Bricktown

[dankrutka]

Dankrutka, when I see advertising for new things like restaurants, holiday parades, things like Halloween horror nights at universal studios, music festivals, city events, here in LA, I don't see family friendly plastered all over it. While I don't have specific examples, almost every time I see something new being built in OKC or some bent that's going on, it's almost always touted as being family friendly.

I've seen stuff that advertises family friendly Events and businesses here in LA, but it's not all over the place like in OKC. They even had to go back and redo the Halloween parade to make it more family friendly.

Can you give examples of "family friendly" being plastered all over everything in OKC? This should be easy to find since, as you say, anything new "almost always touted as being family friendly." Then I'll see if I can't find some equivalents in LA.

I'm not saying that "family friendly" events aren't more common in OKC, they might be. But, you're making it seem as if these types of events are exclusive to OKC. I just don't think the difference is as dramatic as some are making it out to be. Having said that, of course LA and Seattle are going to have way more options based solely on the dramatic population difference.

And, to this point, I don't have kids and my wife and I are up often to visit friends. We never have trouble finding things to do that are not structured around kids.

[ljbab728]

Can you give examples of "family friendly" being plastered all over everything in OKC? This should be easy to find since, as you say, anything new "almost always touted as being family friendly." Then I'll see if I can't find some equivalents in LA.

I'm not saying that "family friendly" events aren't more common in OKC, they might be. But, you're making it seem as if these types of events are exclusive to OKC. I just don't think the difference is as dramatic as some are making it out to be. Having said that, of course LA and Seattle are going to have way more options based solely on the dramatic population difference.

And, to this point, I don't have kids and my wife and I are up often to visit friends. We never have trouble finding things to do that are not structured around kids.

I agree. I just don't see this "family friendly" being touted everywhere here like everyone is saying. It certainly happens but it's not pervasive.

[2Lanez]

I don't know about "family friendly," but I've thought for a while you see many more beer, alcohol or strip club billboards in bigger cities. The Maker's Mark ads they recently installed on 235 and 40 caught my eye for this reason.

[turnpup]

An observation I've made, living just on the edge of the heart of Midtown, is how the millennials/hipster types are very family-oriented and hands-on with their kids. They take their little ones everywhere and don't seem to be at all deterred by the practice. Kids just go with parents, period. Additionally (and I like seeing this), the fathers appear to play an increased role in active parenting, much moreso than what I experienced in my Gen X coming of age. I see tons of parents (both sexes) in their business clothes each morning, walking their kids to school.

If they are the target group for up-and-coming development here in downtown OKC, then it perhaps stands to reason that we have a lot of "family friendly" venues and activities. It's kind of like how "dog friendly" we are in this area as well. The millennials/hipsters also enjoy having their dogs with them. Just this morning at Hanks, I encountered (and petted) three adorable (and large!) dogs over the course of perhaps an hour there in the shop as I had coffee with a neighbor. As well as a mom with the family dog and her toddler, who had set up his Lego Friends on the table while mom hung out.

[Pete]

Anybody know what they are doing on Sheridan?

Could this already be the streetcar?

[/center]

[Harbinger]

I believe so! Twisted Spike posted this. Of course a taproom is going to be on top of this...!

[Ross MacLochness]

Anybody know what they are doing on Sheridan?

Could this already be the streetcar?

[/center]

Yep, construction started Yesterday.

[jbrown84]

I honestly echo Panda's thoughts and have mentioned this numerous times in previous posts. If you ever live in another city then return to OKC, you immediately notice the huge emphasis on kids and family friendly for EVERYTHING and almost NO advertising for the adults. I'm not saying there's nothing for adults to do - as I know things have gotten better than before, but I'm saying is there's little to no ADVERTISING or emphasis unlike what you see in other metros (even Tulsa).

I haven't had the "are you from Tulsa" comment as people I deal with know OKC. But I do have to say, it is SAD that you have to KNOW where to go or be FROM OKC in order to know where to go. That is the point I, Spartan, Panda, and likely others are trying to make - WE know OKC because we're from there.

But consider those who arent - they would surely think OKC was dead given there's NO advertising of adult (certainly YOUNG ADULT) venues and outings esp compared to peer and larger cities.

I am so utterly, utterly baffled by this. I lived in LA for 5+ years and I'm in Fort Worth now and I do NOT see what you and Panda are talking about at all. Where exactly in OKC are you looking for "advertising" for young adult-oriented activities and businesses? That's not a rhetorical question---really, please explain.

