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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 336
 
Location: Missouri | Everyone was so helpful when I was looking for Oklahoma Thunder tickets, would like to pick the brains of those of you familiar with OKC.
I was able to get tickets for my son's 16th birthday present to see Oklahoma Thunder vs. Toronto Raptors this Sunday!! He opened his "presents" - a series of gifts (hints) leading up to the tickets on his actual birthday last Sunday and was soooo excited. Overwhelmed actually.
Due to the forecasted storm (I am in Northeast/North central Missouri) Saturday night and Sunday, we decided to come to OKC tomorrow, instead of leaving at 4am Sunday (8 hour drive for us). Hope to avoid the worst of the ice and snow. We are scheduled to get 8" of snow here on top of ice starting Saturday afternoon/evening. Yuck. Since we will be there a day early, can you recommend any MUST SEE's for me and my two teenagers? Cameron (the birthday boy) is a through and through jock. Jillian (13) is my horse girl - eats, sleeps, drinks, breaths it, especially roping and rodeo.
So far, I have found an indoor rock climbing place made from converted grain silos that looks cool. And there's a huge western store near our hotel (so it says LOL). Locals...any other super awesome thoughts for things to see or places to eat??? Keep in mind, please, this is a low budget trip LOL. Nothing too fancy preferably.
You all may ban me from the state...the last time I came to OKC was when Jillian ran the flag at AQHA World...Kansas got horrible ice storm that day as well, and it drifted into Oklahoma. Think I'm a jinx. Thanks a million, and Merry Christmas!  |
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 The Worst Seller Ever
Posts: 4138
Location: Oklahoma | There is the Western Heritage Museum.
http://www.nationalcowboymuseum.org/
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 336
Location: Missouri |
Thanks! I am bookmarking anything I find and you guys suggest. We will look them over and let kids decide what we do (sigh...guess oughta let Cam have the biggest vote since it's "his" trip! Pretty sure Brat and I could get lost just in the western store for several hours!). Cameron likes museums (so he says..not that he's ever been to one, but he's a history buff), so this may be right up his alley! Appreciate the suggestion! |
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 Quack Quack Woodle Woodle
Posts: 7905
 
Location: Texas | If the weather was nicer y'all would probably like brick town .. which is where the basketball stadium is. Walking distance to several restaurants, etc. If it's not too icey on the sidewalks you might check that out. |
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  Queen Boobie 2
Posts: 7521
| Stop in Tulsa and watch calf roping until your eyes bleed. Also some barrel racing at the Mike Johnson worlds richest calf roping tomorrow. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1432
Location: Never in one place long | National Cowboy Museum
We always have fun at the Toby keith Resturant and bar!!
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 336
Location: Missouri | I think we will eat supper Sunday after the game in Bricktown (fingers crossed it's not too icy). Ohhhhh the roping would keep us girls entertained for an entire weekend. Cam not so much LOL. His eyes glaze when horses are mentioned. Poor kid - no wonder he doesn't hang out with us much. Only guy in house, non-horsey, and has to put up with us! I do appreciate all suggestions. I saw a Texas Roadhouse on the internet - sounded good for Saturday supper maybe (have never been to one - none in our area). |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 336
Location: Missouri | DLV - 2013-12-20 2:36 PM
National Cowboy Museum
We always have fun at the Toby keith Resturant and bar!!
Saw this advertised as well - again have heard of them but never been to one. Good grief there are tons of places to go/see/eat there! Why I thought you guys would be a more reliable source than the net. |
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7268
| Toby Keith 's is real good! If you get stuck, I am just south of Wichita! |
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 Golden Heart
Posts: 5662
Location: SD | Don't forget the OKC National Memorial, www.oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org. POPS is a fun stop, but may be a bit out of the way for you, www.route66.com. Here are a few more ideas, www.visitokc.com/events/?e_ViewBy=week&e_sDate=2013,%2012,%2022&e_sortBy=eventName. |
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 Rebel Without a Cause
Posts: 2758
Location: Adopt a homeless pet - www.petfinder.com! | I hate to tell you but we are already getting ice and they are predicting a half inch of ice for central Oklahoma, supposed to continue tonight through tomorrow. Be very careful on the roads. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1035
Location: TN | You should definitely go to the Stockyards City area (Agnew Ave. exit off the interstate - I think it's I-40). You can see the huge historic stockyards, eat at Cattleman's (my mouth is watering thinking about those steaks!), and check out some neat western shops. I went to OSU and this was my favorite area to go visit on my trips out of Stillwater. |
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 "Hottie"
Posts: 1373
Location: Okemah,OK | dianea - 2013-12-20 2:42 PM
I think we will eat supper Sunday after the game in Bricktown (fingers crossed it's not too icy). Ohhhhh the roping would keep us girls entertained for an entire weekend. Cam not so much LOL. His eyes glaze when horses are mentioned. Poor kid - no wonder he doesn't hang out with us much. Only guy in house, non-horsey, and has to put up with us! I do appreciate all suggestions. I saw a Texas Roadhouse on the internet - sounded good for Saturday supper maybe (have never been to one - none in our area).
