The Labor Day Weekend was upon us and we decided a little road trip was in order. But where to? After much debate we finally decided upon Oklahoma City’s Bricktown area. It is a rejuvenated warehouse district that has been turned into a new entertainment area. Bricktown is centered around a man-made canal with many restaurants, bars, entertainment, sports and some shopping. It is a lot like the Riverwalk in San Antonio, although a bit smaller.
Here are some tips on how to make your weekend getaway to OKC unforgettable!
DAY 1
Lunch Decisions
With over 40 restaurants and bars, Bricktown is not lacking for food options. Here are a few places to grab a bite for lunch.
Grab a Fried Bologna Sandwich or a steak at Toby Keith’s I love this Bar & Grill. This Bricktown restaurant is named after Oklahoma native and country music superstar Toby Keith. The portions are large, the atmosphere and food are casual, and there is live music on the weekends. Don’t forget to order the cheese fries.
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Try some of Oklahoma’s finest BBQ at Earl’s Rib Palace. Try the ribs with the hot or not sauce or just one of their great “Smokestack” sandwiches. Don’t forget to add some homemade cobbler for desert!
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Experience some authentic fresh local cuisine at Yucatan Taco Stand, where they use locally sourced ingredients and keep bottles of salsa on the table. The tacos are great and the nachos are massive. Try a margarita made with one of their 100 different tequilas in stock, or a local craft beer.
Ride the Water Taxi
One of the first things you need to do in Bricktown is to take a tour of the Canal on the Water Taxi of Oklahoma. On the 40 minute tour, your guide will tell you the history about the Oklahoma City buildings they pass, as well as fun facts along the one mile canal. The water taxi ticket is a bracelet that acts as an all day pass that you can use to hop off at various parts of the canal. You will also see lots of art including the Centennial Land Run Monument. The Centennial Land Run Monument features participants of the iconic land run commemorating the opening of Indian land in Oklahoma territory in 1889.
Do Dinner at Tapwerks Ale House & Cafe
Start off the night right at TapWerks. Tapwerks is Oklahoma’s oldest and largest tap house, with 212 taps and more than 100 bottled beers. If you love beer it’s a must! Try the Monte Cristo Sandwich or the Jalapeno Jack Burger.
Test the Pianist at Michael Murphy’s Dueling Pianos
Another fun option is to experience Michael Murphy’s Dueling Pianos. The show consists of a few piano players who perform songs by request. The entertainers are funny and have a repertoire of over 1000 songs!
Get Wild at Coyote Ugly
Wrap up your night at Coyote Ugly. It’s a saloon chain that likes to have audience participation with dancing on the bar, body shots and dance routines.
Stay at Homewood Suites by Hilton
We had a great stay at the Homewood Suites by Hilton. The beds were comfortable and we enjoyed having free WiFi. There’s also an indoor pool, a whirlpool, an exercise room and a lounge with a pool table, plus a 24/7 business center and convenience store. The staff was great and helped us with questions and directions.
Day 2
Get your Brunch On at Fuzzy’s
Fuzzy’s Taco Shop is known for their Baja-style Mexican Tacos, but not well-known for their great breakfast items. Start your day off right with the Huevos Rancheros and a Bloody Mary Schooner.
Time to Shop
Stroll the canal for some sightseeing and window shopping. Stop in at Bricktown Candy for some old time favorites, the Painted Door for specialty gifts and the Red Dirt Emporium for Oklahoma collectibles. One of the main shopping attractions is the huge Bass Pro Shop for hunting, fishing & outdoor gear. The store also includes an archery range, laser arcade, and a 15,000 gallon aquarium.
Things to Do
Brickopolis offers a fun miniature golf course right on the canal, but also video games, and you can even play laser tag.
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If you are visiting in the during Baseball Season, don’t miss an opportunity to see the Oklahoma City Dodgers, the metro’s AAA affiliate of the LA Dodgers, play at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.
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Visit the American Banjo Museum, which contains the largest collection in the world of banjos on public display. The museum’s collection contains more than 400 instruments, recordings, film, video, printed music, instructional materials, and memorabilia associated with the banjo.
Eat at a Legendary Steakhouse
For a great steaks, seafood and a large wine list head over to Mickey Mantle’s Steakhouse. The restaurant is named after the famous baseball player and Oklahoma native and it’s filled with memorabilia from his family’s personal collection.
Kick Up Your Heels with Some Live Music
If you’re looking for live country music and dancing you have to go to the Wormy Dog Saloon. It is noted as being the best honky-tonk bar in Oklahoma City. Grab a beer and saddle up at the long bar for a great night of country music.
Day 3
A Quick Breakfast
Stop in at All About Cha, and try one of their exotic tea blends and a warm muffin before you leave Oklahoma City.
All the food, shopping, a water taxi and live music that we experienced made for a lively weekend in Oklahoma City. I hope that these tips help with your planning a great getaway. If you have any comments or tips for visiting Bricktown, please let me know! Happy Travels, Tava
Travels with Tava 