48 HRS IN OKLAHOMA CITY/ SPRING-SUMMER EDITION
I was a guest of Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau on this trip. They provided the recommendations for my trip however all opinions are my own. Thank you to them and all the amazing sponsors who hosted me!
So as the title says, I went to Oklahoma City for a total of 48 hours (give or take) Would I recommend you do the same? No - because you absolutely need longer in this fun fun city! LOL! But in all seriousness…yes, get in that car and do a long weekend here my dears, It is growing at such a rapid pace and there is just so much to do! If a petit romantic weekend away is something you want to surprise the other half with - or if you just fancy a completely magical break away solo/with friends - then read on as this post’s a must read.
I’ll begin by saying Oklahoma City is always a glorious weekend escape! Less than two hours from Tulsa via the good ol’ turnpike, and about 3 hours from Dallas, 7 hours from Houston, well, you get my drift! You will be transported somewhere very pretty with a lot going on. It’s a thriving city with a great selection of FUN!
It was such a fun time and one of my all time favorite press trips!
CHECKING IN: WHERE TO STAY
If I had to describe my stay at The Ambassador Hotel Oklahoma City, Autograph Collection in one word: idyllic.
But there’s also fabulous, peaceful, beautiful, …anyway we did not want to leave!
The “U” shaped building will scream hello-you have arrived!! And the Art Deco architecture is easy on the eyes. Located in the Midtown district of Oklahoma City, this hotel provides the luxury of having popular dining, shopping and entertainment venues within easy reach. We walked everywhere!! Generously designed with oversized windows overlooking Midtown, downtown, the Oklahoma City Capitol building and the historic Heritage Hills, these guest rooms and suites are the epitome of urban luxury. Loved the blend of contemporary and traditional furnishings from the unique light fixtures and luxurious bedding to the European-style granite and marble bathrooms! Plus you can bring Fido too as long as he is 35 pounds or under. (sorry Melvin and Henry)
Hungry? Thirsty?
Well The Ambassador has you covered on both fronts! More on that in just a bit!
You will definitely want to stay here when visiting OKC.
WHERE TO EAT
Cafè Cuvée French Bristo - the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant is available to everyone..hotel guests and public! (there is free valet parking and self-parking available for all Café Cuvée guests! )And if you are ready to have an exceptional culinary journey through France, well look no further. Of course, my Frenchie heart was skipping a beat. From the seafood of Marseilles to the pastries and espressos of Paris, from the wines of the Bordeaux countryside to the hearty breakfasts of the French Alps.. you are in for a treat! Highly recommend the Escargot de Bourgogne, Frisée aux Lardons, and the Filet Avec Frites. The scallops are so divine too. Oh em gee and the Ratatouille Croquets! Oh wow..I am hungry just typing this! The soufflé is incredible for desert too. And the little French flashcards are just so fun that they have at every table! I am currently learning french so…
The Hall’s Pizza Kitchen- I have mentioned Hall’s before but I had to take Lin! Their wood fired pizza is just so good and I love that you do a pizza by-the-slice! Just look at the menu. Need I say more? Let’s just let the photos do the talking here because it was in the middle of the day and the light was so pretty!
Black Walnut - Do not you dare leave OKC without visiting this place! You will have all of your 5 senses ignited in this amazing place located in The Deep Deuce. Blending American cuisine with the neighborhood’s cultural history, the menu is eclectic and vibrant. The pairing of global street cocktails from Bali to Brazil adds to its culinary spirit, and a spacious patio and happy hour specials make this everyone’s new favorite place to come together. Dressed but not dressy, Black Walnut OKC is the perfect balance of thoughtful food and an unbuttoned atmosphere. I had the opportunity to spend some time with Chef Andrew Black and am just so blown away with his story and passion. His team is incredible! The menu is designed in a way that plays on your emotions and how you are feeling vs appetizers, entrees and so on. So you can chose from Sweet + Savory, Fresh + Light, Smoky + Satisfying, or/and Casual + Comforting. Every single thing is divine! And the cocktails..I would seriously just go here to drink with friends. Order the cocktail with the special mysterious flower too…trust me..just tell them it has the flower that changes your tastebuds!!!!
