Best things to do in OKC

Admire Native art. Surround yourself in tropical plants. Browse dead people’s stuff. These free or cheap attractions will entertain without breaking the bank. Here’s your local guide to top things to do in downtown OKC.

1. OKLAHOMA CITY NATIONAL MEMORIAL & MUSEUM

Tragedy jolted the heartland when a domestic terrorist detonated a truck bomb outside the Murrah Federal Building on April 19, 1995. This memorial is now the top attraction in OKC. Visit the grounds for free any time. The 168 chairs representing each victim light up at night. Our Downtown Tour talks about the symbolism behind the memorial’s design, story of the survivor tree, and resilience that defines our city to this day. The on-site museum is an emotional experience and highly recommended.

620 N Harvey Ave, Oklahoma City | memorialmuseum.com | grounds free, museum $18 adult | @okcnm

2. RED EARTH ART CENTER

Before statehood, this was Indian Territory. Today, 39 federally recognized sovereign tribal nations are within Oklahoma. See rotating exhibitions of Native art in this free gallery and shop for gifts crafted by Indigenous artists from Oklahoma and beyond. Items include stickers, books, prints, paintings, beadwork, and jewelry. Preview items for sale online. To learn more about tribal history, visit the First Americans Museum a 10-minute drive from downtown.

100 N Broadway (BancFirst Tower, south lobby) | Mon-Fri 10am-5pm | free | redearth.org | @redear thokc

3. MAGNIFICENT ARCHITECTURE

OKC isn’t known for historic architecture, but urban renewal’s wrecking ball missed several gems. The Colcord, Skirvin, and First National are a trio of hotels we cover in-depth on our downtown tour. You can walk through their lobbies and linger for a drink.

The Colcord
The city’s first skyscraper was built for offices in 1910 and is now a Hilton Curio. It’s dwarfed by neighboring Devon Tower, the state’s tallest building with a penthouse restaurant called Vast and a ground floor food court open to the public. The hotel’s Flint kitchen and bar has a patio on the edge of Myriad Gardens, which also makes our list below.

15 N Robinson Ave, Oklahoma City

The Skirvin
Hot on the heels of Colcord, this hotel opened in 1911 and remains one today. Mr. Skirvin built a tunnel under Broadway before the rest of the Underground. His daughter, socialite Perle Mesta, is the namesake fine dining restaurant by chef Andrew Black, a James Beard Award winner. Also in the lobby, listen to live music at Red Piano Lounge, named after Perle’s favorite color.

One Park Ave, Oklahoma City

First National Center
This is the most stunning building in the entire state. Built for First National Bank in 1931, it failed in 1984 and the building slid into disrepair until being reborn in 2022 as The National hotel with apartments and retail. The grand banking hall is now Tellers bar and restaurant. The vault in the basement is a cocktail bar called… you guessed it.

120 N Robinson Ave, Oklahoma City

4. CLARA LUPER NATIONAL SIT-IN PLAZA

Before the more famous sit-in at Woolworth’s lunch counter in Greensboro, NC, a successful push for desegregation happened here. High school teacher and civil rights activist Clara Luper led students to sit at a lunch counter inside Katz Drugstore at Main St and Robinson Ave. Only whites were allowed to dine in. Their persistent protest over three days in August 1958 overturned Katz’s segregationist policies.

Just steps from Colcord and First National, this bronze monument is a life-size rendition of 13 Black children, a white clerk, and Clara Luper herself. An open stool invites visitors to insert themselves into the tense scene.

59 N Robinson Ave, Oklahoma City | free

5. OKC UNDERGROUND

Explore a network of tunnels beneath the streets. Built for pedestrians, the Underground is a quirky subterranean space with color-coded lights and black and white photos of bygone OKC. Wander one mile of corridors on your own for free, or join our guided indoor history tour. The Underground is open Monday to Friday until 8pm and closed Saturday and Sunday.

Multiple entry points | free

6. MYRIAD BOTANICAL GARDENS

Tropical paradise awaits in the heart of urban OKC. The curved Crystal Bridge Conservatory is the jewel of Myriad Botanical Gardens. It houses a waterfall, reflecting pool, and wet and dry tropical plant zones across 13,000 square feet. Outdoor gardens are free and provide a green respite from OKC’s concrete core.

301 W Reno Ave, Oklahoma City | myriadgardens.org | $10.50 adult for Crystal Bridge Conservatory | @myriadgardens

7. BRICKTOWN WATER TAXI

Cruise Bricktown! This boat ride is a breezy intro to the first neighborhood revitalized after downtown’s disastrous urban renewal experiment. Originally a warehouse district, these brick buildings are now restaurants and bars. Bricktown has many hotel and entertainment options, but it’s a total tourist zone; locals don’t hang out here.

111 S Mickey Mantle Dr, Oklahoma City | bricktownwatertaxi.com | $15 adult

8. Centennial Land Run Monument

OKC wins the award for most chaotic founding of any town in world history. It happened on April 22, 1889. This 45-piece bronze sculpture represents the (in)famous Land Run with horses, wagons, and homesteaders rushing for 160 free acres. The Run was over in a day, but it took 20 years to finish this sculpture. The 16-foot figures are best observed up close, but getting here is a hike. Bricktown Water Taxi is an easy way to see it without having to hoof it.

200 Centennial Ave, Oklahoma City | free

9. Oklahoma Contemporary Arts CenteR

Free exhibits rotate throughout the year and often feature Oklahoma artists. The museum is at the northern end of Automobile Alley. A facade of aluminum fins reflects the sky, making the building itself a work of changing contemporary art.

11 NW 11th St, Oklahoma City | free | oklahomacontemporary.org | @okcontemporary

10. Dead People’s Stuff & Public Market Antiques

Treasure hunters ONLY! Off the beaten path, this warehouse called Dead People’s Stuff is fun to browse even if you’re not going to plunk down $33,000 for a limestone window. From door knobs to a steel domed gazebo, this architectural salvage store has it all. Next door is a cat cafe and BBQ joint.The surrounding area is desolate, so don’t wander beyond these stores. Instead, drive five minutes south to Public Market Antiques mall inside a Spanish Mission revival building. Each booth sets its own hours and some only accept cash. A farmers market is here on Saturdays. The tradition began in 1928 when the market was built as a central hub for farmers who had been crowding downtown streets to sell produce. Upstairs was a rollerskating rink and concert venue and is still used for events today.

Dead People’s Stuff 1900 Linwood Blvd, Oklahoma City | deadpeoplesstuffok.com

Public Market Antiques 311 S Klein Ave, Oklahoma City | okcfarmersmarket.com/the-antique-mall