Oklahoma City charms couples with its welcoming heartland spirit and array of attractions perfect for romantic dates. From outdoor escapes in lush gardens to cultural date nights at museums and performing arts venues, OKC sets the stage for meaningful time together.
| Activity | Description |
|---|---|
| Myriad Botanical Gardens | A lush, green space for strolling and enjoying nature together. |
| Paseo Arts District | Offers galleries, studios, and dining for an artsy date. |
| River Cruise Through Bricktown | Romantic river cruises with city views. |
| CityRep Theater Show | Live performances in an intimate setting. |
| Oklahoma City Zoo | A place to explore wildlife and natural habitats. |
| Civic Center Music Hall | For a cultured evening of music or theater. |
| Lake Hefner Picnic | A serene spot for a sunset picnic. |
| Midtown/Plaza/Uptown 23rd Taprooms | Local brew tastings in vibrant neighborhoods. |
| National Cowboy Museum | Immersive frontier history and weekly shows. |
| Surrey Bike Rental | Fun, leisurely exploration of the city on a two-person bike. |
| Tower Theatre Live Music | Enjoy live music in a historic venue. |
| 21c Museum Hotel Nightcaps | End the night with art and drinks in a contemporary setting. |
To help you plan an unforgettable couples’ getaway or local romantic rendezvous, we compiled this list of Oklahoma City’s top romantic activities. Discover beautiful spaces that inspire connection, activities ideal for two, and sweet or lively spots sure to bring you closer while falling for OKC’s unexpected charms.
Stroll Myriad Botanical Gardens
Name and Location: Myriad Botanical Gardens, Downtown OKC
History and Significance: Myriad Gardens offers 17 acres of urban tranquility as a horticultural haven hosting over 20 varieties of gardens plus water features and a tropical conservatory in the heart of downtown since the 1980s.
What to Expect: Winding pathways and flowery arbors make this a perfect spot for a reflective stroll or picnic. Check event schedules for yoga classes, outdoor concerts and seasonal exhibits.
Visitor Information: Free access to outdoor areas year-round. Indoor conservatory open daily with admission fee.
As one of Oklahoma City’s most beloved green spaces, the 15-acre Myriad Botanical Gardens provide a gorgeous urban escape for couples. Meander down brick pathways passing through numerous themed areas within the Gardens. Enter near the splashing sound sculpture and spectacular Crystal Bridge tropical conservatory before wandering through specialty gardens of ornamental grasses, Yorkshire roses, and tranquil pools.
Find a quiet bench or spread out a picnic blanket on the open Great Lawn circled by flowers and fountains. With verdant plant life, public art installations, and peaceful ponds throughout, Myriad Botanical Gardens makes indulging in quality time and conversation come naturally during a romantic early evening wandering its myriad delights together.
Paseo Arts District Galleries & Restaurants
Name and Location: Paseo Arts District
History and Significance: Converted warehouses and buildings now house over 80 shops, galleries and restaurants along six blocks forming a lively arts destination north of downtown OKC since the 1970s.
What to Expect: Eclectic boutiques, working artist studios and nightlife mingle along the bustling walkable strip. Monthly First Friday Gallery Walks encourage exploration. Year-round festivals occur regularly too.
Visitor Information: Free entry. On-street parking first come. Most shops open late morning to early evening daily. Several restaurants serve late.
For couples who relish arts and food scenes, the lively Paseo Arts District satisfies with over 80 practicing artists densely packed into a few walkable blocks. Galleries and working studios fill Spanish revival buildings housing everything from paintings and metalworks to photography and handcrafted wares. Pop between showrooms before indulging side-by-side in chef-driven fare that earned OKC recognition for its emerging culinary creativity as well.
The charming area comes alive during monthly First Friday Gallery Walks too, when street performers serenade diners spilling onto sidewalks and romantic strings of lights glow overhead. Exploring this vibrant creative hub and toasting your sweetheart over innovative plates makes date nights magical within the Paseo Arts District.
River Cruise Through Bricktown
Name and Location: Bricktown Canal Water Taxi Cruises
History and Significance: Bricktown has transformed from abandoned warehouses to a top entertainment district thanks partly to the scenic mile-long canal opened in 1999 that welcomes water taxi boats to transport passengers.
