Shop My Outfit:
Over the weekend, Jake and I made a quick trip to see his family in Oklahoma. Although his family is closer to Tulsa, we made a quick pit stop to our old house in Oklahoma City to pick up a few things we didn’t have room to move. If you’re new to my blog, prior to coming to Birmingham, we lived in Oklahoma City for 4 years while Jake was in medical school. Jake is originally from Oklahoma and, although I’m from Texas, I attended college at Oklahoma State University, where Jake and I met.
I still get asked for OKC recommendations since I lived in Oklahoma for a total of 9 years. I have been meaning to write a full guide to OKC blog post for over a year. Before we moved, we came up with our OKC bucket list called “The Tour de OKC”. We thankfully had enough time during Jake’s 4th year of medical school to accomplish most of the things on the list. After moving to Birmingham, I had a rough transition and didn’t get around to publishing that post. Luckily I convinced Jake to stop at my favorite picture location, The Paseo Arts District, so I could share my favorite spots in OKC. We loved our 4 years in Oklahoma City, and OKC really does have a lot to offer. I actually find Birmingham and OKC to be very similar cities. OKC has changed a lot even over the past year since we’ve been gone. We lived in far north Oklahoma City and were not as close to the fun places like we are in Birmingham.
About My Outfit:
Gingham is a must-have summer pattern and this Chicwish one is perfect! I love that it has a gorgeous bow detail in the back and the quality is amazing. It runs true to size and is perfect to wear for many occasions. This one is lightweight, but not see-through. I was actually able to not wear a bra with the dress, since the fabric was thick enough. I styled it with some pops of color since I knew I’d be taking pictures of it in a bright background.
Where To Stay:
- Skirvin Hilton
- Ambassador Hotel
- Colcord Hotel
- 21C Museum Hotel
Things to Do in OKC:
- Thunder Game (We miss having a pro sports team. Thunder games are so fun. I didn’t used to like the Thunder, since I was born and raised in Dallas, but actually would root for them over the Mavs now).
- Dodgers Baseball Game: I hate baseball, but baseball games are fun to attend.
- Myriad Botanical Gardens: I loved visiting this spot. In the fall they had cute pumpkin displays.
- Wheeler Park: This is a such a cute spot for a photo op.
- Boat around Bricktown: Although this is extremely touristy, we did this before we moved. It was interesting because the guide told us all about OKC’s history.
- OKC Bombing Memorial: I have actually never have been here. The bombing was so tragic and is a huge part of OKC and Oklahoma’s history. The bombing actually played a large role in OKC becoming the city it is today. A lot of the projects, specifically Bricktown, were funded by initiatives that were passed in the years right after the bombing in an effort to rise from the ashes of the tragedy.
- Remington Park: Jake had a med school formal here. It would be so fun to go watch the Kentucky Derby there via simulcast.
- OKC Art Museum
- OKC Zoo
- Bleu Garten: I miss this food truck park so much and wish Birmingham had one. We do have a lot of food trucks in Birmingham and a food hall, but not an outdoor food truck park.
Favorite Districts:
- Paseo Arts District, my favorite area (that’s where these photos were taken): Paseo Grill, Picasso Grill, and lots of boutique shops and art galleries with gorgeous and distinctively unique architecture. The style reminds me of Santa Fe, New Mexico mixed with Charleston.
- Uptown: Guyute’s, Cuppies and Joe, Guernsey Park, Tucker’s Onion Burgers, The Drake
- Midtown: Bleu Garten, Fassler Hall, Stella’s, O Bar, McNellie’s
- Automobile Alley: Sidecar, The Yard, Water’s Edge Winery
- Bricktown (a little too touristy for my taste): Pearl’s Crabtown, Mickey Mantle’s, Mantle’s Bistro, OKC Thunder and Dodgers stadiums, Sonic corporate office with one of the few indoor Sonic restaurants, Fuzzy’s, and the Bricktown Canal
- Plaza District: The Mule, Oak and Ore, Roxy’s, Pie Junkie, The Pritchard is a wine bar and restaurant there as well but Jake was disappointed with the amount of food they give you for the price.
- Chisolm Creek (near our OKC house, this is one of the newest districts in OKC): Sidecar, Republic, Yokozuna, Top Golf, Hatch, another Fuzzy’s, and several other places have opened up there since we left
- Lake Hefner: We lived really close to this area and loved all of the restaurants there, including Mama Rojas’s, Louie’s on the Lake, Red Rock Canyon Grill, and Hefner Grill
- Western Ave: The Barrel, The Wedge, Musashi’s, The Drum Room
Favorite Spots For A Fancy Date Night:
- Mahogany: This is a high-end steakhouse. Try their chocolate martini or adult milkshake; you’ll thank me later. This is where we always celebrated our anniversary.
- The Ranch
- Flint: This is located at the Colcord Hotel.
- Red Prime Steakhouse
Favorite Drink Spots:
- Sidecar Wine and Barley Bar: Their cheese board is on point.
- Jones Assembly: they have the best froze, y’all (frozen rose wine)!
- Fassler Hall: A German beer hall. Their duck fries are out of this world.
- The Ambassador Hotel roof top bar (O Bar)
- Packards (specifically their rooftop bar-they also have wine flights in their restaurant).
Favorite Casual Spots:
- Guyutes: Try their tequila sunfryz, which are one of the most unique food combinations I’ve ever tasted. Also, the Return of the Mac burger is excellent. Get the macaroni on the side so you can make sure to have some for every bite.
- 1492: Favorite Mexican food
- Upper Crust: One of my pizza places in OKC. Their anti-pizza plate (cheese board) is one my favorite cheese board I’ve ever had. Their bottle-and-pie deal during Happy Hour is an outstanding bargain; I highly recommend the Flying Pig pizza smothered in their homemade ranch dressing.
- Jones Assembly
- Tucker’s Onion Burgers
- The Barrel
- Packards: I love their cheese board selection and wine flights. They have a macaroni entree that they can add bacon and/or chicken to; I highly recommend it.
- The Mule: They have a sandwich called the Macaroni Pony and it’s my favorite pony since My Little Pony.
- Republics: burger bar and gastropub
- Pearls Crab Town: Their chowder fries are amazing
Favorite Brunch Spots:
- Cheevers: My favorite OKC brunch
- Waffle Champion
- Hefner Grill
- Hatch
Favorite Dessert Spots:
- Braums
- Roxy’s
- Pie Junkie
- Cuppies and Joe
Sadly we didn’t get to explore much while we were in OKC this weekend. I didn’t even get to see friends. We did get to stop at Guyutes, our favorite and the most unique spot in the city. For more on Oklahoma City, make sure to check out my blogger friend Amandasok.com. She always has the best OKC guides.
This dress is so cute!! I’ve never been to OKC.
Jennifer
Effortlessly Sophisticated
Author
Aw thanks, lady! you should visit.
Thanks for sharing this guide Courtney! It’s so informative!
Author
Aw thanks babe. Glad you thought so.
That’s awesome you were able to stop back in OKC! I spent a summer in Oklahoma City but never tried one of the boat rides in Bricktown. I wish I would’ve now. Sounds like a great way to learn some history about the area. I’d love to go back and try every single restaurant recommendation you listed here! They all sounds so amazing!
Author
Thanks, Lindsey! I was so glad to be able to. I didn’t know that, so neat! The boats are a fun thing to do, it took me 9 years of living in Oklahoma to finally take one. You should go back, it’s a fun place to visit/live.
How fun! And I love your dress too
Author
Aw thanks, Gal!
I’ve never been to Oklahoma before but I’ve always heard good things about OKC! I think I would love visiting someday- this is a great guide!
xoxo A
http://www.southernbelleintraining.com
Author
Thanks, GF! It was so fun to visit. OKC is such a great little city, we miss it.
Mmmm some of my favorite spots! I’m hungry just reading that list. Hopefully next time you can stay a little longer 🙂
Author
Ahh I known, I miss these spots and you! Yessss! I want to stay longer next time and hopefully meet up. It was way too quicky
It must have been nice to get back to OKC Courtney! Even though it was a quick trip it is nice to see the old places, and the new ones that have popped up since! The arts district is really nice some great old buildings to pose by. The gingham dress is very pretty on you and the bow detail in the back very cute. Its good it worked without a bra . I love the pretty pink pearl headband a great accessory and the wedges too. So many places to visit in OKC . I will refer here if we get there someday! Take care Dear, Terri xo.
Author
It really was nice to be back quickly. The arts district is so cute and i miss it. Thank you so much, I love this gingham dress and the headband. You’ll have to visit someday.
Aww I am sure the arts district is close to your heart! Another Courtney inspired city for me to check out! I have already done one in Kansas city! https://terrigirlblog.wordpress.com/2019/05/28/trip-to-kansas-city-part-2/
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Yayy
Great tips! If I ever visit Oklahoma City, I’ll definitely check out the places you recommend! I’m also loving your cute dress!
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Thank you! Yes, OKC is a cute little city. I miss living there.