Downtown To Bricktown (Self Guided), Oklahoma City

The Oklahoma City National Memorial commemorates the Oklahoma City bombing of 1995 through a collection of interactive exhibits for visitors of all ages. All the collections of exhibits help tell the stories of the victims and survivors, as well as teaching visitors about the impact of violence that took place that fateful day. This site is made up of both a memorial and a museum.

The Outdoor Symbolic Memorial is on the site where the Murrah Building stood before the explosion. This outdoor area is open 24 hours a day. One of the most memorable sights to see is the "Field of Empty Chairs", with each chair representing a person who died in the bombing.

A famous part of the outdoor memorial area is The Survivor Tree. This American Elm tree survived the bombing and has become an important symbol of survival and resiliency for members of the community.

Visitors who want to see the museum will find it in the former Journal Record Building that dates back to 1923 and withstood the explosion. Self-guided tours let visitors look at things from the perspectives of those who died in the bombing, the survivors, and those living with changed lives.

All of the stories are told using a variety of formats to connect visitors in a compelling way. There are hundreds of videos that help provide a closer look at how this event has changed lives. There are over a million items in the archives that include documents and artifacts that help put everything into perspective.

Why You Should Visit:
An amazing collection of displays that provide a look into the lives of those impacted by this tragedy.
The stunning memorial area outside that visitors can access any time of the day.

Tips:
Rangers from the National Park Service are on-site daily aside from Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.

The Myriad Botanical Gardens play host to beautiful gardens representing the popular flora of Oklahoma. Other highlights of the gardens include regular art exhibits and even an ice-skating rink. Guests of all ages will find things to love when they visit here. With 15 acres of grounds, visitors will find plenty of incredible sights to enjoy.

There are 15 gardens altogether, each with a unique collection. Some of the highlights include a seasonal garden, prairie garden, dog park, and a children's garden.

The Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory boasts thousands of desert and tropical plants, with 750 varieties to enjoy in total. There are several waterfalls with heights of 35 feet. The biggest highlight of the conservatory is the sky bridge, which allows visitors to view all the gardens from the top.

Art is also a significant feature of these gardens. Some of the art includes permanent sculptures, such as "friendship" featuring two prairie dogs, "Storyteller's Chair" crafted of wood, "Goldfish" in limestone, and the red abstract "Gateway" sculpture.

Several events take place at the gardens regularly, including the Oklahoma City Flower and Garden Festival that occurs in May. This festival features dozens of vendors who have fascinating items for attendees to buy.

Visitors can take advantage of free guided tours, as well as programs to learn more about gardening. Family-friendly classes have included an introduction to bulbs and plants used for wreath-making.

Why You Should Visit:
Hundreds of plant species spanning different types of habitats.
Enjoy catching interesting programs to help you with your gardening at home.

Tips:
The website for the gardens has an explorer feature that visitors can easily access on their phones to find each garden.

The American Banjo Museum has 21,000 square feet of space with over 400 instruments on display. The museum's extensive collections also include memorabilia, instructional materials, and printed music, video, film, and recordings.

Replicas of banjos spanning from the age of African slavery, the Minstrel show age, and the era up through World War II help tell the story of this instrument's evolution. The collection of Jazz Era banjos from the 1920s and 30s includes some of the most ornate designs that anyone will appreciate, regardless of their musical tastes.

A couple of examples of unique items to see include a banjo head that President Roosevelt signed in 1933 and Frederick Bacon's personal scrapbook. The instructional materials and print music are among some of the oldest in circulation, dating back to the late 1800s. An interpretive exhibit spanning eight minutes, "America's Instrument", is one of many exhibitions that detail how the instrument has evolved since the 1600s.

Bricktown Brewery offers craft brews and delicious foods. The craft beers that visitors enjoy are brewed in vats on-site. One of the things that visitors enjoy is being able to see the brewers at work. The beers are only one part of what makes a dining experience here great.

One of the key restaurant features is a selection of shareable plates that include Hatch green chile quesadilla and Bavarian pretzel strips with white queso. The restaurant has a signature burger menu, including varieties like Drunken Onion and Breakfast Burger. Handcrafted sandwiches are available that have a gluten-free bun option.

Eight types of pizza are available, as well as five types of salad and three types of soup. Plates that include favorites like chicken pot pie, meatloaf, and fish and chips are also popular choices. Don't forget to try one of the desserts, with choices including brownies, root beer floats, and apple crisp.

The Bricktown Canal is one of the most popular locations in the downtown area. Green areas and water canals come together with a collection of businesses that give the area a unique character. There are over 45 retailers, restaurants, and bars that visitors can enjoy in this area.

Some of the amazing restaurants and bars to consider checking out include Abuelo's Mexican Restaurant, Bourbon Street Cafe, Earl's Rib Place, Mickey Mantle's Steakhouse, and Zio's Italian Kitchen. Stores that visitors might enjoy browsing through include Bricktown Candy Co., Painted Door Gift Boutique, and Terpinz 24 Hour Dispensary.

There are several attractions worth visiting in this area, including the Exhibit C Gallery and the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame. Take a ride using Bright Star Carriages for a trip with a more romantic feel. You can also hop on board the Bricktown Water Taxi to get to and from the various attractions in this district.