I was just reading a Gazette an hour ago and didn't see a single advertisement aimed at families, nor any articles or features. Instead it was ads for casinos, music venues, bars, clubs, art galleries, and spas. It was articles about politics and art shows.

With every city you visit, you have to ask a local or do your research to find the great places. This idea that that is unique to OKC (and a fault) is absurd.

Here's a suggestion for you next time, Hot Rod. Pick up the Gazette, Territory, So6ix, and Edible OKC. It sounds like you are reading alternative publications in Seattle and elsewhere, so I'm not sure why you don't seek these out in OKC. They are all over the place and they are filled with all the non-family friendly things you could possibly imagine.

Here, I'll provide an example that's counter to your argument. On new years eve, I was in town seeing family and we wanted to go to Anthem Brewing for their tour and taproom tasting, but would have had a baby with us. I could find no answer on their website, so I had to message them via facebook and they confirmed that their facility is 21+. If there is such a family friendly emphasis in OKC, why could't we bring a baby??

[Pete]

You see almost zero families out on weekends in Midtown and The Plaza, and both those areas are absolutely heaving with people and are adding new places all the time.

I'll see some families out at the Midtown Garage during the week and maybe a few out in the Plaza on a week day, but otherwise neither district comes close to focusing on families.

Even in Bricktown, once it gets past 8PM the crowd is hugely adult.

[jbrown84]

Things featured on the OKC CVB website (https://www.visitokc.com/) front page at the moment:

-District Spotlight: Film Row
-Wine for the People event
-First Fridays on the Paseo
-Live at the Plaza
-The Colcord, Flint, and Vast
-Dale Chihuly: Magic & Light at the OKCMOA
-Drink This: OKC's Craft Brew Scene
-Five Artsy Finds in Film Row

[Plutonic Panda]

I am so utterly, utterly baffled by this. I lived in LA for 5+ years and I'm in Fort Worth now and I do NOT see what you and Panda are talking about at all. Where exactly in OKC are you looking for "advertising" for young adult-oriented activities and businesses? That's not a rhetorical question---really, please explain.

I was just reading a Gazette an hour ago and didn't see a single advertisement aimed at families, nor any articles or features. Instead it was ads for casinos, music venues, bars, clubs, art galleries, and spas. It was articles about politics and art shows.

With every city you visit, you have to ask a local or do your research to find the great places. This idea that that is unique to OKC (and a fault) is absurd.

Here's a suggestion for you next time, Hot Rod. Pick up the Gazette, Territory, So6ix, and Edible OKC. It sounds like you are reading alternative publications in Seattle and elsewhere, so I'm not sure why you don't seek these out in OKC. They are all over the place and they are filled with all the non-family friendly things you could possibly imagine.

Here, I'll provide an example that's counter to your argument. On new years eve, I was in town seeing family and we wanted to go to Anthem Brewing for their tour and taproom tasting, but would have had a baby with us. I could find no answer on their website, so I had to message them via facebook and they confirmed that their facility is 21+. If there is such a family friendly emphasis in OKC, why could't we bring a baby??

well, I'm just as baffled as you are to the fact that people on this site can't recognize how ingrained family friendly is around the city

[ljbab728]

well, I'm just as baffled as you are to the fact that people on this site can't recognize how ingrained family friendly is around the city

Then please explain exactly why you think that.

[Plutonic Panda]

Then please explain exactly why you think that.

I think I already did the best I could. Listen it's just the vibe I get. Seeing ads(no I can't go back and recall every advertisement I saw). things like changing the Halloween parade in midtown to be more family friendly(I know I keep using that one but it's the only one that comes to mind). Almost ever event I see in OKC has something claiming to be family friendly.

OKC is the only city I've ever been in where someone has been offended by my language(I use profanity a lot). I've actually been in physical altercations over it. I've been approached by people for the clothes I wear with obscenities on it(only happened in OKC).

Like I'm not trying to say OKC is the only city that is family friendly or whatever but it is the city that I know that promotes it the most. It's just the vibe I get.

I don't have any statistical facts to back that up and I suspect that's why other jumped on me asking me to provide proof. I don't have any. If you're thinking okay then you have no credibility then fine. Then there's no reason for you to take the time to even acknowledge my statement in that case.

Plain and simple, it's just everyday experiences and vibes I get from being in OKC that they way over emphasize families. This has nothing to do with a particular place being 21 and over only and having a strip club
or having hot cougars to bang or going to the extremes and not seeing anything family friendly related, but it's just what I've noticed.

Me living in LA has only made me feel that way even more. I do think OKC is shifting away from that.

I feel like the OKCTalk community can't take any kind of criticism sometimes. Someone makes one little statement about something and it turns into a 3-5 page sh!tstorm about little things the city has that are an anomaly to the criticism.

More often than not I tend to think people will have perceptions based off of little anecdotes they have and it sticks. I don't what else I can add to this. I have no reason to lie.

Edit: LJBAB, this post wasn't directed at you even though you're quoted. Sorry.

[Spartan]

I am so utterly, utterly baffled by this. I lived in LA for 5+ years and I'm in Fort Worth now and I do NOT see what you and Panda are talking about at all. Where exactly in OKC are you looking for "advertising" for young adult-oriented activities and businesses? That's not a rhetorical question---really, please explain.

I was just reading a Gazette an hour ago and didn't see a single advertisement aimed at families, nor any articles or features. Instead it was ads for casinos, music venues, bars, clubs, art galleries, and spas. It was articles about politics and art shows.

With every city you visit, you have to ask a local or do your research to find the great places. This idea that that is unique to OKC (and a fault) is absurd.

Here's a suggestion for you next time, Hot Rod. Pick up the Gazette, Territory, So6ix, and Edible OKC. It sounds like you are reading alternative publications in Seattle and elsewhere, so I'm not sure why you don't seek these out in OKC. They are all over the place and they are filled with all the non-family friendly things you could possibly imagine.

Here, I'll provide an example that's counter to your argument. On new years eve, I was in town seeing family and we wanted to go to Anthem Brewing for their tour and taproom tasting, but would have had a baby with us. I could find no answer on their website, so I had to message them via facebook and they confirmed that their facility is 21+. If there is such a family friendly emphasis in OKC, why could't we bring a baby??

I think you need to pose your question to the State Legislature, rather than grassroots consumers.

[gopokes88]

Anyway,

They are cleaning the canal right now so it is currently empty.

[Celebrator]

I think I already did the best I could. Listen it's just the vibe I get. Seeing ads(no I can't go back and recall every advertisement I saw). things like changing the Halloween parade in midtown to be more family friendly(I know I keep using that one but it's the only one that comes to mind). Almost ever event I see in OKC has something claiming to be family friendly.

OKC is the only city I've ever been in where someone has been offended by my language(I use profanity a lot). I've actually been in physical altercations over it. I've been approached by people for the clothes I wear with obscenities on it(only happened in OKC).

Like I'm not trying to say OKC is the only city that is family friendly or whatever but it is the city that I know that promotes it the most. It's just the vibe I get.

I don't have any statistical facts to back that up and I suspect that's why other jumped on me asking me to provide proof. I don't have any. If you're thinking okay then you have no credibility then fine. Then there's no reason for you to take the time to even acknowledge my statement in that case.

Plain and simple, it's just everyday experiences and vibes I get from being in OKC that they way over emphasize families. This has nothing to do with a particular place being 21 and over only and having a strip club
or having hot cougars to bang or going to the extremes and not seeing anything family friendly related, but it's just what I've noticed.

Me living in LA has only made me feel that way even more. I do think OKC is shifting away from that.

I feel like the OKCTalk community can't take any kind of criticism sometimes. Someone makes one little statement about something and it turns into a 3-5 page sh!tstorm about little things the city has that are an anomaly to the criticism.

More often than not I tend to think people will have perceptions based off of little anecdotes they have and it sticks. I don't what else I can add to this. I have no reason to lie.

Edit: LJBAB, this post wasn't directed at you even though you're quoted. Sorry.

Exactly why I love this town. And exactly why L.A. (and A LOT of other cities) fits you perfectly at this time in your life. All cities don't have to have the same vibe.

[Plutonic Panda]

Fair enough.

[gopokes88]

I think I already did the best I could. Listen it's just the vibe I get. Seeing ads(no I can't go back and recall every advertisement I saw). things like changing the Halloween parade in midtown to be more family friendly(I know I keep using that one but it's the only one that comes to mind). Almost ever event I see in OKC has something claiming to be family friendly.

OKC is the only city I've ever been in where someone has been offended by my language(I use profanity a lot). I've actually been in physical altercations over it. I've been approached by people for the clothes I wear with obscenities on it(only happened in OKC).

