Things to Do in Oklahoma City in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in Oklahoma City
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- Wildly unpredictable spring weather creates dramatic prairie storms and surprisingly warm days - you might see a tornado warning and 27°C (80°F) sunshine in the same afternoon, which makes for memorable experiences if you're into meteorological drama
- Basketball season peaks in March with Thunder games at Paycom Center drawing smaller crowds than playoff season, meaning easier ticket access and better prices - typically $45-120 for decent seats compared to $200+ later in spring
- Stockyards City comes alive with spring cattle auctions every Monday and Tuesday morning, and the weather is comfortable enough to actually walk around the pens without freezing or melting - locals consider this the sweet spot for experiencing authentic Western heritage
- Spring migration brings thousands of sandhill cranes and waterfowl to nearby wetlands, and March timing means you catch both late winter residents and early spring arrivals - the concentration at Martin Park Nature Center and Lake Overholser peaks mid-month
Considerations
- Severe weather season ramps up significantly - Oklahoma City averages 3-4 tornado watches in March, and while actual touchdowns are rare in the metro, you will deal with sirens, weather app alerts, and genuine safety concerns that can disrupt outdoor plans
- The weather data showing 62°C (145°F) highs appears to be an error, but March temperatures actually swing wildly - you might pack for 24°C (75°F) and wake up to 4°C (40°F) with sleet, making packing genuinely frustrating and requiring multiple clothing layers
- Spring break crowds from Texas and Kansas flood the city mid-month, particularly around Science Museum Oklahoma and the Zoo, driving up hotel rates by 30-40% during the second and third weeks while adding wait times at popular attractions
Best Activities in March
Bricktown Canal and Entertainment District Walking Tours
March weather makes Bricktown actually pleasant to explore on foot - temperatures typically range 10-21°C (50-70°F), cool enough to walk comfortably but warm enough that outdoor patios are open. The canal water taxis start running again after winter maintenance, and you avoid the brutal summer heat that makes walking these brick streets miserable by June. Spring evenings around 6-8pm offer perfect conditions for the district's restaurants and bars without the oppressive humidity that comes later.
National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum Visits
March is ideal because spring break brings special programming and extended hours, but weekday mornings (9-11am) remain blissfully quiet. The museum's indoor focus means weather volatility doesn't matter - when severe weather hits, this becomes the perfect backup plan. The collection of Frederic Remington bronzes and the Prosperity Junction Old West town are climate-controlled, and March typically sees new rotating exhibits installed for the spring season.
Myriad Botanical Gardens and Crystal Bridge
The outdoor gardens start showing early spring blooms in March - redbuds, Bradford pears, and early tulips - while the Crystal Bridge tropical conservatory provides a humid 24°C (75°F) escape when Oklahoma's weather turns nasty. March is the transition month when you get both winter structural beauty and emerging spring color. The 15-acre park sits downtown, making it easy to combine with other activities, and the variable March weather means you appreciate having both indoor and outdoor options in one location.
Oklahoma City Thunder NBA Games
March represents the final push toward playoffs, creating intense atmosphere at Paycom Center without the impossible ticket prices and massive crowds of April. Games typically happen 2-3 times per week, and the energy peaks as the team fights for playoff positioning. The indoor arena means weather is irrelevant, making this perfect for those unpredictable severe weather evenings. Thunder fans are genuinely passionate - this is not a corporate crowd like you find in some NBA cities.
Stockyards City Livestock Auction and Western Shopping
Monday and Tuesday mornings feature live cattle auctions starting at 8am - this is the real deal, not a tourist show. March weather makes walking the outdoor stockyards and historic district comfortable, and spring cattle movements mean bigger auction volumes. The Western wear shops along Exchange Avenue offer authentic working gear, not costume pieces. Most tourists miss this entirely, but it's where you actually see Oklahoma's ranching culture in action, not a sanitized version.
Martin Park Nature Center and Lake Hefner Bird Watching
March is peak spring migration for sandhill cranes, pelicans, and dozens of waterfowl species. Martin Park's 144 acres of cross-timbers habitat sits in a natural corridor, and early morning visits (7-9am) offer the best viewing before daily visitors arrive. Lake Hefner's shoreline trails provide 9.6 km (6 miles) of paved paths where you can spot migrating birds while getting exercise. The variable March weather actually helps - overcast days bring birds closer to shore, and post-storm mornings see increased activity.
March Events & Festivals
Oklahoma City Festival of the Arts
This major arts festival typically happens in late April, not March, so you'll miss it if visiting in March. Worth noting because some visitors confuse the timing - March is actually the quieter period before the spring festival season kicks into high gear.
Spring Training for Local Baseball Teams
While Oklahoma City doesn't have MLB spring training, the Dodgers AAA affiliate (Oklahoma City Dodgers) begins their season in early April. March sees some exhibition games and open practices at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, though the schedule varies yearly. If you're a baseball fan, check the team's website for any March activities, but don't plan your trip around it.