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Downtown Oklahoma City facts for kids

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Downtown Oklahoma City
Neighborhoods of Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City Downtown Skyline as seen from the Wheeler Ferris Wheel
Oklahoma City Downtown Skyline as seen from the Wheeler Ferris Wheel
Nicknames: 
OKC, downtown
Country United States
State Oklahoma
Counties Oklahoma
City Oklahoma City
Area
 • Land 1.88 sq mi (4.9 km2)
Elevation
1,200 ft (400 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 7,933
 • Density 4,219.7/sq mi (1,629.2/km2)
ZIP code
73102, 73103*, 73104*, 73106*, 73109*, 73129*
Area code(s) 405
Website http://www.downtownokc.com

Downtown Oklahoma City is the main part of Oklahoma City. It's like the heart of the city! This area is where many important things happen. Over 80,000 people work here every day. It's a big center for business, money, fun, and entertainment.

Downtown Oklahoma City has many cool areas, called districts. These include Automobile Alley for shopping, the Arts District for creativity, and the Bricktown Entertainment District for fun. There's also Deep Deuce for homes and the Flatiron District. Other newer areas are Midtown, SOSA, WestTown, Film Row, and the Farmer's Market.

History of Downtown OKC

Downtown Oklahoma City is where the city first began. This happened during the Land Rush of 1889. People rushed to claim land here to build new homes and businesses.

In the 1960s, downtown Oklahoma City changed a lot. A big plan called the Pei Plan helped rebuild parts of the city. Many old buildings were taken down to make way for new ones.

Explore Downtown OKC's Districts

Downtown Oklahoma City is split into six main areas. Each one has its own special feel!

Automobile Alley: Shops and Food

Automobile Alley is just north of the city center. Long ago, this area was full of car dealerships. Today, it's a cool spot with many unique shops and restaurants. It's a great place to explore!

Bricktown: Fun and Entertainment

Bricktown is a lively entertainment district. It's located just east of the city center. This area used to be a place for warehouses. Now, Bricktown has hotels, clubs, restaurants, and places to live. It's known for its fun atmosphere.

City Center: Tall Buildings and Offices

City Center is the main business area. It has many office buildings. You'll find the city's tallest buildings here. It's a busy place where lots of business happens.

Deep Deuce: A Historic Neighborhood

Deep Deuce is a residential area. It's located north of Bricktown. This neighborhood was once a center for Black culture and businesses. Today, it has many modern apartments and condos. It's a popular place to live downtown.

Midtown: A Mix of Everything

Midtown Oklahoma City is north of City Center. This district has a mix of things. You can find restaurants, shops, offices, and places to go out at night. It also has homes, hotels, and medical places like St. Anthony Hospital.

West Village: City Services and More

West Village is west of City Center. It's centered around West Main Street. The main office for the Oklahoma City Police Department is here. This district also has other businesses and places to live.

Things to See and Do

Downtown Oklahoma City has many exciting places to visit!

Living Downtown

Automobile Alley in Oklahoma City
Automobile Alley district

Many people now choose to live in downtown Oklahoma City. Since the 1990s, lots of new homes have been built. You can find apartments and condos in every district. Some popular places to live include:

  • City Place Tower, The Penthouses
  • Park Harvey Place
  • The Frank
  • Edge @ MidTown
  • Deep Deuce Apartment blocks
  • Regency Tower

Cool Buildings and Architecture

Devon energy center
Devon Tower, Oklahoma's tallest building.
Oklahoma City Streetcar passing east end of historic U.S. Post Office and Courthouse Building
OKC Streetcar passing a historic building.

Downtown Oklahoma City has many interesting buildings. Some are very tall, and others are historic.

Getting Around Downtown

It's easy to get around downtown Oklahoma City!

Embark is the city's public transportation. They run city buses and the Oklahoma City Streetcar. Many bus routes meet at the Downtown Transit Center. The streetcar has two routes that go all around downtown.

The Santa Fe Depot is a train station. You can catch the Amtrak Heartland Flyer train here. It travels daily from Oklahoma City to Fort Worth, Texas.

Several major highways also meet near downtown. These include I-35, I-40, and I-235.

Parks and Green Spaces

Downtown Oklahoma City has several parks and open areas where you can relax and play:

Famous People from Downtown

Some well-known people have lived in downtown Oklahoma City:

  • Mick Cornett - a past Mayor of Oklahoma City
  • J. Clifford Hudson - a leader at Sonic Drive-In
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