Grey Sweater- Partly, I just love the name. And just so you know…The Grey Sweater was not open when I visited but Chef Black gave me a private tour!! Swoon! Grey Sweater is a dining experience that offers a three-tiered tasting menu that highlights the most unique and unforgettable flavors from all over the world. It is a peek into Chef Black’s newest creations and ideas and my dears, it is exquisite. Every detail is so perfect from the bar lights from London, the china wear from Paris, and of course a seat at the Chef’s table.And back to the name—-Grey – A mindset, long lasting, sleek, and refined; sits between the extremes of black and white; has no allegiance. Grey Sweater embraces a lifestyle of warmth that aims for a culinary experience where conventional cooking does not apply, transferring energy and creativity by letting the ingredients travel the grey areas of taste. Owing no allegiance, a freedom of flavor takes guests on a journey to places undiscovered. Grey Sweater represents the space where cooks, chefs, and front-of-house staff converge to create hard-to-define experiences in the most exciting and innovative ways.If you make it here before me….DM me photos of your food and wine!
You can catch a sneak peak video over on my Instagram story hilights! It was so late and dark out so pictures with my Iphone would have not done it justice.
Cheevers- I just cannot say enough about Cheever’s! I have been eating here for decades with my family and friends and it’s just as consistent and delicious as it was many years ago. Serving daily and nightly specials, Cheever’s offers a full bar and excellent selection of wines to complement its outstanding contemporary comfort food.The ambiance is as appealing as the menu – casual elegance in a charming historic building. For generations, Cheever’s was a family-owned floral shop. Its glass-walled, refrigerated floral case now holds wines and beer, fresh flowers and signature desserts. I love the bleu cheese potato chips and the legendary chicken fried steak !! Their roasted chicken enchiladas are to die for too! And brunch is always delish. Get the special! It changes and it will be good, I pinky promise.
The Jones Assembly- I had visited The Jones Assembly for brunch last Easter so you should read that post here. I did not have the best experience here service wise this trip but I also believe in second chances so read the previous post because The Jones Assembly is a place that I want for you to experience!!! I can confidently say that they do amazing pizza and I am soooo picky about pizza. STILL dying to see a concert here and experience The Jones Assembly for the live music experience. I would love to sit in the upstairs bar too because I am almost 40 and I cannot keep up with the young crowd! LOL!
The Waffle Champion- Okay. Everyone I talk to loves it here and I get this weird stare when I confess I have not tried it so now I can cross Waffle Champion off my bucket list! I love that they open as early as 7 for breakfast! And how can you possibly go wrong with waffles, waffles and fried chicken, and milkshakes?! Lin had classic waffles because he is a sucker for a good waffle! I was a bit more adventurous and had a buffalo chicken style waffle sandwich! It was so spicy and delish!
Pops 66 Soda Ranch- Always such a fun nostalgic place in Acadia on Route 66. You will find 700 kinds of soda, sparkling waters and other ice-cold refreshments. They also make a nice homestyle cheeseburger and onion rings and the best malts in Oklahoma.
WHERE TO Drink
O BAR OKC- O Bar is on the 7th floor atop the Ambassador Hotel. You will find the best views of downtown OKC! This is the perfect place to enjoy creative delish signature cocktails, an extensive wine list, and penthouse status. Experience local jazz music weekly on Mondays from 7-9pm. You also don't want to miss Wine Down Wednesday featuring a $5 glass of wine each Wednesday. I hear it goes quite nicely with a beautiful Okie sunset.
Bar Arbolada- If I had to pick one bar in Oklahoma City for a special occasion, it would be Bar Arbolada. We kicked things off with the happiest of hours here when we got into town Friday night and cannot wait go go back. The dreamiest interiors and light live here and the cocktails are divine! They do small bites too and I look forward to indulging in that next time!
WHERE TO VISIT
Myriad Botanical Gardens- This is the most gorgeous 15-acre natural escape in the heart of downtown. Free and open to the public, the outdoor spaces include: ornamental gardens, a children’s garden, and playground, Great Lawn, lake, an off-leash dog park, water features including splash fountains for children and walking and jogging paths. There is always something happening at the Gardens. Visit their events calendar for more information on all of their year-round special events and programs. The centerpiece of the 15-acre Myriad Botanical Gardens is the Crystal Bridge Conservatory, home to thousands of beautifully displayed tropical and desert plantings. Within the 13,000 square feet, you will discover 750 varieties of plants, a cascading waterfall and a sky bridge to experience stunning views into the tropical forest.
