Overview
Northwest district of Oklahoma City is along and on both sides of the Northwest Expressway and includes the Lake Hefner area.
5 sights · 3 things to do · 39 places to eat · 19 bars & cafés · 4 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Northwest
Lake Hefner Park
Nine-mile walking trail, bike trail, kite-flying, watch the sail boats. Great place to people watch. Enclosed heated fishing dock, restaurants, bars and golf course are located around the lake.
Will Rogers Gardens
An arboretum with numerous gardens, water features, and a conservancy.
Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park
Performs at venues in the Paseo Arts District.
Hurricane Harbor OKC
Water park.
Martin Park Nature Center
Scenic and relaxing preserve in which to experience Oklahoma woodland prairie type ecosystem and deer and turtles.
Nona Jean Hulsey Gallery
Art gallery on the campus of Oklahoma City University.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Summer highs reach about 94°F; winter lows dip to about 29°F. Very hot (Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jun and May. (climate data from nearby Oklahoma City)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- OKC OKC Will Rogers World Airport, Oklahoma City — 10 mi away (major hub). Directions
- SWO Stillwater Regional Airport, Stillwater — 51 mi away. Directions
Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Will Rogers Gardens, Nona Jean Hulsey Gallery, Hurricane Harbor OKC
- Lunch Queen of Sheba
- Afternoon Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park, Route 66 Park
- Dinner Taj Indian Cuisine
- Evening The Ledo
Day 2
- Morning Lake Hefner Park, Martin Park Nature Center
- Lunch Shogun Steakhouse of Japan
- Afternoon OKC Pride
- Dinner Los Pericos
- Evening Lumpy's Sports Bar & Grill
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
The area includes the NW 39th Street Enclave sometimes called "The Strip" located off I-44 in Oklahoma City, which is the largest LGBT community in the state. Most of the points of interest are along NW 39th Street between Pennsylvania and May Ave. or in the surrounding area. Once you are in the area it is a short walk (less than a block or two) to most establishments. Some areas might not be accessible to those in wheelchairs.
See
See Lake Hefner Park
Nine-mile walking trail, bike trail, kite-flying, watch the sail boats. Great place to people watch. Enclosed heated fishing dock, restaurants, bars and golf course are located around the lake.
Do
Do Route 66 Park
Oklahoma City's newest recreational area. A map of the entire route is in the plaza.
Events
Buy
Shop Canterbury UK Imports
The only shop in the area that carries a full line of grocery store imports from the United Kingdom. These imports include: tea, frozen food, canned goods, chocolates, biscuits (cookies), condiments, gifts and many more items that any blue blooded Brit or Anglofile would crave.
Shop Wilshire Village
Located on Western, north of 63rd, at the intersection of Wilshire and Western. Has a great variety of shops, such as:
Eat
Mexican
Eat Chelino's Mexican Restaurant
1 of 10 metro locations.
Eat San Marcos Mexican Restaurant
Includes live music on some Fridays and Saturdays.
Eat Ted's Cafe Escondito
You may have to wait to get into Ted's, but it is worth the wait. Some of the best Mexican food in Oklahoma City.
Japanese
Eat Musashi's Japanese Steakhouse
Eat Shiki Japanese Steakhouse
Indian
African
Eat Queen of Sheba
Ethiopian restaurant with a great selection of vegetarian options.
American
Eat Elephant Bar
Has a mix of seafood, Asian, burgers, steaks, and regional favorites. $7-16
Eat Chuck House
The best chicken fried steak in town.
Chinese
Eat Grand House
A classy and authentic Chinese restaurant in the heart of the Asia District. Features Dim Sum on the weekends.
Eat Chen's Buffet
Windsor Hills Shopping Center, N.W. 23rd and Meridian. A full buffet.
Fine dining
Italian
French
German
Greek
Eat Mediterranean Imports and Deli
Eat Gyro City Cafe
Pizza
Eat The Wedge Pizzeria
Gourmet pizza in a brick-oven style. Two locations (NW and downtown).
Seafood
Thai
Eat Thai House
Serves the best crab fried rice in town.
Vietnamese
Eat Pho Hoa
You will find this spot crowded with local Vietnamese.
Ice cream
Eat Braum's
And throughout city. Get the ice cream; skip the French fries.
Drink
Drink Lumpy's Sports Bar & Grill (Lumpy's)
Drink Edna's
Known for their 'lunchboxes' and for the owner's dance moves.
NW 39th Street Enclave
NW 39th Street Enclave sometimes called "The Strip" located off I-44 in Oklahoma City has the largest LGBT community in the state, and attracts many visitors as they travel along I-35. The area is most popular on Friday nights.
Like most LGBT areas, drag shows are a common staple. See The Boom, Phoenix Rising, and sometimes the Copa.
Drink Angles
Only open on select nights. Cabaret and dance club.
Drink The Copa
Night club with a large dance floor. Male go go dancers on Friday and Saturday nights. Popular with young crowds.
Drink The Finishline
Western themed bar with country music and dancing with pool tables and darts.
Drink The Boom
A divided venue with two sides. One a dedicated bar. The other features a stage for dinner theater and drag shows. The Boom is widely known for its weekly Sunday Gospel Brunch shows. Reservations are recommended.
Drink Apothecary
Vintage cocktails in a relaxed atmosphere. pool tables. no smoking.
Drink Tramps
Strongest drinks on the gay strip (and likely the entire city), with pool, great jukebox and drag shows. Lots of fun!
Drink Phoenix Rising
Drag shows on Friday nights. Excellent patio garden in the back.
Cafes
Drink Cafe Oasis
Next to the Super Cao Nguyen Asian grocery. This cafe is really more of a bubble tea house although they serve coffee as well. They also serve a variety of Chinese food. It feels like you are stepping into a modern Japanese hot spot. Free Wi-Fi.
Drink Full Circle Bookstore Cafe
Nice cafe with free Wi-Fi inside an excellent independent bookstore.
Drink The Red Cup
Funky atmosphere, veggie food and free Wi-Fi. An OKC gem.
Sleep
Stay Habana Inn
Self-proclaimed as the largest gay resort in the Southwest, the Habana Inn anchors they 39th District with two bars, a restaurant and piano bar, gift shop, and two large pools. It is common for some guests to leave their doors unlocked or windows open. If you want a quieter night, request a room away from the more promiscious side during check-in.
Nearby
Nichols Hills
City / town · 3 listings · 1 mi away
Bethany
City / town · 3 listings · 5 mi away
Edmond
City / town · 25 listings · 9 mi away
Del City
City / town · 3 listings · 9 mi away
Yukon
City / town · 3 listings · 11 mi away
Midwest City
City / town · 9 listings · 11 mi away
Moore
City / town · 3 listings · 14 mi away
Arcadia
City / town · 3 listings · 16 mi away
My experience
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