Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Overview

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, a vibrant plains city of 700,000, hides an offbeat allure where quirky museums, secret urban haunts, and historic oddities draw adventurous travelers beyond its cowboy heritage, attracting over 5 million visitors yearly. Founded in 1889 during the Land Run, this Sooner hub sits 200 miles north of Dallas and 350 miles southwest of Kansas City, cradled by the North Canadian River and rolling prairies. Beyond Bricktown and stockyards, Oklahoma City offers eccentric gems like a museum of quirky skeletons, a hidden speakeasy in a former stable, and vibrant street art in the Plaza District. It’s an offbeat Southwestern playground where Native history, quirky creativity, and frontier charm collide, perfect for those craving unique adventures over tourist staples.

Top Attractions (Skeletons, Murals & Speakeasies!)

Museum of Osteology

Home to over 7,000 skeletons, this museum features quirky shrunken heads and two-headed calf displays.

Plaza District Murals

Discover colorful street art where Native and Sooner tales paint the walls of historic 16th Street.

Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum

A powerful tribute to the 1995 bombing, featuring the quirky and resilient Survivor Tree and reflective exhibits.

The Underground Speakeasy

A hidden bar in a former 1900s stable, serving classic Prohibition-era cocktails with rustic, historic vibes.

Oklahoma History Center

Home to 215,000 artifacts, including quirky 1920s oil boom relics and beautiful Native American regalia.

Western Heritage Museum

Explore 28,000 cowboy artifacts, from quirky, ornate saddles to Annie Oakley’s actual rifle.

Unique Stories & Facts (Skeletons, Survivors & Speakeasies!)

• Skeleton Oddities: The two-headed calf at the Museum of Osteology is a quirky and real taxidermy piece from a local Oklahoma ranch.
• Mural Surge: A 2015 art boom in the Plaza District turned old storefronts into vibrant outdoor galleries where Choctaw pride now shines.
• Speakeasy Stables: The Underground speakeasy is located in a former 1920s horse stable that was used to smuggle moonshine during Prohibition.
• Survivor Tree: The American Elm at the National Memorial not only survived the 1995 bombing but continues to thrive, a quirky and powerful symbol of resilience.

Best Travel Seasons (When to Visit Oklahoma City!)

Popular Activities (Beyond the Stockyards!)

• Skeleton Touring: Explore the Museum of Osteology to see its quirky collection of shrunken heads and animal bones.
• Mural Strolling: Wander through the Plaza District, where the vibrant Native-inspired art on 16th Street pops with color.
• Memorial Reflecting: Visit the OKC National Memorial to see the resilient Survivor Tree and its quirky, peaceful reflective pool.
• Speakeasy Sipping: Slip into The Underground for classic cocktails in a hidden, historic stable nook.
• History Browse: Tour the Oklahoma History Center to see quirky 1920s oil rigs and beautiful Native American regalia.
• Cowboy Wandering: Explore the Western Heritage Museum to see Annie Oakley’s actual rifle and other quirky, historic saddles.

Casinos Nearby (~30 Miles)

For gaming, head south to the **Riverwind Casino** in Norman (20 miles), a major Native gaming hub with 2,800 slots. Closer to the city, **Remington Park** (5 miles) offers 750 slots and a quirky, fun live horse racing track.

Oddities Nearby (~20 Miles - OKC's Quirky Side!)

Haunted Tourism Nearby (~20 Miles - Ghosts of the Plains!)

• Stone Lion Inn (Guthrie, 30 mi):** Just over the limit but worth a visit, the ghosts of children are said to haunt the attic of this 1907 mansion.
• Skirvin Hilton Hotel (Downtown):** This historic 1911 hotel is famously haunted by the ghost of a maid named Effie, who lingers in Room 1015.
• Overholser Mansion (Heritage Hills):** Phantom footsteps are often heard echoing through the grand ballroom of this beautiful 1903 home.