City Guide MUST DO & MUST SEE IN OKLAHOMA CITY
50 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT OKC THE CITY’S TOP DISTRICTS
WELCOME TO OKLAHOMA CITY! It is my pleasure to present to you 405 Magazine’s 2021 City Guide for Oklahoma City and surrounding areas. Sage Sotheby’s International Realty is proud to call this wonderful city home. Oklahoma City was founded by optimists—people who risked everything to find a new, hopeful opportunity. That spirit persists today as we see new development, investment, and opportunity throughout the Oklahoma City metro area. This historically overlooked town is now a jewel of culture, adventure, business, food, and entertainment that has attracted people from throughout the country who now call it home. Sage Sotheby’s International Realty has the privilege of helping many of those who move to or from Oklahoma. As a locally owned and operated affiliate of the Sotheby’s International Realty network, our agents are equipped to assist in those transitions locally and around the world. You will not find a cadre of more professional real estate advisors anywhere in this state. Our market is broad and competitive. Whether’s it’s urban historic or suburban new construction, homes are selling quicker than they’re coming on the market. Every price point is more competitive than it has been in many years. Whether you’re buying or selling, you’ll want the experience and professionalism we provide to help you navigate this thrilling process. We would be honored to show you why there’s only Sage Sotheby’s International Realty.
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INTRODUCTION
klahoma City was for years viewed very much like the white crayon in the box of 64: Sure, it’s there, but what are we supposed to do with it? A small city – comparatively speaking – on the southern edge of the Great Plains, famous mostly for a land run that happened in the 19th century; not the best foot forward in terms of national reputation. The Oklahoma Sooners have been the reference point for many people, not the capital city in the center of the state. And we weren’t even the first capitol; that honor belonged to Guthrie, and that’s a great story in its own right.
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Things changed with the bombing of the Murrah Federal Building in 1995. Suddenly, people were talking about our city, but it was through the lens of tragedy. Sam Anderson, the author of what is likely the greatest history of Oklahoma City ever written, Boomtown, said it’s possible to draw a line historically from the bombing to the Thunder, the NBA franchise that changed the narrative about Oklahoma City. He’s right, but locals know we’ve always been more complicated than people realized: diverse, friendly, sprawling, subject to the whims of weather, and filled with an attitude of “less talk, more work” to get things done. 405MAGAZINE.COM
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Oklahomans pride ourselves on giving and assisting, serving and honoring. So much so that there’s a name for our generosity.
OklahomaStandard.com
SHOW UP TO SERVE.
RISE UP TO HONOR.
STEP UP TO BE KIND.
Born of the overwhelming community outpouring of support in response to the OKC bombing in 1995, the Oklahoma Standard is an initiative celebrating a culture of caring citizens. Preserved and promoted by the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, the effort encourages acts of SERVICE, HONOR and KINDNESS.
MemorialMuseum.com.
Located in historic Nichols Hills Plaza in Northwest Oklahoma City
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Features 13 A FIELD GUIDE TO OKC 50 OKC-centric things you must do or see 23 HIP ‘HOODS An insider’s look at Oklahoma City’s dining, entertainment and shopping districts
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41 HOW TO BECOME AN ARTS PATRON OKC’s arts scene is thriving. Here’s how to see and experience the city’s rich visual and performing arts 46 GETTING OUT Four ways to get local with outdoor experiences 55 WHERE TO LIVE Explore OKC’s best-known neighborhoods and their associated schools
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O N T H E C OV E R A sunset view of downtown Oklahoma City by photographer Andrew G.
65 BEING OKIE A newcomer’s guide to the peculiarities of this red-dirt state 71 A HEALTHY OUTLOOK OKC has four major health systems. Here’s a look at what they offer
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CIT Y GUIDE 2021
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OKC’S TOP 50 A N I N S I D E R ’ S G U I D E T O T H E B I G F R I E N D LY BY GREG HORTON
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OKC”S TOP 50
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t’s an accepted fact in every city that some areas and attractions are for visitors, mostly, but locals have their own haunts, destinations and habits that mark them as locals. Whether it’s a
love for iconic dishes, neighborhood bars, places to play or public art, every city has a network of spaces along well-worn paths that locals have decided is the quintessential stuff of being local. Oklahoma City is a sprawling place, with wheat fields, green spaces and lakes extending the limits of our city, but the experience of these utterly OKC encounters is worth the drive. We believe that these will also become the places and experiences you’ll share with out-of-town friends and family when they come for a visit, so they’ll know you’re now part of the fabric of what makes us Oklahoma City.
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The Oklahoma City National Memorial. Our history didn’t always begin here, but it does now. The outdoor memorial is open 24/7, and the space is designed to be experienced at all times of day, so if you live here, you know a snowy night is often the best time to roam the grounds.
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The Myriad Botanical Gardens are a 17-acre escape from the city in the middle of the city, complete with a sunken pond, ducks, geese, bunnies, flowers, hundreds of species of plants, a network of paths, a children’s play area and more than enough moments of Zen for denizens of downtown.
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Dinosaurs abound at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History – skeletons, of course – but the museum on the campus of the University of Oklahoma is one of the best deep dives into science in the area.
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Breakfast, lunch or dinner at Cattlemen’s Steakhouse is always a solid and nostalgic choice. The restaurant has been around for more than 100 years, and you’re sort of obligated to try the lamb fries if you wish to insist you’re a local.
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Stop by Plaza Walls in the Plaza District to see a diverse collection of street murals by established and emerging muralists on a series of walls longer than a football field.
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One of the best additions to OKC in recent years is the Mat Hoffman Action Sports Park along the Oklahoma River. No need to skateboard on public buildings or the steps at school; this park has everything the serious skater needs.
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Enjoy photographic examples of OKC history and see some amazing local art when you explore our network of tunnels downtown. There are several points of entry and exit, with Leadership Square providing the central hub and easiest access points.
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The Women’s College World Series is in Oklahoma City
every year, and if you never knew how exciting women’s sports can be, you’ll want to join your neighbors at these Division I college softball championships, where you’ll also meet fans from all over the country.
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Special occasion dinners or after-work cocktails are better with a view, and you can’t beat the view from Vast, our top-of-the-city restaurant on the 49th floor of the Devon Tower.
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CIT Y GUIDE 2021
COURTESY OF DOWNTOWN OKC
Shopping for antiques? You’ll find your way to Western Avenue District eventually, but before you do, go to Dead People’s Stuff, if only just to say you’ve been to a place called Dead People’s Stuff.
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Kayak the Oklahoma River – or stand-up paddle board – and make your way west to Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge alongside Lake Overholser. Critters, sunsets and exercise … checks all the boxes. The Oklahoma City Zoo has expanded and improved in recent years to become an animal-friendly environment where the habitats are more conducive to the health and happiness of the “residents.” The paths are set up so visitors can meander through walkways and “houses” for the best experience.
MEMORIAL: MATT PAYNE, DRINKS: LEXI HOEBING
The list of things to do at Scissortail park is too long for a section like this. Just know it’ll be part of your farmers market, water park, outdoor concert rotation.
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The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. Just typing it leaves us
tired. If this is your kind of thing, just know that ours is one of the best and biggest in the country, and if you don’t run, they can always use volunteers.
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If fashion and high-end clothiers are a passion, Nichols Hills Plaza will be your new favorite place.
Tower Theatre isn’t just a super cool,
historic building with an awesome neon sign; it’s the heart of Uptown 23rd, home to Ponyboy’s delicious cocktails, and a venue for some of the country’s best musical acts. The first Friday of every month is the Paseo Arts District’s art walk. See dozens of local artists in their galleries, buy art, speak with the artists, find drink and dining specials at the local eateries and enjoy this beautiful district that’s been kept hyper-local throughout its life.
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For the nerdy kid in all of us: Science Museum Oklahoma is an over-thetop fun, interactive, hands-on dive into science that’s designed for kids of all ages – and we mean, all ages.
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When people leave Oklahoma City, they miss many things, but tacos are always at the top of the list. Why? Because the variety of authentic tacos (and other Mexican food) on SW 29th and SW 44th includes styles from Oaxaca, Sonora, Jalisco, Michoacan and Aguascalientes. We may have missed a couple.
Boomer Sooner or Pistols Firing? Saturdays in the fall mean tailgating in Norman and Stillwater. We won’t insist you pick a team, and if you wear the right color, someone is going to give you a celebratory bratwurst and beer.
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The burger at Bar Arbolada isn’t even a well-kept secret anymore. Taste one and you’ll know why everyone is talking about it.
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The best four-seat bar in OKC is Barkeep, and locals also know it’s the place to shop for home bar supplies and/or classes on how to make your favorite or future favorite cocktails. 405MAGAZINE.COM
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OKC”S TOP 50
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Take a friend with you to Cheever’s for one of the city’s most popular dishes: chicken-fried steak with jalapeno cream gravy. It’s food for at least two, and chicken-fried steak is the state bird, or something like that.
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The other state dish that involves gravy is biscuits and gravy. Pretty sure this came out of the Dust Bowl or the Depression (or both), but you can find them all over town, including McClintock’s Steak & Chop House, Stella Modern Italian (brunch), and Neighborhood Jam.
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For day drinking – it’s not for everyone – the best local spot is R & J Lounge and Supper Club. The ‘70s vibe and dim lighting help you feel tucked in, and some of the city’s best bartenders can mix up classic and craft cocktails with equal panache.
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Yes, we have a soccer (football) club, the Oklahoma City Energy FC. Join the fun at Taft Stadium, or at the unofficial watch headquarters: Skinny Slim’s in Bricktown.
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Public courses are easy to find around the metro, but wind-free days are not, so prepare to deal with new challenges to your golf game. The courses at Earlywine, Lake Hefner, Lincoln, Trosper and James E. Stewart offer golf for all levels of ability.
33 The three-story Dale Chihuly glass sculpture that greets guests to the OKC Museum of Art is the perfect introduction to the OKCMOA’s diverse, beautiful and informative collection. Experience installations, films, the permanent collection, events and even cocktails on the rooftop with a beautiful view of downtown.
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The metro is home to 71 miles of interconnected bike trails, so if you’re a bike commuter or enthusiast, you’ll have room to roam and explore.
