We visited the Oklahoma City Museum of Art in downtown Oklahoma City to see the amazing Chihuly…read moreCollection and catch the Paul Reed exhibit before it left. It had been a while since our last visit, and I won't wait so long next time. The museum has remodeled since we were last there and everything feels fresh and updated. The Chihuly exhibit is even better than before, the layout really shows off the glass beautifully. We also enjoyed the Paul Reed exhibit and stopped by the gift shop on the way out, which had lots of great gift ideas. The little patisserie inside was busy and looked like it had a nice selection of coffee, tea, and cocktails. And a great tip: they offer free entry on the second Sunday of every month, which makes it an even better time to visit.

Five stars, just for a magnificent Chihuly exhibit!…read more The Chihuly Exhibit comprises the entirety of the first floor of the museum and it is captivating. Others have shared enough photos that I need not add any additional pictures, but Chihuly makes it easy to understand glassworks as artworks. Simply magical. The second floor of the museum includes a small but engaging selection of European and American art. There are not a lot of immediately recognizable names but what there is, is high quality. It is also interesting to see how a younger museum builds its collection, when the great masters were gobbled up by older institutions. I was happy to see Copley and O'Keefe, among others. The third floor housed a special exhibit of a more contemporary artist. Modern Art is not so much my thing, but the artist did spawn a lot of debate between my son and me over the nature of art, so it had its effect.

Hadn't been to the Oklahoma Opry since they moved into bricktown. They have teamed up with…read moreUniversity of Central Oklahoma (UCO) at their music school downtown while they are remodeling one of the old warehouse bldgs to be their new home. This is a small venue which was sold out tonight. I seen something that said 200 capacity but tht would be pretty tight I think. Anyway they had it set up with 5 rows across in front of the stage with anywhere from 12-16 chairs per row. They weren't all the same. Then around tht were round bar top height tables with tall chairs(weren't very comfortable IMO). Behind tht was the sound guy and the snack area. Candy, popcorn, side, water, coffee etc. They also were offering a root beer float which I found odd but hey. Why not. Everything was reasonable. Raised up a bit so they could make a profit but not gouging like some places. The acoustics were decent and the sound didn't overpower. They have shows there most Saturday nights with local talent. Parking is usually 10 bucks in most of the lots but there was a concert at the Paycom arena so parking lots don't mind gouging at it was 20 but if you were going to use one of the city lots with their online pay credit float a loan if you are going to be there for awhile.

I've been involved with the Opry for 33 years as a performer and artist development coach, and it's…read morealways been a special place to me. If you're looking for a family-friendly live music experience, you'll enjoy hearing some of the most up-and-coming artists take the stage right here in the heart of Oklahoma. Many well-known musicians have started their journeys on this stage, making it a great place to catch rising talent. Get ready for the next Grand Ole Opry in Oklahoma fashion!

If you enjoy places where you can interact instead of just look, Factory Obscura is an absolute…read moremust-visit in Oklahoma City. We spent about three hours exploring Mix-Tape and still felt like we could have discovered even more. Every room is filled with hidden details, secret passageways, interactive elements, music, lights, and artwork that constantly encourages you to slow down and look a little closer. The experience is whimsical, nostalgic, and surprisingly thought-provoking all at the same time. One of the things I appreciated most was learning about the mission behind Factory Obscura. The exhibit isn't just beautiful--it was created by local artists who are supported for their work. Knowing that the installation continues to evolve with contributions from more than 100 artists made me appreciate every room even more. As a travel photographer, I loved photographing the exhibit. Every corner offered a completely different color palette, texture, or composition. The special diffraction glasses they provide make the lighting even more magical, so don't skip using them while you explore. My advice? Wear comfortable shoes, plan for at least 2-3 hours, and don't rush through it. Open every drawer, look through every little window, touch everything you're allowed to touch, and if you're able, crawl through the hidden passages--you'll discover details most people walk right past. Whether you're traveling with kids, visiting as a couple, hanging out with friends, or exploring solo, Factory Obscura is one of the most creative and memorable attractions we've experienced. It's colorful, imaginative, and unlike anything else in Oklahoma City. We left inspired and would absolutely visit again the next time we're in town.

A friend came to town and I was panicking about what to do with him. Oklahoma is not exactly well…read moreknown for cities full of excitement. I had heard about Factory Obscura for a few years and knew that Flaming Lips and some local artists were involved. It's an immersive art experience much like Meow Wolf on a smaller scale and I have to say it was very well done. You don't need a reservation (at least not in mid January) and the staff was great about offering suggestions for places to dine or things to do after the museum. I highly recommend you pay a dollar for the 3D glasses. This is fun for both adults and kids.

