Oklahoma City has much to offer. It has a big-city heart and a pulsing cultural vibe that celebrates its unique past and its modern, inviting present. Spend an afternoon admiring the exhibits at an interesting museum, enjoy a shopping excursion along the canal or take the family to a nature park or live theatre performance!

If it’s entertainment you seek, you’ll find it in Bricktown! Head downtown to Oklahoma City’s most happening scene! You’ll find a thriving district full of shops, restaurants, nightclubs and event venues all centered on a gorgeous canal. If you’re not sure where to begin, explore the area by catching a trolley, water taxi or even a horse-drawn carriage! Enjoy some good cooking at a local restaurant such as Bricktown Burgers or Earl’s Rib Palace. After you’ve had your fill, catch an event at one of the many area venues including the Bricktown Events Center or Bricktown Live. From sports to concerts, you can see it all! For more information, visit www.bricktown.okc.com.

To get in tune with nature, seek sanctuary with a sojourn to Martin Park Nature Center and Reserve, located at 5000 West Memorial Road, where you can see nature at its best! It’s a wildlife oasis within the city where animals such as coyote, deer and even armadillos can be spotted living freely in a natural environment. Listed among the region’s “Ten Best” parks in National Geographic’s The Best of Everything for Families, the park offers three-and-a-half miles of hiking paths leading you through woodlands and open areas. Guided tours are available if requested in advance. The Nature Center also offers low-cost nature inspired activities and programs suitable for families and children. For more information, visit www.okc.gov/parks/martin_park/index.html.

Next, tip your hat and say “howdy” to the past at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, which celebrates the unique history and cultural heritage of the American West! The museum features various collections of fine art, ephemera and artifacts that reflect the West and its rich past. Permanent exhibits include the American Cowboy Gallery, American Rodeo Gallery, Native American Gallery and the Museum of the Frontier West Gallery. The museum is also home to the “Great Westerners,” “Great Western Performers” and “Rodeo” Halls of Fame, all of which commemorate the people who contributed and inspired others by preserving and portraying the essence of the Great American West. Admission is $10.00 for adults, $8.50 for students and seniors and $4.50 for kids. For more information, visit www.cowboyhalloffame.org.

Your interest will soar at the World of Wings Pigeon Center! Located at 2300 Northeast 63^rd Street, the Center pays homage to domesticated pigeons such as homing, carrier and racing pigeons. Through exhibits of artifacts, photos and related memorabilia, the Center’s museum allows visitors to get a unique view of the interesting history of pigeons, the roles they have played and their contributions through the years. Many exhibits feature artifacts from the military’s Pigeon Corps, which carried messages during combat before the advent of short wave radios; some valiant birds even earned honors! The Center also features racer and roller lofts, as well as many species of these amazing birds! For more information, visit www.pigeoncenter.org.

Imaginations are always at play when you visit the Oklahoma Children’s Theatre! The theatre features live performances of many children’s plays including productions of cherished classics, which can be enjoyed by the whole family! Since children love to play and pretend as much as they love to watch their favorite characters and stories, the theatre also offers classes with a variety of hands-on, creative educational programs tailored to different age groups, from dramatic play for pre-schoolers to musical theatre and video production for pre-teens. It’s a wonderful way for children to channel their energy and self-expression! Visit www.oklahomachildrenstheatre.org for more information.

When you’re ready to do something new and interesting, think Oklahoma City!