Passing Through Oklahoma City (El Reno, Elk City: relocation, home, hotels)

[zenjenn]

Forgive me for not searching the whole forum. I'm relocating from California to Alabama and we leave in 4 days, so I'm crunched for time!

On our trip, we will be stopping one day in Oklahoma City. We are driving through on Interstate 40. Can you recommend a nice place to stay for a family with 2 young children? Also any points of interest within a few hours east or west of Oklahoma City on Interstate 40 to help break up our drive?

[Synopsis]

Where's Happytown? Let me get on the bat phone to Happytown...

I don't know what money is like for you, but the Bricktown Marriott Hotel is nice. It may be a little to expensive though. But, you would be right downtown and have access to all of the great restaurants, and you might even be able to take in a baseball game if minor league baseball hasn't ended already (sorry for my ignorance of baseball).

As far as points east and west to break up the monotony. I'll leave that up to others to chime in on because nothing is coming to mind right now.

Good luck in Alabama!

[peggydavis]

I would recommend stopping off at Red Rock Canyon State Park off the Hinton exit. It is about 50 miles west of OKC. Your kids will like it, you will like it, it is free, and it is not far off I-40. I used to take my daughter there, we would stop and buy snacks at a convenience store in Hinton and then have a picnic in the shady park.

The kids might like the Zoo in Oklahoma City. OKC has one of the best zoos in the US. Depending on how old they are, the Omniplex is a science museum for kids near the zoo. Both are located near NE 50 and Martin Luther King Avenue.

For motels, the most motels seem to be around the fairgrounds, at the Pennsylvania and May exits off I-40. Someone who still lives in the area would be better to help you.

[peggydavis]

Hi Synopsis, maybe Happytown is studying. I think baseball is over for the Redhawks.

Zenjenn, if you wanted to stay downtown the hotels there are very nice and there is enough parking. Bricktown is cool and the kids would like to go on the water taxi.

[happytown]

Synopsis you crack me up...Peggy I have been really busy with school. So you are def right about that!

OP...I would recommend what Peggy had to say. Red Rock is really a nice small canyon park with lots of cliffs and climbing. Another suggestion near the fairgrounds if you want to stay at a motel for costs would be Celebration Station...mini golf..video games...racetrack. Numerous hotels and motels are west of Downtown...But pretty far away from BTown and Downtown.
Good hotel near next to I-40 and Meridian.
Oklahoma City Hotels – Pet Friendly Hotels in Oklahoma City – Biltmore Hotel OKC




If you have some money to spend I would recommend The Skirvin or The Colcord. Myriad Gardens is next to the Colcord and OKCMOA is a short walk also. The Skirvin is a masterpiece of a hotel...Even if you cant spend any money on a fancy hotel..it is def worth a visit. Here are some hotels a walk away from or in Bricktown which has a canal and lots of stuff to do.
Here is a link to The Skirvin. Just click on the go to Skirvin Website so you can find the home page.
The Skirvin Hotel Oklahoma City Oklahoma OK hotels resorts - 15k
Colcord Hotel | Luxury boutique hotel in Oklahoma City, OK - 16k
Downtown Oklahoma City Bricktown Hotels - 14k
^ Some good info about BTown.....Good luck.

[zenjenn]

Ok, I was confused for a while. I was thinking "is Happytown a place outside Oklahoma City?!"

Thanks for the insights, folks. I'll definitely work the info into our itinerary. Fortunately we do have a little money to spend.. our relocation allowance pays for hotel stays en-route to our final destination, and since we budgeted our packing and moving so well, we'll have a lil extra.

[Devil_Woman]

Depending on how much time you have for side trips, you could look into stopping at Tsa La Gi. According to Google maps, it would be about an hour (one-way) off I-40. This is a recreated, ancient Cherokee village along the lines of Williamsburg except 16th century Cherokee rather than colonial America. Definitely a potentially fun and interesting learning experience for children.

Cherokee Heritage Center - Ancient Cherokee Villiage

[case44]

Also, don't forget that the legend of Route 66 runs through Oklahoma. It runs right through OKC. The former U.S. Highway 66 offers some tourist opportunities and a slice of Americana. You can also travel I-40 west of the city (Clinton, Elk City, El Reno, Erick) for some great stops and tidbits.