About OKC
• OKC Attractions
• Hotels
• Living Here
• Video
Oklahoma City is one of the country’s most exciting and unique cities with a heritage steeped in pioneer spirit, but always with an eye toward the future.
The city began with a gunshot signaling the beginning of the Oklahoma Land Run in 1889. According to one journalist of the time, Oklahoma City had “an attitude that all things are possible if people are willing to take a chance and embrace the future without hesitation or reservation.”
That same spirit of innovation still thrives today in a community that has grown to more than 1.2 million residents. A diverse economy, low cost of living and some of the lowest housing costs in the nation have helped “recession proof” our city.
In October 2009 Business Week magazine listed Oklahoma City #3 on its list of “Forty Strongest U.S. Metro Economies” and the #1 large metro in the nation in which to launch a small business. Earlier in the year, Greater Oklahoma City had 28 companies on the Inc. 500 “America’s Fastest Growing Companies” list.
Known as a city that invests in itself, Oklahoma City has put a “Metropolitan Area Projects” or MAPS penny sales tax to good use for nearly two decades. The original MAPS included a $53 million revitalization of the Oklahoma River, with additional projects including a new downtown library, the Bricktown canal, the RedHawks AT&T Bricktown ballpark, a trolley system, renovations to the Cox Convention Center, plus construction of the Oklahoma City Arena, all pivotal in positioning the city to become home of the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder!
The newest series of MAPs projects includes a Whitewater Rafting & Kayak Center as well as improvements to the Oklahoma River venue, including the addition of grandstands and a floating stage. Other projects will include construction of a 70-acre downtown park, a new $50 million convention center, construction of trails and sidewalks throughout the city, a light rail-based transit system, senior health & wellness centers, and fair ground improvements. The spirit of innovation is alive and well in Oklahoma City – come see what we have to offer!
OKC ATTRACTIONS
As you plan your trip to Oklahoma City, take time to enjoy some of our many attractions. Oklahoma City’s wide range of sports, art, music, theater and museum offerings mean there’s something for everyone.
Sports fans – Oklahoma City is home to the NBA Thunder basketball team, the IHL OKC Barons hockey team and OKC Redhawks baseball.
The Oklahoma City Museum of Art features the world’s largest permanent exhibit of Chihuly glass and an array of ever-changing art exhibits. Smaller art galleries dot downtown with new ones emerging all the time.
The Oklahoma City Arena regularly hosts top musical performers and the Civic Center welcomes Broadway shows throughout the year.
Only blocks away from the Oklahoma River, historic Bricktown offers hotels, entertainment and dining. Enjoy a fine meal, see a movie or take a water taxi ride on the Bricktown Canal. The downtown area is also home to the Myriad Botanical Gardens and Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World.
The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum is located at 6th and Harvey.
HOTELS
The Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation is pleased to recognize the Bricktown Residence Inn as a partner hotel [see all partner hotels]. For a complete listing of local hotels, visit the Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau.
LIVING IN OKC
With its vibrant western heritage, active arts community, thriving economy, and several Fortune 500 companies headquartered or present here, the Greater Oklahoma City area has one of the strongest economies in the nation. Home to 1.2 million people, the area encompasses several communities, including Edmond, Mustang, Bethany, Moore and Midwest City. The Greater Oklahoma City region is home to 16 four-year colleges and several two year and technical schools. See what school is right for you.
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