I remember the Oklahoma City bombing. I was in middle school when the news broke, and although I didn’t fully understand the scope of what had happened, I remember the image of the federal building’s collapsed side flashing across the TV. I remember the teddy bears and the yellow ribbons. I remember feeling shocked that this had just happened.
Thirty years later, I stood at the edge of the reflecting pool where that building once stood. The air was still. On one side, 9:01 is etched into a towering black granite gate—the minute before the bombing. On the other, 9:03 is etched into a towering black granite gate—the minute after. In between: a mirror-like pool of water where visitors stand in silence, watching the reflections ripple.
Before the anniversary, I visited Oklahoma City in February to explore the city for the first time. I didn’t expect to be so affected by the memorial or so impressed by what OKC has become. This is a city that remembers, but it’s also actively building something new.
Visiting the Oklahoma City Memorial and Museum: What to expect 30 years later
The Oklahoma City National Memorial is especially moving in person — 168 illuminated chairs honor those killed in the 1995 bombing, including 19 children.
The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum is emotionally powerful in a way that stays with you. The outdoor memorial, built on the former Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building site, is beautifully haunting: 168 empty chairs stand in rows, lit from below at night, each representing a life lost on April 19, 1995. The smaller chairs represent the 19 children who died that day in the building’s daycare center. Some of the names etched into the glass backs of the chairs match the ones I still remember from the news.
Inside the museum, the experience begins in a room designed to transport you back to the morning of the bombing—not just to the moment itself but to what life felt like in 1995. There’s a timeline of pop culture and news from that year, from what was playing on the radio to the top TV shows and headlines. It’s a surprisingly effective way to ground you in that day, to remind you how ordinary it all felt until it wasn’t.
From there, you’re ushered into a small hearing room and invited to sit. A recording plays from a meeting of the Oklahoma Water Resources Board. It is mundane government business and drags on long enough to forget what you are listening for. Then, the audio is shattered by the sound of the explosion. The room goes dark. I jumped. When the doors open, you’re led into the aftermath: twisted metal, scorched clocks, piles of debris, and heartbreaking survivor testimony.
You leave shaken but somehow uplifted, not by what happened, of course, but by how the city responded. The memorial isn’t just about remembering the lives lost. It’s about how a community came together to rebuild and the strength that emerged in the years that followed.
Things to Do in Oklahoma City
A relaxing canal cruise is one of the most popular ways to experience Bricktown — Oklahoma City’s vibrant entertainment district lined with patios, bars, and live music.
Oklahoma City might not be the first place that comes to mind for a vacation, but that’s changing fast. In 2023, the city welcomed over 24 million visitors, according to Visit OKC, generating a $4.5 billion economic impact — a record-breaking figure for a destination once overlooked by mainstream travelers.
A big part of the draw? Accessibility. OKC is centrally located, with nonstop flights from both coasts and plenty of drivable weekend trip potential from Dallas, Kansas City, and beyond. It’s also more affordable than trendier destinations and still feels undiscovered.
Then there’s the transformation itself. Decades of investment have reshaped Oklahoma City’s urban core. Bricktown, once an abandoned warehouse district, is now a buzzy entertainment zone with breweries, live music venues, and riverfront patios. You can even hop on a canal boat to tour the area from the water. The neighboring Boathouse District, along the Oklahoma River, has become a training ground for Olympic kayakers and home to one of the only urban whitewater rafting centers in the U.S.
Just north, Automobile Alley offers another slice of local character with its lineup of restored neon signs—the highest concentration of original neon signs on one stretch of road in the country, now kept glowing thanks to a preservation grant program.
Midtown is where locals seem to go when they’re off the clock. It’s a blend of retro lounges, rooftop bars, indie boutiques, and coffee shops tucked into old buildings that have been given new life. The Paseo Arts District is also worth a stroll.
Want an authentic taste of the West? Stop by Stockyards City, where the cattle auction runs live every Monday and Tuesday. The nearby Oklahoma National Stockyards also hosts rodeo events throughout the year, where you can watch bull riders, ropers, and barrel racers show off their skills in a true working arena.
