Coskier

Hi All. I am going to be in OK City for 2 nights at the end on the month. Single female travelling alone. Read here about Bricktown, that sounds great. Question any hotels in the area that I could walk to dinner? What part of town is it in? Any other moderate priced hotels that I should look at? Thanks!

paige

Will your business be downtown? There are three hotels downtown - The Westin, Renaissance and Courtyard Marriott. Courtyard Marriott may not be open yet, if not it is opening soon. You can easily walk to bricktown from these hotels and they are very close together. OKC is not much of a walking city so if your business is anywhere but downtown you'd probably rent a car. Bricktown has several restaurants to choose from depending type of cusine you are looking for.

P.S. I've always enjoyed your Colorado tips as that is our favorite summer vacation spot. Seems as I've gotten older I want the beach during ski season!

Coskier

Thanks Paige, now don't go telling people how great Colorado is in Summer. It is our little locals secret

I will have a car as I will be going bewteen Tulsa and OK City, may end up one night in Tulsa as well. I like to be able to walk to dinner after spending most of my day in the car.

RachelG

Hi, Coskier,
I live in Tulsa. You're lucky that Bricktown is so nice now--when I was in med school 20 years ago in OKC, this was a terribly dangerous, rundown area that no one in their right mind would enter. I would occasionally drive through as a short-cut to downtown, and my husband would have a fit. Renaissance and Westin are good hotel choices.
In Tulsa, the Doubletree Warren Place (not downtown Doubletree) is the best hotel choice. Very nice and safe neighborhood and LaFortune park is right across the street for walking/jogging. McGill's Restaurant is just down the street--very good--even has low carb menu. The Duck Club is the hotel restaurant and has had its ups and downs but still is very elegant. Camille's (in same area as McGill's) is a great place for casual eating with salads, wraps, etc.

Coskier

Thanks Rachel, the Doubletree sounds just right for me if I end up in Tulsa for the night. I do like to run so having a safe park is a bonus on a work trip.

Paige made my reservation for the Courtyard they open in a few days so get to stay in a new hotel. Thanks very much for the tip!

MzPossum

Besides the Bricktown area, the restaurant area on the east side of Lake Hefner is very nice. Take 240 north from the Bricktown area--this turns into the Lake Hefner Expressway north of Northwest Expressway (highway 3) Take the Britton Road exit and turn back to the west (going over expressway) to get to restaurant area. Bahama Breeze (caribbean), Red Rock (steaks, chops) and Pearl's Lakeside (seafood) are there. There is also a nice walking path/ bike trail here. Even if you don't eat here, the patios of these restaurants are lovely places to have a drink and watch the sun go down.

MzPossum

Oops, I was a bit misleading. From Bricktown, take I-40 west and exit north on I-240--then proceed north to Lake Hefner.

daisychain

Coskier,
I've only skimmed this thread, so I don't know if it's already been mentioned, but if you have a few hours to burn during the day, I recommend taking a stroll through the Myriad Gardens. It's an indoor botanical garden building that resembles a large glass cylinder, located in downtown. When I lived in OKC a few years ago, I always enjoyed going there. Also, if you want to ditch your responsibilities, take a drive south on 35 for about 60-90 minutes until you reach the Arbuckle mountains. They're not mountains anymore, but rather, the hilly stub remnants of a tall range from millions of years ago. In particular, check out Turner Falls, if it's not too cold. Winter on the plains of Oklahoma and West TX can be a lot harsher than the rest of country likes to imagine.
As for restaurants in Bricktown ... if it's still there, you MUST check out Chelino's. Probably the only really good Mexican food I had while living there. They have fresh Pan Dulce, every day and mole poblano to make my grandmother blush!
I hope that helps.

designmr

Coskier, your best bet for hotels and close-by dinner is downtown and the I-40 Meridian, a commercial strip just north of the airport. I would go for the former, however, to better soak up OKC.

The Courtyard by Marriott may indeed be open by the time you come, but my choice is the Renaissance, with its gorgeous foliage and babbling brook. A spa, fitness center/pool, and gift shop complement its coffeeshop, bar, and restaurant. Still, I don't think you can go wrong with any of the three; rates are relatively affordable.

