Myriad Botanical Gardens
The Myriad Botanical Gardens are a 15-acre floral paradise right
in the centre of downtown Oklahoma City. In addition to flourishing
plant life, rolling hills, walkways, sculptures, and a sunken lake,
the gardens feature the seven-storey-high, circular Crystal Bridge
Tropical Conservatory. The conservatory is an architectural wonder,
home to exotic flora as well as lizards, parrots, butterflies, and
fish. Visitors take paths that lead under the conservatory's
35-foot (11m) waterfall and enjoy picnics on the grassy lawns.
Myriad Botanical Gardens
Caleb Long
Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum
On the morning of 19 April 1995, Timothy McVeigh killed 168
people when he bombed the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. Where
the building once stood stands the Oklahoma City National Memorial
& Museum, honouring the victims, survivors, and rescue workers
of the Oklahoma City Bombing. The outdoor memorial features
symbolic elements including a reflecting pool and a field of empty
chairs. It is designed as a haven for those seeking comfort and
serenity. The museum chronicles the terrorist attack and aims to
teach others about the impact and senselessness of violence.
Oklahoma City National Memorial
Nyttend
National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum
The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum is the country's
premier institution of Western history, art and culture, where the
mission is to preserve and interpret the heritage of the American
West. Exhibits include works by the finest contemporary Western
artists, as well as by Western masters like Charles Russell. The
200,000 square foot (60,960 square meter) complex houses multiple
galleries, including cowboy, firearms, and Native American
galleries, the Prosperity Junction cattle town replica, the
interactive Children's Cowboy Corral, and the Western
prairie-themed Persimmon Hill Restaurant.
Cowboy Morgan Evans' World Series
Rodeo
Dr. B. R. Lang
Oklahoma City Zoo
Recognised as one of the top zoos in the United States, the
Oklahoma City Zoological Park is both a living museum and a
botanical garden. Exhibits showcase marine life from around the
globe, forest habitats of big cats and bears, and gorilla,
orangutan, and chimpanzee enclosures. There are also displays that
illustrate island life, showing off animals that live on islands
from the Caribbean to Madagascar. Guests can enjoy a food court, a
tram, a rock climbing wall, and paddleboats. The zoo dedicates
itself to conservation and providing education to the
community.
Scarlet Macaw at Oklahoma City Zoo
Janice Waltzer
Stockyards City
Visitors to the world's largest stocker/feeder cattle market can
watch real Oklahoma cowboys work the livestock or attend a live
cattle auction. Stockyards City's Cowtown is home to more than 70
businesses specialising in Western wear, farm and ranch needs,
dining, and entertainment. Guided tour buses can be arranged.
Oklahoma City has a humid subtropical climate with frequent
swings in temperature. During the winter (December to February),
temperatures regularly drop to between 29°F (-2°C) and 50°F (10°C).
Warmer air from the south soon mitigates the very cold
conditions.
When it does snow, it is light. Autumn is perhaps the most
pleasant season, with cool, dry, sunny days continuing until
mid-October. Summers (June to August) are very hot, with average
temperatures between 68°F (20°C) and 94°F (34°C).
Oklahoma City has a severe weather season lasting from March to
August, when thunderstorms and tornadoes are most likely. Oklahoma
City is considered one of the most tornado-prone cities in the
country, especially during April and May.
Will Rogers World Airport
Location: The airport is located nine miles (14km) southwest of
Oklahoma City.
Time: GMT -6 (GMT -5 from mid-March to the first Sunday
in November).
Getting to the city:
Oklahoma City's public bus system doesn't serve the airport but
shuttle services are offered by several hotels and should be
reserved in advance. Taxis, private van shuttles, and rental cars
are also available.
Car Rental:
Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Alamo,
Advantage, and Thrifty offer onsite service.
Airport Taxis:
Taxis queue at Transportation Plaza, accessible from the baggage
claim area.
Facilities:
Facilities at the airport include retail shops, restaurants and
bars, several ATMs, charging ports, a pet relief area, an
information centre, meeting rooms, and shoeshine service. Business
services including fax, photocopying, and a notary are available
from the administrative office.
Parking
Parking options at Will Rogers World Airport is varied. Hourly
parking is close to the terminal and the first 60 minutes of the
first day is free. It costs $1 per hour thereafter up to a $24
daily limit. Long-term parking in the various long-term lots costs
from $6 to $24 per day depending on distance from the terminal.
Free shuttles service the more distant lots.
It's best to rent a car when visiting as Oklahoma
City is a sprawling metropolis. Travellers should plan to stay
downtown where hotels and attractions cluster together. They can
also take advantage of the Oklahoma Spirit trolley service which
runs between many major sites.
Embark provides bus services but, due to Oklahoma
City's size, it can be difficult to rely solely on the bus system
and taking taxis over such long distances can be expensive. There
are also ride-hailing apps like Uber and Lyft.
Oklahoma City divides into a number of different districts, each
with its own attractions. The Adventure District is home to many
popular tourist sites, including the City Zoo, the National Cowboy
& Western Heritage Museum, Science Museum Oklahoma, National
Softball Hall of Fame and Stadium, and Remington Park Racing &
Casino.
The Bricktown Warehouse District has been converted into a
restaurant and nightclub hotspot, perfect for exploring Oklahoma
City's thriving nightlife. The Arts District offers a number of
cultural attractions, including the Museum of Art, Civic Center
Music Hall, and Myriad Botanical Gardens.
The Paseo Arts District and NW 39th Street Enclave offer many
interesting art galleries, sidewalk cafes, and craft shops. The
area also hosts 'First Friday' open houses with live music, and a
family-friendly arts festival each Memorial Day weekend.