The Cowboy: An Immersive Journey

Now open at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, The Cowboy: An Immersive Journey is a 360-degree cinematic experience that surrounds visitors with the landscapes, stories and spirit of the American West. Larger-than-life projections, immersive sound and historic imagery bring the story of the cowboy to life in a new and engaging way.

Clara Luper National Sit-In Plaza

Now open downtown, the Clara Luper National Sit-In Plaza honors Clara Luper and the 13 students who led the 1958 Katz Drug Store sit-in, one of the nation’s earliest civil rights protests. The site features a 16-foot bronze lunch counter with 15 life-size figures and an empty stool inviting visitors to reflect and engage.

FAMily Discovery Center

This immersive exhibit at the First Americans Museum, which opened Sept. 20, 2025, is a unique, fun-filled learning adventure for everyone, ages three to 103. The fully illustrated, pop-up-book-inspired forest world rooted in First American values and imagination is designed with layered interactivity, sensory learning and cultural authenticity. The experience empowers all ages to explore the living world and their role in it.

Plaza Calle Dos Cinco

Historic Capitol Hill opened Plaza Calle Dos Cinco on Sept. 24, 2025, a multicultural gathering space celebrating the neighborhood's Latino heritage. The plaza features Talavera tiles, decorative lighting, a gazebo stage and shaded seating. Designed with community input, it serves as a hub for cultural events, local businesses and neighborhood gatherings.

Andretti Indoor Karting and Games

The Half is now home to Andretti Indoor Karting and Games, Oklahoma City’s newest entertainment venue. The 96,000-square-foot facility boasts several exciting features including electric super-karts, zip lining, rock climbing, a full-service sky bar and more.

OG&E Coliseum

As part of the MAPS 4 initiative, the new OG&E Coliseum at the OKC Fairgrounds is a game-changing addition that solidifies Oklahoma City’s status as the “Horse Show Capital of the World.” Spanning 216,164 square feet, the multi-purpose venue features a 140’ x 270’ floor, flexible seating configurations for up to 8,000 guests, three private suites, an upscale lounge and a variety of modern locker and hospitality rooms. With a Made in Oklahoma retail space, top-tier concessions and state-of-the-art sound, lighting, and rigging systems, the Coliseum is designed to elevate the experience for both spectators and event organizers.

Boombox Beach Club

Located in Oklahoma City’s Adventure District, the Boombox Beach Club is a 70,000+ square-foot, purpose-built beach volleyball facility. Created by beach volleyball enthusiasts, it’s one of Oklahoma’s only venues designed specifically for the sport. Enjoy a full day of fun with the Boombox Beach Club Cafe and Bar, offering great food and drinks to fuel your play. The Boombox Beach Club is now open and ready for action!

OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark

Situated along the Oklahoma River near downtown Oklahoma City, OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark is a $400 million tourist destination designed to continue the momentum of economic development in the up-and-coming Horizons District. The OKANA Resort includes a riverfront hotel featuring 11 stories and over 400 rooms, resort day spa, outdoor adventure lagoon, amphitheater, indoor waterpark, over 12 food and bar outlets and retail outlets.

Exhibit C Gallery

The Chickasaw Nation's Exhibit C Gallery, formerly located in Bricktown, is now located in the Horizon’s District. The reimagined 10,000-square-foot gallery features a multi-use space, rental studios for First American artists and collaborative programming with the nearby First Americans Museum and OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark.

OAK

OAK is an exciting new type of development. It’s an entertainment destination that pays off OKC’s reputation as a city on the rise. In three phases, it will transform NW Expressway and Pennsylvania Avenue into an entertainment, residential and retail space. The first openings are already here, including The Lively Hotel, Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar, Restoration Hardware and Arhaus— and there’s much more to come.

Pedestrian Bridge over Oklahoma River

The pedestrian bridge, which connects to the four-mile Greenway River Trail on the north shore at Eastern Avenue, spans 614 feet over the Oklahoma River and brings decorative elements and lighting to the riverfront. The new First Americans Museum Landing for Oklahoma River Cruises, which will be the sixth ferry stop on the river when it opens in spring 2026, will extend EMBARK’s ferry service to the First Americans Museum and OKANA Resort & Waterpark while enhancing connectivity to downtown.

Iconic Sculpture Comes to Bricktown 

A striking new public art installation, Cloud Embrace, is coming to the pedestrian plaza at Reno and Walnut Avenue in the Bricktown Entertainment District of Oklahoma City. Designed by Creative Machines, the monumental piece — approximately 24 feet high, 40 feet wide and 9 feet deep — features perforated steel, multicolored panels and LED lighting to create immersive day-and-night visitor experiences. Inspired by Oklahoma City’s ever-changing skies, the installation invites people to step inside and interact with the space, making it a memorable photo moment and a new gathering spot. The project is expected to be installed Spring 2026.