As far as restaurants and nightlife go, just let your taste lead you! The elegant Mantel is Bricktown's best kept secret with its American/Southwestern cuisine. Mickey Mantle's Steakhouse is classy. For Italian, I would go for Zio's, for cajun/creole, Bourbon Street Cafe, and finally Lotus for sushi.

Now for nightlife. My favorite spot was Lit, an art gallery/lounge. It is one of OKC's most electric scenes, as it was designed by one of OKC's best architects. If you like jazz, there's Maker's,an intimate cigar lounge, or its sister establishment, Maker's Straight Up, a live jazz club. Those three would be my picks. There are also salsa, blues, country, and live rock/folk clubs as well. And, if you can't make up your mind, there's CityWalk, Bricktown's club complex with 9 clubs for an $8 cover.

If you do have some free time, I strongly recommend sampling OKC's Little Saigon neighborhood on NW 23rd and Classen. Grand House Restaurant is the dean of dim sum and practically an institution. As is the Cao Nguyen Supermarket, an OKC fixture for decades but relocated to a sprawling new building.

I second MzPossum's Lake Hefner recommendations. If you want to catch a glimpse of OKC's buzzing after-work crowd, though, I'd go for the Red Rock Canyon Grill.

Finally, the Oklahoma City Museum of Art is showing a terrific exhibit, a collection of George Washington-inspired works accompanying the sincere and storied Gilbert Stuart portrait of Washington standing. Only eight museums were chosen for its tour before it resides permanently at the National Portrait Gallery. It will be in display at OCMA until April.

If you have any other questions, let us know, and have a good time!!

Coskier

Wow, I had no idea that thee would be do much to see and do in OKC. I will print this out and take it with me.

The Marriott Courtyard will be open by time I get there, last week of the month. Would love to have stayed at the Renaissance but my companies travel policy is pretty restrictive.

Will have to get by Lake Hefner. Sounds right up my alley.

Again thanks all for taking the time to make what I thought was going to be a boring trip into something that I am now looking forward to.

MzPossum

designmr, is the Lido still in the Little Saigon area? We loved the rice vermicelli dishes and haven't found any as good anywhere else.
Yes, the Myriad Gardens are beautiful places for a walk.
We're coming home the end of January and haven't been to all the new Bricktown places--can't wait to go!

designmr

MzPossum, I last ate at Lido's about two years ago. When I passed through Little Saigon this past holiday season, the sign was still there, so I saw no indication of any closing. BTW, I first saw the new Cao Nguyen during the same visit; it's as large as a typical surpermarket with the look of a themed restaurant. Also, what was the golden dome Citizens Bank will be converted to an Asian cultural center. Things are pumping up for Little Saigon!!

Coskier

Hi all back from Oklahoma. Thanks for all your help. I did stay at the new Courtyard Marriott, which has to be the nicest Courtyard they have. Very nicely furnished, better than many Mariotts I have stayed in. They have a full bar, manned by the ever smiling Dusty and a full service restaurant. The weather was Cold, Cold, Cold. I was surprised, had to buy a hat and gloves! I was there for business so not much free time. I did have drinks at Mickey Mantels, the bartender Danny made me feel right at home. People in OKC sure are nice. Had sushi across the way, do not remember the name. I did get a history on Mongolia from the sushi chef, who again made me feel welcome. Drove by Lake Hefner but due to the cold and lack of time, did not stop. Will do that on my next trip though, I had no idea it was even there.

I did stop be the Oklahoma City Memorial. I had been in OKC after the bombing. At that time the chain link fence was up with all the notes, flowers photos, and stuffed animals... I walked in the bitter cold down the steps. It is a dignified, moving place. I am glad I happened to stop by. I was moved to tears, I suspect most are.


Again thanks for taking the time to help. It looks like I will be going to OK once a month for the next few months, your tips made my trip much more enjoyable.

designmr

Great to hear Coskier, glad you had a good time. You hit a couple of great places -- Mickey Mantle's and Lotus (the sushi place). The bar at MM's, especially when jazz is playing, is one of my favorite spots in the city.