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Spring is Festival of the Arts downtown and Labor Day weekend brings us the Paseo Arts Festival, two of the city’s best and biggest art, music and food festivals. 16
CIT Y GUIDE 2021
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Travis Clark has won more barbecue world championships than any other living human. Find out why at Clark Crew Barbecue, but make sure you get the beans and burnt ends.
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Choose your favorite way of following the Oklahoma City Thunder, the NBA franchise that made OKC a “major league city.” Bars and restaurants in Bricktown and the Central Business District are popular choices – Mahogany, Mickey Mantle’s, Flint, OKC Tap House – and given that we’re going through a rebuild, tickets are easy to come by, for now.
destination: music venue, cocktail bars up and downstairs, and a brunch hotspot. The expansive patio is covered in winter, so it’s a year-round destination in Film Row.
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Climb the wall at Summit Climbing Gym, and meet friends that will show you where the best spots are around the state.
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Want to learn your way around downtown? Jump on the streetcar and enjoy the casual cruise around four downtown districts: Automobile Alley, Bricktown, Central Business District and Midtown.
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Okies love their catfish, and you can find plenty of the fried variety around the city, from Brielle’s Bistro in Midwest City to Jamil’s Steakhouse, or go upscale casual with “Okie scallops” at The Hamilton Supperette and Lounge.
LEXI HOEBING
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The Jones Assembly is a popular hybrid
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Explore Urban Agrarian, bargain shopping, yoga, a plant nursery and some of the city’s best cocktails at Palo Santo (get the burger, too) in what locals are starting to call the Farmer’s Market District .
Thanks to our thriving Asian community, OKC is home to one of the country’s largest Asian Districts. Stop by Pho Lien Hoa for pho, Szechuan Story for dumplings, Lee’s for Vietnamese coffee, Lido for clay-pot pork or Northern Noodle House for beef noodles.
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Performing arts at the Civic Center Music Hall revolve around two of our crown jewels: The Oklahoma City Philharmonic – with classics and pops shows – and the Oklahoma City Ballet. You’ll want to catch them working together every holiday season at “The Nutcracker.”
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Prime steakhouses are one of our city’s most popular fine dining choices, and Boulevard Steakhouse in Edmond is an excellent starting point. Family-owned and -operated, the personal touch is impossible to miss.
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Want to dig into the city from a perfect perch? Take a Ride OKC bike tour with a group of friends, or meet new friends on the tour. It’s an excellent way to see our city’s public art, too.
There is no such thing as a meta-donut, but if there were, it would be the sour cream old fashioned at Brown’s Bakery. They’ve only been making it for about 75 years.
The contemporary art scene is beautifully displayed (inside and out) at Oklahoma Contemporary, a gallery and community space dedicated to interaction, conversation and art education. Don’t skip a meal at Café Contemporary, and definitely get a cookie. Speaking of cookies, the salted chocolate chip cookie at Elemental Coffee would be our entry for the Cookie Super Bowl.
Live on the Plaza is the Plaza
District’s second Friday of the month festival of arts, music, food and more kinds of fun than we can list. Don’t leave without a slice of Empire Pizza and a slice from Pie Junkie.
Summer sports are slow in a football-basketball state, but OKC has the Dodgers, and the beautiful Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark is a beautiful setting for home games.
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Red Earth Parade and Fall Fest
begins in October 2021 at Myriad Gardens. The new celebration will honor Oklahoma’s Native roots and create space for displays of Native arts and dancing.
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CONTEMPORARY: COURTESY OF OKLAHOMA CONTEMPORARY, BAR ARBOLADA
Explore African American contributions to OKC on the city’s northeast side and in Deep Deuce, once home to the city’s jazz scene. Florence’s Restaurant has been serving up soul food and country comfort for nearly 70 years, and Chef Andrew Black’s Grey Sweater is the pinnacle of fine dining in the metro.
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For the wine lovers, you’ll want to become acquainted with The Metro Wine Bar & Bistro, The Study, Bar Arbolada and En Croute. For your regular shopping, it’s Edmond Wine Shop, Spirit Shop in Norman, George’s downtown and Freeman’s along Western Avenue.
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At some point, we all pick a favorite local brewery, and our Ale Trail map will help you navigate the choices.
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OKC”S TOP 50
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Ale Trail
EDMOND 18
01 405 Brewing Company 405brewing.com
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02 Angry Scotsman Brewing angryscotbrew.com
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03 Anthem Brewing anthembrewing.com 44
04 Beer is Good Brewing Co. bigbrew.co
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07 35
05 The Big Friendly thebigfriendly.com
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06 Black Mesa Brewing blackmesabrewing.com
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11 21 12 20 22 17 09 03 15 02 05
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07 Broke Brewing Co. broke.beer 08
08 COOP Ale Works coopaleworks.com 240
09 Core4 Brewing core4brewing.com 10 Crossed Cannons Brewery crossedcannonsbrewery.square.site
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11 Elk Valley Brewing elkvalleybrew.com 35
12 Fair-Weather Friend Brewing 13 Frenzy Brewing frenzybrewing.com
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14 Lazy Circles Brewing lazycirclesbrewing.com
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NORMAN 15 Lively Beerworks livelybeerworks.com
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16 Majestic Beast Brewing Co. majesticbeastbrewing.com
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17 Prairie Artisan Ales prairieales.com
20 Stonecloud Brewing stonecloudbrewing.com
18 Roughtail Brewing roughtailbeer.com
21 Twisted Spike Brewing twistedspike.com
19 Skydance Brewing (opens June 2021) skydancebrewing.com
22 Vanessa House Beer Co. vanessahousebeer.com
CIT Y GUIDE 2021
www.beerhopokc.com
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DISTRICTS & DESTINATIONS
The Districts are a convenient way that locals understand the layout of Oklahoma City. Many of them are centered in historic areas or neighborhoods, and tend to be destinations for dining, drinking, shopping and play. For the sake of the guide, we’ve divided the city into actual districts – those that are part of the city’s urban improvements of the past 25 years – and areas of the city that locals talk about as distinct districts – Southside, NE, etc.
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D I S T R I C T S & D E S T I N AT I O N S Lights on Broadway
Plenty Mercantile
Automobile Alley
D I N I N G : Iguana Mexican Grill, Red PrimeSteak, Yuzo Sushi S H O P P I N G : Plenty Mercantile, Siempre Viva, Shop Good, Urbane P L AY: Factory Obscura’s Mix-Tape immersive experience M U S T- D O : Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center 24
CIT Y GUIDE 2021
COURTESY OF DOWNTOWN OKC
OW I N G T O I T S 1920s origins, Automobile Alley is brimming with brick warehouses and shops that were once home to Oklahoma City’s automobile dealerships. Revitalized and reimagined, it now is a destination for trendy shops, eateries and coffee houses. For those wishing to spend their dollars on ethical and sustainable goods, the area provides many independent store options including Shop Good, Plenty Mercantile or Siempre Viva. Trendy restaurants and coffee shops also add to the appeal of the area. Grab an expertly brewed coffee at Coffee Slingers or a perfect steak at Red PrimeSteak.
Paseo Arts District T H E PA S E O A R T S D I S T R I C T was built in 1929 as a shopping district, but by the 1970s the neighborhood had morphed into a haven for the arts. Now, with nearly two dozen working gallery-studios, it’s home to the work of nearly 50 local, professional artists, and at night it’s one of the city’s dining and drinking hotspots. An annual arts festival on Labor Day Weekend attracts thousands of attendees. E AT: Goro Ramen + Izakaya, Frida, Burger Punk, The Mayan, Paseo Grill P L AY: Take a pottery class at Paseo Pottery S H O P : Betsy King’s stylish shoe boutique M U S T D O : First Friday art walk
Artist studios line Paseo
PASEO: RACHEL WATERS, PASEO ARTS FESTIVAL: 405 MAGAZINE ARCHIVES, BURGER PUNK COURTESY OF 84 HOSPITALITY
Festivals and food make the Paseo a destination year round
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D I S T R I C T S & D E S T I N AT I O N S
Downtown D OW N T OW N O K L A H O M A C I T Y is composed of overlapping districts surrounding the Central Business District, which is what locals really mean when they say “downtown.” The Devon Tower is the easy-to-spot landmark that marks the heart of the CBD, and within a couple of blocks, you can find restaurants, bars, shopping and key attractions, including the OKC National Memorial, OKC Museum of Art and historic hotels like the Colcord and Skirvin. E AT: Vast, Mahogany Prime Steakhouse, Bob’s Steak and Chop House, Kitchen 324 P L AY: Myriad Botanical Gardens. Seventeen acres of green space in the heart of the city S H O P : BC Clark Jewelers M U S T D O : A self-guided tour of the city’s warren of underground tunnels
RIGHT: Devon Tower and the historic Colcord hotel BELOW: Rack of lamb at Vast
VAST: 405 MAGAZINE ARCHIVES, DOWNTOWN: MATT PAYNE, MYRIAD GARDENS: 405 MAGAZINE ARCHIVES
RIGHT BELOW: Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory spans the sunken pond in Myriad Gardens
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CIT Y GUIDE 2021
Midtown Plaza’s iconic neon
Midtown M I D T OW N I S T H E northernmost downtown district before hitting the residential neighborhoods. It’s home to the Ambassador Hotel, with its top-floor bar and rooftop patio OBar, and a network of boutiques like Black Scintilla, Mode and Nhu Avenue. Known for its walkability, it’s a favorite destination for locals. The area is also justifiably popular because of the variety of dining options: Brazilian, Korean, brunch, tacos, Italian, casual fine dining and pub food.
MIDTOWN: GERSON REPREZA, CHIRPS & CHEERS: COURTESTY OF DOWNTOWN OKC
E AT: Ludivine, Café do Brasil, 1492, Neighborhood Jam, Stella, Hacienda Tacos P L AY: Dust Bowl Lanes and Lounge is an old-school bowling alley with all the modern conveniences, including an excellent Germanstyle public house upstairs S H O P : Barkeep Supply lets you shop while you drink or drink while you shop M U S T D O : A cocktail on OBar’s rooftop patio for the stunning view of downtown
Chirps & Cheers
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D I S T R I C T S & D E S T I N AT I O N S
21C, Jones and Stitch make one of the city’s best dining and drinking clusters
Pancakes at Aurora
E AT: The Mule, Aurora, Empire Slice House S H O P : DNA Galleries, Bad Granny’s Bazaar P L AY: Paint N’ Cheers, OKC Improv, Plaza District Festival M U S T- D O : Live! On the Plaza monthly art walk 28
CIT Y GUIDE 2021
405 MAGAZINE ARCHIVES
N E S T L E D O N N W 16 T H Street between the Gatewood Historic District on the north and Classen Ten Penn Neighborhood on the south, the Plaza District is a commercial district with a Bohemian vibe. It offers art and entertainment including a rotating mural display, and the OKC Improv troupe, Lyric Theatre and Plaza District Festival are among the litany of things to see. While you’re there, be sure to grab a slice of pie – early, because they run out quickly – from Pie Junkie and chicken sandwich from Tori Tori! Fried Chicken.