Oklahoma City Arena

Oklahoma City's new arena will be built on the former Cox Convention Center site downtown and feature a striking 360-degree glass curtain wall, elevated main entrance and Thunder Alley fan zone, creating a world-class NBA and entertainment venue. Designed by MANICA Architecture and set to open by late summer 2028, the arena prioritizes intimate basketball experiences while serving as a modern architectural landmark for the city.

Multipurpose Stadium

Oklahoma City is set to transform its sports and entertainment landscape with a new multimillion-dollar multipurpose stadium with 10,000 seats designed to host professional and collegiate soccer, high school sports, concerts and major events. Filling a long-standing gap in city amenities, the venue aims to boost tourism, foster community engagement and position OKC as a regional destination. The MAPS 4 project is set to break ground in spring of 2026 and open in January 2028.

Mammoth Fieldhouse

The Half is undergoing a major expansion that will feature Mammoth Fieldhouse, a large, enclosed miniature golf course with a two-level restaurant and bar, alongside various recreational activities. At the center of the new development area, which now extends to Wilshire Boulevard, is The Wheel—similar to the 200-foot-tall Texas version in Colony with 24 enclosed gondolas. This expansion builds on existing venues like Flix Brewhouse, Chicken n Pickle, and Andretti, and will soon see construction begin on a new waterfront hotel with a rooftop bar, plus additional entertainment and dining options.

Oklahoma City Zoo Upgrades and Master Plan

The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Gardens will undergo $71 million in infrastructure improvements through 2028 as part of a 10-year Master Plan from 2024 to 2034. The plan includes modernizing the zoo's oldest structures, creating immersive habitats and enhancing guest experiences. Upcoming projects include a three-acre Sea Lion Cove, a 12-acre conservation preserve and a botanical education space called The Farm.

Foreword at the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum

The Foreword addition to the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum will build on the story of April 19, 1995, expanding the museum’s ability to share the experiences of those who were lost, those who survived and those forever changed. This new 12,700-square-foot space will offer modern, engaging programming areas designed to seamlessly integrate with the historic site while enhancing visitor accessibility and security. A light-filled lobby will welcome guests with curated artifacts from the Murrah Federal Building, a relocated mission statement and improved amenities for a more immersive experience. 

Gold Dome Revitalization

The Oklahoma City Council approved a $3 million tax increment financing loan to help repurpose the historic Gold Dome into a concert venue, marking what many see as the last chance to save it from demolition. Kismet Koncerts, led by Tulsa-based Mike Brown, plans to invest at least $7 million to transform the long-vacant landmark into a 2,500-capacity venue hosting around 65 events per year. The Gold Dome, a Route 66 icon and National Register of Historic Places site, will be revitalized through this initiative, ensuring its place in OKC’s evolving entertainment scene.

Clara Luper Civil Rights Center

The historic Freedom Center, home of the local civil rights movement, will be renovated. The new five-acre campus, adjacent to the historic building, will include a café, welcome center, outdoor and events spaces and an educational and community gathering place that honors the past, enlightens visitors today and empowers the next generation of leadership. It will be a community gathering place named for our most famous civil rights pioneer.

Hefner Golf Clubhouse

Construction is underway for a new 18,000-square-foot clubhouse at Lake Hefner Golf Club. This multi-level facility will feature a range of amenities, including a golf shop, locker rooms, office spaces and a convenient grab-and-go food and beverage area. During the construction, both golf courses and the current clubhouse will remain fully operational. The new clubhouse is slated for completion in 2026.

USS Oklahoma City to dock along the Oklahoma River

The long-awaited USS Oklahoma City submarine memorial is set to open in 2026 at Wiley Post Park, following a $4.75 million funding approval. Park upgrades include scenic overlooks, playgrounds, an amphitheater, and a memorial plaza featuring the submarine’s sail, dive planes, and other naval artifacts.

Hotel Developments

The Elm Hotel, located in The Half, will be a 140-room boutique-style getaway with plenty of luxurious amenities to be enjoyed by guests. The Elm Hotel will include a fitness center, pool, conference rooms and a rooftop bar. The groundbreaking is scheduled for Q2 of 2025, and the hotel will officially open for business 18 months later.

Celebrated hotel brand and management company Dream Hotel Group announced their plans to open two new Dream Hotel and Unscripted Hotel locations in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in 2024. Designed by Miami-based CUBE3 Architects and built by general contractor Hensel Phelps, the 220-room Dream Hotel and 174-room Unscripted Hotel will be the centerpiece of a large mixed-use development project with California-based Matteson Capital LLC.

A new luxury property in Chisholm Creek will be part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection. This hotel will offer 141 rooms and suites, a fitness center, a three-meal restaurant, a full-service spa, pool area and bar.

The $15 million Skirvin renovation will include a comprehensive refresh of the guest rooms, restaurant and banquet and meeting spaces as well as the iconic lobby, public space and ballrooms. The hotel will remain open and operational throughout the renovation period.