Where to stay in Oklahoma City
Set in a historic Art Deco building in Midtown, the Ambassador Hotel blends vintage charm with modern luxury — plus one of the best rooftop bars in the city.
I checked in at the Ambassador Hotel, a boutique property in Midtown that mixes Art Deco elegance with modern touches and skyline views. It’s walkable to restaurants and bars but just removed enough to feel relaxed. The rooftop bar, O Bar, became my go-to for a nightcap. The house restaurant, The Chalkboard, has a cozy ambiance and serves elevated American fare.
If you’re traveling with kids or just looking for great swimming pools, the brand-new OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark is the perfect choice. The sprawling property has 11 pools, including a seasonal 200,000 sq. ft. outdoor waterpark with a sandy beach, waterslides, ziplines, and an adults-only swim-up bar with entertainment on a big screen.
Where to eat in OKC now
The bold flavors at Frida Southwest in the Paseo Arts District, where fusion fare spans the globe– like this wood-grilled, chimichurri salmon over a green chile crab and lobster rice cake with ancho coconut milk broth.
Food-wise, OKC punches way above its weight. Inside the gorgeously restored First National Center, Tellers felt like stepping into a different era—dramatic vaulted ceilings, marble floors, and a former bank vault turned speakeasy-style bar. The house-made pasta was excellent, as was the Negroni.
In the old bank vault in the same building is The Library of Distilled Spirits, a speakeasy-style lounge with over 1,500 bottles lining the walls. It’s an excellent place for a post-dinner drink or a slow sip of top-shelf bourbon.
I also enjoyed Frida Southwest in the Paseo District. It serves a truly bold mix of flavors inspired by the Southwest that span the globe. Start with the short rib empanadas, then move on to the wood-fired salmon topped with chimichurri and served over a lobster and crab rice cake in a coconut curry broth with corn and edamame. (pictured above).
, craft cocktails, and upscale ambiance. The short-rib egg roll appetizer was tasty.
Head to The Jones Assembly, a cavernous restaurant and concert venue for something more casual. Chandeliers and mismatched couches soften the industrial-chic interior, and the menu offers everything from wood-fired pizza to vegan dishes.
Craving breakfast or a midday pick-me-up? Harvey Bakery & Kitchen is an airy, minimalist café serving buttery croissants, hearty grain bowls, and excellent coffee.
Cocktail enthusiasts should carve out time for Bar Arbolada, a dimly lit local favorite with a West Coast-meets-Oklahoma vibe. It’s ideal for sipping an old-fashioned or a smoky mezcal spritz while soaking in the ambient vinyl soundtrack.
Oklahoma City’s museums and cultural sites to visit
Oklahoma City’s First Americans Museum honors the 39 tribal nations with ties to the state through art, architecture, storytelling, and Indigenous cuisine.
Oklahoma City’s culture scene is worth a deep dive, especially the First Americans Museum, which opened in 2021 to honor the 39 tribal nations whose histories intersect in Oklahoma. The design is stunning: a massive circular earth mound rising from the plains, filled with light-filled galleries and exhibits that tackle everything from the Trail of Tears to contemporary Indigenous art.
Art lovers should also visit the Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, a striking modern space that showcases regional and national artists through rotating exhibits and outdoor installations.
For more Western flair, the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum offers a glimpse into frontier life, rodeo culture, and classic Americana.
Other standout stops include Science Museum Oklahoma (surprisingly fun for adults), Scissortail Park (great for a picnic or a sunset photo op), and the Myriad Botanical Gardens, which anchor downtown with 15 acres of trails, fountains, and a futuristic tropical conservatory.
A city that still remembers
It’s impossible to separate Oklahoma City from the bombing — nor should you. But this isn’t a place that’s clinging to grief. What struck me most was how much of the city’s identity has been shaped by tragedy and what came after. The memorial isn’t just about remembering the lives lost — it’s about how a community responded. The Survivor Tree, an American elm that withstood the blast, is still there. Locals call it sacred.
As the 30th anniversary approaches, it’s worth visiting Oklahoma City not just to pay your respects but to see what’s come of the pain. There’s beauty here. And strength. And more than a few good surprises.