OKCMust-Sees 10 Top Attractions By Randy Mink

klahoma City is not only the capital of but takes pride in the title “Horse Show Capital of the World,” as it hosts more national and international equine events O than any other city. But even if your group doesn’t get to a rodeo or horse show, there are many year-round attractions that display the state’s cowboy roots and Native Groups can find plenty to do downtown, including a night out at Chesapeake Energy Arena, American heritage. home of basketball’s Thunder. In addition to Western swagger, visitors discover that Oklahoma City abounds with urban flair. First-rate dining and entertainment options, along with thought-provoking cultural sites, provide plenty of fuel for itinerary planners. Here are 10 ideas on what to include on a swing Bricktown Entertainment District through Oklahoma’s largest city: Enjoy a night on the town in this former ware- National Cowboy house area, a beehive of activity just east of down- & Western Heritage Museum town. Choose from music Oklahoma City The country’s wild ’n’ wooly past comes alive clubs, sports bars, cafes, National Memorial & Museum at this home to one of the world’s most compre- fun shops and dozens of See newscasts, witness rescue efforts and hensive collections of restaurants, many with hear survivor accounts of the horrific April 19, Western and American In- outdoor patios. Stroll or 1995 terror bombing of downtown’s Alfred P. dian art and artifacts. Pop take a water taxi cruise Murrah Federal Building. culture rears its head in along the mile-long canal that flows below street Then head outside to the nostalgic exhibits on level, catch a minor league baseball game at the Field of Empty Chairs TV and movie cowboys. Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark or visit the Ameri- overlooking a reflecting Also explore the Rodeo Hall of Fame and Prosper- can Banjo Museum. (welcometobricktown.com) pool. Each of the 168 ity Junction, a replica `frontier town with store- bronze-and-stone chairs fronts and walk-in buildings. Save time for the Stockyards City represents a life lost. Also note the Survivor Tree, awesome gift shop. (nationalcowboymuseum.org) In this historic commercial district that is an American elm dating back to 1927 that mirac- home to the Oklahoma National Stockyards Com- ulously withstood the blast. (oklahomacityna- pany, shop for cowboy tionalmemorial.org) This Smithsonian affiliate, located across from boots, enjoy a great steak the State Capitol, tells the story of Oklahoma in and witness real cowboys Myriad Botanical Gardens & galleries filled with thousands of artifacts and at work at the world’s Tropical Bridge Conservatory more than 200 hands-on largest live cattle auction Take a break from frenetic city life at this 17- audio, video and com- beginning every Monday acre downtown oasis just west of the Cox Con- puter activities. Besides morning. Groups will have fun browsing the vention Center. The cylindrical, steel-and-glass touching on cowboys and Western wear shops on South Agnew and Ex- conservatory, known as early pioneers, the mu- change avenues. Have dinner or rib-stickin’ break- the “tube,” houses more seum spotlights aviation, fast grub at Cattlemen’s Steakhouse, an OKC than 2,000 plant vari- World War II, the oil industry and the state’s lo- institution since 1910. (stockyardscity.org) eties in two distinct cli- cation in Tornado Alley. One gallery spotlights all mates. Be sure to leave 39 Indian tribes of Oklahoma. (okhistory.org) time to walk the grounds, Making friends at the which include a lake, innovative water features, Oklahoma City Zoo sculptures and flower gardens. The Great Lawn and Band Shell host concerts and other special events. (myriadgardens.com)

42 February 2014 Obtain Oklahoma visitor guides and itineraries and contact group- on location: west ❖ friendly suppliers directly at leisuregrouptravel.com/instant-info

Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum Named the 2008 Best New Attraction in Oklahoma by the Oklahoma Travel Industry Association, the museum spotlights famous and not-so-famous Oklahomans through high-tech, touch-screen Science Museum Oklahoma displays. It houses the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, which honors native sons Explore hundreds of interactive exhibits, visit the and daughters like Gene Autry, Reba McEntire, Will Rogers, Jim Thorpe and planetarium, navigate a Segway obstacle course Mickey Mantle. The stately building is the former home of the Mid-Continent and enjoy a larger-than-life movie experience in Life Insurance Co., and tours of its president’s office as furnished in the the Dome Theater. Amateur 1920s are available. (oklahomaheritage.com) sleuths are taken through a crime scene and forensics lab in Whodunit: The Sci- ence of Solving Crimes. Also popular are entertain- ing shows that focus on scientific fun, plus the exhibits on space and aviation. The museum is home to the Oklahoma Space and Aviation Hall of Fame and International Gymnastics Hall of Fame. (sciencemuseumok.org)

Oklahoma City Zoo & Botanical Garden Across the parking lot from Science Museum Oklahoma are the expansive grounds that 2,000 an- imals, including 50 endan- gered or threatened species, call home. Highlights in- clude the state-of-the-art PAST PRESENCE Elephant Habitat and Great EscAPE, a rain forest envi- FROM OUR RUGGED WESTERN PAST TO THE MAJESTIC PRESENCE OF ronment with gorillas, orangutans and chimpanzees. OUR CITY’S EVER-CHANGING SKYLINE, OKLAHOMA CITY IS THE PERFECT The Oklahoma Trails section has creatures native to BLEND OF HISTORICAL PRIDE AND FORWARD PROGRESS. the state, including bears, bison and bobcats. Also IT’S BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL … catch a sea lion show and check out the Cat Forest, Lion Overlook and Children’s Zoo. (okczoo.com)

Frontier City Oklahoma City’s only theme park, set in a replica 1880s Western town, is an all-day fun kingdom of- fering rides, attractions and theater shows. Roller coasters include the Rodeo Round-Up, Silver Bullet and Wildcat. Prepare to get wet at Wild West Water Works activity area or while riding Renegade Rapids and Mys- tery River Log Flume. Make sure to catch the gun- VISITOKC.COM fight stunt show. (frontiercity.com)

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