Top Rated Attractions in Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City, or simply OKC, is the state capital of Oklahoma and its largest city. OKC is very much in touch with the times but pays homage to its Western roots with pomp and show. The historic Stockyards City brings the Old West to life, while Frontier City is a convincing replica of an 1800s frontier town, complete with re-enactments of gunfights. There's also the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum with its lively chronicles of this distinctive era of American history. At the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, temporary exhibitions are showcased alongside excerpts from the museum's vast permanent collection and the world's most comprehensive repertoire of Chihuly glass. The cinema on site simultaneously shows a weekly program of independent, foreign and art films. As for the classical performing arts, the Civic Center Music Hall hosts the city's opera, ballet and philharmonic ensembles in spectacular Art Deco surrounds. While Oklahoma City's many attractions are a celebration of the arts, culture and history, the National Memorial commemorates the tragic attacks of 1995 that rocked the city. This stoic memorial is as much a part of the fabric of Oklahoma City as its more lively side; an indelible mark that has been immortalized by this moving monument to the human spirit. Besides these, there are the usual big city trimmings - fine steakhouses, plentiful entertainment and a great set of events to anticipate.

Formerly known as the Myriad Convention Center, Cox Convention Center is a premier event venue in Oklahoma City. Aside from being the home rink of the Blazers hockey team and the home arena of the Wranglers arena football team, this newly renovated center is the place to see great concerts, basketball tournaments, and conventions. Plus there are brand-new banquet rooms for smaller meetings and events. The location, right in the heart of downtown and a short walk to Bricktown is perfect.

The Oklahoma City Museum of Art has more than 3000 works from 19th and 20th-century American artists. The highlight is a gallery that focuses on modern American art from the 1950s and 1960s, which includes work by Ellsworth Kelly, Richard Diebenkorn and Robert Indiana. Additionally, this art museum attracts wonderful traveling exhibits that are a must for connoisseurs. Guided tours are available for groups with ten or more people as long as the reservation is made two weeks prior to visit.

One of its kind, the American Banjo Museum is home to a vast collection of music, media, documents and memorabilia. all connected to this instrument with origins in Africa. With over 300 banjos alone, the museum boasts the largest public exhibition them in the world. The banjo is said to have been introduced to this country by African slaves as it had derived from a similar instrument. Over the centuries, the banjo has come to win the hearts of musicians and music fans everywhere, and is today used in a range of musical genres like jazz, folk music, country music and bluegrass music. A visit to this museum will tell you more about this mystical five-stringed melody-maker.

The Chesapeake Energy Arena is the premier venue in Oklahoma City for large events and entertainment. It is primarily known as the home of the NBA's Oklahoma City Thunder, but it holds all kinds of other events as well. From major concerts with famous artists to arena shows like Disney on Ice and Walking with Dinosaurs, the Chesapeake Energy Arena has something for everyone.