Yes, I heard from friends back there that a cold front swept through for a few days. And, if you do go back to Lake Hefner, I recommend Red Rock Canyon Grill - its neighbor, Bahama Breeze, is a chain from Darden Restaurants. But Red Rock is local and popular with the after-work crowd.

Once again, glad you enjoyed it!!

jbrown

hey Coskier,

I'm glad you enjoyed OKC. My experience is that most people who think there is nothing to do here find that's not the case. Things have changed a lot in the last 10 years.

Since you'll be coming back, I wanted to give you some more tips. The OKC Museum of Art is great as someone said. Also the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum is really interesting and has a lot of beautiful western art. If it's warmer when you come, you might want to check out the OKC Zoo. It's considered one of the top 10 in the nation and is celebrating it's 100 year anniversary this year. If you like performing arts, there are lot's of options. Ballet Oklahoma, Lyric Theatre (musicals), The Oklahoma City Philharmonic, OKC Rep Theatre, OKC Theatre Company, and the Caterbury Choral Society perform at the Civic Center Music Hall downtown, and Broadway tours come through all the time. Miss Saigon is playing there next month. If that's something you're interested in, you can visit the website (okcciviccenter.com) to see what's playing. There are also several other theatres in the OKC area. Some places in Bricktown I recommend include Abuelos (great mexican), Chelino's, Zio's, and Bourbon Street. There are many choices though, as I'm sure you noticed. I hope you enjoy your future visits.

MzPossum

Just got back from OKC after visiting family--Coskier, we did go for a short walk at Lake Hefner and DID freeze our you know what's off. (There was a guy out there jogging, too!)
I wanted to add some plugs for a couple of our favorite cheap eats places. We always go to City Bites Cafe--still the best sub sandwiches I've ever had anywhere--good loaded baked potatoes, too. Also, for a good, sloppy, soda shop type hamburger and ice cream, go to Braum's. Both of these restaurants have locations all over the Metro area. Went to Greg Burns Art Gallery at N. Pennsylvania and Britton Road--worth a visit.

designmr

MzPossum, did you see Greg Burns there? If you didn't, you'd probably not guess he's a paraplegic (not that it would effect his talent). You'll see his works of OKC places in dozens of offices in the city. Only the photographer Tom Lee in the Paseo District seems to have developed OKC's sense of place as much with his works.

A second about your local recommendations. If you would have made it to Sonic, you'd have hit the OKC fast food trifecta!!

MzPossum

Hi designmr! I'm an OKC native, born and bred--moved to south Louisiana about 5 years ago. I like reading your posts--they make me a bit homesick, tho!
Oh, yes, I know all about Greg Burns--have seen him several times at the Festival of the Arts. In fact, he has a new print of the Festival that I bought. I got 3--Owen Field, the Arts Festival and an old barn that belonged to a dear friend of the family (not the round one, however. Going into his gallery was like a blast from the past--every OKC landmark. I got his Milk Bottle several years ago and still haven't framed it. I was getting my new ones framed today--felt a little funny having the OU one done while people kept coming in the shop (in Baton Rouge!) having their LSU national champ posters framed.
Fortunatly, we have Sonic's in Baton Rouge--how can it be summer without a cherry limeade?! (still haven't found a peppermint ice cream better than Braums!)
However, I think I would replace Sonic with Charcoal Oven for the fast food trifecta--what do you think?

designmr

MzPossum, I can't blame you one bit if you'd want to substitute Charcoal Oven. Wow, didn't know you were such a Greg Burns devotee. I recall all of those images (except for the barn), and now you're making me homesick!! Also, for your safety's sake, it's a good thing LSU did win. Not really.

MzPossum

Dear designmr--you're more right than you think about my being safer since LSU won! As part of losing a bet to a co-worker, I had to wear an LSU shirt to work everyday for a week. Had OU won, I think I would not have been quite so welcome at the office! Was really nice to be among my own kind last week Oh, by the way, have you been to the Buy For Less grocery on NW Expressway near Council--loads of ethnic food! Have a wonderful evening!