Downtown Oklahoma City facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Downtown Oklahoma City
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Neighborhoods of Oklahoma City
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Oklahoma City Downtown Skyline as seen from the Wheeler Ferris Wheel
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| Nicknames:
OKC, downtown
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| 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)
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| • Total | 7,933 |
| • Density | 4,219.7/sq mi (1,629.2/km2) |
| ZIP code |
73102, 73103*, 73104*, 73106*, 73109*, 73129*
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| 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.
Contents
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!
- Automobile Alley Historic District
- BC Clark Jewelers, a very old jewelry store
- Bricktown
- American Banjo Museum
- Bass Pro Shops
- Bricktown Canal Riverwalk
- Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark
- Centennial Land Run Monument
- Deep Deuce (a historic residential area)
- Kerr Park
- Midtown Oklahoma City
- Myriad Botanical Gardens and Crystal Bridge Conservatory
- Oklahoma City National Memorial
- Oklahoma River
- RiverSport (for water activities)
- Paycom Center, home of the NBA's Oklahoma City Thunder
- Prairie Surf Studios (a film studio)
- Scissortail Park
- Skydance Bridge
- The Underground (tunnels connecting buildings)
Living Downtown
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
Downtown Oklahoma City has many interesting buildings. Some are very tall, and others are historic.
- BOK Park Plaza
- Chase Tower
- Civic Center Music Hall – a top place for music and shows
- Colcord Hotel, the city's first skyscraper
- Devon Energy Center – the tallest building in Oklahoma
- First National Center
- Leadership Square, a large office complex
- Oklahoma City Museum of Art
- Oklahoma City National Memorial
- Paycom Center, where the Oklahoma City Thunder play
- Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library
- Saint Anthony Hospital
- Skirvin Hilton Hotel
- U.S. Post Office, Courthouse, and Federal Office Building
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:
- Bricktown Canal
- Bicentennial Park
- Hightower Park
- Kerr Park
- Myriad Botanical Gardens
- Oklahoma City National Memorial
- Scissortail Park
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
