The Stop We Never Planned: A Night in Oklahoma City

 

When I started planning our Southwest road trip, Oklahoma City wasn’t on the itinerary.

Not because I didn’t think it would be worth visiting—it just wasn’t one of our “must-see” stops. Our focus was getting out west to the National Parks.

But after looking at the miles between Hot Springs National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park, we realized we needed a place to break up the drive.

Enter… Oklahoma City.

Specifically, Bricktown.

What we expected to be “just a place to spend the night” ended up being one of the most enjoyable surprises of the trip.

After hours in the car, it felt so good to park, walk around, and explore somewhere new. Bricktown has such a fun atmosphere with restaurants, shops, and a canal running through the middle of it all.

One of our favorite discoveries was the Bricktown Water Taxi. It was relaxing, entertaining, and a fun way to learn a little history while giving our legs a break from driving.

We also found a mini golf course, and you know we couldn’t pass that up! A little family competition was the perfect way to end the evening.

Looking back, I’m so glad we didn’t treat Oklahoma City as just a hotel stop.

It reminded me that some of the best memories aren’t always made at the places you’ve been dreaming about for months. Sometimes they’re made in the places you almost drove right past.

If you’re planning a cross-country road trip, don’t overlook Bricktown. It was the perfect place to recharge before another long day on the road.

Safe travels and happy memory making! ❤️

Kayla