Oklahoma City Travel Guide

Oklahomans relish exploration and exercise, and there is no place better to do it than in their own backyard. This pioneer spirit also appears in city attractions with a truly Oklahoman attitude, like arena football, baseball, ice hockey and frontier-themed diversions. As much as residents enjoy indulging their rowdy, fun-loving side, they also display a deep appreciation for the finer things.

Cinema and Theater

Culture in OKC is not limited to boot-scooting and college football, although you really can't criticize those perfect pleasures! For a classical experience of the highest caliber, reserve a seat at Ballet Oklahoma, the Oklahoma City Philharmonic Orchestra or Canterbury Choral Society. And while residents love such timeless masterpieces, country-western is still very much a music of choice, performed at the Oklahoma Opry. Film buffs will want to catch the latest flick at the city's Tinseltown USA big-screen theater with stadium seating, but if you'd rather have more organic entertainment, look no further. Is art your passion? Head to the Paseo, where numerous local artists create and display their work in personal galleries.

Museums

Oklahomans feel very connected to their state and national history. This respect for the past is reflected in museums that help educate society, like the 45th Infantry Division Museum, National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum and Oklahoma Heritage Center. For a state-of-the-art learning experience, visit the new Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, with its redesigned exhibits and modern facilities. City residents also have an insatiable passion for sports, whether local, national or international, so sport-themed museums are a big draw. The recently-opened Oklahoma Sports Museum touts beloved figures like Jim Thorpe, Shannon Miller and the Oklahoma University Sooners. On a wider scale, the National Softball Hall of Fame and International Gymnastics Hall of Fame celebrate talented performers from across the country and globe. Other acclaimed city museums include the Oklahoma City Art Museum and Oklahoma Firefighters Museum.

Nightlife

Oklahoma City might not spring to mind when thinking of party towns, but in actuality, a thriving nightlife exists here. Downtown is the real hot spot. A local favorite is Bricktown Joker's Comedy Club, where nationally-known comics and variety entertainers wow the crowd. If you're looking for conversation over a great meal, along with live music, pool, darts and other games, check out the Bricktown Brewery. Angles offers a similar type of music, but caters to a gay crowd. If a two-step is more your style, a trip to Club Rodeo is in order. Even those not fans of country music can be found here, as its enduring popularity has made it a place to see and be seen.

Recreation and Sports

Thanks to a comfortable climate (except for a few summer dog days) and great stretches of unspoiled nature, the city is a utopia for outdoor recreational activities. Large, open parks, like Earlywine Park and Martin Park Nature Center, can be found in every area of the city. Most hold baseball and soccer fields, golf courses, jogging trails and lots of picturesque foliage. For an aquatic adventure, check out Hefner Lake & Park. Oklahoma City has also gotten into the extreme sports craze, with several paintball fields available on which to play and an indoor climbing facility at OKC Rocks.

Do you prefer to let trained professionals handle the strenuous stuff? If so, a variety of spectator sports is sure to get your pulse pounding. The Oklahoma City Blazers are the city's successful and beloved CHL team. Baseball is a classic choice for the sports fan, so take in a game with the Southwestern Bell Bricktown Ballpark in their new stadium, the Southwestern Bell Bricktown Ballpark. Oklahoma City also offers rough-riding action that has grown out of the state's frontier history. Two state-of-the-art complexes, the Lazy E Arena and Remington Park, welcome guests to experience a rodeo and other equestrian contests, or high-stakes horse racing, respectively.2008-08-02T07:29:22.000 273