Your Guide to Wanderlust in Oklahoma City

Written By Brooke Taylor, Board Chair

Wanderlust is almost here, and we can’t wait to welcome you to Oklahoma City for an unforgettable night of music, food, and fun. Whether you're making a weekend out of it or just need a few local recommendations, we have you covered with the best places to stay, eat, and explore while you're in town.

WHERE TO STAY

If you're traveling in for the event, Oklahoma City has no shortage of incredible places to rest your head after a night of dancing to all your favorite ‘90s country hits.

Ellison Hotel
6201 N. Western Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73118
A modern, stylish hotel located in a great part of town with easy access to restaurants and and the Wanderlust venue — Will Rogers Theatre.

Waterford Hotel
6300 Waterford Boulevard, Oklahoma City, OK 73118
This 4-star luxury hotel sits near the upscale Nichols Hills neighborhood, offering a quiet and comfortable retreat close to the action.

Bradford House
1235 NW 38th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73118
A historic Victorian home turned boutique hotel, the Bradford House blends old-world charm with modern amenities. Each room is uniquely designed with a mix of vintage and contemporary touches, making it a perfect spot for a stylish stay.

WHERE TO EAT

Before or after the event, treat yourself to some of OKC’s best food. Whether you’re looking for an indulgent breakfast, a classic steakhouse, or authentic Texas-style BBQ, there’s something for every craving.

Cafe Kacao | 3325 N Classen Blvd
Start your day with the best breakfast and brunch in town. Pro tip: join the waitlist online to skip the line. The crème brûlée latte and breakfast pupusas are a must.

FRIDA Southwest | 500 Paseo
Located in the artistic Paseo District, Frida blends Oklahoma, Santa Fe, and northern Mexico flavors into beautifully crafted dishes. A perfect spot for a pre-event dinner.

The Ranch | 3000 W Britton Rd
If you're looking for a classic steakhouse with top-tier steaks, fresh seafood, and an upscale atmosphere, The Ranch is the place to go.

Edge Craft BBQ | 1920 Linwood Blvd
Texas-style barbecue right in the heart of OKC. Their brisket and burnt ends are legendary, and they take their oak-smoked meats seriously.

Cheever’s Cafe | 2409 N. Hudson
An Oklahoma City staple with the best damn chicken fried steak on the planet. Whether it’s brunch, lunch, or dinner, you won’t go wrong with a meal at Cheever’s.

THINGS TO DO

The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

If you’re making a weekend out of it, there’s plenty to see and do in OKC before and after Wanderlust.

The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum | 1700 NE 63rd St
A must-visit for fans of the western lifestyle. The current exhibit, Cowboy Boots: From Roundups to Runways, presented by Lucchese Bootmaker, dives into the history and cultural significance of cowboy boots.

First Americans Museum | 659 First Americans Blvd
A one-of-a-kind museum honoring and celebrating all First American tribes with incredible exhibitions ranging from sculptures to paintings and immersive storytelling.

WHERE TO SHOP

Little Joes Boots

If you need to complete your Wanderlust look or want to take home a little piece of Oklahoma, these local spots are worth checking out.

Little Joe's Boots | 2219 Exchange Ave
A legendary spot for cowboy boots and western wear. Their expert boot fitters will make sure you walk out with the perfect pair.

Shorty's Caboy Hattery | 1007 S. Agnew Ave
For more than 30 years, Shorty’s has been crafting custom hats right here in OKC. Whether you need a new felt or just want yours cleaned and reshaped, Shorty’s has you covered.

Will Rogers Theatre

SEE YOU AT WANDERLUST

Now that you have the lay of the land, all that’s left is securing your spot at Wanderlust.

Enjoy a steak dinner prepared by legendary chef Kurt Fleischfresser, live music from Straight Tequila Night, and a night that feels like stepping into your favorite 90s country song.

Will Rogers Theatre
4322 N Western Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73118

Brooke Taylor, Board Chair

Brooke Clay Taylor is the founder of the Rural Gone Urban Foundation, a nonprofit born from her belief in supporting women who are tough as nails—women who don’t let the weight of the world break them.

A ranch girl at heart and a toddler mom, Brooke’s life has been anything but ordinary. Raised on a farm in Indiana, she learned early on that life isn’t fair, but it’s worth fighting for. At six, she lost her dad to colon cancer. By junior high, she traded her small-town roots for life on a cattle ranch in Oklahoma, and by high school, was already proving the world wrong when a guidance counselor deemed her “not college material.”

Brooke’s journey hasn’t been a straight line. After over a decade working in agriculture marketing with internationally recognized brands, she bet on herself and started her own business from the ground up, with just one client and a lot of faith. In 2019, when she gave birth to her daughter, she was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer. After a season of intense treatment, she was declared cancer-free, but life threw her a curveball when cancer returned in 2022 for round two. And yet, through every challenge, she’s never had to face it alone.

Brooke believes that while you can do a lot on your own, it’s the people in your corner that make the difference. It was this belief that led her to launch the Rural Gone Urban Foundation in 2022, a place for women in need of support—whether they’re pursuing education, building businesses, or battling cancer.

As a self-proclaimed “B student” and a mom to a 5-year-old, Brooke wants women to know they’re worthy of support, regardless of their GPA or their business’s current state. Her foundation is here to help women write their own stories of strength, resilience, and success.

In Brooke’s world, there’s no such thing as too much support—whether you’re in the ring with cancer, starting a business, or just trying to make it through another day.

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