STITCH: LEXI HOEBING, 405 MAGAZINE ARCHIVES
Plaza District
Film Row H I S T O R I C F I L M R OW District starting on Sheridan Ave., previously known for its movie distribution offices and theatres for Hollywood in the 1930s, is now a creative hub for a number of burgeoning businesses and artistic venues. The area features the prominent Art Deco and Commercial style architecture of the time, now housing places like the 21c Museum Hotel, Caeli’s Sweets, Eats and Bar, the Steven Adams Thunder mural and more. Locally owned businesses and an easily walkable area makes this district a destination place for all. E AT: Jones Assembly, Stitch Cafe, Joey’s Pizza S H O P : The Okay See, locally designed and personalized shops P L AY: Arcade games at the Flashback RetroPub M U S T- D O : Sip wine at The Study
Cattlemen's Steakhouse has been in operation for 100 years
Stockyards City T H E O K L A H O M A N AT I O N A L Stockyards Company began operating as a public livestock market in October 1910. By 1950, it had emerged as a major market for stocker and feeder cattle. Now, it is the largest stocker and feeder cattle market in the world. Live cattle auctions take place each Monday and Tuesday and are open to the public. Much of the original business district remains, retaining its rugged, Western feel, but retail operations have grown with the district to attract ranchers as well as urbanites who love all things Western. For those who wish to outfit an entire cattle operation or those who just want a pair of well-made boots and a perfect steak, a day in Stockyards City is just the ticket.
CATTLEMENS: DON RISI, STOCKYARDS: 405 MAGAZINE ARCHIVES
E AT: Cattlemen’s Steakhouse, Los Comales taqueria, McClintock’s Saloon and Chop House P L AY: Cattle auction at the Stockyards or a visit to the Rattlesnake Museum S H O P : Grab a pearl snap shirt at Langston’s Western Wear or order custom apparel at Little Joe’s Boots and Shorty’s Caboy Hattery M U S T D O : Annual Stockyards Stampede festival
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D I S T R I C T S & D E S T I N AT I O N S
Uptown 23rd A L O N G R O U T E 6 6 , Uptown 23rd District is a destination station for food, fun and tourism with notable landmarks like the Golden Dome, Oklahoma City University’s gothic towers and many others. Locally owned businesses, shops and entertainment stretch from Broadway to Pennsylvania on NW 23rd Street, leaving little room for routine complacency. Amid the twinkling venue lights and bright pastels, this area is ideal for thrillseekers and those looking for a sophisticated night out.
ABOVE: Tacos all day at Big Truck Tacos RIGHT: Open Streets OKC
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405 MAGAZINE ARCHIVES
E AT: Big Truck Tacos, Cheever’s Café, Guyutes, Pizzeria Gusto P L AY: Ponyboy S H O P : 23rd Street Antique Mall M U S T- D O : Live show at Tower Theatre
Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, home of the OKC Dodgers
DODGERS: 405 MAGAZINE ARCHIVES, DINING & BRICKTOWN: COURTESTY OF DOWNTOWN OKC
Bricktown P E R H A P S O K L A H O M A C I T Y ’ S best known entertainment district, Bricktown sits just east of the downtown central business district. It is a perfect playground for visitors and residents alike with more than 45 restaurants, public art, retail shops and family-friendly attractions. By day, patrons of Bricktown can enjoy mini-golf or laser tag at Brickopolis, take a water taxi on the canal that runs through the district or shop at one of the many retail locations. At night, the streets come alive with concerts, shows and Oklahoma City Dodgers baseball games – and there are plenty of watering holes for libations afterward. D I N I N G : The Mantel Wine Bar & Bistro, Mickey Mantle’s Steakhouse S H O P P I N G : Painted Door Gift Boutique, Bass Pro P L AY: Brickopolis, Oklahoma City Dodgers baseball M U S T- D O : Bricktown Canal water taxi tour
Bricktown Canal is a growing entertainment destination
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D I S T R I C T S & D E S T I N AT I O N S
LEFT: Beef noodle soup at Szechuan Story BELOW: Gateway to the Asian District
W H E N T H O U S A N D S O F Vietnamese refugees immigrated to Oklahoma City after the fall of Saigon in 1975, the community gathered east of Classen Boulevard between NW 23rd and NW 30th Streets. Now designated as the Asian District, it is a bustling neighborhood filled with of restaurants, nightclubs, supermarkets, retail boutiques and much more. With the giant Braum’s Milk Bottle (a longtime Route 66 attraction) as the district’s unofficial entrance, this district offers travelers, residents and OKC’s large Asian community a variety of opportunities not otherwise available, including a visit to the Brothers in Arms Vietnam Memorial, enjoying a one-of-a-kind sub at Someplace Else A Deli & Bakery, browsing authentic Vietnamese and Asian foods at the Super Cao Nguyen and many others. E AT: Cafe Antigua, Red Cup, Pho Ca Dao, Pho Cuong, Szechuan Story S H O P : Looking for atypical antiquities and the unconventional at Craig’s Curious Emporium P L AY: Selfies at the Milk Bottle at 2426 N Classen Boulevard M U S T- D O : Take a Pho tour through the district 32
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Red Cup is a mecca for local vegans
SZECHUAN STORY: LEXI HOEBING, ASIAN DISTRICT SIGN & RED CUP: REGAN SHORTER
Asian District
The historic Will Rogers Theater
Western Avenue O N E O F O K L A H O M A C I T Y ’ S oldest districts, Western Avenue stretches from art deco-inspired 36th Street to Wilshire Boulevard and the upscale Nichols Hills area. The area is home to more than 60 boutiques, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, event spaces and services. Grab lunch at The Metro, a star in Oklahoma City’s dining scene, followed by shopping at the many exclusive boutiques or a deep dive into nostalgia with a trip to Guestroom Records for vintage vinyl or a straight-edged shave at Weldon Jack.
WILL ROGERS: 405 MAGAZINE ARCHIVES, OSTERIA: RACHEL MAUCIERI, OBJETS TROUVÉS: LEXI HOEBING
D I N I N G : The Metro, Osteria, The Hutch on Avondale, Sushi Neko S H O P P I N G : CK& Co., Gretta Sloane, Objets Trouvés, Anthropologie P L AY: Live music at 51st Street Speakeasy, shuffleboard at Cock O’ the Walk, target practice at Wilshire Gun M U S T- D O : Cooking class at The Tasting Room
Chef Fabio Viviani’s Osteria
Western Ave is known for its antique shops and home decor boutiques
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D I S T R I C T S & D E S T I N AT I O N S
Ganache Patisserie is a traditional French bakery with a modern twist
Memorial Road AT T H E N O R T H E R N E D G E of OKC proper is W. Memorial Ave., which, while not a proper district, has become a busy dining and shopping district for a three-mile stretch from Western Ave. to Portland Ave. The stretch includes TopGolf, Chisholm Creek, Quail Springs Mall and dozens of local and chain restaurants, as well as abundant big box retail. One mile south of Memorial on May is Northpark Mall, which is quickly becoming a self-contained local shopping and dining destination. E AT: The Hamilton, Nunu’s Mediterranean, Masa Ramen, Szechuan Bistro, Tsubaki Sushi P L AY: Martin Park Nature Center is a mecca for birdwatchers, hikers and fans of just getting away from the city’s busy-ness S H O P : Chisholm Creek is OKC’s newest shopping district with tons of excellent options, most notably Ganache Patisserie M U S T D O : Happy Hour at The Hamilton
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N O R T H E A S T O KC I S home to the Innovation District and Deep Deuce, the city’s historically Black neighborhood and jazz district. Recent community investments have created the Page-Woodson area, with its repurposing of an abandoned high school into beautiful new apartments, and EastPoint, a new shopping center-entertainment cluster at NE 23rd and Rhode Island. It’s also where you find an abundance of Black-owned businesses, soul food eateries, cocktail bars, including the beautiful new Kindred Spirits, and the city’s best fine dining option, Grey Sweater. E AT: Florence’s Restaurant, Grey Sweater, Black Walnut, Carican Flavors, Geronimo’s P L AY: Catch live music at Kindred Spirits, a cocktail lounge and venue at EastPoint S H O P : Flower and Flour in Deep Deuce for coffee, baked goods and floral arrangements MUST DO: Dinner at Grey Sweater is the pinnacle of dining in OKC
GREY SWEATER: LEXI HOEBING, FLORENCE'S: RACHEL MAUCIERI
GANACHE: 405 MAGAZINE ARCHIVES, CHISHOLM CREEK: COURTESY OF CHISHOLM CREEK
Chisholm Creek is the city’s newest shopping, dining and entertainment destination
Northeast OKC
South OKC S O U T H O KC I S really more residential areas broken up by small clusters of restaurants, bars and businesses. Rather than a network of districts, it’s designed more like suburbs, and it’s home to colleges, big box retail, Tinker AFB families, large neighborhoods and core industries. Tucked into that huge area are two emerging districts: Capitol Hill and SW29th (La Veintinueve). If you want real Mexican food, that’s where you go. E AT: Tacos San Pedro, Yaqui’s, Sunnyside Diner, Thai Street Eats, Cornish Smokehouse P L AY: Earlywine Park features an aquatic center, soccer fields, a golf course, tennis courts and running-biking trails S H O P : OKC Outlets M U S T D O : A taco tour of SW 29th – pick three taquerias and enjoy the options
ABOVE: OKC Outlets BELOW: Dozens of authentic taquerias dot the city’s southwest side
Florence has been serving up soul food for nearly 70 years
OUTLETS: COURTESY OF OKC OUTLETS, TACOS: 405 MAGAZINE ARCHIVES
Grey Sweater is OKC’s premier tasting-menu restaurant
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D I S T R I C T S & D E S T I N AT I O N S
Pops has a famous neon presence on Route 66
downtown Edmond
Edmond S I T UAT E D O N O K L A H O M A City’s northeast border, Edmond is a haven for familyfriendly activities, dining and entertainment. Two universities are located in Edmond – University of Central Oklahoma and Oklahoma Christian – offering opportunities for art, music and learning. The UCO Jazz Lab is a New Orleans-style jazz club featuring nationally known musicians as well as university music students. Edmond also is home the 1,820-acre Arcadia Lake providing camping, fishing, swimming, water skiing, and hiking, biking and equestrian trails. Dining options abound with an array of fine dining, casual and trendy available. Kids will find no shortage of sports to play. Edmond leagues cover everything from soccer and lacrosse to volleyball, football, even hockey. For an authentic Edmond experience, explore historic downtown’s trendy boutiques followed by coffee at one of its popular coffee shops or sampling food from the Edmond Railyard dining district. D I N I N G : Signature Grill, Boulevard Steakhouse, Pops, Flatire Burgers, Sparrow Modern Italian S H O P P I N G : Allton’s, Best of Books, Habit P L AY: Arcadia Lake, Frontier City amusement park, Lazy E Arena M U S T- D O : Heard on Hurd street festival
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SIGNATURE GRILL: 405 MAGAZINE ARCHIVES, EDMOND STREET: MATT PAYNE, POPS: SCOTT MCDONALD, HEDRICH BLESSING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Signature Grill
We love our Sooners!
