OKC = ideal weekend getaway
By Lindsay Goodier

When you're dying to get out of Tulsa but time won't quite permit a full-blown road trip, turn those cars west toward Oklahoma City for a weekend of fun. Oklahoma City is a mere hour and 45 minutes down the turnpike and offers entertainment and simple charms that make it unique from Tulsa.

Warning to the reader: This weekend of enjoyment is going to cost you at least seven dollars in tolls, gas money and however much you need to satisfy your road trip/entertainment needs. Never fear. If you sacrifice a few trips to Wal-Mart throughout the week, your wallet should be adequately prepared for this weekend of bliss.

Friday

Friday evenings in Oklahoma City are ideal opportunities to catch a good concert. Whatever your musical preference, there is always a tasteful show happening somewhere in the region on a Friday night. For upcoming venues, try www.itickets.com or www.kokf.com (OKC's Christian alternative radio station).

Saturday

After hopefully getting a good night's sleep on Friday night, wake up early Saturday morning and head over to Lake Hefner on the west side of the city. This is a great place to eat a picnic breakfast, watch the sun rise over the sailboats in the harbor or spend time with Jesus. If you're feeling more active, you could roller blade, run or bike the nine miles around the lake.

For lunch, make your way to Ted's Café Escondido on Pennsylvania Avenue. Ted's is perhaps OKC's most popular restaurant, offering complimentary authentic flour tortillas, chips, salsa, queso and sopaipillas with your meal. Although the restaurant has an annex across the street, there is usually at least an hour wait, so make sure you arrive as early as possible (they open at 11 a.m.).

A Saturday afternoon in Oklahoma City wouldn't be complete without shopping. The Oklahoma City area offers three malls: Crossroads, Penn Square and Quail Springs. One of the most interesting shops in town is the Full Circle Bookstore across from Penn Square Mall. This cozy shop makes it easy to become immersed in literature with several fireplaces, a unique café and floor-to-ceiling sliding ladders to help you locate the perfect book.

After relaxing in the bookstore, experience a part of American history by visiting the Oklahoma City National Memorial downtown. This museum and outdoor memorial reflect the Oklahoma City bombing tragedy of Apr. 19, 1995. Although the site captures the reality of that horrific day, it also signifies the growing trust in God that Oklahomans and Americans have developed since that time. Bricktown is the hopping place for Saturday nights.

Bricktown is like a smaller version of the San Antonio Riverwalk; a flower- and fountain-lined canal runs through the middle of over 30 restaurants and shops, bringing Southwestern charm to this recently developed section of downtown.

Stroll along the canal and take a ride on one of the tour boats for five dollars. Don't forget your nighttime chai at one of Bricktown's hidden treasures: The Uncommon Grounds. Here you can sip your frothy drink in a smoke-free, uniquely eclectic atmosphere.

Sunday

One of the best aspects of Oklahoma City is the spiritual atmosphere. Choose from over 650 churches in the Oklahoma City area for your morning service.

After church, enjoy an exquisite meal at Bahama Breeze, a tropical specialty restaurant overlooking Lake Hefner that offers everything from Bahamian Kabobs to Coconut Curry Chicken.

So save up your dimes and nickles, grab a few wingmates, find a friend in Oklahoma City who will allow you to crash at his or her house and take a short, yet unforgettable, road trip to Oklahoma City.

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