What to Expect: Leisurely cruises float through the bustling area showcasing landmarks alongside bars, restaurants and sculptures that line the canal. Themed cruises and venue partnerships add special options.
Visitor Information: Boats run daily 11am-11pm during peak seasons with limited winter operations. Individual tickets or day passes available.
As Oklahoma City underwent revitalization efforts, the Bricktown District and its canal came to represent the vibrant new heart of downtown. Today lovers stroll riverside walkways then snuggle up for private river cruises offering intimate views of the city. Bridges strung with lights reflect on the water at night while you and your special someone relax, sipping drinks and floating gently near sights like the Ballpark and Boathouse District.
Several companies offer narrated 45-minute cruises gliding through this former warehouse area now bustling with bars, boutiques, and restaurants. Choose sunset or after-dark floats for amplified romance watching downtown’s neon lights dance atop the ripples in special Arrowhead yachts built to navigate OKC’s romantic waters.
Show at CityRep Theater
Name and Location: CityRep Theater
History and Significance: Resident company CityRep produces theatre and plays from Oklahoma authors plus contemporary works that shine creative light on stories at their black box performance space opened downtown in 2015.
What to Expect: An ever-evolving stage presenting comedies to complex dramas in an intimate setting where no seat sits more than 50 feet from the performances that inspire conversations and community connections through art.
Visitor Information: Season productions scheduled mainly September through May. Student and group pricing available. Validated parking in garages nearby.
For an evening showcasing Oklahoma City’s arts scene, CityRep theater provides an intimate evening option for couples. The professional Equity theater company mounts Broadway musicals, comedies, and thought-provoking dramas within the cozy confines of their modern downtown performance space.
Enjoy a cheeky comedy or moving musical just rows from the stage then linger for the company’s opening night traditions involving toasts, treats, and mingling with fellow patrons. With acclaimed directors and performers plus innovative staging, CityRep makes for Oklahoma City’s prime date destination for those who relish theater magic up close.
Oklahoma City Zoo
Name and Location: Oklahoma City Zoo
History and Significance: More than 2,000 animals call OKC Zoo home through naturalistic habitats including an elephant habitat and the state’s first gorilla exhibit spread across 119 acres welcoming guests since the early 1970s in Adventure District.
What to Expect: Endangered species, kid zones, behind the scenes tours, sky ride over flamingos and more make this an engaging urban escape. Season highlights range from Halloween fun to Safari Lights.
Visitor Information: Open year-round excluding some holidays. Summer hours longest. General admission fees apply with member/package options.
What’s more romantic than cozying up to watch animals roam extensive natural habitats? As Oklahoma’s largest zoo spanning over 500 acres, the OKC Zoo brings exotic species from around the globe together for memorable encounters. Hop from Africa’s villages to tropical Aquaticus with underwater views before entering the spacious Great EscApe habitat bringing giraffes, rhinos, and zebras startlingly close along boardwalk paths.
Marvel at the Cat Forest’s prowling predators, trek the sanctuary trail’s wetlands, or stick close traversing trails to spot bears and elk. Beautiful backdrops like floral gardens, water features, and Instagrammable bridges sweeten every turn too, making the Oklahoma City Zoo a top spot for wandering hand-in-hand for couples seeking wildlife and scenery bliss.
Performance at Civic Center Music Hall
Name and Location: Civic Center Music Hall, downtown
History and Significance: Anchoring OKC’s Arts District sits the 1930s historic Municipal Auditorium, now called the Civic Center Music Hall. For decades it has hosted Broadway musicals, concerts, events in multiple grand theater spaces.
What to Expect: With venue rooms ranging from the 2,500 seat Thelma Gaylord PAT to more intimate spaces, visitors find stellar community arts programming from national tours alongside local company productions.
Visitor Information: Year-round diverse event calendars offer broad options. Individual show details list dates, tickets and parking tips online.
Known for its art deco architecture almost as much as world-class performers gracing its theaters, Oklahoma City’s Civic Center Music Hall provides an elegant evening out. Touring Broadway productions dazzle in the Thelma Gaylord Performing Arts Theatre while concerts, comedians, and local performance art shine under atmospheric lights in the Freede Little Theatre.
