TRAVEL O
klahoma City might not be the fi rst place that comes to mind when you’re planning a summer getaway, but spend a
few days exploring here and you’ll wonder why it wasn’t. With its cowboy roots, proud American
spirit, and walkable downtown fi lled with steakhouses, museums, and old-fashioned hospitality, OKC provides everything a heartland traveler could want — minus the crowds and chaos of trendier destinations. Plus, it’s affordable, easy to get around,
and full of surprises: There’s a new waterpark hotel with a beach and swim-up bar, and a burger restaurant with branded buns and a personal endorsement from President Donald Trump. Visit in June and you’ll hit that sweet
spot between spring’s cooler breezes and summer’s dry heat — it’s the perfect time for sightseeing, patio dining, and evening strolls. Fall’s another great time to go, especially
if you’re planning a road trip through the region.
WHERE TO GO
Start with a visit to the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, where exhibits on frontier life, rodeo legends, and Native American art make it one of the most impressive museums of its kind in the country. It’s the type of place
where patriotism and rugged individualism are woven into every gallery, and it resonates deeply with those who appreciate the spirit of the West. Just a short drive away
you’ll fi nd the Centennial Land Run Monument,
64 NEWSMAX MAXLIFE | JUNE 2025
one of the largest bronze sculptures in the world. Spanning over 365 feet,
it captures the chaos and energy of the 1889 Land Rush, with galloping horses, wagons, and settlers charging across the prairie. It’s awe-inspiring in scale and a fi tting tribute to the pioneering spirit.
The Oklahoma City
National Memorial & Museum, meanwhile, is a deeply moving and respectfully designed space honoring the victims, survivors, and rescuers of the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building — the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in U.S. history. The outdoor refl ecting
pool and “Field of Empty Chairs” off er a place for refl ection, while the museum gives important context. It’s not a lighthearted visit, but it’s one that stays with you. For something less
somber make your way to Bricktown, a former warehouse district now reimagined with canals, restaurants, shops, and sculpture-lined walkways. The water taxi is worth a ride — especially in the evening, when the area glows.
Just north,
Automobile Alley features a slice of local character with
its lineup of restored neon signage — the highest concentration of original neon signs on one stretch of road in the country, now kept glowing thanks to a preservation grant program. Want a real taste of the West? Stop by Stockyards City, where the cattle
auction still runs live every Monday and Tuesday.
This isn’t a show — it’s the real deal.
The nearby Oklahoma National Stockyards presents rodeo events throughout the year, where you can watch bull riders, ropers, and barrel racers show
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