18 Holes
In Oklahoma, it’s certainly not hard to find a great set of links. In Tulsa, readers enjoy playing the course at Southern Hills Country Club. The Golf Club of Oklahoma and Cherokee Hills Golf Club are also favorites in Green Country.
In Oklahoma City, our readers enjoy the challenging holes at the Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club. Gallardia Country Club and Twin Hills Golf & Country Club are also great places for 18 holes.
Art Gallery
Whether you’re searching for the perfect piece or browsing local artists’ latest works, it’s M.A. Doran Gallery that our Tulsa readers most often go to. Joseph Gierek Fine Art is another favorite, followed by Living Arts of Tulsa and Aberson Exhibits.
In Oklahoma City, the city’s underground tunnels serves as home to Invited Artists of Oklahoma, or IAO Gallery, which received the top spot for this year’s best art gallery. IAO Gallery is followed by AKA Gallery and Istvan Gallery.
Bed and Breakfast/Inn
If you’re looking for a place to rest and relax, look no further than one of the state’s great bed and breakfasts or inns. In Tulsa, our raters enjoy kicking back at Cedar Rock Inn and McBirney Mansion. Also favorites are The Canebrake and Kennedy Mansion, followed by The Inn at Woodward Park.
In Oklahoma City, it’s The Grandison Inn receiving the top spot, followed by The Montford Inn and the Arcadia Inn Bed & Breakfast.
Casino
It’s one of the oldest forms of entertainment, and quickly becoming the favorite pastime of Oklahomans. In Tulsa, readers like to place their bets at the rockin’ Hard Rock Tulsa Hotel & Casino. Osage Million Dollar Elm Casino also earns a nod for their several gaming locations as well as top-notch live entertainment. River Spirit Casino and Downstream Casino Resort, located in Quapaw, round out the tops.
Our Oklahoma City readers head south to Norman to do their gambling at Riverwind Casino. Further south, at WinStar World Casino, the opulent building and lavish décor wow readers. FireLake Grand Casino is another top casino destination for Oklahoma Citians.
Concert Venue
There are many great places to catch a live show in the state. In Tulsa, BOK Center comes in as the best concert venue for hosting some of the biggest names in music – including Elton John and Taylor Swift – followed by the historic Cain’s Ballroom. Brady Theater and SpiritBank Events Center round out the favorites.
The aptly named Oklahoma City Arena, when it’s not hosting Thunder games, is a top concert destination, followed by the Oklahoma City Civic Center Music Hall and indie rock hall The Conservatory.
Dive Bar
They’re places where everybody knows your name. Top dive bar in Tulsa is Arnie’s Bar, located in the Blue Dome District. Following close behind is Drake’s Tavern and The Colony.
In Oklahoma City, Edna’s keeps loyal customers coming back for their signature lunchbox drinks. Hi-Lo Club and Cock O’ The Walk round out the top three dive bars.
Happening Bar
It’s hip, it’s hot and it’s certainly the place to be. Receiving most votes for happening bar in Tulsa is Center Bar, located in Hard Rock Tulsa Hotel & Casino, and Vintage 1740 wine bar. James E. McNellie’s Public House and In The Raw are also favorites, as are White Owl Pub and The Ivey Rooftop Wine Bar & Lounge.
In Oklahoma City, Republic Gastropub is the top happening bar, followed by James E. McNellie’s Public House and 51st Street Speakeasy.
Hotel
When your guests come to town, you want to put them up in the very best hotel. Oklahoma Magazine readers recommend The Mayo Hotel as best hotel in Tulsa, followed by Hard Rock Tulsa Hotel & Casino. Hotel Ambassador and Hotel Savoy round out the top three.
In Oklahoma City, it’s the historic Skirvin Hilton receiving the nod as top hotel in the city. Waterford Marriott and Colcord Hotel are not far behind in second and third places, respectively.
Local Band/Musician
Oklahoma is known for supporting its local musicians. In Tulsa, Chloe Johns earns the top spot as best local musician in the city, followed closely by perennial favorites The Fabulous Mid Life Crisis Band. Eric Himan and Sweatin’ Bullets round out this year’s list.
Hosty Duo has been entertaining crowds in Oklahoma City for many years, and this year they claim the top spot for best local band. The group 2 a.m. follows, and violinist extraordinaire Kyle Dillingham rounds out the top three.
Local Professional Sports Team
There are lots of ways to enjoy sports in the Sooner State. Tulsans enjoy rooting for the home team at Tulsa Drillers games, and they cheer on the women of the Tulsa Shock at games played at the BOK Center. The Tulsa Oilers are also a favorite, as are Tulsa Talons and the NBA D-League Tulsa 66ers team.
It’s no surprise that Oklahoma City’s first major professional sports team, the Oklahoma City Thunder, has once again won this category. The basketballers are followed by the Oklahoma City RedHawks and the Oklahoma City Barons.
Local TV Station
Tuning in for news, reality and talk shows, our readers have definite opinions about their favorite broadcast TV station. Taking the top spot this year is CBS affiliate KOTV Channel 6, boasting popular shows like How I Met Your Mother and The Amazing Race. Following closely behind are NBC affiliate KJRH Channel 2 and KOKI Fox 23.
In Oklahoma City, NBC affiliate KFOR Channel 4 is the vote-gettingest local TV station, broadcasting such favorites as The Today Show, 30 Rock and The Biggest Loser. ABC affiliate KOCO Channel 5 is a perennial favorite, and rounding out the top three is CBS affiliate KWTV Channel 9.
