I’ve lived in Texas for most of my life and had never visited Oklahoma until a couple weeks ago. The state line is only around 1 hour and a half from Dallas, and there are casinos past the state line, but the real destination in Oklahoma for a city girl is the capitol city of Oklahoma City. Without much stopping, it takes around 3 hours and a half. My trip was quick (2 days) but I was able to hit up the main tourist locations in Oklahoma City.

If you go to a capitol city it is imperative that you visit the state capitol! I arrived at the state capitol late in the afternoon so I had to take the self guided tour instead of the regular guided tour. Since the lawmakers were not in session I was able to go into the chambers, which was pretty cool. It was like, this is where the magic happens! While I was at the capitol they were setting up a wedding reception under the rotunda, a beautiful setting for a wedding reception. Outside the capitol I talked to a guy who said that a lot of historical artifacts that was housed in the state capitol are now across the street at the Oklahoma History Center.

The Oklahoma City Memorial downtown is a simple but effective memorial. It was created to honor those who were killed in the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. The most touching part of the memorial was the makeshift memorial that was created along a chain link fence soon after the bombing that still remains. There are letters to the victims, pictures, and other personal things. Next to the memorial is a museum that I didn’t get the chance to visit.

Bricktown is a little hip community near downtown that I had heard about but sort of stumbled into in search of a Starbucks! There is an entertainment district with restaurants, shops, a movie theater, etc. and of course a Starbucks. A great chill out location. (There are hotels within Bricktown, and having a hotel in Bricktown would be prime location!)

I love to travel so for me the coolest part of my trip was driving the infamous historical Route 66! If you have kids and want something fun to do outdoors pack a lunch and visit the Route 66 park near Lake Overholser. There is a massive playground and a pond with ducks, among other things.

While I was in Oklahoma City I also visited the 45th Division Museum, an infantry museum that is free to visit.

Oklahoma City from Dallas is a good weekend trip to make, and off I35 in Oklahoma there is a scenic route option that I plan to take next time I venture into Oklahoma!

Pictures from my trip!

All photographs are copyrighted by Gloria Marie.