Whether fair or not, it’s often the case that a city known for its western heritage, cowboys and country music is rarely viewed as a romantic destination. Oklahoma City would fall into that category but its thriving arts scene and nearly 7,000 acres of pristine parkland turn this bustling capital city into a tranquil setting for lovers.
Enjoy a romantic stay at one of the city’s historic hotels. The lavish 1911 Skirvin Hilton provides a “More Time for Each Other” package that includes in-room wine, chocolate-covered strawberries and breakfast. Book a night in the Presidential Suite, complete with a whirlpool tub and sweeping views of the skyline. Unwind in the comfort of the Colcord Suite in Colcord Hotel, as you and your sweetie lounge in plush bathrobes or soak in the two-person jetted tub. Warm yourself by the fireplace at Flint, the hotel’s upscale restaurant, as you dine on gourmet dishes.
Dress up in your finest duds and embark on a night of elegance and high-end entertainment with a visit to the Civic Center Music Hall in downtown Oklahoma City. Home to three performance spaces, including the 2,477-seat Thelma Gaylord Performing Arts Theatre, the performing arts venue is the residence to such companies as Canterbury Choral Society, Oklahoma City Ballet and Oklahoma City Philharmonic. Make your way just north of downtown and explore the Paseo Arts District, a two-block region dotted with 1920s Spanish-style buildings. Stroll through the neighborhood hand-in-hand with your honey, as you visit the district’s cozy sidewalk cafes and more than 15 galleries. On the first Friday of every month, the area includes live music and wine tastings.
Enjoy the great outdoors with a trip to Myriad Botanical Gardens, a 17-acre green space with fountains, colorful gardens and a tropical conservatory. Snuggle with your loved one while sitting under the stars, as the gardens host special events throughout the year, including Shakespeare in the Park performances and concerts. Take a stroll through Will Rogers Gardens, just north of the city center and home to a variety of sights and scents. Make your way alongside the more than 800 rose bushes in the Charles E. Sparks Rose Garden, take a break in the Ed Lycan Conservatory, filled with an assortment of succulents and cacti, or lose yourself in a forest of trees in the 10-acre Margaret Annis Boys Arboretum.
Set just east of the city center and along the winding Bricktown Canal, Bricktown is a bustling little neighborhood where former warehouses now house trendy shops and restaurants. Explore the area on the old-fashioned Bricktown trolley or via a horse and carriage ride. You can also enjoy a romantic dinner on a sailing water taxi or book the vessel for a private tour of the region. Just south of Bricktown is the city’s Boathouse District, based along the shores of the Oklahoma River, up to the banks of Lake Overholser. Although the neighborhood caters to outdoor water-based adventurers, the area also hosts the Oklahoma Regatta Festival. The four-day festival includes fireworks, a wine garden and live music for dancing with your honey. Throughout the summer, embark on a 90-minute moonlight paddle ride on the lake as you watch the sun set over the city.
