.
Design a hat—or pick up a ready-to-wear one—at Shorty's Caboy Hattery.
Oklahoma City is not Paris. It is not New York City. And it is not Rome.
But here's the thing: That's actually what makes it so great. OKC is a hidden gem. The area feels wildly overlooked by travelers—and because of that, tourist sites are never choked with lines, owners and chefs can be found behind the counters of their establishments, and even the most haute of cuisine is affordable. Those are just a few reasons why it landed a spot on Travel + Leisure 's 50 best places to travel in 2020.
But first, a bit of history, and one that's impressive right out of the gate. While Rome wasn't built in a day, Oklahoma City is considered to have been settled in a single afternoon, during the historic land run of 1889. In a matter of hours, what was once just a lone railroad station and three buildings was suddenly home to thousands of people.
Today, OKC is the largest city in the state and one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S. While visiting, you'll see plenty of juxtapositions here, like large swaths of land and red dirt, punctuated by towering, shining buildings.
I grew up visiting Oklahoma City as a child. My husband went to undergraduate school at the University of Oklahoma, and I continued to see the city grow and thrive as an adult. As of now, we are living here on a three-month assignment, and it's been a delight to explore my roots; I was born and raised in the nearby Ozarks and left for New York City in 2007. Living temporarily in Oklahoma City has allowed me to slow down and delve deeply into cowgirl culture, Western cuisine, and shoot the breeze with the people who call OKC home. The city is known as "The Big Friendly," after all.
'I think much of that [attitude] stems from Oklahoma's long history as such a blank canvas for transplants," Matt Kirouac, an Oklahoma City-based food and travel writer, says. "Ever since the land run of 1889, it's always been this Wild West of opportunity. Inevitably, this meant outsiders coming in and imprinting themselves upon this new frontier ... that ethos feels like it continues today, as more diverse voices (like myself, a queer man from New England and Chicago) move to Oklahoma.'
With world-class museums, strong Indigenous roots, a robust queer scene, and a cowboy soul at the heart of it all, Oklahoma City is nothing if not surprising—and, of course, unrelentingly friendly.
Here's everything you need to know before visiting Oklahoma City. Interior of Bradford House.
Emily Hart/Courtesy of Bradford House
Tucked away in a residential neighborhood, the Bradford House is a 1912 Victorian-style home that's been transformed into a boutique hotel. There are 36 rooms here, all perfectly decorated for the Instagram grid (there was even a photo shoot happening during our stay). Locals come for the restaurant, bar, and all-day cafe, while guests can unwind in creatively decorated rooms, decked out with pieces sourced from local and global markets. No two units are the same, but each has high-end bedding, swishes of velvet, and Molton Brown bath products. Our tip: Book room No. 12, which comes with a vibrant Kelly green clawfoot tub and punchy pink-fringed club chairs.
Located in what was once the 1932 First National Center, The National is a historic landmark that once served as a banking hall. Today, the 1.1-million-square-foot property's past shines through with century-old marble floors, bank teller stations, and four 1931 murals by Edgar Spier Cameron that depict key moments in the state's history, such as the Louisiana Purchase and the land run. The hotel's food and beverage venues (like a post-dinner drink at Tellers) are popular with locals as well as guests.
If you were skeptical about Oklahoma City's sheer size and sprawl, picture this: there's a nearly 40-acre resort near the city's downtown in the Horizons District. OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark, which is owned by the Chickasaw Nation, is a $400 million tourist destination that derives its name from the Chickasaw words for water ('oka'') and friend ('inka̱na''). The massive 11-story, 404-room resort has a 100,000-square-foot indoor waterpark and a 4.5-acre outdoor lagoon with sandy beaches—that's in addition to a conference center, family entertainment center, an amphitheater and event lawn, as well as retail shops.
Named after its founder, William Balser 'Bill' Skirvin, this historic hotel opened in 1911 and is the oldest in the city. Long considered one of the nicest places to stay in OKC, it's hosted guests such as Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, and Bob Hope. Sadly, the Skirvin closed its doors in the late '80s and sat vacant for two decades. After a massive, $50 million renovation, the property reopened in 2007 with modern guest rooms and handsome public spaces. Perle Mesta, the property's dining venue, is helmed by James Beard award-winning chef Andrew Black and is certainly worth a visit—don't skip the baby scallops. An exhibit in the Cowboy Museum.