If you're eating steak, you have to go to Cattleman's in the stockyards! Really really really good! There's also some great shopping down there, even a good outlet western store! |
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| Keep in mind a lot of the hiways, loops and interchanges in Ok City are up in the air .. so driving around may be very limited .... especially with the amount of time you have to spend after checking into your hotel ...
Walking over to the cowboy shopping place that is near your hotel and then driving to the stadium early and walking Brick Town//eating and turning the kids loose in the stadium will be about all the time you have ....
Keep in mind that one inch of rain equals 3 inches of snow ... and forecasters are saying 2-4 inches of rain where it is warm enough and 4-10 inches of snow and Mo is supposed to be even worse ... Oklahoma has no snow or ice removal systems ... just some salted sand and a few dump trucks ... so you may get to stay a couple of extra days ...
currently on radar ..
http://www.weather.com/maps/maptype/dopplerradarusnational/southeas...
OK CITY WEATHER TV ...
http://www.news9.com/weather
STAY SAFE !!
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 336
Location: Missouri | Well shoot! Maybe we should have left today! Spent all evening after work getting our horses and dogs situated for the weather and us being gone! Hope your ice disappears tomorrow before we get there. Griz, I may put you on speed dial! Leaving tomorrow morning and don't have to be there til 3 Sunday! Can go slow LOL.
The Cattleman's sounds fabulous, as do the Stockyards and Museums. We have a shuttle from our hotel to the arena Sunday, so that will help! Guess we will play the rest according to your road conditions! I didn't know about the long drive times..definitely something to factor in!
I appreciate so much the suggestions, advice, and radar link. Will take it slow and play by ear. All I know is I have a 16 year old son who can't wait for the game. Anything else we do is a bonus. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 336
Location: Missouri | 2burkeboys - 2013-12-20 6:29 PM
Don't forget the OKC National Memorial, www.oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org. POPS is a fun stop, but may be a bit out of the way for you, www.route66.com. Here are a few more ideas, www.visitokc.com/events/?e_ViewBy=week&e_sDate=2013,%2012,%2022&e_sortBy=eventName.
This would be neat to see. My sister went and they all were impressed. Of course it was warm and they could walk around!
Will just say a prayer as we head out. I'm just thankful for once not hauling! Dually and trailer don't mix well with bad roads! Thank you for the links! |
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| Yes, definitely eat at Cattlemans! |
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Cold hands and Warm Heart
Location: oklahoma | I just saw this... Please check road conditions as we've had freezing rain since yest. I'm south of there but have not been above 34 since yest and forecast for the same weather all weekend. Parts of I44 and 35 are closed due to ice and accidents. Safe travels. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 336
Location: Missouri | CurlyQ - 2013-12-21 8:47 AM
I just saw this... Please check road conditions as we've had freezing rain since yest. I'm south of there but have not been above 34 since yest and forecast for the same weather all weekend. Parts of I44 and 35 are closed due to ice and accidents. Safe travels.
Oh goody. Thanks for the update. We are enroute. No bad weather yet but getting closer to it. I have the DOT conditions maps bookmarked! Doesn't seem to be a good way to get there from here! Oh well is what it is I guess!
Appreciate the travel updates immensely!
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Rebel Without a Cause
Posts: 2758
Location: Adopt a homeless pet - www.petfinder.com! | dianea - 2013-12-21 11:07 AM CurlyQ - 2013-12-21 8:47 AM I just saw this... Please check road conditions as we've had freezing rain since yest. I'm south of there but have not been above 34 since yest and forecast for the same weather all weekend. Parts of I44 and 35 are closed due to ice and accidents. Safe travels. Oh goody. Thanks for the update. We are enroute. No bad weather yet but getting closer to it. I have the DOT conditions maps bookmarked! Doesn't seem to be a good way to get there from here! Oh well is what it is I guess! Appreciate the travel updates immensely!
The good news is the Thunder have never cancelled a game due to weather that I can remember. You'll have so much fun! Stay safe  |
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10D Crack Champion
| Might be something of interest for him here. I've heard people of all ages love this place. I've never been. http://www.sciencemuseumok.org/ |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 336
Location: Missouri | Thanks! I will show him! We finally made it..an eight hour trip took ten because of the roads, but we had no problems. Saw some pretty nasty wrecks. Prayers to those involved. Some looked wicked. Wow definitely slick. .advantage of living in north Missouri - we are used to it!
So far I've kissed the ground so glad to be off the roads and checked into tonight's hotel. The place and people are so nice. Cam wanted seafood so we are at Trappers. Neat place. Just had alligator for appetizer!