SOONERS: ALEX BATCHELOR, SCRATCH: MIRANDA HODGE, CAYMEN'S: COURTESY OF CAYMEN'S
Norman H O M E T O T H E U N I V E R S I T Y of Oklahoma and its Big 12 Conference football team, the Sooners, Norman is a destination for thriving culture and history. Founded in 1891 by land surveyor Abner E. Norman, this college town embodies the notion of community with noteworthy events such as the Norman Art Walk, the Norman Music Festival and the Medieval Fair in the spring, bringing thousands of people from across the state. E AT: The Mont, Benvenuti’s, Scratch Kitchen and Cocktails, Blackbird P L AY: Lake Thunderbird, Sam Noble natural history Museum, The Depot S H O P : Campus Corner, Main Street District, Cayman’s M U S T- D O : Attend a Sooner football game
Scratch Kitchen and Cocktails is Norman for the grownups
Cayman’s is a designer boutique for women’s clothing, shoes and accessories 405MAGAZINE.COM
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Conveniently located on the NE Corner of Bryant & 15th in Edmond
springcreekplaza.com
Francesca’s Boardroom Salon for Men
405.359.7576 francescas.com
J. Jill
405.531.9020 locations.jjill.com
405.531.9320 boardroomsalon.com
Founded in 2004, Boardroom Salon for Men is The Authority in Men’s Grooming™. They cater to men who are looking for an elevated barbershop experience.
Jos. A Bank 405.844.6530 josbank.com
Loft
Chico’s
405.341.5572 stores.loft.com
405.844.6414 stores.chicos.com
Fuzzy’s Taco Shop 405.562.4800 fuzzystacoshop.com
Originating in Fort Worth, a glorious vision of taco heaven took hold in 2003: It would have frosty drinks, good vibes, and be the kind of place that you never want to leave. It would be a huge, craving-inducing success.
European Wax Center 405.285.5088 locations.waxcenter.com
At Fuzzy’s Taco Shop the Baja tacos, Chips & Guac, and frozen margaritas are always within reach.
New Balance
405.216.9142 newbalanceedmondstore.com
Nichols Hills Cleaners 405.341.5199 nicholshillscleaners.com
Nichols Hills Cleaners has the latest in modern equipment, and their processes are environmentally friendly. They offer dry cleaning, laundry, and disaster restoration, as well as a delivery and pickup services.
FEEL SAFE, SHOP HAPPY
Shop Confidently at Spring Creek Plaza Voted Edmond’s Best Shopping Center 12 Years in a Row
Spring Creek Salon & Spa
Optique Vision Center
405.216.9200 springcreekspa.com
405.715.3937 optiquevisioncenter.com
Optique is a premier optometric practice specializing in both medical and refractive eye care. Their optical boutique provides exceptional service with the finest quality eyewear. Browsing is encouraged and they happily fill outside prescriptions.
Panera Bread
405.844.5525 locations.panerabread.com
Soma Intimates 405.340.1811 stores.soma.com
Escape the real world and indulge in theirs. At the Spring Creek Salon & Spa you will find impeccable service, unrivaled expertise and an atmosphere of incredible elegance and tranquility.
Plenty Mercantile 405.888.7470 plentymercantile.com
This shop is a champion of sustainability and hospitality by mindfully sourcing refined goods and fostering memorable gatherings. They use responsible design to deepen their connection to the environment and to each other. They close the gap in the Oklahoma City marketplace for thoughtfully-made, cost-effective lifestyle goods and gifts, all in one place.
Talbots
405.715.1900 talbots.com
White House Black Market
405.340.1466 whitehouseblackmarket.com
ARTS Being an OKC Arts Patron
COURTESY OF DOWNTOWN OKC
How to experience the city’s rich visual and performing arts.
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ARTS
A Feast for the Senses OKC’s rich visual and performing arts BY GREG HORTON
he Civic Center Music Hall, built in 1937 and called the Municipal Auditorium, underwent a major renovation in 1997 as one of the key projects under MAPS 1 (Metropolitan Area Projects Plan). The goal was “to become one of the best acoustic halls in the United States.” Roughly 90 percent of the interior was remodeled at a cost of $45 million, a substantial investment in Oklahoma City as an arts community. Now home to performances by the Oklahoma City Ballet, Oklahoma City Philharmonic, OKC Broadway and Lyric Theatre, the beautiful art deco building in the heart of the Arts District is an anchor for performing arts. The facility has multiple theaters of varying sizes, a Hall of Mirrors for special events, and the lovely Bicentennial Park outside. Across the street is the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, with its stunning, three-story, Dale Chihuly glass sculpture in the entrance, and a permanent collection of Chihuly pieces. Built in 2002, the museum houses a permanent collection, including pieces by Kehinde Wiley, Georgia O’Keefe and Charles Wilson Peale. Visitors experience a diverse, multi-genre museum, featuring a European and U.S. collection, prints, sculpture, film and photography. The ground floor gallery is usually home to traveling installations, and the theater is the city’s favorite spot for art house films.
ABOVE: Oklahoma City Ballet is an international ensemble that presents four productions per season. BELOW: The Womb is home to Factory Obscura art collective.
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BALLET: KATE LUBER PHOTOGRAPHY, MIXTAPE: TODD CLARK
T
FINE A R T S ARTSPACE at Untitled. Laura Warriner is a pioneer and early champion of repurposing the old warehouse district downtown, and her art center is a combined gallery of modern art, an educational space and a venue for events.
DNA Galleries in the Plaza District is a retail space and gallery for emerging artists in the city. Many of OKC’s most popular local artists have started at DNA. ArtSpace at Untitled is a combined gallery of modern art, an education space and a venue for events.
Exhibit C Gallery is a Chickasaw-owned OKC Broadway is the organization that brings authentic Broadway performances to the Civic Center Music Hall. A partnership between the Civic Center Foundation and The Nederlander Organization, OKC Broadway has helped bring “Hamilton,” “The Lion King” and “Wicked,” among other shows, to Oklahoma City.
space in Bricktown that is both gallery and retail space for First American artwork and artisan works such as jewelry, pottery and clothing, all made by Native American artists.
Factory Obscura Mix-Tape is an immersive art experience in the popular NW 9th Street area just off Automobile Alley. Built and operated by local artists, the experience is modeled on New Mexico’s Meow Wolf.
The Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art on the campus of the University of Oklahoma is one of the finest university art museums in the country. The permanent collection features Native American art, French impressionism and art of the American Southwest.
Howell Gallery of Fine Art near Nichols Hills on N. Western Avenue has been featuring local, regional and nationally recognized artists since 1991. The gallery houses a broad cross-section of media, including painting, sculpture, glass, ceramic, etc.
ARTSPACE: RACHEL WATERS, LYRIC THEATER: K.O. RINEARSON
The Individual Artists of Oklahoma (IAO) gallery has moved to Dead People’s Stuff on Linwood Avenue just west of downtown. The space is host to performing arts, but its main purpose is as a gallery for some of the state’s best professional artists.
DNA Galleries showcases many local and emerging artists.
The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum goes by the name “Cowboy Hall of Fame” among locals, and while it is a hall of fame for professional cowboys, it’s also home to stunning artwork by Frederic Remington and Charles Russell, as well as important collections of Native American art and artifacts.
Oklahoma Contemporary ’s new $30 million home on the north end of Automobile Alley is itself a work of art, catching the morning and evening sun on its metal exterior. Contemporary art is displayed inside and out, and the space is designed to be an interactive, educational community. Café Contemporary inside the center is a popular downtown eatery, with vegan, vegetarian and omnivore options.
P E R F O R MIN G A R T S
The Oklahoma City Ballet , under the leadership of creative director Robert Mills, is an international ensemble of talented dancers and artists that typically stages four productions each season, including “The Nutcracker” during the holidays. Performances are at the Civic Center Music Hall.
The Oklahoma City Philharmonic, under the direction of Alexander Mickelthwate, performs at the Civic Center Music Hall – with special performances with varying ensembles around the city during special events. Founded in 1988, the Philharmonic delivers pop and classical performances every season.
Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park has been producing Shakespeare for modern audiences for more than 35 years. Launched in Edmond, its home is now the Water Stage at Myriad Botanical Gardens.
JRB at The Elms is the artistic hub of the Paseo Arts District, and is the creation of Joy Reed Belt, whose lifelong dedication to the Paseo has kept it one of the city’s most beloved hyper-local districts. The roster of artists includes established and emerging professionals, and the gallery always participates in First Friday Art Walk.
Lyric Theatre Company is the state’s best-known professional company, founded in 1963, and with performances at their home base in the Plaza District and larger shows at the Civic Center Music Hall. The company performs musical and dramatic acts, and they include programs for children every season.
