Exploring The Modern Frontier

We’re excited to once again welcome thousands of visitors to Oklahoma City! As you gather from every state and many countries, you’ll discover we’re known as The Modern Frontier because of our resiliency, collaboration and welcoming spirit. While the pandemic paused most travel over the past year, Oklahoma City didn’t press pause on building new improvements and projects across the metro. If you’ve participated in the Run to Remember in years past, you’ll notice fresh experiences everywhere you turn. Whether dining like a local, staying in a new hotel or making memories at a recently opened attraction or exhibit, we’ve gathered several resources to make it easy to enjoy your time in OKC.

Never Forget at the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum

This is what the Run to Remember is all about. If you’ve never made it inside the Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum, or it’s been a few years since your last visit, it’s worth a stop. Detailed information on the investigation and trails of evidence left behind are part of the Museum experience. The 40-foot glass Overlook creates a seamless connection between the Museum, the Memorial and the ever-changing Oklahoma City skyline. Learn how tragedy united a nation, and come away with a new sense of strength, peace and resolve. A powerful story that is as relevant today as ever. Free admission to the Museum with your running bib.

New in OKC

First Americans Museum

The newly opened First Americans Museum shares cultural diversity, history, art and contributions of the First Americans. Visitors can experience the collective histories of Oklahoma’s 39 distinctive First American Nations through immersive family-friendly activities, a full-service restaurant featuring unique Native inspired cuisine, a museum store highlighting authentic handmade items by premiere First American artists, and

an outdoor cultural park where the plains, prairies and wetland converge.

Oklahoma Contemporary

The beautiful new Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center on the north edge of Automobile Alley displays free, groundbreaking exhibitions from international, national and local living artists, plus large-scale, public sculptures and installations in Campbell Art Park. One current exhibit includes Chakaia Booker: Shaved Portions which features expressionistic sculptures using reassembled tires to create a towering, cathedral-like space that viewers may enter. Round out a visit by eating in the café or shopping in their uniquely curated shop.

Liichokoshkomo’ (Chickasaw for Let’s Play!)

The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum renovated its backyard into an engaging and fun space dedicated to bringing the history and culture of the West to life. Walk into a Kiowa Tipi or Chickasaw Council House. Experience the scale of a Puebloan Cliff Dwelling and Prairie Sod House. You won’t want to miss this exciting expansion, plus their permanent collection and rotating exhibits of premier Western art and artifacts.

Omni Hotel

Opened in January, this new hotel serves as the headquarter hotel of the new OKC Convention Center. The 17-story Omni Oklahoma City Hotel features 605 guest rooms, including 29 suites with well-appointed furnishings and regional design influences that take inspiration from the pastoral landscape of the Oklahoma terrain. Check out their great dining options which range from coffee and ice cream at Park Grounds to live music and local brews at the Tap Room to fine dining at Bob’s Steak & Chop House.

Scissortail Park

OKC’s newest park, the first phase of this 70-acre urban oasis is open and continues to grow with a second phase opening in 2022, extending from the core of downtown Oklahoma City to the shore of the Oklahoma River. Every detail is designed for connection with nature, neighbors and ourselves. Features include ornamental gardens and woodlands, a lake and boathouse, children’s playground, grand promenade, water features, outdoor roller rink, dog park, interactive fountains, dining options and much more.

OKC’s Districts

Oklahoma City's unique past and bright future can be experienced through its many distinct districts. Check out what to eat, enjoy and explore in each neighborhood.

Adventure District

Located in northeast OKC at the crossroads of I-35 and I-44, the Adventure District is home to many can’t-miss museums and attractions. You’ll find plenty of ways to entertain the whole family, plus indoor and outdoor experiences that pack yearround fun. You won’t believe how many different types of memorable activities you’ll find within a two-mile radius.

Paseo Arts District

Known for its eclectic art galleries (many attached to working artists’ studios) and shops, as well as distinctive Spanish Revival architecture, the Paseo Arts District has a bohemian vibe that will instantly charm you. Situated around a curvy, tree-lined street, visitors love exploring the more than 20 galleries, plus shops, bars and equally creative thriving food scene all by foot.

Plaza District

If you’re the sort that likes to check out the hip and happening, you’ll find it in the Plaza District; an enclave of locally-owned shops, neighborhood bars, fun-and-funky restaurants, plus the quirkiest mix of patrons and proprietors that unabashedly display love for individuality and for this city. This district is also known for the nationally renowned Lyric Theatre and Plaza Walls Murals.

Midtown

Midtown’s mix of local restaurants, neighborhood pubs, unique shops and historic homes make it a great place to experience the best of OKC’s urban renaissance. This walkable district is buzzing at all times of day. Nightlife options range from retro-chic cocktail lounges to upbeat beer halls, including one with a bowling alley and another with live music and food trucks parked outside. Indie boutiques sell trendy clothing and designer home décor.

Stockyards City

Home to a number of shops specializing in all things Western, you can outfit an entire ranch (cattle included) or just find a new pair of boots and enjoy a great steak in Stockyards City. It’s also home to the Oklahoma National Stockyards, the world’s largest feeder and stocker cattle market, where live cattle auctions take place every Monday and Tuesday and are open to the public. We have 14 districts throughout OKC each with its own personality and vibe. See a map, videos and more details about each district at VisitOKC.com.

Eat Local

The local food scene in Oklahoma City cannot be beat! We could fill this entire program with dining recommendations, but we’ve hand-picked a few just to get you started. You’ll definitely want to check out VisitOKC.com for more onlyin-OKC dining experiences.

Kitchen No. 324

Located in the heart of downtown, this beautiful banquette-dominated restaurant boasts some of the most creative breakfast and lunch fare in town. A destination for vegetarians and omnivores alike, the menu is seasonal and creative. Fried Green Tomato Benedict is a local favorite, as is the scratch biscuits with chorizo gravy. The coffee is noteworthy, and many locals just opt for a pour-over and a freshbaked pastry from the pastry counter.

Empire Slice Shop

Pizza by the slice and local beer. Need we say more? You can get whole pies, too, including a menu of innovative flavor and ingredient combinations. Empire is a late-night eats pioneer in OKC, being one of the first full restaurants to serve right up until 2 a.m.

OSO on Paseo

If you love traditional Mexican street tacos, look no further than Oso. Vegan and vegetarian-friendly options abound, plus specialty cocktails as modern and fun as the restaurant’s décor. While tacos dominate the menu, there are a lot of other options to choose from for even the pickiest of eaters.

Ludivine

If you ask the locals to describe Ludivine, they’d be hard pressed to categorize this Midtown eatery, but they’d tell you the food is delicious and the mid-century modern building and décor are stunning. Ludivine offers up locally and regionally sourced Wagyu beef, pork, fish and wild game. The food is creative and beautiful, the cocktails are some of the best in the state, and the seared foie gras on lavender pound cake is worth the trip to Oklahoma City.

The Jones Assembly

You can’t go wrong with anything on their menu, but The Jones also doubles as a music venue, so dinner isn’t always available (check online for their current line-up). Go for lunch and enjoy the beautiful space and pair it with Gnocco Fritto accompanied by their Dips + Spreads, ceviche or some of the best fried okra in the metro.

OKC STREETCAR

OKC Streetcar

EMBARK is offering free rides on the OKC Streetcar on Oct. 2nd and 3rd from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. The streetcar features multiple stops in Downtown, Bricktown, Midtown and Automobile Alley. It’s an easy way to get to Scissortail Park, the OKC National Memorial & Museum or other stops along the race route. For more information concerning the streetcar, call (405) 235-7433.