Weather
Situated within a region known as Tornado Alley, Oklahoma City has the distinction of being the most tornado-prone city in the country; most storms occur between March and August, also considered tornado season. Nonetheless, with an average annual temperature of about 60 degrees and clear or partly sunny skies 65 percent of the year, pleasant weather is not hard to come by in Oklahoma City. The area experiences four seasons, with spring bringing the greatest amount of rain. Expect cold temperatures during the winter months, but don't count on building too many snowmen; Oklahoma City averages just nine inches of snowfall a year.
Cowboy Up
Oklahoma City is known as the "Horse Show Capital of the World" for its unparalleled lineup of equine events. The city's most prominent features— including the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum and Stockyards City, a historic area where you can buy saddles and cowboy hats—also attest to a colorful Western history. Each June, the city hosts Red Earth, the largest of all Native American festivals. No less important to understanding the city is a visit to the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum, which honors the victims of the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. Family-friendly attractions include the Oklahoma City Zoo and the Myriad Botanical Gardens. Great food, shopping and nightlife await in Bricktown, a thriving entertainment district that was once a sea of abandoned warehouses.
Industry Insights: From Energy to Cattle
The Western heritage you'll encounter in Oklahoma City is reflected in the city's economy, which factors in one of the world's largest cattle markets. A wealth of oil and natural gas reserves, along with high wind-power capacity, has long made energy an important industry in the area. The aerospace and aviation industries are no less vital, with around 300 firms operating in the region, including two major federal employers: Tinker Air Force Base and the U.S. Department of Transportation's Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center. The health care and biotechnology industries are also prominent.
About Town
Seven airlines—American, United, Air Canada, Allegiant, Delta and Southwest—serve Will Rogers World Airport, located 10 miles southwest of Oklahoma City. Amtrak offers daily service to Oklahoma City's Santa Fe Depot—itself a historic attraction—via Fort Worth, Texas. If you prefer to drive, you have the choice of three interstates to get to Oklahoma City: I-35, I-40 and I-44. Within the city, EMBARK bus service operates Monday through Saturday. Other alternatives are the Spirit Trolleys, which offer three routes. Two operate within the downtown area, while a third connects some 50 restaurants and 20 hotels.
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