Weekend: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Southern Living, Mar 2001 by Vanhooser, Cassandra M

Oklahoma City is more than OK. This rambling capital city marries an easygoing Western feel with the charm and grace of the South. There are fine restaurants, art galleries, rodeos, and nightlife-all just waiting to be explored. Best of all, the city is laid out along square section lines, making it easy to get around.

Friday: Do-si-do Through Downtown

When you arrive, head to The Westin Oklahoma City downtown at 1 North Broadway. You'll love the Westin's new Heavenly Beds featuring pillow-top mattresses, down blankets, thick comforters, and stacks of fluffy pillows. Rates range $139 to $169, but weekend prices dip as low as $79 per night ([405] 235-2780 or 1-800-285-2780).

Take advantage of the longer spring days, and spend your afternoon looking around downtown. From your hotel it's just a short walk to the Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory at Myriad Botanical Gardens. Take the time to wander through this lush rain forest of waterfalls, orchids, and towering palm trees, but don't ignore the gardens outside. The iris, pansies, and violets provide a lovely frame for the city's skyline.

While downtown, don't miss the Oklahoma City National Memorial. Built on the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building site, the memorial is a compelling tribute to victims, survivors, and rescue workers. Be prepared-the Survivor Tree, field of 168 empty chairs, and messages of hope will touch your soul.

Dining and nightlife options are endless at Bricktown, one block east of downtown. This old warehouse district, once the industrial center of the city, takes its name from deep red bricks used to construct the buildings and pave the streets. You'll pick your favorite, but we especially like Abuelo's Mexican Food Embassy for genuine south-of-the-- border fare and Bricktown Brewery.

After dinner, take a water taxi through downtown. Or see what the city has to offer in sports. RedHawks baseball doesn't start until April, but fans will definitely want to check out the Wranglers for arena football. Their season runs through April.

Saturday: Cowboys & Indians

Start your day with coffee and pastries at Java Dave's at 10 NE. 10th Street. This trendy hangout offers more than a dozen specialty coffee drinks including the popular French Silk, a smooth mixture of chocolate, vanilla, espresso, and steamed milk. Breakfast items include ham-and-egg croissants, bagels, scones, and turnovers.

A visit to the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum (formerly the National Cowboy Hall of Fame) tops your list of things to do today. Before you reach the museum, you'll spy Buffalo Bill sitting astride his horse on top of Persimmon Hill. Inside, there's a spectacular collection of Western art and historic artifacts, a fall-size Western town, and a hands-on Cowboy Corral for kids. A winding garden path leads you past native plants and the graves of famous rodeo broncs and bulls.

When your stomach starts to grumble head to The County Line, two blocks west of the museum. Housed in a 1940s speakeasy, this barbecue restaurant offers Prime rib, pork tenderloin, peppered turkey breast, and ribs-all slow-- roasted over a hickory fire.

While you're in the area, be sure to check out the Omniplex. It's home to several different museums including the Red Earth Indian Center. You'll learn about American Indian history and culture, see models of Indian homes, and view the Southwest's most, extensive collection of cradleboards.

There's still time to visit Historic Stockyards City, home to the world's largest stocker and feeder cattle market. Auctions are held only on Monday and Tuesday, but there's always something going on. Real cowboys shop here for apparel, equipment, and supplies-and so can you. Even if you're not in the market for a custom-made saddle, you'll want to browse through the large Western-wear stores for boots, chaps, and cowboy hats.

Perhaps the best-known establishment in Stockyard City is Cattlemen's Steakhouse, serving ranch hands since 1910. You can get a steak here breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For dinner, we recommend the filet mignon ($17.95). Or if you're really hungry, try the thick and juicy T-bone ($18.95). Feeling adventuresome? Sample the restaurant's famous lamb fries (if you have to ask what they are, don't bother ordering).

Sunday: A Roundup

Rise and shine, sleepyhead! A journey to the Oklahoma City Zoo awaits. Founded in 1904, it's the oldest in the Southwest. And with more than 2,000 exotic animals, it's also one of the country's best. "Aquaticus," an exhibit featuring sea lions and other marine creatures, is a must. Even on Sunday the zoo opens at an early 9 a.m.

For brunch, indulge yourself at Nikz at the Top. This rotating restaurant, located on the 20th floor of the United Founders Tower, provides the best view of the city, not to mention spectacular food. For $17.95, you get made-to-order omelets and Belgian waffles plus a wide assortment of entrees, including leg of lamb and Prime rib.

Now's the perfect time to visit the Oklahoma State Capitol. Construction is scheduled to start on a new capitol dome in April and is projected to last more than a year. Until then you can still get an unobstructed view of the stained-glass state seal in the top of the fourth-floor rotunda, murals featuring the state's history, and paintings of famous Oklahomans. Tours of the building are given from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the hour Monday through Friday, but you're welcome to visit the rotunda anytime. The capitol's west entrance is open 24 hours a day. Cassandra M. Vanhooser