Courtesy of Visit Oklahoma City
Oklahomans are serious about their burgers—and there are two well-known varieties.
Onion burgers are a staple of the state's cuisine, and you can find them everywhere from truck stops to high-end hotels. Tucker's Onion Burgers even has an Impossible beef option. But don't sleep on a Theta Burger—imagine a generously sized patty topped with hickory sauce, slices of dill pickles, mayonnaise, and a healthy serving of shredded cheddar cheese. I grew up eating the Theta at Johnnie's Charcoal Broiler—the owners are friends of the family, and it's their unique hickory sauce that makes it so tasty. Greg Horton, a writer and professor based in Oklahoma City, is partial to the Theta Burger at the original S&B Burger Joint, however. 'The burgers are still some of the best in a city saturated with excellent burgers," he says.
April 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, but a visit to the memorial, (which honors the victims of the tragedy) is deserving, no matter what the date is. 'By far, one of the most impactful moments in OKC's history was the 1995 Alfred P. Murrah bombing, and the Oklahoma City National Memorial is a must for anyone visiting to get a grasp on how Oklahoma City became what it is today," Heide Brandes, an Oklahoma City-based writer, says. "Not only is it a beautiful memorial, it's a thoroughly curated museum that walks visitors through that tragic day and how the community came together to rebuild itself.' Tickets for the museum are free for children, and start at $18 per person for adults.
Oklahoma City is rich in First American history and culture, and there are myriad ways to connect with it, from authentic Native American restaurants to attending cultural events and shopping at local businesses. During your visit, consider taking a jewelry-making class at Cheyenne Sky Studio, spending an afternoon at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, or grabbing a beer at Skydance Brewing Co., the city's first Native American-owned brewery. And, of course, check out the First Americans Museum. "The First Americans Museum showcases the cultural richness of Oklahoma's 39 tribal nations," says writer Kate Nelson. "But more than that, it paints a picture of the complex history of the United States, as many of those tribal communities were forcibly relocated to 'Indian Territory,' as it was called. Indigenous honesty, beauty, and resilience are on full display throughout the Native-led museum."
That's right. You can whitewater raft in Oklahoma City. Riversport Rapids is an urban, man-made whitewater rafting center in the city's downtown, and is located along the Oklahoma River. The facility has some fairly challenging rapids here (up to class four), but you can also surf, ski, tube, and kayak here. 'I've been on numerous whitewater rafting trips around the world, and Oklahoma City's whitewater rafting is legit," Brandes says. "So much fun, but also challenging and heart-pounding.'
Factory Obscura is a 6,000-square-foot ever-evolving immersive art experience in downtown OKC, that was originally co-created by about 30 artists, including sculptors, textile artists, painters, poets, and sound specialists. Collectively, they intended Factory Obscura to be a fun, inspiring experience for all ages. Expect to listen and feel—and even climb, and slide—through the space which feels sort of like if a McDonald's PlayPlace and the attic from Beetlejuice had a baby. Interior of Dead People's Stuff.
Courtesy of Visit Oklahoma City
Something I love about Oklahoma City is the abundance of local businesses—I love chatting with the owners to hear their stories. One of the best examples is Shorty's Caboy Hattery. Lavonna 'Shorty' Koger was once a regular on the rodeo circuit and even tried her hand at riding bulls in an all-girl rodeo. However, she just happened to have a penchant for hat shaping. Shorty's Caboy Hattery, located in the historic Stockyards City neighborhood, is a full-service western hat shop that's been in business since 1990. Here, you can have a perfectly fitted hat, made of the finest materials. Or—if you're short on time—you can grab a ready-to-wear version.
A sprawling, chaotic place that's chock-full of, well, dead people's stuff, this is the store where you can find that quirky souvenir to mark your trip to Oklahoma City. (A decorative doll's head or naked lady door knocker, perhaps?) Fun fact: Items used on the set of Killers of the Flower Moon were sourced here.
Taylor Cheyenne Martin, a Chickasaw and Seminole mother, wife, and multidisciplinary artist, grew up watching her mother and aunties trade sterling silver and turquoise earrings. These memories served as the foundation for her love of metal-smithing and later inspired her to open Cheyenne Sky Studios. You can take beginner-friendly workshops (where you can make rings, pendants, and bolo ties) at the store, or you can simply peruse the retail area, which is decked out with metal and stones.
