Northeast Oklahoma City Oklahoma City, OK

The last 20 years have brought massive change and revitalization to Oklahoma City and the surrounding neighborhoods. With new sports teams and work opportunities flooding the area, locals are spreading outside the main city and moving north.

Outer northeast residents can learn about local cowboy and Native American history at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Take a full day to browse the many displays of authentic cowboy gear, as well as a life-size city from the 1800s. Arrive early on the weekends to beat the crowds; catch the lunch buffet if you get hungry.

This neighborhood does not have an arts scene, so locals drive closer to downtown for the annual Momentum gallery. Explore the large and diverse art installations for work from local modern artists.

Small burger and bar joints abound in northeast Oklahoma City. Stop on historic Route 66 at Pop’s, a constantly busy hamburger and soda shop with soda flavors from all over the world. Take a picture in front of the landmark soda sculpture outside before plopping down in a booth to enjoy a Mexican Coke and a chicken fried steak. Grab a souvenir mug on your way out, with a spicy jalapeño soda for when you get home.

Soak up the atmosphere of the Midwest at The Garage with your friends or family. Bring a healthy appetite for burgers, brews and fries with heavy seasoning. Sample a Hawaiian burger with bison meat, or stretch your taste buds with a spicy sriracha burger with bleu cheese. If you’re feeling adventurous, ask the server for The Sticky Finger: a burger slabbed with peanut butter and sweet jalapeño relish.

Bring your date to an upscale meal at Signature Grill on E Danforth Road. Start off with complimentary hot bread and a puff pastry appetizer with duck confit, or have the pan fried blue lump crab cake. Unwind after a long week with their extensive selection of rare, single-malt Scotch whiskeys. Ask for a seat in the kitchen area so you can watch the chefs cook your meal.

Nightlife in outer northeast Oklahoma City consists of gathering the buds for several rounds of drinks at pubs and sports bars. Head out for an intimate night at Skinny Slim’s on E 5th Street. Take a seat on the back patio for scenic Oklahoma sunsets while sipping one of the dozen beers on tap, or hang out near the dartboard for a little friendly competition with other locals.

Long, open roads generally require cars to get around in outer northeast Oklahoma City. Public buses are only available in the southern portion of the neighborhood, and cabs do not regularly cruise the area, so residents tend to drive to the closest bus stop. Uber cabs are also not available further west than I-35.

Central Oklahoma Transportation & Parking Authority operates about 1,500 public parking meters downtown, costing $2 per hour.

Access I-35 and I-44 freeways to take you downtown any time of the day. Walk the beautiful neighborhoods in the outer northeast area, but be careful – the wide opens provide no biking lanes or shoulders to walk on.

Since outer northeast Oklahoma City does not house any parks, locals take their pups to Hafer Park in the neighboring town of Edmond. Walk or bike around the duck pond during the day and branch off onto one of the several trails for more hiking. Bring the whole family for annual barbecue cook offs and concerts in the summer.

Dog lovers take their buddies to Joe Barnes Dog Park near downtown to mingle with other dogs. Watch your pups while they splash around in the pool and watering holes. Chat with other owners while you trade off throwing Frisbees for each other’s animals – there’s plenty of open space to play fetch at Joe Barnes Dog Park.

Cost of living in outer northeast Oklahoma City runs a bit higher than living in the city, with the average rent costing about $980 for a one-bedroom residence. Expect to pay $1.75 for a single trip to the center of Oklahoma City or $3 for an express pass.

Beer runs cheap in Oklahoma, at about $3 for a pint of domestic beer and $5 for imports or specialty items. Gas costs 12 to 13 percent lower than the national average.

Although outer northeast Oklahoma City does not provide major shopping centers, residents drive across I-77 to Penn Square Mall for their clothes and electronic shopping needs. Spy the latest electronics at Microsoft and the Apple Store before sitting down at the food court and people-watching over iced teas and Greek food. Take your girlfriends shopping for the day at stores like Lush, Sephora and Ann Taylor, before settling in for the latest romantic comedy at the small theater inside.

Funky gift lovers flock to Blue Seven on May Avenue for clothing and accessories for men and women. Pick out tacky holiday gifts for the whole family, or peruse expensive purses for your best girlfriends. With everything from the latest in jeans and tops to handmade soaps and candles from local artists, Blue Seven provides a taste for everyone.

If handmade jewelry happens to be your niche, visit Collected Thread on NW 16th Street. Admire the earrings, bracelets and necklaces adorning the chic walls and jewelry stations around the shop. Ask the owner for her upcoming revamped vintage pieces; the selection constantly changes throughout the year.

Buy day-to-day groceries at Uptown Grocery Co. on W Covell Road. Purchase fresh bread, meat and fully prepared meals near the deli section. Stock up on all your health food, from organic produce to gluten-free boxed foods. Shop on the weekends for live violin accompaniment.