Oklahoma City’s Bricktown

I started my day in Oklahoma City at the devastating Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum. I ended it on a much cheerier note, at the city’s riverwalk in the Bricktown entertainment district. When you walk into Bricktown, you’ll immediately see the reason for the name. All the buildings are made of the same red brick!

History

Bricktown used to be a warehouse district serving four railroad lines. The first brick buildings went up around the turn of the 20th century, 1898-1903. It was a working-class neighborhood and the location of the first chapter of the local NAACP and the civil rights movement. But by the 1980’s, all the buildings were more or less derelict.

In the 1990’s, the city made a concerted effort to create a vibrant downtown and Bricktown got a major facelift. Before the year 2000, a ballpark was built and a canal complete with water taxis.

Current Nightlife

Now, Bricktown houses restaurants and clubs, shops and mini-golf. There’s lots of art to be found along the river. And several events are held throughout the year, from 4th of July fireworks to food and music festivals. And of course, there are local baseball games at the ballpark.

The water taxi is a big draw, with entertaining history tours that cost $12 and under. I wasn’t able to take one on a Tuesday in March, but they seem to have resumed more or less regular service with the warmer weather.

I ate at Charleston’s, an upscale regional chain, and had some fantastic pork chops followed by a twilight walk along the river. It was really nice! I wouldn’t compare it quite to San Antonio’s Riverwalk. It’s a lot shorter for one. But it’s really very nice and I think a boat tour would have been really fun.