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8 Surprising Things I Discovered at the Oklahoma State Capitol

State capitol buildings are more than places for lawmaking and other state business. Many of them are also museums, open for the public to tour and learn about a state’s legislative process and its history. While many features of capitol buildings are similar, each is unique to its own state. The first unique thing I noticed about the Oklahoma State Capitol on my recent visit was the oil derrick standing in front of it.

National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum: Exploring Life in the American West

Life in the American West conjures up images of cowboys and homesteaders, cattle drives and rodeos. The Western way of life was romanticized and popularized in early 20^thcentury books by Zane Grey and later in cinema movies. Today the story of the American West is told in Oklahoma City’s National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum through world-class art galleries and exhibits.

The Osler Building, originally constructed as a medical office building, sat vacant from 2006 to 2013 in the declining Midtown district of Oklahoma City. You’d never know that today. Midtown has experienced a renaissance. The area, once blighted, is now filled with trendy restaurants and businesses. In 2013 the Osler Building was completely gutted and transformed into a 54-room boutique hotel, the Ambassador Hotel Oklahoma City, Autograph Collection, where I stayed on my recent visit to Oklahoma City.

American Banjo Museum: Evolution of an American Instrument

It’s been said that you can never play a sad song on a banjo. How true that is. When I think of banjo music, I think of ragtime, the Roaring Twenties and bluegrass, upbeat toe-tapping music. The American Banjo Museum in Oklahoma City celebrates the evolution of the banjo with over 400 unique banjos on display, plus memorabilia, a hall of fame and special exhibits.

Myriad Botanical Gardens Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory: Lush Oasis in Oklahoma City

There is no doubt that the Crystal Bridge Conservatory blends well with the surrounding downtown Oklahoma City skyscrapers. The 224-foot long, 70-foot diameter tube covered in translucent acrylic panels complements the steel and glass buildings in the area. Stepping inside the conservatory at Myriad Botanical Gardens, though, and you get the feeling you’ve been transported from hectic city life to a lush tropical oasis. I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.

Bricktown Water Taxi: Cruising Oklahoma City’s Bricktown Canal

Walking down the stairs from Oklahoma City’s street level to board the Bricktown Water Taxi on the canal, my first thought was that it looked like San Antonio’s River Walk from the many pictures I’ve seen. The photos always look inviting: a tour boat gliding along the river, a beautifully landscaped walkway, and restaurants with plenty of al fresco dining, tables adorned with colorful umbrellas. It turns out the Bricktown Canal was modeled after the San Antonio attraction.

Midwest Wanderer explores history, nature, and culture through road trips along scenic and historic U.S. highways, byways and trails

Oklahoma

8 Surprising Things I Discovered at the Oklahoma State Capitol

National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum: Exploring Life in the American West

Ambassador Hotel Oklahoma City: Trendy Sophistication

American Banjo Museum: Evolution of an American Instrument

Myriad Botanical Gardens Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory: Lush Oasis in Oklahoma City

Bricktown Water Taxi: Cruising Oklahoma City’s Bricktown Canal