Like I'm not trying to say OKC is the only city that is family friendly or whatever but it is the city that I know that promotes it the most. It's just the vibe I get.

I don't have any statistical facts to back that up and I suspect that's why other jumped on me asking me to provide proof. I don't have any. If you're thinking okay then you have no credibility then fine. Then there's no reason for you to take the time to even acknowledge my statement in that case.

Plain and simple, it's just everyday experiences and vibes I get from being in OKC that they way over emphasize families. This has nothing to do with a particular place being 21 and over only and having a strip club
or having hot cougars to bang or going to the extremes and not seeing anything family friendly related, but it's just what I've noticed.

Me living in LA has only made me feel that way even more. I do think OKC is shifting away from that.

I feel like the OKCTalk community can't take any kind of criticism sometimes. Someone makes one little statement about something and it turns into a 3-5 page sh!tstorm about little things the city has that are an anomaly to the criticism.

More often than not I tend to think people will have perceptions based off of little anecdotes they have and it sticks. I don't what else I can add to this. I have no reason to lie.

Edit: LJBAB, this post wasn't directed at you even though you're quoted. Sorry.

Sometimes it's not the criticism, it's who's saying it.

[dcsooner]

Sometimes it's not the criticism, it's who's saying it.

Why should it matter WHO is speaking Truth? We should be blind to truth or honest criticism just because the one who is positing their truth, we reject? Seems axxbackward to me, but then I understand the sources that post on this forum.

[traxx]

So plupan, it's just some indescribable vibe you get. When people offer their own take you dismiss it as anecdotal evidence but are unable to give any hard evidence from your point of view except on single event that you use over and over.

Then you talk about how you get offended when people don't want to listen to your incessant swearing or they don't like seeing you wear t-shirts with curse words constantly. I was like that once. But I was also 19 at the time. It was my immaturity.

Let's suppose for a minute that you're 100% right and OKC is family friendly. How is that a bad thing? Orlando has made bank on being family friendly. I think most people in OKC would love what a development like Disney World and resorts, Universal Studio, and Wizarding World of Harry Potter would do for the local/state economy.

[hoya]

To a certain degree, Oklahoma City is going to be more targeted towards family entertainment than it is other types of entertainment.

I'm sure we have more Chuck-E-Cheeses than we do leather S&M bars.

The big reason for this is because in general, OKC is a great place for young families. When I lived in DC, there were a lot of single people in their 20s and 30s who were out looking for things to do. In OKC, a much higher percentage of those people are married with kids. They are still looking for things to do, but they've got to be able to bring the kids along. This is going to affect the number of attractions that are financially viable because of those demographics.

As an unmarried person with no kids in his now (gasp!) late 30s, I can say that there is plenty of stuff for me to do. Now I haven't been to a young people club in more than a decade, but for an old fogey like me, OKC has enormous options. There are great restaurants, cool bars, art museums, lots of neat stuff. I'm quite happy here. But you actually have to look to find these places, they aren't going to jump out in front of you like a hooker on Bourbon Street.

[jbrown84]

I can't argue with an intangible feeling or vibe you get, Panda. I just have a hard time seeing where it comes from. I completely agree with you that it's disappointing the Halloween parade couldn't survive without becoming a family event. I hoped it could become a unique adult-oriented annual event for the region, but it was not to be.

Another thing I wanted to point out was that I see a billboard for the Mavericks every day on my way to work in Fort Worth that advertises it as "FAMILY FUN" or something of that sort. I've never seen a Thunder billboard with a family-friendly target like that.

Do you have examples like this of things being targeted at families in OKC that in other cities would not be? Or types of more adult oriented events or activities you'd like to see in OKC, but don't exist here? I think it could be a constructive discussion.

[HangryHippo]

they aren't going to jump out in front of you like a hooker on Bourbon Street.

#ahhmemories

[TU 'cane]

Can someone not organize or start campaigning with some potential hosts for an adult-themed Halloween party that a couple people seemed to be so hung up about?

It would be my recommendation if something like that is such a big deal to someone, that they would start going around to bars or businesses willing to host one and maybe work together to get something organized for next year.

I don't know… my mind is still perplexed at a couple responses regarding this discussion about the horridness of a city being family-friendly.

[Spartan]

Anyway,

They are cleaning the canal right now so it is currently empty.

Cue the onslaught of "Bricktown is dead, nobody at the Canal today!"