Editor's note: This story was updated at 10:32 a.m. March 13 to reflect the correct last name of Molly Grenier, co-owner of The Hall’s Pizza Kitchen.
There are many ways to explore Oklahoma City, with plenty of activities to partake in. From theme parks to restaurants, the best time to explore these places is spring break, where you can kick your feet back, relax and have fun.
Restaurants
Bar Sen
Bar Sen, a Laotian noodle shop and neighborhood bar, serves house-made, hand-cut gluten-free rice noodles. Chef and owner Jeff Chanchaleune was inspired to share more of his family’s Laotian recipes with the community after the success of his neighboring restaurant Ma Der Lao Kitchen. Bar Sen is dine-in only and is open from 5 p.m. to midnight Tuesday through Saturday at 1630 N. Blackwelder Ave.
Oso
Oso serves Mexican-inspired street tacos and cocktails. Be sure to visit on a Tuesday for half priced tacos and beer. Oso is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday at 603 NW 28th St. in the Paseo Arts District.
The Hall’s Pizza Kitchen
The Hall’s Pizza Kitchen serves wood-fired pizza. Beginning as a food truck, co-owner Molly Grenier and her family opened a brick and mortar location to keep sharing their tradition of eating homemade pizza on Saturday night. On March 17, The Hall’s Pizza Kitchen will launch their spring menu featuring new starters, pizzas and cocktails. Found in midtown, the restaurant is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday at 1004 N. Hudson Ave.
Formosa Street Food and Bar
Formosa Street Food and Bar serves various Taiwanese and Chinese dishes. According to an article by Oklahoma City Free Press, Formosa is perfect for an affordable late-night bite. Formosa is open from 4 to 11:45 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 4 to 9:45 p.m. on Sunday at 427 NW 23rd St.
Golden Phoenix
Found in the Asian District, Golden Phoenix is a locally owned Chinese and Vietnamese restaurant. The restaurant offers an Asian-style brunch of dim sum from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. daily. Specials include roast duck, crispy pork and seven courses of beef Vietnamese style. Golden Phoenix is open from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at 2728 N. Classen Blvd.
El Sabor De La Baja
Just a 5 minute drive from the Fairgrounds, El Sabor De La Baja specializes in authentic Mexican cuisine, seafood and drinks. Visit for a laid back dining experience with live music and dishes like shrimp ceviche, burro de birria and seafood soup. The live performance schedule can be found on their Instagram. El Sabor De La Baja is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday at 2815 NW 10th St.
Saturn Grill
For fresh, made from scratch American and European style dishes, be sure to visit Saturn Grill located in Nichols Hill. Joseph Royer, chef and owner, graduated from the Coach House apprenticeship program before founding Saturn Grill in 2002. Menu items include roasted chicken Alfredo, Caribbean jerk chicken sandwich, and falafel salad. Saturn Grill is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday at 6432 Avondale Drive.
Sunnyside Diner
Travel to downtown Oklahoma City for classic Sunday brunch at Sunnyside Diner. Chicken-fried steak and eggs, specialty pancakes and chorizo burritos as just a few options offered. Out of the four locations, Sunnyside Diner on 6th St. was included in Oklahoma’s Best Breakfast Spots. Sunnyside Diner has four locations in Oklahoma City and is open 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Sunday at 824 SW 89th St.
Hank’s
Hank’s is a popular restaurant featuring smoked meats and turkey. Based on New Orleans and Memphis style cuisine, the menu has various dishes. Hank’s is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday, and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Saturday at 1228 NE 63rd St.
Things to do
Winchester Drive in Theater
Enjoy the spring weather with a drive movie at Winchester Drive in Theater. It is Oklahoma City’s only operating drive-in movie theater and opened in 1968. Movie showings open this month. Adult tickets are $10 and child tickets are $5 at the box office, which is cash only.
Paint N’ Cheers
Explore your artistic side with a drink at Paint N’ Cheers with fun and stress free painting classes. Paint N’ Cheers hosts themed paint nights where instructors give step by step instructions. You must be at least 16 to paint and 21 to drink and paint. There are several classes over spring break like Midnight Magic or Santa Fe Sunset. Registration starts at $35 per person and can be purchased online. In Oklahoma City’s Plaza District, Paint N’ Cheers is at 1614 N. Gatewood Ave.
Factory Obscura
Factory Obscura is a 6000 ft. hand crafted, immersive art exhibit in Downtown OKC. According to their website, Factory Obscura seeks to “support, create, and awaken our community and our world.” On March 20th, Factory Obscura will host Adult Night at Mix-Tape, where they will stay open late for the adults 18 and up to enjoy the exhibit. Ticket prices vary depending on the event. Factory Obscura is at 25 NW Ninth St.
