Horizons District: Oklahoma City's upcoming cultural hub

Anticipation is building as Oklahoma City's tourism scene braces for the emergence of the Horizons District—a sprawling cultural hub poised to redefine the city's visitor experience. While Chickasaw Country encompasses an extensive 7,600 square miles, the Horizons District represents a vibrant segment of this vast territory within Oklahoma City.  

Paige Shepherd, director of tourism with Chickasaw Country, sheds light on the district's transformative potential, stating, "Our goal and objective is to market and promote the 7,600 square miles that essentially encompasses Chickasaw Country—from just south of Norman, right where Riverwind is, all the way to the Texas border in a central part of the state. That's Chickasaw Country. But the Horizons District is going to be our largest attraction in Oklahoma City." 

The Horizons District, anchored by the forthcoming $400 million OKANA resort, is set to become a cultural enrichment and entertainment hub. Scheduled for completion in spring 2025, OKANA will have an array of attractions, including a riverfront hotel, spa, outdoor adventure lagoon, amphitheater, indoor waterpark, restaurants, retail components and more. In addition, the district will welcome the relocation of Exhibit C Gallery from Bricktown to the Horizons District, positioning it strategically between the hotel and the First Americans Museum.  

With an estimated 10-year economic impact exceeding $1 billion, the district's emergence continues the momentum of growth in Oklahoma City's journey toward becoming a top-tier visitor destination. Chickasaw Nation’s collaboration with Visit OKC is vital to its promotion, mirroring efforts in districts like Bricktown. However, unlike Bricktown, the Horizons District operates independently, similar to the Wheeler District, it does not receive funding from the state or city for marketing. 

The vision for the Horizons District goes beyond mere entertainment; it aims to create an immersive destination for families, where education and cultural engagement are the central focus. Shepherd highlighted the significance of partnering with the First Americans Museum (FAM) to showcase Native American culture and heritage, ensuring an enriching experience for visitors.  

FAM, a 175,000-square-foot facility, showcases interactive exhibits and collective histories of the 39 Tribal Nations in Oklahoma today. Its mission is to serve as a dynamic center promoting awareness and education to the broader public about the unique cultures, diversity, history, contributions and resilience of the First American Nations. 

Adding a perspective from Lindsay Vidrine, Visit OKC’s senior VP for destination marketing, she notes, "Oklahoma City doesn't actually have a tribal headquarters located in it. I think it's important for partners like the Chickasaw Nation to be here. Their attractions and contributions complement the First Americans Museum. It tells the stories of all 39 tribes in Oklahoma." 

Confirming the sentiment of inclusivity, Shepherd shares, "And one of the reasons why we wanted to name the district the Horizons District is because anyone's welcome, everyone's welcome to see a sunset. Everyone's welcome to see a sunrise, and we want to build a destination where people want to come and gather together to look at the sky, to feel the warmth and to engage and immerse in everything the city has to offer." 

The Horizons District represents a collaborative effort to amplify Oklahoma City's cultural landscape and create a welcoming destination for all. With its diverse offerings and inclusivity, the district wants to immerse and engage its visitors to experience the richness of Oklahoma's heritage and hospitality.