Things to do in Oklahoma City

The OKC Zoo, Oklahoma's largest and most popular cultural attraction, invites you to discover the wonders of wildlife and wild places. Enjoy world-class habitats including Great EscApe, Cat Forest/Lion Overlook, Oklahoma Trails and Sanctuary Asia where you'd find the amazing animals of the Asian continent. The Zoo's collection includes the critically endangered Grevy's zebra; a herd of majestic giraffes; ostriches; Addra gazelle; Asian deer species, including the Pere David, which is extinct in the wild; and the newly discovered okapi, located in only one forest in the world - the Ituri in the Congo. Also don't forget to see some African carnivore, such as the African painted dog and cheetah.

The Myriad Botanical Gardens is one of Oklahoma City’s most beloved public spaces, offering its visitors a 15 acre natural escape in the very heart of the metro known as downtown Oklahoma City. A children’s garden, an off-leash dog park, “splash fountains,” as well as paths for walking and jogging provide guests young and old with a place in which to find solitude with nature or seek community and the company of others. The Myriad Gardens provides an elegant backdrop for events both large and small, ranging from concerts at the Bandshell to intimate weddings in the Crystal Bridge Conservatory. Additionally, the Myriad Gardens offers a variety of horticultural education programs for adults and children. Classes range from story reading, making chocolate, wreath-making workshops to the annual Oklahoma Gardening School and more.

The Oklahoma City Museum of Art, located in the heart of the downtown Arts District, has a permanent collection consisting of European and American art. The Special Exhibition Gallery offers visitors national and international exhibitions. The Noble Theater screens independent, foreign and classic films. The Museum Café offers French-fusion cuisine amid the metropolitan ambiance of downtown.

Anyone serious about the visual arts has to head over to The Paseo, Oklahoma City’s historic arts district. The area is home to more than 22 galleries that feature the work of approximately 80 artists. The first Friday of every month, all the galleries are open from 6 to 10 p.m. for the monthly Art Walk. The district has grown rapidly over the past several years, and that trend seems to be continuing. New restaurants are going in, and more shopping options are popping up, making The Paseo a destination in its own right.

Whether you want to train like an Olympian or just have some fun, the Boathouse District along the Oklahoma River is a hotspot for outdoor recreation. Located within walking distance of the Events, Attractions & Fun | Bricktown Entertainment District, it’s the official U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Site for rowing and canoe/kayak and hosts numerous regattas throughout the year.

The Civic Center Music Hall is owned and operated by the City of Oklahoma City and is nationally recognized as one of the country's premier acoustic performing arts facilities. Inside our doors are three theatres, a grand reception hall, multiple suites and smaller rental facilities.

The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum stands as a symbol of strength in the wake of unspeakable violence. Share our dream of a world without violence and terrorism.