Downtown Walking Tour
Here's a suggested itinerary for a day of hoofing-it downtown.
First stop: Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum
Located on the north side of downtown, The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum teaches the lessons learned and the hope that rose from the April 19, 1995 domestic terrorist bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. Start inside with the Memorial Museum, and then head outside to the Outdoor Symbolic Memorial to reflect on the powerful experience of the museum exhibits and artifacts. Also, be sure to swing back by at night to see the beautiful Outdoor Symbolic Memorial in a whole new light.
Next: Oklahoma City Museum of Art
From the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum - Travel 1 block west to Hudson. Turn left. Travel 2.5 blocks south. Oklahoma City Museum of Art will be on your right (west side of Hudson).
The Oklahoma City Museum of Art is located in the heart of downtown Oklahoma City is celebrating its 10th year downtown in 2012. Its permanent collection consists of European and American art, as well as the most comprehensive collection of Chihuly glass in the world. You'll know you're in the right place when you see the 55 ft. tall Chihuly glass tower in the atrium at the front of the museum. Grab lunch at their gourmet café and swing by the gift shop for some fun and funky souvenirs. And if you happen to be in town on a Thursday night from May- October, be sure check out "Cocktails on the Skyline", where you can grab a cocktail on the museum rooftop from 5pm-10pm.
Next: Myriad Botanical Gardens & Tropical Conservatory
From the Oklahoma City Museum of Art - Travel 3 blocks south on Hudson. Myriad Botanical Gardens will be on the southeast corner of Hudson & Sheridan.
This 17-acre living plant museum makes your senses come alive with bright blooms, bubbling fountains and lush foliage. The gardens and conservatory received a $38 million makeover in 2011, including a new LED lighting system that illuminates the entire "tube" at night with a beautiful array of colors. Other new additions include a Children's Garden, a grand event lawn, special event pavilion, restaurant and activity plaza, a dog release area, and numerous water features that provide a dynamic energy to this downtown space. Start inside the conservatory, but be sure to leave plenty of time to walk the entire grounds.
Last stop: American Banjo Museum and Bricktown Entertainment District
From the Myriad Gardens - Exit the gardens from the northeast corner located at Sheridan & Robinson. Travel 2.5 blocks east on Sheridan. You will cross under the entrance bridge to the Bricktown Entertainment District and the American Banjo Museum will be located on your left (north side of Sheridan).
The American Banjo Museum is a good place to start your exploration of the Bricktown Entertainment District. Even if pickin' and grinnin' isn't your thing, seeing the beauty of these instruments and learning their uniquely American history is worth the stop. See over 300 banjos on display, as well as interpretive exhibits that tell the story of the banjo from its humble roots in American slavery to its modern day roles in bluegrass, folk and world music. Check the museum's website for dates of live performances and special concerts.
After you leave whistling from the American Banjo Museum, it's time to paint the town (brick) red in Bricktown. Once a busy warehouse area, Bricktown is Oklahoma City's hottest entertainment and dining district. Grab dinner at one of the numerous restaurants and then take a water taxi ride along the mile-long Bricktown Canal. If you'd rather keep walking, skip the water taxi and stroll along the mile-long pedestrian canal, lined with canal-side restaurants, nightclubs and shops. The canal ends in Lower Bricktown, where you can see the Oklahoma Land Run Monument. When complete, the sculpture-in-progress will feature 45 heroic (life and one-half size) figures of land run participants, frozen in motion as they race to claim new homesteads.
You May Also Like:
Art and Activism at Tougaloo College
This exhibition features works of art from the collection of Tougaloo College, a historically Black…
Becky Robinson, Stand-Up Comedy
Originally from Portland, Oregon, Becky Robinson is an LGBTQ+ LA-based comedian, writer, actor, and…
DISNEY'S FROZEN
From the producer of The Lion King and Aladdin, Frozen, the Tony®-nominated Best Musical, is now on…
Factory Obscura Presents: Future of Sound Fest
On Saturday, March 25th Factory Obscura will bring a spectacle of creative collaboration to 9th…
Fighters for Freedom: William H. Johnson Picturing Justice
William H. Johnson celebrated black activists and their accomplishments even as he acknowledged the…
Fire in Little Africa
The award-winning documentary Fire in Little Africa is coming to OKC. This special presentation from…
Fugitive Speech
Featuring seven artworks by three artists — Emily M. Chase, JJJJJerome Ellis and Anita Fields…
Gardens Walking Tour
Join the Myriad Gardens Walking Tour program highlighting plants in each season around the Gardens…
Gonzalo Lebrija: Breve historia del tiempo
For the first time in the region, Oklahoma Contemporary presents a monumental outdoor sculpture by…
HAIRBALL
The Bombastic Celebration of Arena Rock - HAIRBALL IT'S LIKE 20 CONCERTS IN ONE NIGHT! Hairball is a…
Harlem Globetrotters
The Harlem Globetrotters 2023 World Tour presented by Jersey Mike’s Subs is coming to Oklahoma City…
History Is Relevant Teacher Workshop
Educators of all disciplines are invited to discover the latest resources available to teach your…