Gay Summer Getaway: Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City is the place to be this summer! With a slew of exciting attractions, fun events and excellent eateries to check out, this is the perfect time to visit the Modern Frontier!

For those looking to beat the heat, OKC has no shortage of water-filled fun.

RIVERSPORT Rapids & Adventures in the Boathouse District offers whitewater rafting and surfing for adventure-seekers plus kayak and paddle board rentals for those needing a more relaxed experience. Down the river, the new OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark offers endless excitement. Start outside on the OKANA Beach, a massive lagoon complete with an adults-only swim-up bar, then head indoors to the 100K sq. ft. waterpark with 15 waterslides.

There are also plenty of amazing events to check out all summer! Celebrate the Fourth of July in style with OKC Philharmonic’s “Red, White & Boom!”, a free outdoor concert and fireworks show at the beautiful Scissortail Park in the heart of downtown. On the 3rd Friday of each month (June – August), check out the Sunny Dayz Mural Festival in the historic Capitol Hill district for beautiful art, local pop-ups and lively performances. In August, catch the OKC Margarita Festival, an all-day competition where you get to be the judge while also enjoying a live DJ, street tacos and more. Finally, in September, close out the summer at the Oklahoma State Fair, a 10-day event complete with classic foods, fun rides and showcases from top vendors across the state!

Looking to cool off with a sweet treat? Check out Tizo’s for more than 80 different popsicles and 20 flavors of ice cream, all hand-made from scratch with fresh ingredients. Or head to Boomtown Creamery, a local favorite ice cream parlor that just opened a new location in the historic Skirvin Hotel downtown.

Finish the day with dinner and drinks at one of many places around the city with outdoor dining. The newly opened Truck Yard in Bricktown offers drinks, food trucks, live music and more, all with the vibe of a big backyard party. For something more upscale, the queer-owned Frida Southwest offers some of the city’s best eats and cocktails in a gorgeous covered patio setting. Or grab a drink while admiring the sunset and skyline at the O Bar on top of the Ambassador Hotel.