Painted Sky Opera is a resident company of the Civic Center Music Hall. The professional opera company performs four productions each year, drawing on local talent and gifted students in Oklahoma City University’s stellar vocal performance program. 405MAGAZINE.COM
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DISCOVER
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GETTING OUT Outdoor Excursions with OKC Flavor
COURTESY OF SCISSORTAIL PARK
Get to know OKC through these four outdoor experiences.
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GETTING OUT
Getting Out Get to know OKC through these four outdoor experiences BY MELISSA MERCER HOWELL
KC is home to sprawling lakes, 80 miles of bicycling and walking trails, even surfing and white-water rafting. There’s no shortage of fresh air and sunshine to enjoy. But where to start? We’ve listed four must-do outdoor excursions that offer a peek into the diverse and authentic flavor of OKC.
O
Downtown OKC is host to two, rolling urban parks as well as the Oklahoma City National Memorial. Take a peaceful and reflective stroll through the Memorial’s Field of Empty Chairs, Reflecting Pool and Rescuers’ Orchard before heading south to the Myriad Botanical Gardens and Crystal Bridge. Named the Urban Land Institute’s Best Urban Open Space in 2016, the park features 17 acres of plant species, a kids’ area with carousel, a small lake, dining facilities and water features that simulate a gentle, Oklahoma thunderstorm in the summer, and become a haven for ice skaters during the winter months. At the heart of the Myriad Gardens is the Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory, where visitors may experience plant life from wet and dry tropical zones. The facility contains some 2,000 varieties of plants and a 35-foot waterfall. Continuing south across Reno Avenue, Scissortail Park is situated directly across from OKC’s new convention center and Omni Hotel. The green space spans 70 acres designed for outdoor recreation. The upper 40 acres, which opened in 2019, offers an outdoor roller-skating rink, dog park, numerous gardens, promenade, a boathouse providing pedal-boat, kayak and canoe rentals, the Scissortail Sprayground for summer cool-downs and an outdoor concert pavilion.
ABOVE: The Wheeler District is home to a nine-story Ferris wheel. BELOW: The Myriad Botanical Gardens features 2,000 varieties of tropical plants.
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FERRIS WHEEL: MATT PAYNE, MYRIAD GARDENS: SIMON HURST
DOWNTOWN
BELOW: Scissortail Park offers opportunities for social gatherings and concerts.
RIDE OKC: MATT PAYNE, SCISSORTAIL PARK: COURTESY OF SCISSORTAIL PARK
BELOW LEFT: Explore Downtown through its many bicycle routes.
The Scissortail Farmers Market held on Saturdays is a must for fresh veggies. Open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through October, the market features locally grown or produced edibles and crafts. The south 30 acres, set to open in 2021, is to be connected by the iconic Skydance Bridge, which spans Interstate 40. The bridge, inspired by the state bird the scissor-tailed flycatcher, extends 380 feet and is illuminated nightly by LED lights that are changed to reflect special occasions. The lower 30 acres of the park, set to open in 2021, will feature more gardens, walking trails and sports fields and will stretch to the banks of the Oklahoma River. If bicycling is more to your liking, take a Bikes + Brews Tour with Ride OKC and discover Downtown’s craft breweries. The tour takes about three hours and provides a behind-the-scenes look at five breweries – complete with samples – and explores downtown OKC’s districts, notable sites and history. If you’re not too woozy afterward, slide over to the Wheeler District south of the Oklahoma River for a ride on the Ferris wheel. 405MAGAZINE.COM
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GETTING OUT
Oklahoma City Zoo is home to 1,400 animal species.
Looking to spend time with family and take home some extra knowledge at the end of the day? The Adventure District is your ticket. Located in northeast Oklahoma City at the crossroads of I-35 and I-44, the Adventure District is home to some of the most outstanding tourist attractions in the state. The Oklahoma City Zoo and Science Museum Oklahoma complex offers entertainment for adults and kiddos alike. The Science Museum features more than eight acres of hands-on science experiences, daily planetarium and Science Live! shows, the smART Space art galleries and more. For an adults-only evening, try SMO 21, a cool, science-themed event with food and cocktail pairings. Next door is the 120-acre Oklahoma City Zoo featuring botanical gardens, aquarium and world-class habitats of 1,400 animal species. Enjoy up-close vantage points to connect with wildlife in habitats such as Sanctuary Asia, Cat Forest, Great EscApe and more. Stroll through the grounds, take a miniature 48
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train or glide through the park on the Elephant Express Tram. If you time your trip just right, you also can catch a concert at the Zoo Amphitheatre. Adjacent to the zoo complex to the north is OKC’s Remington Park, a casino and horse racing track with live racing much of the year and casino gaming and simulcast racing year-round. The posh facility features a fully enclosed, climate-controlled stadium with a panoramic view of the racetrack and gardens at the Clubhouse level. Dining options are varied with several locally owned restaurants offering craft beer, steaks, salads and live entertainment on weekends. Heading north on Martin Luther King Boulevard to 63rd Street, you’ll find the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Adults and kids alike can step into the Old West with fully assembled Western movie sets, Native American and Western artifacts and world-class art exhibitions featuring new and classic Western art.
ABOVE: The iconic sculpture End of the Trail by James Earle Fraser is a cornerstone of OKC’s National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. BELOW: Science Museum Oklahoma offers opportunities for adults to experience scientific demonstrations over dinner and cocktails.
OKC ZOO: MATT PAYNE, COURTESY OF NATIONAL COWBOY & WESTERN HERITAGE MUSEUM, COURTESY OF SCIENCE MUSEUM OKLAHOMA
A D V E N T UR E DI S T R IC T
Three great stores serving Oklahoma musicians
Give Givethethe for thefor the giftgiftof of
Music Music Edmond
Norman
Oklahoma City
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GETTING OUT
B O AT H O U S E DI S T R IC T
The area includes: • The iconic Chesapeake Boathouse with boat bays to store up to 124 rowing shells, panoramic views of the river, event room and fitness-training room; • The CHK|Central Boathouse, which is home to the University of Central Oklahoma’s women’s rowing team and features a music venue and an art gallery; • The Devon Boathouse, which houses the Oklahoma City University Rowing program and the USRowing National High Performance Center for Olympic hopefuls; • And the four-story Chesapeake Finish Line Tower featuring finish-line jury seating, media area, VIP viewing gallery and outdoor terraced seating for race spectators and community gatherings near the adjacent fire pit and movie screen. Also located in the district is Riversport OKC. An exceptional resource for active families, Riversport offers canoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, whitewater rafting, surfing, a 700-foot zip line across the Oklahoma River, an adventure course with six levels of challenges and more. The Boathouse District also offers more than 13 miles of paved trails for running, walking or cycling for those who prefer to stay on land. Outside of the district, the Boathouse District trails and river lead directly to the Lake Overholser Boathouse on the western edge of Oklahoma City, with even more outdoor activities, such as a climbing wall and easy access to Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge. 50
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ABOVE LEFT: RiverSport OKC features a 700-foot zip line across the Oklahoma River. ABOVE RIGHT: An aerial view of the Boathouse District. BELOW: Families may enjoy a full whitewater-rafting experience at RiverSport OKC.
ZIPLINE: GEORGIA READ, AERIAL: ANDREWGIMAGE.COM, RAFTING: SHANNON CORNMAN
Situated along the Oklahoma River at the crossroads of Interstate 40 and Interstate 35, the Boathouse District is the official U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Site for rowing and canoe/kayak and hosts numerous regattas throughout the year.
UT O E R O M T E I T YE ! G C R U IN MAGAZ 5 0 O F RYI BO 4 O E T ABOVE: Lyric Theatre presents the holiday classic, ”A Christmas Carol,” during Downtown in December. BELOW: The Devon Ice Rink is a popular attraction during the winter months.
LYRIC: K.O. RINEARSON, ICE RINK: COURTESY DOWNTOWN OKC
D O W N T O W N IN D E C E MB E R
the best of e h t o t ou nts, nects y ing, eve n o in c d 5 ’s 0 o 4 metr ma City es. Oklaho nd hom travel a cribe. to subs m o .c e zin 5maga Visit 40
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For a highly OKC-centric experience, visit Downtown in December during the holiday season. Downtown in December is an eight-week series holiday events and attractions spread through the Downtown, Midtown and Bricktown districts. For those who want to get in their physical activity in a fun way, try ice skating at the Devon Ice Rink at the Myriad Gardens, go snow tubing in the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark or take part in the annual Santa Run 5K. More sedate activities are offered as well. Holiday pop-up shops are located throughout Downtown and Midtown for festive outdoor shopping, or take a ride in a water taxi, streetcar or cozy horse-drawn carriage, while enjoying the holiday displays. The Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Oklahoma City Ballet and numerous theater companies gear up for the holiday season with productions of “The Nutcracker,” “A Christmas Carol” and other holiday classics. The one-of-a-kind winter experience typically is ushered in with the Oklahoma City Tree Lighting Festival staged on the Sunday following Thanksgiving. It culminates with the Arts Council OKC’s annual Opening Night, held each New Year’s Eve, that features music, dancing, theater, fireworks and a midnight ball raising. 405MAGAZINE.COM
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SETTING THE NEW STANDARD I N S T Y L I S H L I V I N G
Wilshire Cabinet + Co is revolutionizing fine cabinetry in Oklahoma.
Our dedication to developing collaberative partnernships with all homeowners, homebuilders, designers, architects, remodelers, and developers makes us your best source for custom, pre-finished cabinetry. Meet our expert team as we get to know you and your style of living in your home. Make the perfect choices to fit your design and budget with an unrivaled level of service. Complete your project with stunning selections from our hardware, Cambria ® quartz countertop, custom range hood, and accessory collections. From our new Annex location in Norman, to our Gallery in Oklahoma City, you will find inspiration is always fun, fresh and lively at Wilshire Cabinet + Co . Whether you are remodeling the home you currently love or building the home of your dreams, come discover the difference!
Two locations to serve you: GA A L L E RY 320 W Wilshire Blvd Oklahoma City, OK wilshirecabinetco.com 405-286-6282 @ wilshirecabinet
ANNEX 226 E Main St Norman, OK
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Betchan Home Inspections conducts over 700 home inspections a year throughout the OKC metro and beyond. With four inspectors on staff, they are one of the fastest growing and highly sought after inspectors in Oklahoma. They focus on customer service, and all major components of a home that could cause costly repairs.
