The Blue Door is a rustic music club in Oklahoma City. It is the brainchild of Greg Johnson, the founder of Blue Door. Guests are literally greeted with two big blue doors, which was the inspiration behind the name of this jaunt. The venue takes pride in encouraging new and upcoming songwriters as well as hosts prominent names from the music industry on their stage. The 100 seat venue follows the Bring Your Own Beer policy and is reckoned a must visit when in town.
Located on the grounds of the State Capitol and managed under the auspices of the Oklahoma Historical Society, this museum takes visitors on a journey through the state's exciting history. Many know the mythic story of the Land Run of 1889, but the exhibits here go back even further. Some of the most popular displays focus on Native American culture, the Oklahoma oil boom, the state's impressionist painters and they also have some interesting online exhibits.
This zoo in OKC is consistently rated as one of the best zoos in the United States, home to nearly 3,000 animals, it definitely is one of the largest. Some featured exhibits include the Cat Forest and Lion Overlook, in which you can see lions, tigers, jaguars and leopards. The 'Great Escape' showcases gorillas, orangutans, chimpanzees and other primate life. One of the zoo's most popular attractions is 'Aquaticus', an aquarium extravaganza that features a dolphin and sea lion spectacle. The zoo is also very active in the community, it provides nature classes, labs, tours and 'Zoomobiles' for all ages. At the end of the day, guests usually catch the show under the stars at the Zoo Amphitheater.
Chisholm Trail Park was established after a generous donation of land by Clarence and Kathryn Wright. It is one of the prominent city parks. You will find beautifully landscaped ponds with fountains throughout the park. Gazebos and a huge pavilion ensure you can enjoy picnicking. Shady walking trails, open spaces and scenic vistas add to the beauty of this place. Special events like the Christmas Light Festival and Freedom Festival come packed with concerts and other cultural activities are hosted at this park.
This district of town, known as Stockyards City, is home to the largest cattle market in the world. In fact, it was these stock yards that provided the impetus for the state's first major industry. Over the last century, the area had fallen into decline and decay since its inception in 1910, however today the area has been revitalized without losing its authentic 'Old-West' feel. A highlight of the stockyard is a stroll over a walkway that hovers above some of the massive beasts. The shops primarily focus on a variety of western wear, from cowboy hats and boots to Bolo ties and even spurs! It's also pretty accurate to assume that the restaurants in the district serve some of the best steaks in the Midwest, don't forget Cattlemen's Steakhouse. While this area could be considered "touristy," it remains an essential place to visit to get a true picture of 'Ol' OKC'.