Dress up for an event at Civic Center then walk next door for romantic meals at upscale Red Prime Steak following your arts enjoyment. Special event nights also encourage couples to explore Oklahoma City’s civic core with music and lawn games too. For those craving culture capped with quality time together, venues within Civic Center Music Hall deliver delightful date opportunities.
Picnic Dinner at Lake Hefner
Name and Location: Lake Hefner, NW OKC
History and Significance: Spanning over 9,000 acres, Lake Hefner delivers scenic water recreation opportunities just minutes outside downtown including biking/hiking trails, fishing, sailing, golf and open green spaces.
What to Expect: Pack a picnic basket and soak up gorgeous sunset views over crisp waters. Stop by restaurants like Grand House for lakeside drinks and fare afterwards capped by stargazing and city light gazing.
Visitor Information: Public lake access open daily, attractions hours vary. Permit required for fishing. North side features most amenities.
Pack a basket containing your favorite bite-sized nibbles then spread out an picnic overlooking the pristine waters of Lake Hefner for sunset. This expansive lake north of downtown offers miles of recreational paths and green spaces perfect for locating an intimate perch. Set up camp then relax taking in pink and purple hued skies reflecting over the rippling lakefront as your private paradise.
Many areas around Lake Hefner accommodate picnics offering both seclusion and safety for evening lounging. Scope out east overlook spots like Peaceful Point or west side vistas from telling Bluffview Drive for unobstructed stargazing opportunities long after the liquid lightshow subsides over the intimate lakeside escape you’ve discovered.
Tap Room Tastings in Midtown/Plaza/Uptown 23rd
Name and Location: Midtown/Uptown 23rd/Plaza Bar Districts
History and Significance: OKC establishments serve craft brews, wines and creative cocktails within three adjacent districts—Midtown, Uptown 23rd Street and Plaza—all vibrant walkable destinations.
What to Expect: Progressive tap rooms, patios, architecture and energy radiate through the lively neighborhoods perfect for a pub crawl. Fuel up on gastropub grub between flights, pints and vintage cocktail concoctions.
Visitor Information: Free parking abounds off-street or in garages. Most options open late morning through nightly. Kitchens close earlier than bars. Casual vibe.
Oklahoma City’s vibrant neighborhoods boast breweries, distilleries, and wine tasting rooms ideal for imbibing and bonding. Midtown Magnet’s painted murals make great backdrops for photos while sipping Funky Ferments fruity ciders or artisan US Grant Brewing ales together. Over in the Uptown 23rd district, sample Villiage Verde’s urban wine bar list beside charmingEarlywine Station Historic Post Office’s giant wall map.
Wherever you wander for flights and pints in OKC’s hub neighborhoods, creative concepts crafted closeby help break the ice stirring conversation with your partner. And should all the reds and whites turn your cheeks pink enough to stir up courage for big relationship talks or spur-of-the-moment proposals, Oklahoma City’s local spirit suppliers surely help set the mood.
National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
Name and Location: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
History and Significance: Showcasing wild west history and culture, this world-class museum houses extensive galleries of artifacts, artworks, films and more across 200,000+ square feet of exhibits built in 1955.
What to Expect: Alongside fine art, visitors find interactive native and rodeo displays richly spotlighting America’s frontier legacy from saddles to saloons. The Hall of Fame recognizes career cowboys.
Visitor Information: Open year-round excluding some holidays. General admission fees apply. Public programs offered.
Spend an afternoon immersed in frontier history and lore at Oklahoma City’s world-class National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum before cozying up for their weekly Thursday night shootout shows. Days start by exploring extensive galleries with interactive exhibits bringing rodeos, Native American stories, and frontier film history to life. See the Prosperity Junction miniature 1800s town then catch a live action stunt show on weekends too.
As evenings fall, grab barbecue brisket sandwiches and settle in for the museum’s weekly Oklahoma v. Texas shoot ‘em up comedy in their reproduction Wild West town. Surrounded by the preserved culture of the American West all day, couples find it easy to slip into a spirit of adventure before welcoming some good old cowboy bonafide fun after hours too.