Located in Midtown, this locally-owned boutique is where you'll find everything from sassy coasters and dish towels to stemware and gifts galore. There's a fun selection of Oklahoma-centric items and they even have a monthly jigsaw puzzle subscription. I also love that the entire store is size inclusive, with affordable and quality clothing. Interior of The Other Room.
Courtesy of The Other Room
This place feels less like an actual club and more like a spot your grandparents would have gone to drink Old Fashioneds and smoke Pall-Malls. The low lighting, vinyl brass-tacked burgundy booths, a lava rock fireplace, and gold and velvet-flecked wallpaper invoke serious retro vibes. For some, the concept could be too kitsch, but the terrific cocktails and fantastic food will surely win them over.
This darling of downtown OKC is sort of a jack of all trades. The palatial space serves as a concert venue that hosts big-time acts as well as weekly house music sessions. There are a smattering of bars, indoor and outdoor seating options, a fantastic brunch, and very well-made cocktails.
Dubbed as the 'laid-back bar next door' to the Picasso Cafe, The Other Room is where you want to go for a more local experience. 'It's not technically a queer bar, but it just has that diverse, inclusive feel, with a lot of queer representation," Kirouac says. "It's basically like a low-key gay dive, tucked in this cozy nook of a space in the adorable Paseo Arts District. With shockingly good food. And drag brunch.'
There are loads of country bars in Oklahoma City, from big bull riding venues to honky tonk dance halls, but it doesn't get more Oklahoman than Cowboys. This massive country bar is open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and has line dancing lessons, bull riding, and even an indoor rodeo. BYOB (as in "bring your own boots") for the dance floor.
Oklahoma City's cocktail scene is slowly but steadily evolving, and the drinks at Later Bye are as good as any major city's–minus the crowds and prices. Here, craft cocktails (many made with Oklahoma gin) are stirred and shaken by dedicated and talented staff, and the small plates and equally small space make it ideal for a date night. Interior of Grey Sweater.
Kacey Gilpin/Courtesy of Grey Sweater
This place might just be the best example of fine dining in Oklahoma City. Founded by award-winning chef Andrew Black (who also helms Perle Mesta), there are no set menus at Black's establishment Grey Sweater, and meals are served in seven to 10-course tasting menus. You can expect an interactive experience with a lot of surprises. The small, artfully plated dishes look as if they fell out of a culinary rainbow with bursts of bright colors, and are often topped with edible flowers (or perhaps caviar). Excellent wine pairings are offered, too.
If you had just one meal in OKC, it should probably be at Cattlemen's Steakhouse. Located in Stockyard City, you can expect loads of steak cuts, but don't skip chowing down on one of OKC's signature dishes: chicken-fried steak. If you happen to visit in the early hours of the day, Cattlemen's has a fine breakfast, as well.
Florence Jones Kemp, born in 1931 in Boley, Oklahoma, a town founded in the 19th century by Black pioneers, started her business serving home-cooked food in 1952 when she was just 20 years old. Florence's Restaurant has been operating out of the same building since 1959, and in 2022, Jones became Oklahoma's first-ever James Beard Award winner. Today, the restaurant is primarily run by her daughter, but is still known for its soul food-packed menu, with things like yam-fried chicken (chicken coated in a candied yam sauce), fried pork ribs, and stewed collard greens on offer.
From the three-time James Beard finalist Jeff Chanchaleune, this Lao noodle joint sits adjacent to Ma Der Lao Kitchen, the restaurant that earned Chanchaleune three nominations and two finalist nods. Sited just blocks from his childhood home and elementary school, Bar Sen serves as an homage to the neighborhood he grew up in and his family's recipes. I recommend ordering the OG Lao Khao So, which is the perfect blend of spicy, crunchy, rich, and fragrant. It's also worth the few extra bucks for the savory, ideal-for-dipping Chinese cruller and the chili oil.
If you ask anyone where you should eat in Oklahoma City, you'll likely hear them name Frida Southwest. The menu here is inspired by the flavors of northern Mexico, Texas, New Mexico, and the First Americans of Oklahoma to create what they hope to define as "Oklahoman cuisine." The restaurant gets its name from the artist Frida Kahlo, and rightfully so—the plates look more like edible artwork. The tamales are top-notch, as is the heart of palm ceviche, and everyone raves about the Mexican hot chocolate cheesecake. The light and airy atmosphere is perfect for brunch, and there's even a 'speakeasy." Bricktown Canal in Oklahoma City.
DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images
If you're at a loss for party conversation in Oklahoma City, just mention the weather, and it's off to the races. There's a reason everyone here has a Doppler radar app installed on their phone. It's often windy, and the temperatures can fluctuate greatly, no matter the time of year. (Just this February, I found myself searching for shorts on one 80-degree day and a scarf the very next.) Just keep in mind that the summers are hot, and winters can bring snow and ice. However, if you ask any Sooners fan, they'll tell you to visit in fall during the college football season, and if you come anytime between October through April, you'll get to see the Oklahoma City Thunder, OKC's NBA team, hit the courts. Cars driving in downtown Oklahoma City.
Oklahoma City is within a day's drive from a handful of major metropolitan areas, including Dallas; Kansas City, Missouri; and Tulsa, Oklahoma. OKC Will Rogers International Airport (OKC) has plenty of nonstop flights to 28 U.S. destinations, including many West and East Coast cities. I've taken a number of affordable nonstop flights from OKC Will Rogers International Airport to LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and getting in and out of the Will Rogers airport is always a breeze. Many people who visit Oklahoma City are coming from the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and if you have the time, I recommend taking Amtrak's Heartland Flyer, which runs a 418-mile round trip between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth, Texas. If you're staying downtown, consider riding the Oklahoma City Streetcar, which connects visitors to hotels, dining, and attractions throughout Downtown, Bricktown, Automobile Alley, and Midtown. Ride-share apps like Uber and Lyft are popular here, too. Terrace homes in Oklahoma City.
Courtesy of Visit Oklahoma City
This part of the city almost feels as if you've walked into a movie set. The Spanish-style stucco buildings with clay tile roofs are home to more than 80 artists and over 20 galleries. You'll find everything from quirky boutiques, a yoga studio, a theater, a bookstore, and fantastic dining options, including Frida Southwest. Plan your visit around the First Friday Gallery Walk, where you can peruse unique artwork and buy from the artists on-site.
Dubbed the 'Gayborhood,' this fun area is also a part of historic Route 66. Kirouac explains that this neighborhood is full of all sorts of bars and clubs, "including its own 'gay hotel,' The District Hotel.'
'Ultimately, it's surprising how queer-friendly it is, considering how notoriously conservative the rest of the state is," he says. But it feels so defiant, and it helps those voices ring louder and prouder.'
If there were ever a success story of speedy urban development, it would be the Wheeler District. Located on the South Bank of the Oklahoma River, construction in the area began in 2018 and was specifically intended to be both walkable and bikeable. It's dotted with 83 colorful and modern homes that surround a playground and basketball court. There are also restaurants, salons, coffee shops, boutiques, and fitness studios. The Wheeler Ferris Wheel anchors the neighborhood and has a unique origin story: It was the original Santa Monica Pier Ferris Wheel, and developer Blair Humphreys purchased it through eBay in 2008.
Once known as "Little Saigon," Oklahoma City's Asian District is home to the state's largest population of Asian descendants. It formed around 1975 when thousands of Vietnamese refugees came to Oklahoma's capital after the fall of Saigon. Although there are many Asian-owned businesses in the area and you can find everything from hot pot to Vietnamese coffee and Taiwanese milk tea here, a few must-tick-boxes include Super Cao Nguyen Grocery Store and VII Asian Bistro for pho.
Named for the historic Plaza Theater (now home to the Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma), this district is filled with galleries, locally owned boutiques, restaurants (including Ma Der Lao and Bar Sen), and cocktail bars. Stroll along the Plaza Walls, a curated, rotating mural project in the Plaza District managed and produced by The Oklahoma Mural Syndicate. People stepping into a street car in Oklahoma City.
Courtesy of Visit Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City is big on car culture. Large vehicles are the norm, and ride shares are abundant. While the city does sprawl, everything is actually fairly close and easy to reach. Most locals say that you can get anywhere in the city in 15 minutes, and I found that to be true. There are even walkable neighborhoods scattered here and there throughout the city. Whether you're on foot or in a car, strangers often smile and wave—don't forget to wave back. This is the Big Friendly, after all.