Murals & Masterpieces on the Move

To anyone who questions Oklahoma City’s cool factor, I say: the writing’s on the wall. Literally. Take a walk through the Plaza District, Paseo Arts District or downtown, and you’ll be greeted by larger-than-life murals, playful installations and bursts of unexpected creativity. The best part for budgeting families? It’s all free, all public and all perfect to explore with kids.

Art-filled adventures in OKC

On our adventure, my three kids and I set out to discover some of OKC’s most vibrant art scenes. It started with a lazy afternoon and zero agenda – just some good walking shoes and curiosity. But we quickly found ourselves drawn in to the colors, the stories and the scale of what we were seeing: art that wasn’t behind velvet ropes but wrapped around buildings, painted across alleyways and hiding in plain sight. We quickly found ourselves to be huge fans of art in unexpected places.

In the Plaza District, we picked favorites among the murals that line the walls between galleries, shops and cafés. It felt like stepping into a dream, or at the very least, a really cool indie movie set.

We admired the brushwork and technique in pieces where faces looked so lifelike you felt they might blink. The kids called out their favorites: the one with the bear, the one with the bright red sun, the one with the geometric feathers. We oohed and aahed, just like we would at a fireworks show. And between the art stops, we wandered into local spots. Bad Granny’s Bazaar had the exact level of kitschy chaos my kids live for, and Pie Junkie gave us the fuel to keep exploring. (Their key lime pie might be a masterpiece in its own right.)

Over at OAK OKC, a newly developed destination for shopping and dining, we didn’t step inside the restaurants that day (we were sweaty, loud and all of us needed a nap), but we made the most of the open-air turf. The kids ran circles under the giant mirrored cloud sculpture, officially titled Cloud Trees, created by artists Brad Oldham and Christy Coltrin. The piece plays with light and reflection, and my toddlers were captivated. One of them stared straight up into it, mouth wide open, for a full 2 minutes, which in terms of a toddler’s attention span is basically a standing ovation.

Another day, we took an impromptu drive through downtown and let the city surprise us. Under the railroad overpasses near Bricktown, colorful murals from artists like Denise Duong and Dylan Cavin tell stories of culture, nature and imagination. Even the pillars supporting the overpass have been turned into vertical canvases by artists.

One of our favorite downtown stops was the Arts Center Parking Garage, home to Small Talk About the Weather, an interactive sculpture by Creative Machines. The way the light dances across the structure, thanks to our colorful suggestions, made us gasp. It completely redefined what a parking garage could be.

We made a quick stop at Scissortail Park, where we saw the physics-defying piece Taking Flight: Light as a Feather created by artists Lesley Chang and Jason Klimoski. Meanwhile, the Skydance Bridge loomed in the background, a sculptural icon inspired by the scissor-tailed flycatcher and executed by Stan Carroll, Hans Butzer, Chris Ramseyer and a talented team of designers.

Tucked near Automobile Alley, we stumbled upon the spiral staircase that seems to rise out of nowhere. It isn’t traditional artwork, but in the right light and from the right angle, it feels like one. It’s a hidden architectural flourish that gives the neighborhood even more charm.

And there’s still so much more we want to see. The OKC Underground is high on our list, a network of tunnels beneath downtown that’s home to rotating art displays and immersive light features. It’s part practical, part whimsical – perfect for kids who love a good secret passage.

We also want to take a tour of the Oklahoma State Capitol, where stunning murals by Charles Banks Wilson and others showcase Oklahoma history and culture in breathtaking detail. And one of these days, we’ll make it to Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, where even the stadium walls pay homage to OKC’s artistic flair.

Let the city be your gallery

OKC’s art scene isn’t something you need a museum pass to enjoy. It’s on your way to the grocery store, around the corner from your coffee shop, wrapped around playgrounds and peeking out from alleyways. The creativity here is bold, welcoming and accessible. And when you see it through your kids’ eyes, when you hear them gasp, point and ask questions – it’s more than just beautiful. It’s unforgettable.

All you need is a little time, a pair of good walking shoes and, maybe, a pie break or two.

Plan your adventure with this handy guide from Visit OKC at visitokc.com/things-to-do/arts-entertainment/public-art/