Rent a Surrey Bike
Name and Location: Surrey Bike Rentals, Wheeler District
History and Significance: Four-seat Surrey bikes painted vibrantly let riders pedal together through downtown OKC’s Wheeler District featuring art, parks and nearby riverfront access ideal for an easygoing group tour adventure.
What to Expect: Leisurely pedal a fun quadracycle built to comfortably seat two adults/kids while tooling around scenic areas at your own pace. Helmets included for safety along mostly flat routes.
Visitor Information: Rentals offered first come, first served from district shop. Prices around $25 per half hour ride for up to 300 lbs.
Pedal your way across Oklahoma City’s downtown locales and riverside parklands aboard four-wheeled surrey bikes built for pairs. As the most fun transport for two, these decked out cruisers let you navigate OKC in harmony with your honey. Surrey companies provide bikes for rent to explore Bricktown’s canal-side paths, the Boathouse District’s waterfront trails, or simply whimsical wandering wherever downtown’s districts tempt with cafes, boutiques, and attractions.
Many offer fun add-ons like bluetooth speakers to soundtrack your travels. So whether you’re looking for active adventure or meandering the city sights slowly while hearing birdsongs and breezes instead, surreys help couples set their own pace taking in Oklahoma City’s romance-ready panoramas.
Live Music at Tower Theatre
Name and Location: Tower Theatre, Adventure District
History and Significance: The historic Tower Theatre opened along Route 66 in 1938 as a movie house. After renovations to modernize amenities while protecting its art deco facade, today it hosts live music and events.
What to Expect: Enjoy entertainers in an intimate setting across genres from country to rock, comedians, movies and more hosted on the venue’s cabaret stage configuration and second level balcony bar.
Visitor Information: Showtimes vary. Ticket prices depend on act. Free parking lot for events. Seasonal classic movies outdoors.
A beacon of OKC’s Adventure District just northwest of downtown, the historic Tower Theatre now hosts live music enriching date nights with tunes, cocktails, and atmospheric balcony viewing spaces. National touring artists and local musicians light up its stage regularly, with the Tower’s preserved movie palace architecture and neon marquee setting a nostalgic mood.
Order signature drinks named after past Tower vaudeville performer talents or Hollywood icons once hosted here during the concert hall’s previous eras. With a packed calendar of bands across genres and plush booths for optimal audiovisual enjoyment, the Tower transforms evenings out for couples through transportive concerts in an iconic Oklahoma City culture hub.
Finish with Nightcaps at 21c Museum Hotel
Name and Location: 21c Museum Hotel, downtown
History and Significance: Blending a boutique hotel and contemporary art museum under one roof, the 21c opened in OKC in 2018 through an acclaimed concept honoring global and local artists via rotating exhibits open 24/7.
What to Expect: Guests can view compelling installations and multimedia works throughout the lobby and public areas. Grab craft cocktails and regionally-sourced dishes at the hotel’s inviting Mary Eddy’s restaurant and rooftop patio.
Visitor Information: Free access to museum displays. Over 10,000 sq ft of exhibition space open daily. Hotel perks based on guest reservations.
After evening excitement exploring Oklahoma City’s popular attractions, cap off date nights immersed in thought-provoking art inside the contemporary 21c Museum Hotel. The creatively restored Ford Model T factory now welcomes visitors to linger over cocktails and wine downstairs before admiring four floors of rotating exhibits from emerging artists for free.
Don’t miss the robust permanent collection of cultural curiosities curated by 21c too, from fresco replicated statues to portraits created with laser cutlace. Contemporary installations surround at every turn, sparking conversation while cuddling in their sleek Gotham Lounge. For couples seeking somewhere quiet, clever, and cozy to conclude romantic days and nights out together 21c Museum Hotel nails the last call.
Conclusion
Oklahoma City lets couples write their own love stories through arts, culture, innovative dining, and outdoor recreation unique to OKC’s welcoming personality. From fireworks at closing time in the lively Paseo District to peaceful lakeside picnic sunsets, possibilities abound for meaningful shared moments.
Use this roundup covering top romantic spots and activities to reconnect creatively across Oklahoma’s capital city. Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day or planning pandemic-postponed proposals, Oklahoma City sets a sweetheart-approved stage any month for celebrating affection.