Protect your investment. Call us today! BETCHANHOMEINSPECTIONS.COM
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WHERE TO LIVE Bright, Shining Places
Take a tour through OKC’s best-loved communities What makes our city exceptional is the city itself – its energetic districts and the surrounding coterie of urban enclaves that showcase Oklahoma City’s diverse and welcoming neighborhoods.
QUIT NGUYEN
Whether you love tree-lined streets, distinct architecture or rows of front porches where neighbors gab over coffee or a glass of wine, this handy guide will help any newcomer navigate OKC’s cozy and comfortable communities.
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WHERE TO LIVE
Great Neighborhoods in the 405 Fantastic nests and where to find them
BY CHRIS TINE EDDINGTON | PHOTOS BY QUIT NGUYEN
est. That’s a pretty loaded word, particularly when it comes to neighborhoods, the evaluation of which requires that the subjective and the objective must find a perfect overlap. According to Georgie Rasco, executive director of Oklahoma City’s Neighborhood Alliance, there are more than 450 neighborhoods in the OKC metro area – and each enclave is a microcosm, with its own vibe. Well-known neighborhoods along the lines of Nichols Hills, Quail Creek, Oak Tree in Edmond and Norman’s Brookhaven are great, but there are many others out there that we salute here. Carla Splaingard has been a Realtor in Oklahoma City for more than 20 years, specializing in what she calls the classic OKC neighborhoods, meaning not new. Other words she uses to describe her turf include vintage and historic. She’s lived in many of them. “A good way to understand the tone of a neighborhood is to look at the distance between the house and the sidewalk, and whether there is a sidewalk,” Splaingard said in a 2017 inter-
B
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ABOVE: Bungalow homes line the streets in Mesta Park. BELOW: Cottage-style architecture reflects the character of the Linwood neighborhood.
NEIGHBORHOODS
view. “A more casually social neighborhood will have homes a very short distance from the sidewalks, and front or side porches, which encourage people to interact as they’re walking their dogs or having coffee on their porches. These neighborhoods have a casual camaraderie.” Mesta Park, Gatewood, Linwood and Putnam Heights are among those short-yarded social spots. Drive or stroll through any of these on an early spring or summer evening, and you’ll see it in action: gaggles of neighbors perched in breezy, rattan-filled, fern-festooned outdoor spaces, gabbing over glasses of iced tea or rosé, while children pedal bikes or trikes nearby. Lesser-known mid-city neighborhoods include Military Park, Venice, Miller, Cleveland and Crestwood. “I also really like Denniston Park, which is bordered on the south by NW 23rd, and runs east and west of Drexel,” Splaingard said. “It’s one of the few classic neighborhoods where
you can walk to the grocery store: Eley’s Foods on May, which is one of the last old-fashioned neighborhood grocery stores. This is not the neighborhood for someone looking for nightlife, though.” Denniston boasts lots of late 1930s construction, Tudor revivals and low-slung Ranch-style stone homes, with a hilly park in the middle. To the east, homes are more modern – mid-century contemporaries and cottages. The neighborhood has become a magnet for young families due to its quiet safety, great location and value. “You can do very well in the $125,000 to $180,000 range in Denniston Park,” Splaingard said. “Gatewood is anchored by the church, and whether you are Catholic or not, the church bells give the neighborhood a unique heartbeat,” she said. “They toll every 15 minutes … If you know how to listen to them, they will give you information about what is happening at the church, too.
Well-known neighborhoods along the lines of Nichols Hills, Quail Creek, Oak Tree in Edmond and Norman’s Brookhaven are great, but there are many others out there that we salute here.
BELOW LEFT: Heritage Hills is known for its stately, older homes. BELOW: OKC’s diverse neighborhoods range from the elegant mansions in Nichols Hills (above) to the colorful Spanish Revival character of the Paseo District (below).
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WHERE TO LIVE
NEIGHBORHOODS
Well-Known Neighborhoods in the 405 URBAN CORE Heritage Hills Mesta Park Heritage Hills East MIDTOWN SoSA/Cottage District CENTRAL OKC WEST OF CLASSEN BOULEVARD Miller Military Park Putnam Heights Venice Cleveland Crestwood Linwood Place Classen-Ten-Penn Gatewood Youngs-Englewood Mayfair Heights Denniston Park Milam Place
ABOVE: Midtown’s SoSA neighborhood is an enclave of contemporary homes. BELOW LEFT: Many of OKC’s neighbors are anchored by large parks and walking trails. BELOW RIGHT: The Gatewood neighborhood is known for its walkability and Carey Place, one of OKC’s most haunted houses.
For example, if there is a funeral and the person who passed was 90 years old, the bells will toll 90 times on that day.” Classen Ten Penn is an emerging historic neighborhood bordered by Classen to the east, Penn to the west, NW 16th to the north and around NW 10th to the south. “The last good collection of Craftsman cottages is in Classen Ten Penn, but the neighborhood is up-and-coming, meaning it may be too adventurous for many,” Splaingard said. “In neighborhoods like 58
CIT Y GUIDE 2021
Crown Heights, things are a little less casual, although it’s a very social neighborhood. The homes sit farther back from the streets and most of the entertaining happens in backyards poolside or behind closed doors. You may know your neighbors very well; you may not.” There are no sidewalks, but there are plenty of dog-walkers, runners and cyclists. “The level of participation in neighborhoods like Crown Heights and Heritage Hills is really exceptional, especially considering that those homeowners associations are voluntary, not mandatory,” says the Neighborhood Alliance’s Rasco. That said, Rasco also has advice for every person living in every neighborhood. “Get involved in some way, wherever you live. Serve on a committee. Bake cookies for a new neighbor. The number one thing that makes a neighborhood great is involvement.”
CENTRAL OKC EAST OF CLASSEN BOULEVARD Edgemere Heights Crown Heights Jefferson Park Shepherd Historic District Original Military Historic Brookhaven Central Park INNER CITY SOUTH Capitol Hill Wheeler NORTHEAST Eastside Lincoln Terrace Springlake Wildewood Forest Park Lake Aluma
NORTHWEST The Village Nichols Hills Mayfair Belle Isle Lakehurst Quail Creek The Greens Lakeside Memorial Road Corridor Deer Creek WESTSIDE Meridian Avenue “West End” Corridor Bethany Warr Acres SOUTHWEST I-240 Corridor Westmoore Moore Yukon SOUTHEAST Midwest City Del City
405.242.2227 | @artisantilestudio 300 W Wilshire Blvd Oklahoma City, OK 73116
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WHERE TO LIVE
SCHOOLS
Learning Experience A Guide to OKC’s Public and Private Schools
OKLAHOMA CITY AREA SCHOOL DISTRICTS
Crutcho School District
Sovereign Community
Christ the King Catholic School
Oklahoma City Grades: PK-8 | 1 school
Grades: 6 and 9
Nichols Hills Grades: PK-8
Oklahoma City Public Schools
OKLAHOMA CITY PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS
Oklahoma City Grades: PK-12 | 79 schools
Moore School District Moore Grades: PK-12 | 34 schools
Putnam City School District
Grades: 9-12
Includes schools with 150 students or more
St. Eugene Catholic School North Oklahoma City PK-8
Warr Acres Grades: PK-12 | 26 schools
KIPP Reach College Preparatory Grades: 5-8
St. James Catholic School
Midwest City-Del City School District
Harding Fine Arts Academy
South Oklahoma City PK-8
Oklahoma City Grades: PK-12 | 23 schools
Mustang School District Mustang Grades: PK-12 | 13 schools
Western Heights School District
Grades: 9-12
John Rex Charter School Grades: PK-8
Independence Charter Middle School Grades: 6-8
St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School Warr Acres Grades: PK-8
Sacred Heart Catholic School South Oklahoma City Grades: PK-8
Oklahoma City Grades: PK-12 | 8 schools
Astec Charter Schools Grades: PK-12
Rosary School
Crooked Oak School District
Dove Science Academy
North Oklahoma City Grades: PK-8
Oklahoma City Grades: PK-12 | 3 schools JOHNNY HOLLAND
Harding Charter Preparatory High School
OKLAHOMA CITY PRIVATE SCHOOLS
Millwood School District Oklahoma City Grades: PK-12 | 2 schools
Grades: K-12
Hupfeld Academy at Western Village Grades: PK-5
Santa Fe South Grades: PK-12
Mount Saint Mary High School South Oklahoma City Grades: 9-12
Bishop John Carroll Cathedral School North Oklahoma City
Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School North Oklahoma City Grades: 9-12
Casady School North Oklahoma City Grades: PK-12
Westminster School North Oklahoma City Grades: PK-8
Heritage Hall North Oklahoma City Grades: PK-12
Life Christian Academy Choctaw Grades: PK-12
Destiny Christian School Del City Grades: PK-12
Crossings Christian School North Oklahoma City Grades: PK-12
The Academy of Classical Christian Studies North Oklahoma City Grades: PK-12
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Orthopedic and Specialty Network D. Neil Roberts, M.D. Greater OKC Gastroenterology Associates/ South OKC/Yukon 608 Liberty Lane • Edmond, OK 73034 405-341-8829
Robert F. Hines, M.D. Knee/Shoulder/Sports Medicine HPI Mediplex 9800 Broadway Ext, Ste 201 • OKC, OK 73114 405-348-6004
NEUORSURGERY SPINE Jeffrey P. Nees, M.D. Fountain Park Medical Plaza 3110 SW 89th St., Ste 200E • OKC, OK 73159 405-486-6720
Daron C. Hitt, M.D. Hand/Plastic Surgery Fountain Park Medical Plaza 3110 SW 89th St., Ste 200A • OKC, OK 73159 405-486-6800
