Picture this. Waking up and surprising the kids for a day at the zoo, but you tell them there's a catch. Today we're modern explorers and we're going to ride our bikes to get there instead of taking the car. Minds blown, and what a holistically memorable experience that would be - an adventure to and from the aptly named Oklahoma City Adventure District. With all the new dedicated bicycle infrastructure popping up and some proper route planning, its very possible and relatively safe to do.
This spring break, we've partnered with the Adventure District to celebrate OKC's ever-expanding bicycle trail network! The Katy Trail bike path, a former railroad bed, provides a fun new connection from downtown for cyclists and runners to easily access premiere attractions, including Science Museum Oklahoma, Remington Park, Oklahoma City Zoo, 45th Infantry Museum, National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, The Oklahoma Railway Museum, The Oklahoma Firefighters Museum, The Zoo Amphitheatre and many more.
For one-week only, participants renting a bicycle through Ride OKC will receive a free ticket to Science Museum Oklahoma, Cinemark Tinseltown and XD or the Oklahoma City Zoo
while supplies last.
While the Adventure District is well known home to many of the state’s most popular and family-friendly attractions, we'd consider the Katy Trail a lesser known hidden gem. As you already know, Ride OKC prides itself on providing guided bike tours highlighting the best off the beaten path locations not found in travel books and the Katy Trail is no exception. Truly one of the most beautiful trails in the city complete with pedestrian bridges and tree lined canopy hanging over the paved path.
The 7.3 mile Katy Trail features newly paved pathways running from downtown’s Washington Park (400 N High Avenue) north towards NE Grand Boulevard to NE 50 Street and through Oklahoma City’s Adventure District passing the entrances to the OKC Zoo and Science Museum Oklahoma. Almost the entire path is dedicated trail space with some on-street bike lanes between NE 36 and NE 50.
Oklahoma City’s growing network of bike trails will provide additional connections to the Katy Trail and Adventure District. Two such trails currently under construction include Deep Fork Greenway Trail and the Greenway on the Oklahoma River Trail.
Individuals renting a bike through Ride OKC between Saturday, March 11 and Sunday, March 19 will each get their choice of one free general admission ticket to either. Stay connected with the Adventure District by visiting www.okcadventure.com.
Okay, so its fun to dream of living in a world where we can all ride our bikes right out of the garage and to our destination but I know it's not feasible. If you do find yourself needing to drive your car to ride your bike (ugh my personal pet peeve) there are some newly minted parking lots to park and ride along the Katy Trail. Choose from the Green Way Trail parking lot for a 6 mile bike ride, Creston Hills Park parking lot for a 3 mile bike ride. When the Greenway on the Oklahoma River (pictured above) finishes in Summer 2023, parking at the Riversport Pump Track will provide an excellent 9 mile route.