7 Unique Things to Do in OKC on a Friday
Hey y’all, today I’m sharing a list of things to do in OKC on a Friday.
I am fortunate enough to have Fridays off, working at a remote marketing agency. I work 4 days a week and then I have a 3-day weekend, which is one of the benefits my company decided to provide, which is amazing. So on my Fridays off, I will typically run errands. While I’m out I notice that most Fridays, there are so many people out running errands along with me. I always ask them (internally, of course, I don’t say it to them) “What do you even do for a living that you’re here at Target on a random Friday at 10:30 am?”. And then I remind myself that I am also at Target on a random Friday at 10:30 am. Anyway, the ranting part of this blog is over, I swear.
If you’ve been wondering “what is there to do in OKC this weekend”, look no further! There are so many things to do in OKC that I’ve discovered since having Fridays off, so if you’re like me who is lucky enough to work 4 days a week or you’re just visiting Oklahoma City, I’ve got a list for ya! And yes, some of these things are things you can do almost any day of the week, but they made this list because (in theory) they would be less busy on a Friday and easier to enjoy!
Wheeler District Farmers Market – Every Friday Evening
If you’ve done any research on what to do in OKC, you may have come across photos of Wheeler Park. It’s one of OKCs most visibly recognizable districts (aside from the OKC Skyline, of course). With its Ferris Wheel and large OKC sign, it’s hard to miss. This district is nested right on the south side of the Oklahoma River just south of I-40 and includes entertainment, housing, and businesses.
One look at this newly developed area and you’ll feel like you’re in another country with its cottage-y homes, rowhouse-style storefronts, and luscious greenery. It’s also a great place to grab a brew at one of the best local OKC breweries, The Big Friendly, or grab a bite at the neighborhood taco shop, Taco Nation. The most important thing to do there, and to prove you’re a real tourist (or local!) is to take a photo in front of the big OKC sign. I.CON.IC.
Wheeler Park has a ton of events going on throughout the year, including a Farmers Market on Friday evenings (y’all know I love a good Farmers Market) so check out their website! You can also check out my blog blog title & link to see my thoughts on the Wheeler District.
Scissortail Park Night Market – First Friday of Every Month
Scissortail Park is amazing on its own, but add a bunch of local vendors selling fun candles, delicious bread, plants, and local honey and YA GIRL IS THERE. And it’s at night which is a fun element because the downtown lights at night are just *chef’s kiss* if I’m being honest. The Night Market includes performances by local artists, food trucks, and vendors who serve various alcoholic bevvies (so, of course, it’s a fave of mine). And of course, I have a whole blog on Scissortail Park you can check out here.
First Friday at the Paseo Arts District
If you are an art enthusiast, the historic Paseo Arts District should already be on your list of places to visit in OKC, but on the first Friday of every month, they have a special showcase of themed art pieces on display throughout the district, plus musical performances and food trucks. You can check out more about the event and the district itself on their website.
Concerts at the Creek – Every Friday
Chisholm Creek is another really great option for things to do in OKC in general, with a variety of restaurants, entertainment, and shopping. Every Friday, they host a free, family-friendly event, “Concerts at the Creek” with local musicians performing on the picture-esque Water Stage. Chisholm Creek has a play area, and giant games like checkers and chess, all available for free! You really could spend an entire day just exploring the Chisholm Creek district.
Just for funsies, I’ll lay out what my perfect day would look like there: First, I’d stop by Blended Nutrition for an energy pick-me-up and a lil breakfast protein shake. While that’s kicking in, I’d check out the boutiques for a little retail therapy. Cultured Cloths is my personal fave, but there are different types of shops for everyone, including a Cabela’s for the fellas (I’ll see myself out). After I shopped til I dropped, it’s time for lunch! Fuzzy’s Tacos is always a go-to for classic Tex-Mex and margaritas. Then, I’d spend a couple of hours practicing my golf swing at Top Golf. I’ve somehow worked up an appetite after all that “exercise” so I’d grab a bite at Riserva, an upscale Mediterranean tapas restaurant. Lastly, a nightcap on Sidecar’s rooftop bar while watching the sunset (fun fact: Oklahoma sunsets are objectively more beautiful while on a rooftop bar).
Visit a museum
Yes, you can visit any of our amazing museums most days of the week, but I’m telling you from experience, Fridays are a really great day to avoid weekend traffic to really soak up each exhibit as thoroughly (or as quickly) as you want. We have a wide variety of types of museums, so there’s really something for everyone, from your traditional art museum, like the OKC Musem of Art or the Contemporary Arts Center, to more kid-friendly museums in Oklahoma like the Museum of Osteology or the Science Museum of Oklahoma. My favorite museums to visit are listed in this blog, so be sure to check out my full list.
Shop til you Drop
Hi, I’m Stephanie and I’m a shopaholic. When I tell you I will find an excuse to buy something almost anywhere I go, I am not exaggerating. Our shopping scene is SO good. We have so many local boutiques, gift shops, local markets, produce stores, and so much more. If you’re looking for big-name retailers, we have those too! You can head to the OKC Outlets for some lower-priced luxury items, check out Classen Curve for a more high-end feel, or (my favorite) Automobile Alley for local shops, sips, and bites. And y’all know I have a whole blog on shopping so check that out here.
Grab drinks at a Local Brewery
OKC Breweries are IT y’all. I honestly couldn’t even tell you how many local breweries we have and there are new ones opening all the time. They each have their own unique flare to them – the beer and the atmosphere – so if you love beer, I highly suggest you check out my list of 9 Best Local Taprooms in OKC. TL;DR, check out Prarie Artisan Ales if you’ve had a Prarie Bomb (available in most US states) and want to see where the beer is made, check out Vanessa House if you’re a big ol nerd (they have old video consoles and a Ninja Turtles mural – need I say more?), or The Big Friendly Brewery if you are a fan of the classics.
Whew, that was a lot. I hope this list was helpful to find things to do in OKC on a Friday. Again, you can do some of these things anytime, but my secret as a local is to enjoy these things on a Friday to have a better chance of avoiding crowds. Because Oklahoma City is growing so much (almost 1.5 million residents, y’all!), the most popular spots are getting harder and harder to truly take in and enjoy. I love that my city is growing, but I also love that I have the opportunity to experience some of these things with smaller crowds.
