Laura Kriegel
Director of Marketing & Communications
Oklahoma City CVB
What are three cultural institutions in Oklahoma City that make great off-site venues for groups?
- Oklahoma City Museum of Art: Located in downtown Oklahoma City, the Oklahoma City Museum of Art boasts the largest collection of Dale Chihuly glass in the country, along with 14 galleries and one special exhibition gallery featuring world-class traveling exhibitions. With seven beautiful and functional spaces, as well as gourmet catering services provided by the Museum Cafe, the museum is an ideal location for off-site meetings and gatherings. The museum lobby provides the perfect backdrop for an elegant event. Features include an atrium with a spectacular sculpture created by Chihuly, limestone walls and marble flooring. The theater lobby is the perfect location for smaller receptions and dinners. Located on the east side of the museum, the theater lobby includes original Art Deco architecture and the sparkling Chihuly Waterford Crystal chandelier.
- Chesapeake Boathouse: As the first structure to grace the banks of the newly revitalized Oklahoma River in downtown Oklahoma City, the Chesapeake Boathouse is adjacent to the Bricktown Entertainment District. The design of the Chesapeake Boathouse represents a sleek rowing shell with translucent walls providing a dramatic nighttime image of the building “floating” above the river. Sixteen columns of light representing oars highlight the reflecting pool at the “bow” of the building. Features of the $3.5 million facility include a deck, a lobby, an event room for receptions and meetings, a 24-foot wall of glass overlooking the deck, river and reflecting pool, and an event room with a 62-foot window revealing the boat bays. The outdoor Regatta Park Pavilion & Plaza is a perfect spot for an outdoor event at the boathouse. Another unique option for events on the Oklahoma River is a private cruise with Oklahoma River Cruises. Three 35-passenger cruisers can ferry guests along the Oklahoma River, complete with entertainment and catering.
- National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum: Founded in 1955, the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, America’s premier institution of Western history, art and culture, collects, preserves and exhibits an internationally renowned collection of Western art and artifacts. The museum provides several options for off-site meetings and events. The outdoor plaza and garden area provide a spacious area nestled among glistening pools and native plants and flowers. The museum’s Special Events Center, a 16,500-square-foot facility, offers the most unique and breathtaking decor in the West. Five monumental 18-foot by 46-foot triptychs depicting Western landscapes by renowned artist Wilson Hurley adorn the walls of this one-of-a-kind banquet area.