Oklahoma City Things to Do Tips by mrclay2000 Top 5 Page for this destination

Henry Overholser Mansion Historic Buildings Review

The 1903 Victorian home of Henry Overholser is located about 15 blocks north of the heart of downtown Oklahoma City. Though I myself do not care much for its gaudy exterior, there are windows of French stained glass and Antwerp oak paneling inside the home.
Tours: T-F, 10-4, Sa-Su 2-4
Fees: Adults, $3; Seniors, $2.50. Age 6-18, $1. Under 6, free.

Address: 405 NW 15th

Phone: (405) 528-8485

Crystal Bridge Myriad Botanical Gardens Review

The Crystal Bridge downtown is one of the more peculiar Oklahoma City attractions. Visitors can leave the frost of winter or the blustery fall weather outside and step into a lush, tropical paradise. Be warned that a few moments in here will mist your eyeglasses and daub your hair with sweat, but the rewards are quickly reaped. Thousands of exotic plants from around the globe thrive amid rocky waterfalls, orchid groves, koi brooks and more, all explored by the human visitor as well as free-roaming lizards.

Admission: Adults, $6; Seniors $5, Children 4-12 $3, Children 3-0 free

Open 9 a.m - 6 p.m. Mon-Sat; Sun Noon - 6 p.m.

Address: 100 Myriad Gardens

Directions: Reno & Robinson Avenues downtown

Phone: 405-297-3995

Website: http://www.myriadgardens.com

Omnidome - Kirkpatrick Planetarium Omnidome Review

Apart from being the only IMAX theater in town (the Omnidome), the Kirkpatrick Air & Space Museum has a host of attractions, ranging from its air & space exhibits, to the planetarium and museum store, to the Japanese gardens and greenhouse, to the hands on exhibits for your kids (350 displays known as KIDSPACE). This is a unique collection of educational programs and exhibits that make the Kirkpatrick an interesting stop on your tour. The double bonus is that the Omnidome-Kirkpatrick is two minutes' walk from the Oklahoma City Zoo entrance.

Address: 2100 NE 52

Directions: near the OKC Zoo and Remington Park

Phone: 405) 602-OMNI or (800) 532-7652

Website: http://www.omniplex.org

Oklahoma City University Oklahoma City University Review

Celebrating its 100th year in 2003, the Oklahoma City University campus houses one of three law schools in the state and one of the best fine arts colleges in mid-America. The entire campus is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, though many of its various buildings are strictly functional. The administration building and the memorial library however are pure Gothic and wonderful additions to the campus. For those who like ballet, the Oklahoma City Ballet performs here (its home) throughout the season, and the performances are always first class.

Address: NW 23rd & Blackwelder

Directions: several blocks due west of Oklahoma State Capitol (the tall library spire gives away its position from miles away)

Website: http://www.okcu.edu

Mid-Continent Life Building

Built in the 1920s and since listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this handsome building on Classen seems as stately as one of our government offices, but it has been a private venture since construction, and bares a close copy to the Daily Oklahoma building. Its classical revival lines are not always easy to review even when standing in front of its portico, since this building is tightly shouldered with tall trees that, though deciduous, still block an open view to one of downtown's more stately structures.

Address: 1400 Classen Blvd

Directions: a little northwest of the core downtown area, about a dozen blocks

Paseo District

One of the many historic districts in Oklahoma City, the Paseo District, has long been the seat of budding artists, but the area has since fallen on hard times. Once the limit of urban growth from downtown, the Paseo still keeps its share of eclectic restaurants, odd galleries and interesting residential architecture, but also old throwbacks to the 1930s and 1940s. The Tower Theater (pictured) is no longer a cinema, and some of the antique shops along these rows have since folded, but the lanes of the Paseo have lately shown signs of resurgent life.

St Joseph's Revisited Churches Review

Though I didn't speak with any church officials, rumor has it that upwards of $3 million came from federal funds to renovate, repair and reconstruct the church. Throughout St Joseph's Cathedral, the stained glass is as dramatic, bright and dynamic as any you'll discover in Europe, all depicting key scenes and persons in Christian history. Every window is also surmounted with a representation of the Kingdom of God.

Address: 307 NW 4

Directions: due west of the Oklahoma City National Memorial

Phone: 405/ 235-4565

First Lutheran Church - the Windows Churches Review

Overall, the interior of the First Lutheran is a study in contrast. The ceiling and walls are creamy. The altar is dark. The windows are nearly uniform. Besides the altar, which by itself is no special wonder, I found a painting in the entrance foyer (near the secretary's office) to be the most startling object in the church. Painted by one of the congregation, it depicts a perfect likeness of the exterior of the church (as seen in my tip above) with the Christ sweeping his hand over the Gothic towers in benediction.

Address: 1300 N Robinson Avenue

Phone: 405/235-1013

First Lutheran Church - the Altar Churches Review

The single most becoming object in the sanctuary's interior is the altar. Altogether the nave is simple, if not plain. The mellow tone of its interior is scarcely improved by the lighting from the stained glass windows, which appear uniform in design from a distance. To gain admittance, ring the bell at the functional entrance on the south side. The secretary will see to your needs.

Address: 1300 N Robinson Avenue

Phone: 405/235-1013

Church Row Continued Churches Review

Another early church on Robinson Avenue, which gained the reputation of "Church Row" in the first quarter of the last century, is the First Lutheran Church, like St Joseph's farther south a temple in Gothic style. The "church" (i.e. its people) was founded here in 1902, but building did not begin on this structure until 1911. On April 22, 1913 -- the first '89ers Day following its grand opening -- a century chest was buried at the site, to be opened April 22, 2013.

Address: 1300 N Robinson Avenue

Phone: 405/235-1013