Museum
Where do you go to appreciate the wonderful culture our state possesses? In Tulsa, it’s Philbrook Museum of Art and Gilcrease Museum that are favorites of our readers. With its large collections of Italian Renaissance, Asian and modern and contemporary art, among others, Philbrook is a great place to take in beautiful pieces. Gilcrease boasts the world’s largest, most comprehensive collection of art and artifacts of the American West. Woolaroc Museum & Wildlife Preserve, located near Bartlesville, is a great museum to view unique Western art and artifacts. Claremore’s Will Rogers Memorial Museum and the Tulsa Air and Space Museum & Planetarium are also favorites.
In Oklahoma City, the Oklahoma City Museum of Art is a favorite for its permanent collections as well as its world-premiere exhibitions. Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History is a favorite of our readers to visit to learn about the natural wonders of the state, while the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum is a great tool for learning about the American West. Science Museum Oklahoma provides fun exhibits to help teach science.
Performing Arts
There are many outlets for artistic expression. In Tulsa, our readers enjoy attending a performance by the Tulsa Ballet, whether it’s a classic ballet or a world premiere choreographed by one of the company’s many talented members. The beautiful productions by Tulsa Opera also keep our readers entertained, as do the melodies of Tulsa Symphony Orchestra and Tulsa Oratorio Chorus.
The professional performances by Oklahoma City’s Lyric Theatre are favorites among our readers. Oklahoma City Ballet also receives accolades for its ballet beauty, while Oklahoma City Philharmonic rounds out our readers’ favorites.
Place to Catch a Flick
If you’re in the mood for a blockbuster, rom-com or indie flick, head to one of The Best of the Best movie theaters in the state. Cinemark Tulsa shows the most popular films on huge screens, including an IMAX. AMC Southroads 20 is a favorite for Midtowners, especially for their reliable screenings of award-winning indie films. Circle Cinema may be small, but they generate a lot of buzz for screening films that would otherwise never be screened in Tulsa.
The experience of enjoying dinner and drinks with your movie is what makes Moore Warren Theatre the most popular movie theater in Oklahoma City. Harkins Theaters, located in the popular Bricktown district, shows the latest and greatest films. Cinemark Tinseltown USA rounds out the top three.
Place to See and Be Seen
You need to rub elbows; you’ve got to schmooze. The best places to see and be seen in Tulsa is Utica Square, where you can mix and mingle while enjoying great shopping and dining. Brookside, for its trendy nightlife, is another popular hotspot, followed by BOK Center.
In Oklahoma City, you can definitely see and be seen, especially on the Jumbotron, at an Oklahoma City Thunder Game. The entertainment district, Bricktown, is always a great spot to run into the movers and shakers of the city. The crowd at Republic Gastropub is also one you definitely want to be part of.
Resort in Oklahoma
There are many places in Oklahoma that are great for a short stay or a more long-term destination. The lush hills of Beavers Bend and Hochatown State Park make this resort in far southeast Oklahoma a favorite among readers, while the bright lights of the big casino beckon readers to Hard Rock Tulsa Hotel & Casino for a stay. Western Hills Guest Ranch Resort offers golfing, boating, biking and horseback riding activities, all near the shores of Fort Gibson Lake. Nestled among the beautiful, historic mountains of southwest Oklahoma lies Quartz Mountain Resort Art & Conference Center, a retreat that offers some of the best options in leisurely activities.
Stop on the Radio Dial
Whether you want to catch up on current events or rock out to Top 40 tunes, there’s a radio station for that. In Tulsa, 97.5 KMOD brings listeners classic rock ‘n’ roll songs from old and new artists. News Talk 740 AM KRMG keeps you up to date on local happenings and provides lively debate. The programming provided by 89.5 KWGS NPR is a mix of local and national shows that discuss a wide variety of topics.
102.7 KJYO brings listeners the latest and greatest in pop and hip-hop music. 104.9 KKWD also spins great tracks from contemporary artists. 98.9 KYIS plays hits from the ‘80s, ‘90s and today.
Wedding or Party Venue
For an over-the-top bash or a quiet, intimate affair, there are a few places that will provide the perfect backdrop for your to-do. The Mayo Hotel provides an historic backdrop with modern touches for parties, weddings or other occasions. Harwelden Mansion and Tulsa Convention Center are also popular venues, followed by McBirney Mansion and Dresser Mansion.
Pay no attention to those pesky rumors that this hotel is haunted – located in the heart of downtown OKC, the Skirvin Hilton is the best place to host your bash, according to our Oklahoma City readers. Oklahoma City Public Farmers Market is a unique and whimsical locale for your parties or weddings, followed by the stately Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum.
Weekend Getaway Destination
It’s nice to leave life at home and escape for a weekend retreat, and there are plenty of destinations within the borders of our state. Greenleaf State Park in eastern Oklahoma is a great retreat for those looking for a little rustic relaxation. The cabins built in the 1930s do, however, house satellite television. The Wichita Mountains and Black Mesa are also popular weekend getaways. Brushy Lake State Park in eastern Oklahoma and Fort Cobb State Park in the southwestern part of the state also got nods as great weekend getaways.
Winery
Oklahomans love their religion and barbecue; in a close third, they also love their wine. Many local wineries continue to wow palates with rich, complex wines. In Tulsa, readers like to visit Stone Bluff Cellars for tastings as well as special events. Urban winery Girouard Vines is the home of the famous Tulsa Deco series, in which wines are named after famed Tulsa landmarks. Down the road a piece in Stroud is StableRidge Vineyards Winery, another favorite of Tulsa readers.
The tiny town of Luther is home to one of the most popular wineries in Oklahoma, Tres Sueños Vineyards and Winery, where a wide assortment of wines waits to be tasted. Tidal School Winery in Drumright also gets the nod from Oklahoma City readers, followed by Winery of the Wichitas in southwest Oklahoma.
