Oklahoma City Weekend Trip: Food, Culture & Surprises Close to Home

There’s nothing like a quick road trip to reset, and for Brandon and me, Oklahoma City checked all the boxes. Just three hours from Dallas, this Oklahoma City weekend trip was the perfect couples’ getaway, close enough to keep it easy, but far enough to feel like a true break. And we needed it. We debated where to go and my only criteria was that I didn’t want to get on a plane. We looked at the map and said, “Hey, we should go to OKC.”

Neither of us had ever been, so we went in with open minds and left already plotting our return. Now, to be honest, I did go there a couple of years ago – but I was there for less than 24 hours and went to three places: the airport, a focus group research facility, and a motel. This was complete redemption. From boutique hotels to surprising eats and culture, OKC delivered.

First Impressions

We arrived just as the sun was setting and the golden light bouncing off wide streets reminded me a little of my hometown of Sacramento. OKC had this unexpected charm that was felt immediately: approachable, calm and welcoming.

Where We Stayed: The Fordson Hotel

Our home base was the Fordson Hotel, a former Ford Motor plant turned boutique stay. Think raw industrial character softened with modern style — concrete beams, steel windows and high ceilings in every room. It was everything and more and pictures will never do it full justice. While there are a lot of amazing boutique hotel options for an Oklahoma City weekend trip, The Fordson is a must-stay!

What I loved most:

• Cozy lounge areas and modern, loft guest rooms with high ceilings.
  • Loved having a lounger and round table in the room as opposed to a traditional desk
  • The Malin & Gaetz bath products were a nice touch, too
• Mary Eddy’s restaurant for dinner, plus Bodega for daytime bites
• Walkable to bars and eats in West Village
• There’s a pool onsite and they host a lot of events in the summer months
• Just five minutes from downtown, museums and parks

And the coolest part? The building’s history. In 1916, Model Ts rolled off the line right where we checked in. After sitting empty for nearly a decade, a local team restored it with so much respect for its bones, giving it a whole new life. The Model T in the lobby just brings it all full circle!

What We Ate & Drank

• Mary Eddy’s & Bodega at the Fordson: stylish, inventive and right downstairs. Breakfast exceeded expectations both days. Still dreaming about that breakfast burrito!
• Mickey Mantle’s Steakhouse: A classic that came recommended. We enjoyed and I ordered my usual surf and turf. I opted to have my lobster tail scampi style and it was rich and full of flavor! The crispy onions on top of the macaroni and cheese were a very original touch.
• Clarity Coffee: Attached to Commonplace Books. We stopped in for two lattes before hitting the road back to Dallas.

What to Do on an Oklahoma City Weekend Trip

• Myriad Botanical Gardens: We almost didn’t go! What a miss that would’ve been. This was such a peaceful and beautiful spot to stroll and recharge. Make this a priority on your visit to OKC.
• OKC Museum of Art: The Ansel Adams exhibit was in town and that was a surprise to see so many pieces of his work. The Chihuly glass exhibit is ongoing and it stole my heart in the best way. There is also a jaw dropping installation when you walk in. Overall, I just loved how this museum was curated… you could totally spend hours in here.
  • Don’t miss the gift shop! I picked up a print and we also had margaritas at the bar. Yes, there’s a bar inside the gift shop! And they squeezed the lime juice for my drink when I ordered it. It doesn’t get fresher than that.
• Midtown OKC: An easy walk with shops, bars and bites. I stopped inside of ____ and grabbed a little doggy bandana for Rudy,
• Commonplace Books: A vibe all on its own, and another place you could spend hours in. It was so great to see so many female and BIPOC authors throughout the shelves.
• Bricktown Water Taxi: touristy but worth it for a chill sightseeing/historic activity. It’s pretty affordable and family friendly. We loved seeing the city from the “water.”

Would I Go Back?

Yes, yes, and yes. Oklahoma City feels like a destination that’s still being discovered — easy to explore, full of charm, and just the right pace. It works for couples, families, girlfriend getaways, or even a solo reset. Next time, I want to dig deeper into the city’s culinary and beverage scene and venture a little farther beyond downtown. But as first visits go, our Oklahoma City weekend trip more than delivered.

Have you been to OKC? I’d love to hear your favorite spots for my next visit. Drop me a comment or send me a message.

Make sure you check out the Travel section of the blog… as of September 2025, we’ve got some catching up to do, but it’s about to be chock full of resources and travel inspo for you.

Appreciate you being here!