ENDOCRINOLOGY Cassie Smith, M.D. HPI Mediplex 9800 Broadway Ext., Ste 200 • OKC, OK 73114 405-715-4496
ORTHOPEDICS Brett Braly, M.D. Orthopedic Spine HPI Mediplex 9800 Broadway Ext, Ste 203 • OKC, OK 73114 405-424-5415
C. Shane Hume, D.O. Orthopedic Spine OSSO Orthopedic & Spine Center 3115 SW 89th St. • OKC, OK 73159 405-427-3705
FAMILY MEDICINE Jenna Crowder, M.D. OSSO Edmond 1616 S. Kelly • Edmond, OK 73013 405-348--8838
Ashley C. Cogar, M.D. Orthopedic Hand HPI Mediplex 9800 Broadway Ext, Ste 201 • OKC, OK 73114 405-419-5665
GASTROENTEROLOGY Sam Hong, M.D. Fountain Park Medical Plaza/Edmond 3110 SW 89th Street, Suite 104 • OKC, OK 73159 405-341-8829
Jimmy H. Conway, M.D. Knee/Shoulder/Sports Medicine OSSO South 10001 S. Western • OKC, OK 73139 405-692-3749
CONCUSSION CARE Jason M. Leinen, M.D., ATC Family Medicine/Pain Management Fountain Park Medical Plaza 3110 SW 89th St., Ste 102C • OKC, OK 73159 405-703-3611 DERMATOLOGY Hillary S. Lawrence, M.D. OSSO Edmond 1616 S. Kelly • Edmond, OK 73013 405-285-8823
Steven D. Coupens, M.D. Knee/Shoulder/Ankle, Sports Medicine HPI Mediplex/South OKC 9800 Broadway Ext, Ste 201 • OKC, OK 73114 405-419-5511
Paul B. Jacob, D.O. Hip/Knee/Replacement HPI Mediplex 9800 Broadway Ext, Ste 201 • OKC, OK 73114 405-424-5426 J. Calvin Johnson, M.D. Knee/Shoulder/Sports Medicine OSSO Olie 6516 N. Olie Ave, Ste A • OKC, OK 73116 405-419-5412 M. Brandon Johnson, M.D. Hip Preservation/Knee/Sports Medicine HPI Mediplex 9800 Broadway Ext, Ste 201 • OKC, OK 73114 405-424-5417
405.427.6776 | ossonetwork.com
Paul Kammerlocher, M.D. Foot/Ankle OSSO Orthopedic & Spine Center 3115 SW 89th St. • OKC, OK 73159 405-486-6900
Barry L. Northcutt, M.D. Knee/Shoulder/Sports Medicine HPI Mediplex/Yukon 9800 Broadway Ext, Ste 201 • OKC, OK 73114 405-340-4744
Laura Luick, M.D. Foot/Ankle OSSO Orthopedic & Spine Center/HPI Mediplex 3115 SW 89th St. • OKC, OK 73159 405-486-6825
Sheri M. Smith, M.D. Foot/Ankle OSSO Orthopedic & Spine Center/HPI Mediplex 3115 SW 89th St. • OKC, OK 73159 405-419-5610
Jeffrey A. Moore, M.D. Orthopedic Spine OSSO Edmond/OKC/Norman 1616 S. Kelly • Edmond, OK 73013 405-486-6980
Robert S. Unsell, M.D. Hand/Wrist OSSO South 10001 S. Western, Ste 101 • OKC, OK 73139 405-692-3748
Mac Moore, M.D. Shoulder/Knee/Sports Medicine Oklahoma Shoulder & Knee Institute/ North OKC/Hinton 3130 SW 89th St., Ste 100 • OKC, OK 73159 405-692-3737
PAIN MANAGEMENT Doug Beacham, D.O. HPI Mediplex 9800 Broadway Ext, Ste 201 • OKC, OK 73114 405-424-5415
Gerardo Myrin, M.D. Knee/Shoulder/Replacement OSSO Orthopedic & Spine Center/Edmond/Norman 3115 SW 89th St. • OKC, OK 73159 405-486-6880 Ryan L. Nelson, D.O. Elbow/Knee/Shoulder/Wrist/Sports Medicine HPI Mediplex 9800 Broadway Ext, Ste 203 • OKC, OK 73114 405-330-8847
Heidi Rogers, M.D. Rheumatology Associates of Oklahoma/Edmond 6516 N. Olie, Ste G • OKC, OK 73116 405-608-8060 Amanda Titus, M.D. Rheumatology Associates of Oklahoma/Yukon 6516 N. Olie, Suite G • OKC, OK 73116 405-608-8060 WOMEN’S HEALTH Benjamin Barenberg, M.D. Urogynecology Optimal Health 9800 Broadway Ext, Ste 200 • OKC, OK 73114 405-715-4496 Noel R. Williams, M.D. Gynecology Optimal Health 9800 Broadway Ext, Ste 200 • OKC, OK 73114 405-715-4496
Darryl D. Robinson, M.D. Longevity Spine South 3110 SW 89th St., Ste 102 • OKC, OK 73159 405-703-4950 RHEUMATOLOGY Latisha Heinlen, M.D. Rheumatology Associates of Oklahoma/South OKC 6516 N. Olie, Ste G • OKC, OK 73116 405-608-8060
For More Primary and Family Care Options visit www.hpillc.org
NOBODY OFFERS MORE DISCOUNTS THAN FARMERS ■ Automobile insurance ■ Life insurance ■ Home insurance
Michelle Early, Agency Owner Your Local Agent 17342 N MAY AVE EDMOND, OK 73012 MEARLY@FARMERSAGENT.COM Earlyinsuranceagency.com
Call 405.936.9200 today! Let me help you get the most value out of your insurance coverage. Restrictions apply. Discounts may vary. Not available in all states. See your agent for details. Insurance is underwritten by Farmers Insurance Exchange and other affiliated insurance companies. Visit farmers.com for a complete listing of companies. Not all insurers are authorized to provide insurance in all states. Coverage is not available in all states. Life Insurance issued by Farmers New World Life Insurance Company, 3120 139th Ave. SE, Ste. 300, Bellevue, WA 98005.
405 MAGAZINE ARCHIVES
CITY INFO
A Portrait of OKC The things you need to know about the city where you live.
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CIT Y INFO
A Fitting-in Guide for New Oklahomans BY BR ANDON KING AND GREG HORTON
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T H E W E AT H E R
S P O RT S
The tried-and-true elevator small talk about weather is actually applicable to Oklahomans. A colloquialism around here – if you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes and it’ll change – is more fact than local fiction, given that Oklahoma is beset by nearly every form of weather, and it’s not unusual to see a 40-degree temperature swing in a day. Since we’re genuinely knowledgeable in the severe weather department, it’s smart to pay attention during tornado season (April to June) but it’s totally fair to be skeptical when KFOR’s Mike Morgan wears his bedazzled tie and interrupts your television show to announce a foot of ice.
No one expects you to leave behind your love for your favorite college team – unless it’s Texas – but we will expect you to choose between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and University of Oklahoma Sooners once you’ve been here long enough to know what Bedlam is. The Thunder are our much beloved NBA team, no matter how many of our favorites they trade away, but we’re not one of “those” NBA cities, so feel free to sport your NBA gear from any team you love – except the Lakers.
COURTESY OF SCISSORTAIL PARK
A view of downtown Oklahoma City from Scissortail Park.
A GUIDE FOR NEW OKLAHOMANS
T R A N S P O RTAT I O N
Vast, which sits atop Devon Tower, overlooks the city from the building’s 49th story.
Nothing is ever too far here; in fact, locals will tell you everything is 15 minutes away, and weirdly, it works out more often than you’d expect. For the most part, the roads are a grid, so correcting wrong turns is easy, and we gave up the impossible one-way-only system of downtown roads years ago. Learn the highways, and learn the landmarks, and we’re one of the easiest cities to navigate. Downtown, you can also grab the streetcar or a Lime scooter.
A N OT E O N “ Y ’A L L” As long as you are using it to indicate second-person plural in a superior form to the ambiguous “you” or the clunky “you all,” you will pass as a local. Try to use it as second-person singular, though, and we’ll know you’re from Georgia.
A N OT E O N T E X A S
I N S TAG R A M S P OT S If you want your family and friends to know you’re here and fitting in, you’ll need your Instagram album to reflect that. We recommend pics at the OKC National Memorial, the view
We like Texas; we just don’t like admitting it, so don’t put us in the position.
MA JOR INDUSTRIES
VAST: 405 MAGAZINE ARCHIVES, MEMORIAL: DAVID SUTTON
Energy, especially oil and natural gas; agriculture takes up a lot of space, but it’s not as huge a part of the GDP as the space indicates; Tinker Air Force Base; universities and colleges; medical marijuana (we’re not potheads; we’re taking medicine, Denver); hospitality, especially restaurants; homebuilding; predicting the weather.
C O M PA S S D I R EC T I O N S Locals know how to orient themselves to the compass points, and they’ll speak to you as if you do, too. If you don’t, this might help: Edmond is north, Norman is south, Yukon is west and Tinker is east. They only use the four cardinal directions, so that helps. Good luck.
Oklahoma City National Memorial Field of Empty Chairs representing each of the 168 victims of the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building.
from Vast, the rooftop bar OBar at The Ambassador, the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, Chesapeake Arena, Skydance Bridge, Midtown Plaza neon, Route 66, and Cattlemen’s Steakhouse (with lamb fries).
THE DON’T LIST • Weather changes fast, really fast, so don’t forget to look at your weather app every morning – except July and August; it’s only going to show a sweaty face. • Don’t worry about dressing up to go to dinner, but you can if you enjoy it. Locals wear shorts, even to dinner, especially in July and August. • Don’t expect to get to Norman or Edmond quickly after 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. • Don’t order iced tea expecting it to be sweet. This isn’t Alabama. • Don’t be afraid to order extra ranch dressing. • Don’t be embarrassed for loving ranch dressing. • Don’t be surprised when locals wave, say, “Hi,” ask how you’re doing, make small talk on elevators or stop to help when something goes wrong. We’re friendly in the best way – superficially and in passing, just like our moms taught us.
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CIT Y INFO
66
Edmond 44
3
235
Yukon
44
66
35
Oklahoma City
Choctaw
62
40 4
Tinker AFB 35
Mustang
40
240
44 37
Moore
Norman 9
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CIT Y GUIDE 2021
GETTING AROUND
LEGEND N. OKLAHOMA AVE.
NW 13 ST.
NW 12 ST.
North Hudson
NW 11 ST.
Campbell Art Park
Dewey Avenue
N. BROADWAY AVE.
N. HARVEY AVE.
NW 10 ST.
Midwest City
Bricktown Loop Friday 6am - 2am Saturday 7am - 2am Sunday 7am - 10pm
POPUL ATION: 57,407
Detour Routes
MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME: $49,914
ARE A: 24.6 square miles FOUNDED: 1942 LE ADERSHIP: Mayor Matt Dukes
AUTOMOBILE ALLEY
NW 6 ST.
A V E.
2 MIN
H A RR IS O N
N. HUDSON AVE.
N. WALKER AVE.
N. ROBINSON AVE.
MIDTOWN
NW 9 ST.
NW 7 ST.
Walking Distance Downtown Loop Monday – Thursday 6am– midnight Friday 6am – 2am Saturday 7am – 2am Sunday 7am - 10pm
235
Art Park NW 10th Street
Midtown
NW 8 ST.
Platform Stops EMBARK Transit Center
OLORS ROUTE C DICATE IN T O R DO N AR COLO STREETC
NW 5 ST.
Broadway Avenue NW 4 ST.
Del City
NE 4 ST.
POPUL ATION: 21,712
DEEP DEUCE
Transit Center
ARE A: 7.5 square miles
ROBERT S. KERR AVE.
Kerr Park PARK AVE.
WALNUT AVE.
COLCORD DR.
3 MIN
SHERIDAN AVE.
CITY CENTER
MAIN ST.
Century Center
Amtrak Santa Fe Depot
CALIFORNIA AVE.
RENO AVE.
Bricktown
Myriad Botanical Gardens
FUN FACT: An annual Armed Forces Day Parade is put on by the city and the Shriners every year in May.
Chickasha East Bricktown
Scissortail Park Scissortail Park
Oklahoma City
Yukon
POPUL ATION: 655, 057
BRICKTOWN
OKC Boulevard S. E.K. GAYLORD BLVD.
SW 4 ST.
LE ADERSHIP: Mayor Floyd Eason
Santa Fe Hub Arena
SW 3 ST.
Mickey Mantle
2.5 MIN
MAIN ST.
NE 1 ST.
FOUNDED: 1948
CHARLIE CHRISTIAN AVE.
Business District
Bicentennial Park
MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME: $46,485
NE 2 ST. RUSSELL M. PERRY AVE.
ARTS DISTRICT
FUN FACT: Tinker Air Force Base – one of the top U.S. Air Force Bases in the country – is named after Major General Clarence L. Tinker, the first Native American Major General.
POPUL ATION: 16,431 ARE A: 22.08 square miles MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME: $42,175 FOUNDED: 1892 LE ADERSHIP: Mayor Chris Mosley FUN FACT: Hometown of Oklahoma Civil Rights leader Ada Louis Sipuel Fisher
El Reno Moore
POPUL ATION: 19,965
POPUL ATION: 28,084
POPUL ATION: 62,055
ARE A: 79.84 square miles
ARE A: 621 square miles
ARE A: 26.51 square miles
ARE A: 22.2 square miles
MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME: $48,060
MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME: $55,557
MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME: $66,419
MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME: $65, 915
FOUNDED: 1889
FOUNDED: Apr. 22, 1889
FOUNDED: 1891
FOUNDED: 1887
LE ADERSHIP: Mayor Matt White
LE ADERSHIP: Mayor David Holt
LE ADERSHIP: Mayor Shelli Selby
LE ADERSHIP: Mayor Glenn Lewis
Fun Fact: The third largest city in land area for the United States.
FUN FACT: Known as the Czech Capital
FUN FACT: Hometown of Toby Keith,
FUN FACT: The city’s name is Spanish for “the reindeer.”
of Oklahoma.
world-renowned country music singer.
Edmond
Norman
Mustang
POPUL ATION: 31,436
POPUL ATION: 94, 054
POPUL ATION: 124,880
POPUL ATION: 22,959
ARE A: 45.92
ARE A: 87.86 square miles
ARE A: 189.4 square miles
ARE A: 12.01 square miles
MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME: $40,473
MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME: $81,473
MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME: $58,119
MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME: $74,071
FOUNDED: July 4, 1895
FOUNDED: Apr. 22, 1889
FOUNDED: May 13, 1891
FOUNDED: Nov. 22, 1901
LE ADERSHIP: Mayor Ed Bolt
LE ADERSHIP: Mayor Dan O’Neil
LE ADERSHIP: Mayor Breea Clark
LE ADERSHIP: Mayor Jess Schweinberg
FUN FACT: Hometown of Olympic
FUN FACT: Home to the reconstructed
FUN FACT: Formerly known as “Down
FUN FACT: Named the Redbud City of Oklahoma in 1941.
gymnast Shannon Miller, second most decorated American gymnast.
skeleton of the state’s fossil, Saurophaganax Maximus, at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History.
in Egypt” because of the abundant agricultural growth in the town.
Shawnee
SOURCE: City Information Blurbs: U.S. Census Bureau - 2019
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The Preferred Eye Care Provider of the OKC Thunder
The One Source for All of Your Family’s Eye Care Needs
Dean McGee Eye Institute (DMEI) is committed to helping your family members achieve their best vision. You can trust the clinicians and surgeons at DMEI – the most comprehensive team in the state – to help keep your family’s eyes healthy for a lifetime.
• Age-Related Macular Degeneration • Cataract Surgery • Comprehensive Pediatric and Adult Eye Care • Corneal Disease/Dry Eye • Diabetic Retinopathy
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Top 20 Nationally Ranked Eye Institute dmei.org Call for an Appointment Oklahoma Health Center
608 Stanton L. Young Blvd. Oklahoma City, OK 73104 405.271.6060
Northwest OKC
3500 N.W. 56th St., #101 Oklahoma City, OK 73112 405.271.9500
Edmond
1005 Medical Park Blvd. Edmond, OK 73013 405.271.0913
Lawton
3201 W. Gore Blvd., #200 Lawton, OK 73505 580.250.5855
GETTING AROUND
H E A LT H NETWORK
Picture of Health A guide to medical care in Oklahoma City
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HE A LT H NE T WOR K
HOSPITAL S
OKC’S Hospital Systems Oklahoma City has four primary hospital systems plus a number of specialty facilities.
ME R C Y HE A LT H S Y S T E M
IN T E G R I S HE A LT H S Y S T E M
Mercy health system in Oklahoma City was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1986. It is part of the Mercy network of systems that covers four states and is based in St. Louis, Missouri.
Integris resulted from a merger in 1995 between Oklahoma Health System and Southwest Medical Center in Oklahoma City. It has since grown into the largest Oklahoma-owned not-for-profit health system in the state.
HOSPITAL CAMPUSES
S S M HE A LT H
O U HE A LT H
SSM Health is a Catholic, notfor-profit health system serving communities in Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma and Wisconsin. SSM Health operates 23 hospitals throughout the Midwest.
Oklahoma Children’s Hospital at OU Health, Oklahoma’s only freestanding children’s hospital, provides comprehensive pediatric healthcare to the state and the region. At OU Health, you’ll also find the only National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Center – OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center – and OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center, which serves as the state’s only Level 1 trauma Center.
HOSPITAL CAMPUS
HOSPITAL CAMPUSES
SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital 1000 N. Lee Ave.
Integris Baptist Medical Center 3300 Northwest Expressway
SPECIALTY HOSPITALS
Integris Southwest Medical Center 4401 S. Western Ave.
SSM Health Bone & Joint Hospital at St. Anthony 1111 N. Dewey Ave.
Integris Health Edmond 4801 Integris Parkway, Edmond
SSM Health St. Anthony South 2129 S.W. 59th St.
University of Oklahoma Medical Center 700 N.E. 13th St.
SPECIALTY HOSPITALS
TREATMENT CENTERS
Integris Canadian Valley Hospital 1201 Health Center Parkway, Yukon
OU Health – Edmond Medical Center 1 S. Bryant Ave., Edmond
SSM Health Outpatient Center 6201 N. Santa Fe Ave.
SPECIALTY HOSPITAL
Integris Community Hospital at Council Crossing, 9417 N. Council Rd.
SSM Health St. Anthony Healthplex 201 Sara Rd., No. 200, Mustang
Oklahoma Children’s Hospital 1200 Children’s Ave.
Integris Community Hospital in Del City 4801 SE 15th St., Del City
SSM Health St. Anthony Healthplex 3400 S. Douglas Blvd., Midwest City
TREATMENT CENTERS
Integris Community Hospital in Moore 1401 SW 34th St., Moore
SSM Health St. Anthony Healthplex 13401 N. Western Ave.
Meinders NeuroScience Institute 4120 W. Memorial Rd.
Integris Community Hospital at OKC West 300 S. Rockwell Ave.
SSM Health St. Anthony Healthplex 13500 S. Tulsa Drive
Coletta Cancer Center 4401 McAuley Blvd.
Integris Deaconess Hospital, Oklahoma City 5501 N Portland Ave.
PRIMARY CARE CLINICS
PRIMARY CARE CLINICS
Integris Jim Thorpe Rehabilitation Center 4219 S. Western Ave.
Mercy Hospital 4300 W. Memorial Rd. Mercy Hospital South 5200 E. Interstate 240 Service Road
SPECIALTY HOSPITALS Oklahoma Heart Hospital 4050 W Memorial Rd. Oklahoma Heart Hospital South 5200 E Interstate 240 Service Rd. Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital Oklahoma City 5401 W. Memorial Rd.
TREATMENT CENTERS Mercy I-35 primary care clinic and emergency department 2017 and 2301 W. Interstate 35 Frontage Rd., Edmond
The Mercy system offers 20 primarycare clinics in the Oklahoma City area with an additional seven Mercy GoHealth Urgent Care clinics located throughout the city including locations in Moore, Norman and Edmond.
SSM Health operates 23 primary-care clinics in the Oklahoma City area.
HOSPITAL CAMPUSES
Dean A. McGee Eye Center 608 Stanton L Young Blvd. Harold Hamm Diabetes Center 1000 N. Lincoln Blvd.
PRIMARY CARE CLINICS OU Health operates six primary-care clinics in the Oklahoma City area.
TREATMENT CENTERS Integris Cancer Institute 5911 W. Memorial Rd. Integris Mental Health, Spencer 2601 N Spencer Rd., Spencer Lakeside Women’s Hospital 11200 N. Portland Ave.
PRIMARY CARE CLINICS Integris operates 11 primary-care clinics in the Oklahoma City area.
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CIT Y GUIDE 2021
E D I T O R ’ S N O T E : This information was compiled from independent research and is subject to change.
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