Touring Oklahoma City can be a challenge because it covers a vast land area disproportionate to its population. It is difficult to walk the streets, as one would in a typically compact city, when OKC’s metropolitan area stretches across the horizon for more than 600 square miles! That said, the best of this city can be seen by every visitor, regardless of their available time.

Bricktown by Foot
Downtown OKC, where each street is chock-full of attractions, restaurants and shops, is perfect for walking. With the warm Oklahoma sun on your shoulders, begin at 5th Street and Robinson Avenue, the site of the Oklahoma City National Memorial, which honors the 168 Murrah Building bombing victims. Three blocks down, you will find Park Avenue and the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame. Walk two blocks further south to Sheridan, the street that holds the best of Bricktown. On the west side of Robinson Avenue is the Myriad Botanical Gardens and Tropical Conservatory, a horticultural haven tucked away among the tall metal and glass buildings. Just across the street is the Myriad Convention Center where most major sporting events, musical concerts and business conventions are held. Moving east from the Convention Center, visitors will enter the Bricktown entertainment district. Home to a variety of eateries and drinking establishments, this area is sure to have something to tempt and delight your taste buds. Your stroll downtown ends at the new Bricktown Ballpark, located at Sheridan and Mickey Mantle Drive, a state-of-the-art stadium built for the Oklahoma RedHawks baseball team. Even if the home team isn\’t playing, baseball fans will want to stop by just for a glimpse of the statue that immortalizes the legendary Mantle in full-swing.

Bricktown Canal
For a different approach to touring this popular district, look to the water. Unveiled in the summer of 1999, the Bricktown Canal is a man-made oasis running through the heart of downtown. Board one of six water taxis for a one-mile ride that begins at Main Street and Sheridan Avenue, the epicenter of Bricktown where the city’s best dining and drinking establishments are located, and ends south of the Bricktown Ballpark. Numerous restaurants have canal-side patio dining, so when you see a restaurant that looks inviting, just hop off at the next stop.

Oklahoma Spirit Trolley
Oklahomans understand that traveling, whether for business or pleasure, should be convenient and enjoyable. With the resurgence of activity in the downtown area, the city has put a new spin on public transportation with the Oklahoma Spirit Trolley. This fleet of nine red-and-gold trolleys shuttles travelers to and from OKC’s major business and entertainment districts. Service stops include the State Fairgrounds, the I-40 and Meridian Avenue junction, which is home to many popular hotels and convention centers, as well as the downtown area. With 15 stops in Bricktown alone, this nostalgic form of transit is an excellent way to see all the sights.

Traveling Route 66
Oklahoma City is proud to hold a treasured piece of Americana, in the form of miles and miles of historic Route 66. Traveling west from Portland Avenue on 39th Street Expressway, otherwise known as Route 66, fans of the road will be greeted at every turn with establishments honoring the spirit of America’s road. The first notable stop is Ann\’s Chicken Fry House, located at the corner of 39th Street and Tulsa Avenue. Passing decades have not done much to change this restaurant, which is a perennial favorite with city-dwellers. Snap a few photographs out front with the charming pink vintage automobile, then head inside for the best chicken-fried steak dinner you\’ll ever have. Just up the street is Meiki’s Route 66, a newer resident on the route, but one that takes the same pride in its heritage. Their specialty is hearty Italian food served in an environment decorated with memorabilia. Continuing west, you will enter the small town of Bethany, which retains the feel of a place where everyone knows everyone else on a first-name basis. Plan to spend a few hours here browsing the many old-fashioned stores that line the streets. While Route 66 stretches on across the country, your trip will end in Yukon, the home of country-western music legend Garth Brooks.

Historical Neighborhoods
For a relatively young city, Oklahoma City is rich with history. To get a sense of Oklahoma City\’s pioneer past, visit the State Capitol complex, located on the northeast side at 23rd Street and Lincoln Boulevard. The capitol building is a glorious monument to behold, an example of classical architecture complemented by a frontier environment. The highlight of the building is an interior rotunda decorated with artwork created by local artists, which also adorns the walls, and an intricate, in-laid mosaic of the state seal on the bottom floor. When exiting south down the capitol steps, guests are greeted by the sight of a major piece of city history: a 60-year-old working oil well nicknamed “Petunia.” Just west of the capitol is the State Museum of History and impressive stone Governor\’s Mansion. Looping back around to 16th Street and Lincoln Boulevard, you will find the Harn Homestead. This attraction, which consists of several historically preserved structures, contains buildings constructed from the time of the famous 1889 Land Run. If you have a few days to spend exploring the city, you will want to check out these other enclaves of historical significance that can be found just outside the city proper: Anadarko, Langston and Guthrie. Anadarko is known to locals as “the Indian city,” because of its attraction of the same name, Indian City USA, a tribute to Oklahoma’s strong Native American culture. Langston is a similar landmark for African-American history. Established in 1890 by an African-American, this town celebrates its history through places like the Melvin B. Tolson Heritage Center. Lastly is Guthrie, the state\’s former capitol city. Best known for its more than 20 Victorian bed-and-breakfasts, this town takes visitors back in time as they walk down the brick-paved main street lined with quaint antique shops and the historic Pollard Theatre.

Outdoor Scenery
Oklahoma City is so chock-full of natural retreats found throughout the area that it is difficult to group them into one, all-inclusive trip. Besides, once you find yourself exploring or relaxing at one of these local treasures, you won’t want to go anywhere else! Perhaps the most popular areas are found on the northwest side. Beginning at 34th Street and Portland Avenue, with Will Rogers Park, visitors are treated to a spectacular view of lush gardens in a romantic outdoor setting. Just up the Parkway is Lake Hefner, where you can enjoy a multitude of sporting activities or sit back and watch sailboats drift by. For a more rugged experience, set out for Martin Park Nature Center, also off the Parkway at Memorial Road.