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More often than not, the South gets a bad rap. There is much more here than a bunch of farmers letting life pass them by on their veranda.
Yes, there are definitely some podunk towns that are easy to skip, but there are also some really cool towns worth exploring.
Because southern cities are often overshadowed, the element of surprise is all the more attractive.
Instead of taking selfies with Chicago’s “Bean,” New York’s Statue of Liberty, or one of California’s many scenic beaches, it’s okay to stay away from what you know and give new places a chance.
One such city is giving you the edge after seeing more than 24 million visitors, becoming the trendiest new destination in the South. (Sorry, Dallas!)
Oklahoma City: the South’s biggest surprise
Ever heard of someone vacationing in Oklahoma City?
Maybe not, and that’s okay.
That’s partly because it’s an emerging destination and if Rome wasn’t built in a day, how can we expect the same for OKC?
If you looked back at the growth of this city in a time-lapse, it would certainly seem that way.
OKC used to be nothing special – a toss-up between here and Tulsa for the state’s “metropolis.”
But now it’s booming and starting to steal some of the spotlight away from nearby cities like Dallas, a trendy destination in its own right.
Between vibrant neighborhoods, bustling restaurants and a diehard sports community, OKC is full of surprises.
Bricktown: the heart of the action
It seems like every city has a go-to place. In OKC, there’s no doubt it’s Bricktown.
Located on the scenic Oklahoma River, it’s not exactly Venice, but the people here are simple folk.
Frankly, it is very beautiful and makes an excellent backdrop in the middle of the busiest area in the city and you can have a nice water taxibut unfortunately no gondolas.
This historic part of the city has been revitalized and rightly named Bricktown, after breathing new life into old buildings that were in dire need of a makeover.
Despite being a new ‘it’ destination, some might say this area is at touristy with escape rooms etc.
But this is where the locals also let loose. There are vibrant bars and award-winning restaurants ready to welcome you, such as Gray sweater.
You don’t have to resist the urge to spend: OKC is very affordable
Trendy southern cities like Austin and Dallas aren’t nearly as affordable as they used to be.
That’s where OKC steps in to say, “Hold my beer.”
There’s no need to resist the urge to splurge here as a tourist. Many people actually move here for cheaper real estate, but you can take advantage of very affordable places to stay.
For example, the four-star Wyndham Grand hotel is in the $100 range. Try scoring that in just about any other major city!
Eating out is also inexpensive with reasonable prices, especially the ‘happy hours’ at some of the more popular bars such as JJ’s Alley Bricktown Pub.
Better yet, many museums are too free to entersuch as:
Remember, this is cowboy country, and as cowboys they tend to think of themselves as southern gentlemen.
As such, there are plenty of museums that take a deep dive into the fascinating ‘blazing saddles’ culture that would entail Yellowstone fans blush, but unfortunately not for free.
Although, the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum is only $20 for admission.
A big city with a small town atmosphere
Oklahoma City has a population of about 700,000, but many say its homey charm gives it a small-town feel.
Before OKC became a trendy hotspot, Oklahoma’s claim to fame was largely due to wonderful getaways like Broken Bow, college football games or casino towns like Durant, home to local favorite Choctaw Casino & Resort.
OKC haven’t gotten too big for their britches and remember their roots. Here’s a nice balance between big-city amenities and small-town charm, where “southern hospitality” still applies.
Well, until the rowdy crowds at Thunder games get the better of them…
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
