Oklahoma City: Cowboys, Culture, and Cubs

Place: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

🌼 Morning Reflections: Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum

Start your day here. It’s heavy—absolutely—but important. This powerful tribute to those affected by the 1995 bombing is beautifully done, creating space for remembrance, understanding, and empathy. I found myself walking slowly, taking it all in, and leaving with a renewed sense of perspective.

🖼️ A Splash of Color: Oklahoma City Museum of Art

Just when I needed something uplifting, the Dale Chihuly glass collection delivered. The museum is stunning, but the glasswork? Breathtaking. Bold swirls of color, light dancing through every curve—pure creative joy. It was the perfect post-memorial reset.

🛍️ Canal Strolls & Shopping Sprees: Bricktown Entertainment District

Bricktown is the beating heart of OKC. I wandered in and out of quirky shops like The Painted Door and Plenty Mercantile, then hopped on a water taxi for a breezy ride down the canal. It’s a vibrant area brimming with energy, great eats, and Instagrammable corners. Bonus: finish your night at Whiskey Chicks with live music and a menu that loves whiskey as much as I do.

🐒 Bucket List Moment: Tiger Safari Zoological Park, Tuttle

Okay, this was unreal. Just outside the city in Tuttle, I stayed in an African Safari hut—yep, in Oklahoma. The setup was legit: thatched roofing, animal-themed décor, and a vibe that felt far from home in the best way. The real kicker? I got to hold a baby monkey. I was squealing, it was snuggling—honestly, I think we bonded. Highly recommend this experience if you're looking for something wild and unforgettable!

🐄 Saddle Up: Stockyards City

Welcome to cowboy country. I swung by for the live cattle auctions and ended up eyeing boots at Stockyards Boot Company. You don’t have to be a cowgirl to appreciate the grit and history woven into this district’s fabric.

🌳 Breezy Bliss: Scissortail Park

Scissortail is a little urban paradise—serene lakes, leafy trails, and even outdoor concerts. I took my coffee for a slow morning stroll and could’ve stayed all afternoon. Bonus: it’s a great spot to recharge before dinner.

🍴 Where to Eat

• Cattlemen’s Steakhouse – A time capsule of cowboy charm with seriously good steaks.

• The Jones Assembly – Chic, buzzy, and perfect for live music + cocktails + pizza (basically, my trifecta).

• Cheever’s Café – That chicken-fried steak with jalapeño cream gravy? Game-changer.

• Nic’s Grill – No fuss, no fluff—just the juiciest burger I’ve had in a long time.

• Clark Crew BBQ, Pappy’s, and Bedlam BAR-B-Q – I may have done a BBQ crawl. No regrets.

🛍️ Where to Shop

• Blue Seven – Fun apparel and Oklahoma-themed finds.

• Commonplace Books – So thoughtfully curated, it made me want to curl up and read on the spot.

• Plenty Mercantile – Earthy, charming, and full of great giftables.

💤 Where to Stay

• The Skirvin Hilton – Classic and grand with a ghost story or two.

• Bradford House – Where eclectic meets elegant. Think dreamy bedrooms and an aesthetic café.

• 21c Museum Hotel – Half hotel, half contemporary art exhibit—and 100% cool.

• Or go full adventure mode with that African Safari hut in Tuttle. Just saying.

🎶 Final Thoughts

OKC isn’t just flyover country—it’s full of soul, flavor, and unforgettable experiences (and yes, monkeys too). Whether you're tracing history, getting your cowboy on, or sipping whiskey under the stars, this city has a way of sneaking into your heart.

Next trip, I might just bring a cowboy hat and adopt a tiger cub. (Kidding... unless?)