Oklahoma City, the state capital and state’s most populous city, is situated in central Oklahoma. When land was made available to homesteaders in 1889, the city was established, and its population surged to 10,000 in a single day.
When oil was found in the region in the 1920s, “OKC” became the state capital in 1910 and saw tremendous development. Since then, the oil sector has dominated the city’s economy. The parking meter and the traffic signal are two examples of Oklahoma City innovations.
Oklahoma City is now the epicenter of the cattle business as well as a key distribution hub for the state. Tinker Air Force Base is Oklahoma’s biggest employer and the world’s largest airplane maintenance facility, located seven miles southeast of downtown OKC.
In recent years, a billion-dollar reconstruction initiative has seen a significant rehabilitation of Oklahoma Metropolitan’s downtown district and other city sites. The Bricktown Canal Landmark project, educational campus renovations, and numerous historical structures have all been part of the Oklahoma City restoration.
The creation of the Oklahoma City National Memorial, like the response to the event it was meant to commemorate, was a collaborative effort involving many people and all levels of government. Oklahoma City Mayor Ron Norick convened a 350-member task group in 1995 to look at methods to commemorate the tragedy and pay tribute to those who died.
The task force’s report was released in March 1999. The Task Force asked for the construction of a memorial in the Memorial Mission Statement to commemorate those who were murdered, those who survived, and those who were permanently altered — in other words, everyone who was affected directly or indirectly by the attack.
Scissortail Park is a 40-acre urban paradise that stretches from downtown Oklahoma City to the Oklahoma River’s edge. The park’s design ideas include everything from a café and sports facilities to a serene lake and nature trails. The Skydance Bridge will link the north and south sections of the park.
For thrill seekers, hire pedal boats from the boathouse on Scissortail Lake or attend a concert on the Great Lawn at the six-acre outdoor amphitheater. A concession stand with grab-and-go food, public toilets, and a big covered terrace are all available at the boathouse. On the 3.7-acre lake, guests may hire pedal boats, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards. The Love’s Travel Stops Stage, which can accommodate up to 15,000 people on the Great Lawn, will feature a variety of performances throughout the year.
The OKC Zoo’s Asian elephants, Indian rhinos, Komodo dragons, red pandas, Francois’ langurs, numerous tanuki (also known as raccoon dogs), cassowaries, and Burmese tortoises can all be found in Sanctuary Asia, which currently spans 14.5 acres.
Each animal habitat is designed to provide excellent protection and care for these species while also offering visitors spectacular views of the animals. Elephants and rhinos may now move between five different habitats, offering more enrichment for the animals as well as magnificent vistas for tourists. Zoo staff and visitors may interact with the animals in new ways thanks to a new training wall and feeding windows.
Lotus Pavilion, a large two-level restaurant and event space in the heart of Sanctuary Asia, has floor-to-ceiling windows that seamlessly connect animal habitats with visitors, providing magnificent views into animal habitats throughout the Zoo’s 140-acres. Lotus Pavilion offers a daily meal service, featuring unique menu options not seen anywhere else at the Zoo, as well as the opportunity to dine while viewing rhinos, elephants, and Komodo dragons.
The Oklahoma City Museum of Art is one of the region’s most important art institutions. The Museum hosts a diverse selection of exhibits from renowned institutions and collectors throughout the globe. The Museum’s extensive collection includes works from North America, Europe, and Asia, with a focus on American art and postwar abstraction. The permanent collection also includes one of the biggest public collections of Dale Chihuly glass in the world, a significant collection of Brett Weston photography, and the authoritative museum collection of works by Washington Color painter Paul Reed.
The Samuel Roberts Noble Theater, which is part of the Museum, shows the best international, independent, documentary, and classic films. The Museum Store and the Roof Terrace are two of the museum’s facilities. The Oklahoma City Museum of Art is a member of the Association of Art Museum Directors and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. Every year, the Museum welcomes approximately 125,000 visitors from all fifty states and thirty countries.
Through exhibits, performances, and public programs, the Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center sparks creativity. The group concentrates on live artists, the art of the present, and the art of the future. They are dedicated to giving everyone access to the arts by presenting free exhibits, events, and performances throughout the year, as well as offering low-cost, high-quality arts courses and camps for children and adults.
The new facility is located in a beautiful new structure built by Rand Elliott Architects to complement the region’s distinctive light and sky. This free and open-to-the-public home for exhibits, education, and performance will anchor the new, central site at NW 11th and Broadway in downtown Oklahoma City. The new facility will greatly expand the capacity for free, globally relevant exhibits and programs, as well as improve art access and education for Oklahoma residents, students, and tourists.
