News

Sep 04, 2023

TRAVEL COLUMN: A whirlwind trip through Oklahoma City's cultural treasures

Most people don’t understand that travel writers don’t get to travel like other people – especially if it’s on a press trip. The recent Society of American Travel Writers conference gave me a chance

Most people don’t understand that travel writers don’t get to travel like other people – especially if it’s on a press trip. The recent Society of American Travel Writers conference gave me a chance to take a press trip to my own home town. Here’s what that was like.

The opening gathering was at the First Americans Museum. We had the usual welcoming speeches and presentations by Native American Dancers. Dinner was buffet-style and museum exhibits were open so all could visit.

Time was limited with buses scheduled to take us back to host hotels – The Colcord and The National. I’ve visited the museum several times, so I chose to take more time with some areas I’d had to rush through before. I was glad my fellow writers could see how fantastic this museum is, but I felt sorry that there was no way they could really take it all in in the time allotted.

The next day was filled with meetings which included speakers on Oklahoma’s history and Native Americans, civil rights, what’s new in OKC, Route 66, Oklahoma’s music scene and more. Dinner that evening was a dine-around with three options: Cheevers, Mahogany or Ludivine.

Ludivine works closely with local farmers and ranchers and makes many of their unusual items in-house. The charcuterie tray, in particular, featured house-made pickles and mustard along with selections of meats and cheeses.

The menu is not extensive, but entrée choices included fish, beef, duck, pork and a pasta dish. I’m a chicken chick, so I missed that option. This is a spot for adventurous eaters; check the menu before you go.

The next day was devoted to seeing OKC with two morning choices – Riversport or Art and Park. Having had breakfast high in the Devon Tower, my group crossed the street to the Myriad Gardens.

After a quick walk around part of the gardens and a talk about the history of the project, we headed for the Crystal Bridge. The structure reopened last year after an $11 million-dollar renovation.

The first surprise was the beautiful art gallery at the entrance (south) end of the botanical tube. Currently on display (through November 2), the exhibit A Dream Waiting to Unfold: Portraits of Oklahoma features photography by M.J. Alexander. Pictures portray Oklahomans of all ages.

From November 3 to December 12, abstract works by Oklahoma City artist Jennifer Bullard will be on display.

Of course, the biggest change is within the tube itself. The structure has been completely emptied, updated, repaired and replanted.

The jungle-like waterfall was replaced by a two-story stacked stone cascade. A sculpture, made up of tall, spiky elements – Cloud Portal by Scott Murase – divides the north and south ends of the tube. The plantings are, of course, outstanding and pools and benches add nice spots for reflection.

We had just enough time to make it from one end to the other and back across the skywalk when it was time to go.

From the Gardens, we walked south to Scissortale Park, hearing details as we walked. It’s hard to walk and take notes.

We were to walk down the east side of the park, a really long walk! I have a new hip, so when someone came along with a wuss wagon, I hopped on.

The highlight of my ride was riding over the Skydance Bridge. We actually saw very little of the park!

Our bus was waiting to take us to the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. We were there during the fantastic Rodin exhibition. The next special exhibition opens November 11 and features the art of Preston Singletary and the Tlingit origin story of Raven.

We also saw the redesigned Chihuly exhibition – an updated version of the museum’s perennial favorite. New pieces have been added and the Persian Ceiling, formerly in a sort-of narrow hall is now mounted in a larger area with a bench for comfortably examining the intricacy of the installation.

Next stop was the Oklahoma City Zoo where lunch was served in the Lotus Pavilion near the south end of the zoo. Following the food, we had about an hour to see the zoo.

It was July – and 100 degrees. Given the heat and my hip, I knew it would take all 45 minutes to walk to the north entrance. And it did.

Tickets for the Elephant Express Tram are worth the $6 price, even though there are only three stops. Our zoo is huge and little legs (and old legs) will tire quickly.

A zoo membership is also a good deal. That way you can go and see a small portion of the zoo, go home when you get tired, and come back time after time until you’ve see all the animals.

The zoo’s latest addition, Expedition Africa, is scheduled to open in the spring.

Back on the bus, it was off to the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum (NCWHM, for short). Another contingent went to Bricktown and a third to the National Memorial and Museum.

At the NCWHM we had two and a half- hours with a guided tour and free time. Several of the galleries have been redesigned and, in others, items from the currently-closed Gilcrease Museum and are on loan.

If you haven’t seen the outside addition – Lichokoshkomo – you’re in for a real treat.

Back to the hotel for an hour to change, then back to the NCWHM for our closing dinner.

Were we all exhausted? Yes. Did we have time to really see everything we wanted to see? No.

But those previously unfamiliar with OKC came away with a good overview and appreciation and I got to catch up on what’s new with some of our top attractions.

Travel writers only get one lick off the lollipop. But we get a lot of lollipops.

Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles.