In the middle of the U.S., and in the middle of Oklahoma, is Oklahoma City, a modern, urban metropolis with a population of 1.4 million that still holds onto its charm – it’s no wonder one of its nicknames is “The Big Friendly.” Oklahoma City is also experiencing a type of renaissance, with a new convention center and urban park, and a streetcar system that makes it easy to get to the different districts, hotels and restaurants along a five-mile swath. The positivity, optimism and energy make it easy to see that’s there’s something for every meeting planner and their clients in Oklahoma City.
Why Oklahoma City
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Over the past 30-plus years, more than $5 billion has been invested in the city’s quality-of-life projects and improvements.
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25 nonstop flights arrive into OKC Will Rogers International Airport from across the U.S.
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Scissortail Park, a new 40-acre urban park, provides plenty of ways to enjoy the outdoors.
What’s New in Oklahoma City
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The Chickasaw Nation's Exhibit C Gallery, the city’s premier First American art gallery, recently moved into a reimagined 10,000 square foot space in the Horizon’s District.
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In support of the Innovation District’s mission of collaboration, innovation, opportunity and economic growth, Innovation Hall boasts meeting rooms, workspace, an event hall and a public café.
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The Freedom Center of Oklahoma City is undergoing renovations to include a new five-acre campus that will feature the Clara Luper Civil Rights Center.
There are plenty of options when it comes to things to see and do in “The Big Friendly,” as well as places to grab a bite to eat, or host a power lunch or dinner. Here are a few spots in Oklahoma City to pique your interest.
SEE
First Americans Museum
Learn the collective histories of 39 First American Nations that call Oklahoma home, and their cultural diversity, history and contributions to our country, at the First Americans Museum. Throughout the 175,000 square foot museum you and your group will find state-of-the-art exhibitions, a café offering unique Indigenous-inspired cuisine, a multi-purpose theater and more. The museum is available for private events.
National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
Founded in 1955, the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum is considered the premier institution of Western history, art and culture. Works of art by the likes of Frederic Remington, Charles M. Russell and James Earle Fraser are on display, as well as exhibitions showcasing American cowboys, rodeos, Native American culture, Victorian firearms, Western performers and more. The museum is available for private events.
Myriad Botanical Gardens
A world-class public garden and urban green space, Myriad Botanical Gardens is a reprieve from the hustle and bustle of everyday life in the heart of Oklahoma City. Escape to 15 acres of ornamental gardens and grounds complete with shade gardens, a lake with terraced gardens, a beautiful collection of ornamental flowering perennials and the Inasmuch Foundation Crystal Bridge Conservatory, which has just reopened after nearly two years and $11 million in renovations. The gardens are available for private events.
For more activities and ideas, ask your ALHI GSO.
DO
Factory Obscura
Ramp up your group’s creativity with an outing to Factory Obscura, a collection of immersive art experiences over 6,00 square feet, all created by artists and makers with one common mission: to awaken the inner-child in us all; spark awe and wonder; invite interactive play, both physical and mental; and create connections through art. Factory Obscura is available for private events.
Bricktown Water Taxi
For a different perspective of Oklahoma City, charter a Bricktown Water Taxi and cruise the canals of the city’s Bricktown entertainment district. The history tours share stories from the area dating back to 1889 through today, or opt for a lunch, cocktail, or dinner cruise catered by canal-side restaurant partners who will work with you to create the perfect menu.
Riversport Rapids & Adventures
Surprise your group with an outdoor adventure in the heart of the city – whether that be white water rafting, kayaking, surfing, or rafting at Riversport Rapids & Adventures. If you’d rather stay on solid grounds, try mountain biking, or go sky high on the SandRidge Sky Trail, the tallest adventure course of its kind in the world. Team building activities are available, too, like dragon boat racing and the two-hour Boathouse Experience in the OKC National High Performance Center, a US Olympic and Paralympic training site.
For more activities and ideas, ask your ALHI GSO.
EAT
Cattlemen’s Steakhouse
The story goes that Cattlemen’s Steakhouse was won in a craps game in 1945. Since then, it’s become one of the best-regarded steakhouses in all of Oklahoma, known for its homemade desserts and rolls, and, of course, steaks. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, steak is unsurprisingly the main attraction, though diners will also find traditional breakfast dishes like omelets and hot cakes, sandwiches, entrees and salads for lunch and dinner. Cattlemen’s Special Events Center can accommodate groups of up to 170.
Tellers
Step into Tellers and step into history – the restaurant is housed in the historic First National Bank gallery, its tables and booths situated among the bank’s original teller booths. Serving breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner, Tellers is known for its authentic interpretations of regional Italian cuisine, along with its house made pastas, wood-oven baked pizzas, and locally sourced produce and meats cooked over a wood-fired grill. Wow your guests in private dining spaces like the Beacon for up to 50, or the Mint for up to 70.
Lorena
New to OKC’s dining scene for lunch and dinner is Lorena, which offers a fresh take on southern traditional dishes. Think Gulf Shrimp & Unicorn Grits served with roasted sweet peppers and a Worcestershire butter sauce; a Roast Beef Short Rib Po Boy with green tomato chow chow; or Mac & Cheese Stuffed Hot Fried Quail served with cane sugar miso butter, a collard cornbread waffle and pickle slaw. A few vegan options are available, as is private dining.
For more activities and ideas, ask your ALHI GSO.
STAY
ALHI Members OKANA Resort and Indoor Water Park and Omni Oklahoma City Hotel are ready to welcome you and your guests for some fun in “The Big Friendly.”
OKANA Resort and Indoor Water Park
The brand new OKANA Resort and Indoor Water Park, which first welcomed guests in early 2025, is where the lines between business and pleasure vanish, what with 11 pools; a 100,000 square foot indoor and 200,000 square foot outdoor lagoon; more than a dozen dining options; 404 guest rooms and suites; and plenty more to keep your guests and their families occupied. When work calls, the OKANA team can transform the 27,000 square foot conference center, or indeed any of the resort’s event spaces, to meet your needs.
Omni Oklahoma City Hotel
Adjacent to the Oklahoma City Convention Center, the Omni Oklahoma City Hotel offers an additional 76,000 square feet of meeting and event space across 15 meeting rooms, including the 20,500 square foot Oklahoma Station Ballroom. When work is done for the day, retreat to one of the hotel’s 605 guest rooms and suites; find a bite to eat in one of its six onsite dining options; take a dip in the rooftop pool, or sneak away to Mokara Spa for some restful relaxation.
For more activities and ideas, ask your ALHI GSO.