There are two types of travelers: those who hit the top tourist sites and call it a day, and those who experience the local flavors in every shape and form.
The use of traveling is to regulate imagination by reality, and instead of thinking how things may be, to see them as they are.– Samuel Johnson, 1773
Que Será, Será
This adventure is all about the latter, whether your style is to ask a passerby for advice or to simply gravitate toward the action. The best Oklahoma road trips, you’ll find, spur from a spontaneous spirit.
There is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.– Jawajarlal Nehru
Go With the Flow
Take a weaving class from a local expert at the ARTesian Gallery & Studios.
Admire the latte art in one of Midtown’s most revered coffee shops.
Stroll along Historic Campus Corner and blend in with the bustling crowd.
Browse through clothing and novelty gift items at The Black Scintilla boutique.
Feel your eyes grow big at the sight of your Smokin’ Joe’s Rib Ranch lunch, wondering how you’re going to finish it all but determined to give it a try.
Off the Beaten Path
Do as the locals do and see what you might discover.
Where the Locals Go Destinations
Located in historic downtown Ardmore, the Ardmore Emporium is a favorite local source for quality antiques, collectables, art, home furnishings and more. The space plays hosts to dozens of dealers with an ever-changing inventory of items, making sure there's always something interesting to be found at the Emporium.
You don’t have to travel to the big city to receive a high-end luxury experience. Take an Adventure Road trip to Spa 211 in Tishomingo, and you’ll encounter a tranquil space to relax your body, revive your mind and replenish your spirit. At Spa 211, the mindset is that you shouldn’t have to drive hundreds of miles for the services you love and deserve.
There’s no way you’ll be leaving hungry after a trip to Smokin’ Joe’s Rib Ranch, where the massive lunch and dinner platters stocked with smoked meats and fresh sides are big enough for two or even more.
Check out the growing art community in Sulphur, Oklahoma, home to the ARTesian Gallery & Studios. Opened in November 2013, the gallery showcases original Chickasaw artwork, plus studio spaces where you can watch artists as they weave, throw pots, paint and more.
OU Sooners fans know Historic Campus Corner in Norman is the place to be, whether it’s for game day or a night on the town. Kick back with a cold one at Blackbird Gastropub, Louie’s Grill & Bar or O’Connell’s Irish Pub & Grille; chow down at popular eateries like Fuzzy’s Taco Shop and Volare; or shop at local boutiques like Blush and Stella Rae’s.
The Jones Assembly is one of the most unique hangouts in OKC. Situated next to the acclaimed 21c Museum Hotel in Film Row, The Jones offers incredible drinks and food served up by Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef Brittany Sanger in an industrial-chic open-air atmosphere. And when it’s concert time, all the restaurant gear disappears to make room for the likes of Willie Nelson, Third Eye Blind or The Wallflowers.
Located just north of downtown Oklahoma City, Midtown is home to a diverse collection of restaurants, residences, businesses and more. It’s one of the coolest places in the city to live, work and play, with new offerings popping up often.
The name says it all: there’s something special about The Black Scintilla, that little spark of excitement that happens upon seeing the colorful spread laid out before you. Here's where cheeky notebooks meet chic leather boots, where the apparel is arranged in a rainbow stream just waiting for you to make a splash. This Midtown hotspot is a must-stop on your next road trip.
Through major revitalization efforts, Uptown 23rd has become one of Oklahoma City's premier business, arts and entertainment districts. Visitors to 23rd St. will be greeted by the historic Tower Theater's neon sign, beckoning them into an array of locally-owned restaurants, bars and eclectic boutiques that especially buzz with activity once the sun sets.
Styled after New Orleans jazz clubs, the UCO Jazz Lab is a world-class venue, playing host to everyone from local favorites like Horseshoe Road and Rachel Brashear to big-time acts like Karla Bonoff and the Glen Miller Orchestra. The space may be small, but the sound is anything but! Come out each week for amazing live jazz music and fresh, delicious food from neighbor Hideaway Pizza.
