Automobile Alley is a good example of Oklahoma City reusing its past rather than erasing it. The district developed around automobile dealerships and related businesses, and many of the old commercial buildings have survived even though their purpose has changed completely.
Today you are more likely to find restaurants, cafés, shops, bars and creative businesses than rows of new cars. Historic neon signs and older façades help preserve the district’s identity.
Best explored without a checklist
This is not a neighbourhood where I would arrive with ten attractions to tick off. Walk along Broadway Avenue, look at the buildings and signs, stop somewhere that appeals to you and let the area fill part of an afternoon or evening.
The district is particularly convenient because it sits immediately north of downtown and connects easily with Midtown and other central neighbourhoods.
Come back after dark
Automobile Alley works during the day, but the old neon signs give it extra character after dark. Dinner here followed by a walk is an easy way to spend an evening without committing to the more visitor-focused atmosphere of Bricktown.
If you enjoy seeing how former industrial and commercial districts evolve, Automobile Alley is one of the more interesting pieces of modern Oklahoma City.