Oklahoma is known for its “cowboy” culture and there are tons of fun things you can do in the city in the company of your kids and partner.
Oklahoma is a state in the South Central region of the United States, bordered by Kansas on the north, Missouri on the northeast, Arkansas on the east, Texas on the south, New Mexico on the west, and Colorado on the northwest. It is the 20th-most extensive and the 28th-most populous of the fifty United States. – Quoted from Wikipedia
Here we are providing a detailed travel guide of Oklahoma that covers the following:
- Where should you stay in Oklahoma
- Places to visit and Things to do
- Where to eat
- Shopping in Oklahoma
- When do I need an ESTA application?
So lets begin!
Where Should You Stay
The downtown area of Oklahoma City is perhaps the best place to stay when visiting the city with your family. There are lots of mid-range to high-end hotels around here and if you are looking for accommodation with Historical charm, then you should consider the options in the Northern part of the city.
Ambassador and Colcord hotels offer some of the best adult getaway accommodation options, while Hilton Garden Inn and Homewood Suites offer the nicest family-friendly accommodations.
Places to visit and Things to do
Bricktown
The downtown offers some of the best places to visit in the city of Oklahoma. One of the most notable places to visit is the Bricktown that was established after the historic land run in Oklahoma in 1889.
For Sports Lovers – Thunder game
If you enjoy the game of basketball, the Oklahoma City Thunder game is the place to be. You may be lucky enough to get an autograph from a player here.
If baseball is your preferred sport, you should consider visiting the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark arena where you can watch amateur baseball teams in action, and if Soccer is your preferred game, the OKC Energy Football club will surely entertain you at its stadium, located at the northern part of the downtown.
Bricktown water taxi
If you want some boat rides along the water route in Oklahoma City, you should consider taking the Bricktown water taxi with your kids and wife. You will get to learn more about the city when you sit and relax inside the boat. The water taxi ride is normally free during the month of December.
Myriad Botanical Gardens
If you love nature, you will definitely want to visit the Myriad Botanical Gardens. It is one place where you can indulge in so many things especially if you have lots of hours to spare. There is a children’s garden within the Botanical garden where your children have lots of spaces to run around.
Harkins Theater
If you enjoy taking your family members to the movies, or late-night shows, you should probably consider the Harkins Theater where you can find all the latest movie releases from the United States and all other parts of the world.
Riversport Adventure District
Older kids who enjoy taking part in games of clues can visit the “Trapped”. If you enjoy river sports, then take a time out to visit the Riversport Adventure District, which is located very close to Bricktown and on top of the Oklahoma River. You can indulge in sky trail and slide as well as rock-wall climbing, and Rumble drops at this place.
The Oklahoma City zoo
The Oklahoma City zoo is the place for animal lovers. It was opened in 1902, hence it remains one of the oldest zoos in the South-western region of the country. There are almost 2000 different animal species cited on 119 acres of land. You may spend lots of hours in this zoo just watching the fascinating animals and walking along the trails. The children zoo, carousel, and playgrounds even make this zoo an amazing place to be.
Science Museum
If you want to get yourself and your educated, you should visit the Science Museum where you can explore numerous scientific exhibits including the Destination Space and Grossology, and The Explorazone.
SkyDance bridge
One of the most iconic places in Oklahoma City is the SkyDance bridge, which is a pedestrian bridge that leads to the downtown area. The bridge is illuminated with LED lights in the night and that is when it is most adorable to view.
Route 66
Route 66 is one of the historical places in Oklahoma City worth mentioning. This is one place you want t visit especially if you want to learn more about the greater metro area in the Northern side of the city. The Arcadia is a small town in the northern region of the city where you can find the 1898 Round Barn and Pops. You might want to take several pictures at Arcadia.
If you want to take a family walk, perhaps the scenic and beautiful Lake Hefner will be the perfect place to be. The 9-mile trails around the lake offer an Iconic view of some part of the city. There are lots of playground for you and your kids to have fun, or you can go sailboarding with the locals.
Where to Eat
Oklahoma City offers lots of local and international cuisines at different restaurants, spread around the city. If you want to eat out where there are lots of attractions, then you should consider the Park house or the Icehouse, located very close to the Myriad Botanical Gardens.
Aside from the restaurants located in the downtown region, the midtown is a rapidly developing place where you can find a wide range of restaurants alongside shopping centers and some decent accommodation options. Other places where you can find the most delicious meals and drinks in the city include; The Mule (Hip eatery place located in Blackwelder avenue), and the Empire slice house, if you want pizza.
There are lots of restaurants around Lake Hefner, and you can grab something to eat especially after having a long walk along the lake with your family. Popular restaurants around here include; The Red Rock Canyon, and Mama Roja Mexican Kitchen.
Eating out is one of the favorite past times in the city of Oklahoma, hence you shouldn’t be surprised to see so many locals wining and dining with visitors in the city. You can find amazing breakfast, brunch, lunch sweet tooth, date night and special night delicacies, from among tons of family-friendly restaurants all around the city.
Shopping
There are lots of malls and shopping outlets in and around the city of Oklahoma, especially for individuals and families. The Outlet mall of Oklahoma is one of the top choices when it comes to shopping.
Other shopping centers you should consider include
- NorthPark mall
- Quail Springs Mall
- The NorthPark mall
- The Full Circle Book Store
When do I need an ESTA application?
When it comes to the question of when do I need ESTA application, experts suggest that you apply as soon as possible, and preferably not later than 6 months before you travel. You need to check esta application status on the appropriate website by using your ESTA application number.
There are certain documents you need to submit when filing for ESTA, these include; a Valid passport from ESTA-valid countries, a valid credit or debit card for the payment of application fee. In some countries, payment options such as PayPal, are accepted for payment of the application fee. You must provide a clear detail of your contact information, and if applicable, you need to provide information about your current or previous employer.
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