I've been to the FAM 4 times and find something new to appreciate each visit. The museum itself is…read morewonderfully designed. My favorite area is the "original stories" shown on a massive wrap around screen -- complete with rock shaped seats. From there you follow a timeline of significant moments in indigenous history. The children's wing has come so far in the last few years and has a ton of interactive options for kids and adults alike. A note about accessibility: The FAM does an amazing job not only being ADA compliant but going above and beyond. Audio and visual portions have physical text or captions for those who need it. Exhibit videos also display timers in the lower corner. There are several "fire pit" seating areas throughout that allow for folks to rest. These are also all wheelchair accessible.

This museum is absolutely stunning right next to the Okana Resort. I was told the entrance faces…read moreeast to catch the morning sun and there is a beautiful glass area west facing that represents the 10 miles a day walked during the Trail of Tears, such beautiful architecture with meaning. Of course the artwork and artifacts are beautiful but what really got me was the mood. This place is QUIET. Not in a sterile don't touch anything way (but yeah, also don't touch anything), but with the stories that are told on the video, or through the curated spaces. It's contemplative and deeply respectful. This is NOT your typical museum where kids are sprinting around screaming. It's calm. And somehow, that calm extends even to the children's area. The Family Discovery Center is EXCEPTIONAL. Kids can climb, build, and explore hands-on educational stations for hours. There are interactive games, and activities that teach caring for our world which is the theme "We are all Connected." I really enjoyed the videos that detailed how the first Americans believed males and females were formed, I wish they had the animated video in a book format for purchase. Come spend a few hours here and take the time to reflect.

Congrats to the Oklahoma City Thunder for their success, thanks in large part to general manager…read moreSam Presti. Presti, who won three NBA championships as an assistant GM with the San Antonio Spurs (2003, 2005, 2007), ultimately guided OKC to the 2025 NBA title. Presti was primarily responsible for drafting Kevin Durant (2007), Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka (2008), and James Harden (2009). That core tried to take the torch from San Antonio, but Tim Duncan, Gregg Popovich, and R.C. Buford weren't done yet (2014). Presti is also primarily responsible for drafting Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams in 2022, and making trades for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2019), Cason Wallace (2023), and Alex Caruso (2024). To a certain extent, Presti created a Spurs 2.0 in OKC, with both teams being in similar markets and seeing similar sustained success in the Western Conference. OKC is currently in the midst of the 2026 Western Conference Finals against - surprise - the Spurs, with the victor likely to beat whoever comes out of the East (I predict the Knicks).

Great seats at Paycom Center, low to the floor close to the action! The downfall is that we lost to…read moreDenver. Tough to beat a good opponent on back to back nights. A typical sporting event means you have to shell out the money at the concession stand. A jumbo dog was $6.50 crazy and it just like a regular dog to me! Beer was $11. The biggest issue I have with sporting events is not only the high ticket price but to really experience the game gotta have a beer & a dog! I'm still liking forward to going to a playoff game!

This is an amazing theatre program. They are a hard working couple who have brought their dream…read moreinto reality. They pick great stories and the performance are entertaining. You will appreciate the talent you see in the actors, stage hands, directors, and owners.

This is a theatre group located in OKC. They take their literary adaptations on the road as well…read moreas their own place. Had the opportunity to see their production of Dorian Grey at the Choctaw HS performing Arts Center. The Saturday afternoon show was not very well attended. The performance was fine just felt bad for the actors with such a small audience. They have been around for 6/7 years and this is their own theatre location, but like I said the travel the shows.

This is the 19th year of the film festival. My friend won tickets and invited me…read more Wow! The people here are friendly and it was totally for a good cause. The band was good. People were dancing all night. The food could have been better (for sure). They had meatballs, pulled chicken sliders, cauliflower, cucumbers, carrots, hummus, spicy pimento cheese and deviled eggs. Next year they really need to do better for $100 a ticket. They had wine, beer and a specialty drink. I did have a good time.

In my opinion, @deadCENTER is the top cultural event in our city. I've been to a several other film…read morefestivals around the country, and dCFF is my favorite, and not just because it is in my hometown. The programming committee does a great job developing a wonderful selection of films, which are then well-organized. You can build your schedule online, and add that directly to the calendar you already use (GCal, Outlook, etc). The films include a wide selection of films by Oklahomans (I think this year there were 27), as well as thought-provoking documentaries, funny narrative features, and a very rich and varied shorts program. This year there were ninety films across five theaters. There are many opportunities to network with filmmakers from all across the country, visiting panelists, and your fellow local film buffs. The parties are legendary - every night of the festival there are at least two fun parties to attend and enjoy. All-access badges are $125, but it's not hard to earn a badge by becoming a volunteer. There are volunteer opportunities throughout the year. There is also a 2-for-1 badge deal when you buy a CityCard, which pays for itself just with the dCFF discount, though there are many other great cultural opportunities within that. Check out Allied Arts for more info on that. There are also a few opportunities to engage in deadCENTER without buying a badge. Every night of the festival, after the sun goes down, there is a free, outdoor screening of a wonderful film. You can pack a picnic and a blanket, and come out and enjoy a movie under the stars,