Wheeler District Ferris Wheel- Designed through a community charrette in the summer of 2014, Wheeler is first to expand the modern development footprint to the south bank of the Oklahoma River. Its layout encourages walking or bicycling to school, work, dining, the Ferris wheel and beyond. From urban cottages to townhomes, Wheeler features a range of for-sale and for-rent housing for pioneering families that want the convenience and quality of a newly constructed home connected to the amenities and offerings of Oklahoma City’s dynamic urban core. You should ride the wheel! The views of downtown are incredible from up there! Find tickets and hours here.
Riversport Adventures- Located in the Boathouse District….RIVERSPORT Adventure Park takes your summer adventure to a whole new level with whitewater rafting, zip lines, a six-story adventure course and more! The whole family will have fun here! I still cannot believe I did the whitewater rafting. I was feeling so apprehensive about it the week prior. And then I was totally fine until the safety course right before boarding the raft. But of course-it’s their job to cover worst case scenarios but the panic started creeping in. I almost actually got off the raft before the first rapid because I was having a panic attack. But so thankful my friend Cassie and her husband were with Lin and I. I sat next to Cassie and she was such a great encourager and made me feel completely safe. Our guide was also so stellar and really made me feel secure and made sure we had a good time. I did not end up doing the zip lining because my heart could only handle one major life event but Lin and Ryan, Cassie’s hubby did and you just have to see their videos over on my Instagram story hilights. There’s one dedicated to just OKC. Prepare a bit of time here as we originally just planned two hours and needed about 5! You could spend the entire day here. And mommas, not into any of this? They have a bar and comfy seating so you bring a book and let the teenagers run wild!
Please note – all adventures require secure footwear; no flip flops or sandals without a back strap are allowed. You’ll find more important information here to ensure you have a great RIVERSPORT Adventure! You will get soaked even if you do not fall out of the boat!
Factory Obscura- Factory Obscura is an Oklahoma City-based art collective creating immersive experiences that awaken wonder, build community, and make the world better. This reminded me of Meow Wolf in Santa Fe which is such a cool thing. PHASE 1 is NOW OPEN! While their artists build out the full 6,000-square-foot Mix-Tape experience, there's still a lot to see. And it’s all FREE! You can visit the gift shop too and shop their eclectic and experiential gift shop filled with hand-crafted creations by Factory Obscura artists, along with merchandise from their friends The Flaming Lips and Meow Wolf. Look for the giant boombox on Automobile Alley. Hang out, press all the buttons, and experience our interactive window display. Visible from the sidewalk 24/7. And step into the lobby and enjoy a new presentation of Wayne Coyne & The Flaming Lips’ iconic installation the King’s Mouth, fresh off its tour at Meow Wolf in Santa Fe, NM. I look forwarding to seeing the finished project later this year!!
Festival Of The Arts- This fest is 6 days of fun celebrating the arts and the community.The Festival of the Arts is a community celebration of the visual, performing and culinary arts, bringing a variety of talented artists together in downtown OKC’s Bicentennial Park. Festival has been an OKC tradition since 1967, considered a rite of spring and a signature event for the Arts Council, with an average of 750,000 Festival attendees. I always am so impressed with the creativity and talent of these artists! It’s a beautiful festival and you can spend hours here exploring.
Oklahoma City Zoo- Lin and I did two Wild Encounters during our visit and these had to be the coolest things we have ever done! Wild Encounters enable you to get up close and personal with grizzly bears, flamingos, rhinos, sea lions, elephants and Galapagos tortoises! We got up close and personal with the flamingos and the tortoises. And you just have to see everything on my Instagram Story Hilights. Feeding these animals was something I will never forget!
What an incredible 48 hours in OKC!!! If you would like the exact itinerary of how we fit all this in, feel free to DM me and I can give you the exact rundown!!
Check out my friend Cassie’s blog too on what she did during her 48 hours there because she did some pretty amazing things too different from the things that I did! Find it here!
And of course you can visit Discover Oklahoma’s website too for other incredible suggestions of things to do! I look forward to visiting this Fall/ Winter so I can give you another guide for that season
What are your fave things to do in OKC?!
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