Things to Do in Oklahoma City: Top Sights and Original 3, 5 & 7-Day Itineraries
Oklahoma City, known locally as OKC, blends cowboy heritage with a fast-growing downtown. The moving National Memorial, the Bricktown entertainment district with its canal, the Cowboy Museum, Stockyards City, Scissortail Park and lively neighborhoods like the Plaza District and Midtown make it a surprisingly rich stop on any Great Plains road trip.
This guide covers the best things to do in Oklahoma City, with itineraries for 3, 5 and 7 days, ideas for weekends, couples and families, local food, where to stay and how to get around.
Top things to see in Oklahoma City
National Memorial
1995 bombing memorial.
Bricktown Canal
Water taxis.
Cowboy Museum
Western art.
Stockyards City
Cattle auctions.
Myriad Gardens
Crystal Bridge.
Scissortail Park
Urban park.
Plaza District
Murals and shops.
Science Museum
Kids' favorite.
Oklahoma City in 3 days: an original itinerary
1Day 1 · Downtown
Start at the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum, a powerful tribute to the 168 people killed in the 1995 bombing, with the Field of Empty Chairs and the Survivor Tree. Lunch downtown. In the afternoon stroll through Myriad Botanical Gardens and its Crystal Bridge conservatory, then cross to Scissortail Park. Dinner in Midtown.
2Day 2 · Bricktown
Ride a water taxi along the Bricktown Canal, past old brick warehouses turned into restaurants, and visit the American Banjo Museum. Lunch at a Bricktown barbecue spot. In the afternoon catch a minor league baseball game at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark in season. In the evening, live music and a Thunder NBA game if the team is at home.
3Day 3 · Western Heritage
Spend the morning at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum with Remington and Russell paintings, a recreated frontier town and rodeo history. Lunch nearby. In the afternoon head to Stockyards City, where the Monday and Tuesday cattle auctions still run, and shop for boots and hats at Langston's. Dinner at Cattlemen's Steakhouse, open since 1910.
Oklahoma City in 5 days
Follow the 3-day plan above, then add these two days:
4Day 4 · Neighborhoods
Explore the Plaza District with murals, vintage shops and coffee, then the Paseo Arts District with its Spanish-style buildings and galleries. Lunch in the Plaza District. In the afternoon visit the Oklahoma Contemporary arts center. In the evening enjoy dinner and cocktails in the Film Row and Automobile Alley areas downtown.
5Day 5 · Family day
Visit Science Museum Oklahoma, one of the largest science centers in the country, and the Oklahoma City Zoo next door. Lunch at the zoo. In the afternoon, cool off at Lake Hefner with its lighthouse and bike trail, or rent kayaks on the Oklahoma River at the RIVERSPORT complex. Dinner on Lake Hefner's waterfront.
Oklahoma City in 7 days
With a full week, keep days 1 to 5 and finish with:
6Day 6 · Day trip
Drive Route 66 east to the Round Barn in Arcadia and Pops, a soda shop with a giant neon bottle and hundreds of flavors. Lunch at Pops. In the afternoon continue to Guthrie, Oklahoma's first capital, with its Victorian downtown. Return to Oklahoma City for a final dinner in Midtown or Uptown 23rd.
7Day 7 · Farewell
Breakfast at a local diner with biscuits and gravy, a last walk at Scissortail Park and souvenir shopping for Western wear and local art. Will Rogers World Airport is about 15 minutes from downtown, and the Heartland Flyer train links Oklahoma City to Fort Worth once a day.
What to do in Oklahoma City on a weekend
Things to do in Oklahoma City on a weekend? Saturday: Memorial, gardens and Bricktown. Sunday: Cowboy Museum and Stockyards City.
deadCenter Film Festival in June and Thunder season in winter.
What to do in Oklahoma City in the evening
In the evening, Bricktown and Midtown.
Thunder basketball.
Oklahoma City for couples
For couples, Paseo galleries, Bricktown canal and a steak dinner.
Oklahoma City with kids
With kids, Science Museum, zoo and water taxis.
What to eat in Oklahoma City
Chicken-fried steak
Oklahoma classic.
Onion burger
Route 66 style.
Barbecue
Smoked brisket.
Fried okra
Southern side.
Pecan pie
Dessert.
Where to stay in Oklahoma City: best areas
Bricktown
Lively.
Midtown
Trendy.
Downtown
Central.
Paseo
Artsy.
What to do in Oklahoma City when it rains
Things to do in Oklahoma City when it rains? Memorial Museum, Cowboy Museum and Science Museum.
How much does a trip to Oklahoma City cost?
Expect $120–220 per night.
Practical tips for Oklahoma City
Best time to visit
April–June and September–October.
Getting around
Car, OKC Streetcar and water taxi.
Our practical tips
- Car recommended.
- Streetcar downtown is cheap.
- Stockyards auctions Monday–Tuesday.
- Book Thunder tickets early.
- Watch tornado alerts in spring.
- Try an onion burger.
Mistakes to avoid
- Summer heat.
- Walking long distances.
- Skipping the Memorial Museum.
- Ignoring weather warnings.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best things to do in Oklahoma City?
National Memorial, Bricktown and the Cowboy Museum.
Is OKC good for kids?
Yes, Science Museum and zoo.
How many days do I need?
Two to three days.
Best time to visit?
Spring and fall.