Thanks for the ideas all. We will have the morning and afternoon to see a little of the sights before the game. |
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Rebel Without a Cause
Posts: 2758
Location: Adopt a homeless pet - www.petfinder.com! | dianea - 2013-12-21 9:01 PM Thanks! I will show him! We finally made it..an eight hour trip took ten because of the roads, but we had no problems. Saw some pretty nasty wrecks. Prayers to those involved. Some looked wicked. Wow definitely slick. .advantage of living in north Missouri - we are used to it! So far I've kissed the ground so glad to be off the roads and checked into tonight's hotel. The place and people are so nice. Cam wanted seafood so we are at Trappers. Neat place. Just had alligator for appetizer! Thanks for the ideas all. We will have the morning and afternoon to see a little of the sights before the game.
Yum, Trappers! Glad you made it. Have a great time!
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 Triple Extra-Ordinaire
Posts: 4244
Location: Okla | Snow tubing downtown at the Redhawks stadium. Bricktown canal is great after dark. The canal has lots of lights and cool bronze statues that are lit up. Boat rides down the canal aren't expensive and it's sooo nice. |
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7268
| Did you make it home okay? The weather was horrible here! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 336
Location: Missouri | We just made it home..to a minus 12 degrees and 7" of snow! Left OKC this morning, headed to Stilwell to see a friend with Stage 4 cancer. Might not get that opportunity again. Hit some snow at Siloam Springs and went through it to Springdale up to the Missouri line. More wrecks and delays, but we arrived safely home to very grateful dogs. They were not amused with our being gone!
OKC was completely fabulous. Love LOVE it! We explored Sunday morning..surprised everything closed til noon! Walked Ground Zero memorial and got the lay of the town. Went to Stockyards..Jillian and I were in heaven with all the shops! I told Cam we had time for one museum etc. He chose the Museum of Osteology. Kids loved it! And very reasonable. Then checked into our hotel for Saturday night. I booked it because of the Hummer shuttle to the game.
There was a snafu with the driver being on time. We wound up making a Nascar style trip up Reno in our vehicle so that Cam could get there during warm up to try for autographs. I slowed at the corner, shoved his ticket at him, and told him to tuck and roll. Kidding..complete stop at corner, but did send him in while we found parking. He got an autograph! Game was awesome..he is a fan of both teams. Thunder put his name on the jumbo tron birthday wishes. After the game both kids got to go on court to shoot a free throw! After we went back to the hotel for my purse and ID..didn't have cause THOUGHT taking shuttle. Back to Bricktown. Almost did the tubing without the tube..pretty slick! Beautiful lights! We were going to eat at Toby Keith's but it was closed, so Denny's on Meridian. I can find my way around there fairly well now!
After kids were in bed, I went to address the shuttle issue with hotel management. Didn't have time before the game and was too upset to be rational. I didn't have y'alls phone numbers for bail money. They knew I was almost postal..had it reserved for over a month and knew was part of bday trip, plus had confirmed hour before. They bent over backwards apologizing and had already comped our room. Very very nice people.
Long and I apologize. My son said was best weekend ever. We had sooo much fun..weather aside. Made a lot of memories! They can't wait to go again. Me too. Again..thank you for the fabulous suggestions and weather warnings. Perfect 16th birthday weekend! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 336
Location: Missouri | tripleE - 2013-12-22 9:57 AM
Snow tubing downtown at the Redhawks stadium. Bricktown canal is great after dark. The canal has lots of lights and cool bronze statues that are lit up. Boat rides down the canal aren't expensive and it's sooo nice.
The canal was beautiful. They weren't doing boat rides because of the season but we slid around it some..walked a bit of Bricktown but froze out. We had so much fun! Definitely planning on going back. Even I loved the game. Going to pick a warmer time! So many options for things to do. Kids were ready to pack, load the dogs and horses and move there! Thanks for the ideas! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 336
Location: Missouri | One more thing! Shout out to everyone in OKC. Even kids commented how NICE everyone there was. From people at hotels to wait staff, store clerks, Thunder arena..not a single person was anything but friendly. Especially the hotels and restaurants..staff at ALL were fabulous.
We stayed at two hotels..both had mixed reviews online. We were so impressed with both (and they were cheap by most standards). Both rooms fabulous! Lol whoever nitpicked online either caught on bad day or never experienced true low budget motels.
We give Oklahoma City a five star rating for being friendly and welcoming! It's huge to us but you sure didn't feel like in the CITY. |
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Cold hands and Warm Heart
Location: oklahoma | Glad you had a great time! Thunder games are a blast!  |
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7268
| Awesome! So glad you had a good time! We go at least once a year to shop and eat! I love it there too! |
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Oklahoma City This Weekend - ideas?