Entertainment Districts
As
you enjoy shopping, dining and sightseeing, your path will likely
cross one of these 'must see' neighborhoods.
Adventure District
The Adventure District is the destination for entertainment the entire
family will enjoy. Located at the crossroads of I-44 and I-35 in northeast
Oklahoma City, the district features Oklahoma's most outstanding
visitor attractions. The district includes eight attractions within
a stones throw of one another. Attractions include Coles Garden, the
National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, National Softball Hall
of Fame, Oklahoma Firefighters Museum, Oklahoma City Zoo, Omniplex,
Remington Park, and Tinseltown USA.
Bricktown Historic District
Just east of Downtown is Bricktown, Oklahoma City's renovated warehouse
district. When the area was built back at the turn of the century,
bricks made from Oklahoma's famous dark red earth were the most plentiful
building material available. Today, those bricks provide the signature
look to Bricktown, which has become OKC's biggest hot spot for fine
restaurants, clubs, galleries and shops, including Oklahoma's first
microbrewery. Tour boats chug down the Bricktown Canal, a mile-long
pedestrian waterway that cuts through the heart of Bricktown, turns
south at the Ballpark, past waterfalls and fountains to a beautiful
park. Currently under construction are a new Bass Pro shop, Holiday
Inn Suites and the Centennial Crossing, a larger-than-life sculpture
depicting the Oklahoma Land Run. When complete in 2007, it will consist
of 45 figures depicting land run participants on their way to stake
claims in the new territory.
Oklahoma City Arts District
As the majestic Myriad Botanical Gardens and the multi-faceted Stage
Center - home of several theater companies - remain major anchor
attractions for the Arts District, several new venues have recently
opened. The
Civic Center Music Hall reopened its doors in September 2001, presenting
a classic ambiance from stainless steel accents to authentic art
deco chandeliers for all to admire. The state-of-the art facility
showcases
performances from ballet to Broadway. The Oklahoma City Museum
of Art houses the largest glass sculpture by artist Dale Chihuly.
Standing
nearly 55 feet tall with over 2,400 pieces of glass, the sculpture
shines as a beacon from the front atrium of the museum. The museum
also showcases numerous other exhibits as well as an impressive
classic film library.
Paseo District
The Historic Paseo District is a part of Oklahoma City that time
forgot - but the arts remembered. The gateway to this historic
district is
considered to be NW 30th and Shartel. The Paseo was built in
1929 as the first commercial shopping district north of downtown
Oklahoma
City.
This little Spanish village with its stucco buildings and clay
tile roofs is the home of Oklahoma City's artists' community.
On this
little tree lined street you will find painters, potters, photographers,
writers,
and actors. Within the two blocks of the Paseo you can visit
a stained glass works, a pottery studio, watch a painter at work,
see a performance
of a children's theater group, have dinner, and shop.
Stockyards
District
If you want to see a little of the real West of today, mosey
on down to Stockyards City, a few minutes west of downtown. Home
to
the world's
largest stocker/feeder livestock market, Stockyards City is the "genuine
article" and a "must see." For over 80 years, Stockyards
City has continually offered the kind of quality products and services
which are synonymous with the heritage of the West. A 'must do' in
the Stockyards is Cattlemen's Steakhouse, Oklahoma's oldest continually
operating restaurant. After a great steak, take time to browse the
western wear and specialty shops lining the streets, complete with
jeans (Wranglers is the brand of choice), wide selection of boots,
hats, dusters, spurs and belt buckles the size of hubcaps. If you can't
find what you need off the shelf, there are highly skilled artisans
ready to custom make whatever you need. You won't find any “My
parents went to Stockyard City and all I got was this lousy T-shirt” shirts
or Elvis salt and pepper shakers, but you will leave knowing
what a real steak tastes like, and that real boots don't come
from Bloomingdale's.
Western
Avenue District
Just north of downtown, beginning at 36th street and continuing north
to Wilshire, this historic area is an eclectic collection of restaurants,
antique shops, home furnishing specialty stores, personal services,
art galleries and retail shops. Frequently referred to by locals
as "Restaurant
Row", Western Avenue features almost every cuisine at trendy
establishments ranging from casual to elegant. Western Avenue is
an older commercial strip that still maintains
some of its 1940's
atmosphere with the feel and charm of a small town main street. The
district also features unique shopping opportunities with hip stores,
antique stores, boutiques, galleries, spas and upscale shopping.
Independently owned restaurants and clubs,
live music, entertainment and shopping make
this area a fun place
to browse.