Oklahoma City Memorial
For a look into Oklahoma’s history, visit the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum. April will mark 30 years since the Oklahoma City Bombing. The memorial pays tribute to the victims and heroes of the Oklahoma City Bombing, the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in the U.S. Tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for students and free for children ages five and under. The Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at 620 N. Harvey Ave.
Epic Paintball Park
Epic Paintball Park is known for its large fields, some over an acre, and quality paintball games. For a less painful, welt-free option, Epic Paintball Park offers low impact paintball balls. Randall Coles opened Epic Paintball Park to share his love of paintball with the Oklahoma City Metro area. Epic Paintball Park offers different packages with various pricing, starting at $41.28 per player. The park is at 4920 W. Interstate 40 Service Road.
Orr Family Farm
Orr Family Farm offers a unique glamping experience with pioneer inspired wagons and mural adorned tepees. After living on the farm for years, Dr. Glenn Orr built the lodge as a family friendly getaway. Showers, restrooms and spas are available for guests. Standard rate for a four person Teepee is $235 per night and $205 per night for a four person wagon. The farm is at 14400 S. Western Ave.
OKANA Resort and Indoor Waterpark
For an endless adventure, check out OKANA Resort and Indoor Waterpark. This hotel waterpark includes 11 pools, an indoor waterpark and 13 food spots for guests, as well as a spa. OKANARAMA!, OKANA’s game hall, features laser tag, an escape room, mirror maze and an arcade. OKANA also has sports simulators. Rates start at $149 per night. Spring Break Day passes to the waterparks and lagoon are available with prices starting at $79.99 per person. OKANA is at 639 First Americans Blvd.
Shopping
Full Circle Bookstore
Visit Full Circle Bookstore, Oklahoma’s oldest and largest independent bookstore, for a cozy book browsing experience. Pick up a book and spend a cozy afternoon reading at its cafe, The Garden Cafe serves breakfast, lunch, sweets, coffee, locally brewed beer and select wines. Full Circle hosts various events including book clubs, book signings, live music and more. During Spring Break, Full Circle will be hosting a midnight release of Sunrise on the Reaping, Suzanne Collins’ long anticipated Hunger Games prequel. Full Circle is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday at 1900 NW Expressway.
Guestroom Records
Visit Guestroom Records for Vinyls, CDs and all things music. Justin Sowers and Travis Searle met at OU and ran a door to door record shop, until they opened Guestroom Records in Norman. Over the years, they have opened multiple locations in Oklahoma and one in Kentucky. Guestroom Records is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday at 3701 N. Western Ave.
Painted Door Gift Boutique
Whether you are searching for a gift or something for yourself, Painted Door Gift Boutique has everything from jewelry to home decor. In 1991, Avis Scaramucci opened Oklahoma City’s premier boutique after getting her bachelor's degree in music education from OU. Painted Door is open from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday at 124 E. Sheridan Ave.
Eden Boutique
Eden Boutique is Paseo’s premier boutique for women’s clothing. Owner Eden Turrentine has worked in the beauty and fashion industry for twenty years and opened Eden Boutique to promote individuality through clothes. The store is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at 3014 Paseo.
Bad Granny’s Bazaar
For vintage shopping, visit Bad Granny’s Bazaar in the Historic Plaza District. Bad Granny’s Bazaar hosts various vendors who sell vintage, retro and gently used clothing. It is open from noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday at 1759 NW 16th St.
Plenty Mercantile
Plenty Mercantile offers a mindful shopping experience, with sustainable, cost-effective lifestyle goods and gifts. Plenty Mercantile sources materials responsibly, while successfully maintaining business with the motto ”people, profit and planet.” Plenty Mercantile is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday at 807 N. Broadway Ave.
mode
mode sells the latest trending clothing in women’s fashion, accessories, shoes and gifts. After earning her bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurship from OU, Amanda Lee opened her dream boutique in 2016. The boutique is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday at 1227 N. Walker Ave.
Shorty’s Caboy Hattery
Shorty’s Caboy Hattery sells custom cowboy hats and is the only woman owned and operated custom hattery in the United States. Lavonna “Shorty” Koger grew up as a rodeo cowgirl and opened her hattery in 1990. Shorty’s Caboy Hattery is open 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday at 1007 S. Agnew Ave.
This story was edited by Madisson Cameron. Ryan Little, Mary Ann Livingood and Sophie Hemker copy edited this story.
