Oklahoma City, visited by a number of tourists throughout the year has given a boost to the tourism industry thereby facilitating in the building up of numerous guest friendly hotels near Ford center in the Oklahoma City. But while you decide on your stay in one of the hotels of this region, do remember certain essential points.

Let me elaborate on some of them:

- Beware of the hotels that offer you non refundable reservations because in this case, you may lose your money in case you need to cancel or change the dates.

- Try to settle into your hotel early as that would secure better rooms for you.

- Read up cancellation policies before making reservation.

- Insist on confirmation mails while reserving your room.

Hotel guides of Oklahoma City

http://hotelguides.com/oklahoma/oklahoma-city-downtown-ok-hotels.html

Let me now tell you about some of the hotels located near the Ford center of Oklahoma City:

- Hampton Suites: located within a walking distance from the Ford Center, this hotel is also very close to Will Rogers International Airport, the Myriad gardens and Oklahoma State capital. Featuring amenities like data port, meeting rooms, wheel chair accessibility, swimming pools and free breakfast, the hotel is commendable for its guest friendly attitude.

Hampton Suites

http://hotelguides.com/hotels/oklahoma/oklahoma-city/191595.html

- Courtyard by Marriott Hotel Dwtn: only 2 blocks away from Bricktown, the latest entertainment district of Oklahoma, the hotel enjoys a wonderful location in the middle of the city. The place is perfect for business meetings as well as for hosting special events.

Courtyard by Marriott Hotel Dwtn

http://hotelguides.com/hotels/oklahoma/oklahoma-city/145886.html

- Colcord Hotel: the place is recommended and is also popular among tourists owing to its location in the middle of the city and at a walking distance from the Ford center as well as Bricktown.

Colcord Hotel

http://hotelguides.com/hotels/oklahoma/oklahoma-city/167070.html

Oklahoma City Arena is a multi-purpose complex located just off Interstate 40 in Downtown Oklahoma City. This state-of-the-art arena was opened in 2002 with a number of opening celebrations. Currently, this venue occupies 581,000 square feet and has three levels with seats up to 19,675, plus an additional fourth level for concerts. Oklahoma City Arena is the home to Oklahoma City Thunder of NBA, and once served as the home for CHL's Oklahoma City Blazers until 2009.

This arena also plays host to a wide variety of entertainment events, like concerts, conventions, televised events, family shows and local ceremonies. In order to equip the center with up-to-date facilities, improvement is underway for the moment. However, the expansion and renovation will not disturb the tourists' visit, for the venue still opens to the public and creates amazing memories for each visitor. If you are in the mood to pay a visit to this fabulous complex, never miss our article, as we have collected the events calendar of 2011 for your convenience. Have a check for your next trip.

March 11, 7:00 pm

Thunder will host a basketball game against Detroit Pistons at Oklahoma City Arena. If you can not present at the venue, you can listen to the live broadcast aired on Thunder Radio Network.

March 12, 7:30 pm

The country's pride band of decades - Rascal Flatts, is going to give a live music show "Nothing Like This Tour" at the venue and the ticket prices are respectively $25.00, $49.75, $69.75 and $99.00. If you are not quite familiar with this band, you can find a detailed introduction on Wiki.

Oklahoma City Arena on Wiki

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rascal_Flatts

March 13, 3:00 pm

This Sunday, WWE presents Raw Road to WrestleMania at the Arena. The ticket price starts only at $15 with which you can enjoy an exciting wrestling game. Or tickets of $60 (Gold Circle), $45, $35 and $25 are also available in the terms of distance to the stage.

More basketball games during the Thunder Basketball Season:

- March 18, 7:00 pm: Thunder vs. Charlotte Bobcats

- March 20, 6:00 pm: Thunder vs. Toronto Raptors

- March 23, 7:00 pm - Thunder vs. Utah Jazz

- March 25, 7:00 pm - Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

- March 27, 7:00 pm - Thunder vs. Portland Trail Blazers

- March 29, 7:00 pm - Thunder vs. Golden State Warriors

- April 06, 7:00 pm - Thunder vs. Los Angeles Clippers

- April 08, 7:00 pm - Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets

- April 13, 7:00 pm - Thunder vs. Milwaukee Bucks

Event Calendar of Oklahoma City Arena

http://www.theokcarena.com/events/index.cfm?page=calendar

Ticket Purchase Tips:

To buy tickets for games and events, you can visit the box office of Oklahoma City Arena, located off West Reno Avenue, from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm Monday through Friday. Or book tickets on Ticketmaster or shop retail outlets of Ticketmaster including Homeland stores. Or call Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000 to get charged by phone. For more information about tickets, you can browse on:

Ticket Information

http://theokcarena.com/events/index.cfm?page=ticketinformation#10

Formerly known as Ford Center, Oklahoma City Arena is a multi-purpose arena located in downtown Oklahoma. It is home to the NBA's Oklahoma City Thunder. Since its opening to public, this arena has hosted more than 700 events including concerts, social events, conventions sporting events and etc. For the latest on upcoming events, you can check their events calendar:

Events Calendar

http://www.okfordcenter.com/events/?page=calendar&event_list=1

Where is Oklahoma City Arena? The arena is conveniently located in downtown Oklahoma City, just off I-40. Cox Convention Center is within steps from the arena. There are a number of accommodation, dining and entertainment options in the neighborhood. Street and mailing address is 100 West Reno Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73102-2423. A map is offered for handy reference:

Downtown Traffic Advisory & Map

http://www.okc.gov/project180/P180WeeklyMap.pdf

How to reach Oklahoma City Arena? Located just off I-40, Oklahoma City Arena is easily accessible from I-40, I-234 and I-35. For your sake of convenience, driving directions are offered:

From I-40 East

- Take exit at Reno/Western

- Merge left onto Sheridan Ave.

- Take Sheridan Ave. east and make a left turn onto Walker Ave.

- Take Walker Ave. north and make a right turn onto Colcord Dr.

- Take Colcord Dr. east and merge onto Park Ave.

- Take Park Ave. east and make a right turn onto Robinson Ave.

- Take Robinson Ave. south to the arena

From I-40 West

- Take exit at Classen Blvd

- Merge right onto Sheridan Ave.

- Take Sheridan Ave. east and make a left turn onto Walker Ave.

- Take Walker Ave. north and make a right turn onto Colcord Dr.

- Take Colcord Dr. east and merge onto Park Ave.

- Take Park Ave. east and make a right turn onto Robinson Ave.

- Take Robinson Ave. south to the arena

From I-235 South

- Take exit at NE 6th Street

- Head south and merge onto Walnut Ave.

- Go west on Sheridan Ave.

- Make a left turn onto E.K. Gaylord to the arena

From I-35 North

- Merge onto I-235 North

- Take Sheridan/Downtown exit

- Head west on Sheridan Ave.

- Make a left turn onto E.K. Gaylord to the arena

Where to park at Oklahoma City Arena?

At the south side of Oklahoma City Arena, limited parking spaces are available at the lots. You can enter the lots from S.W. 3rd Street, east of Robinson.

At the neighboring Cox Convention Center, an underground parking garage with over 900 parking spaces is at your service. Currently, parking rate is $6 per entry. This underground parking garage is accessible either from the west side off of Robinson or the east side off of E.K. Gaylord. For further info, you can call 405-235-PARK.

If you want to know more parking options in downtown Oklahoma, you can visit:

Central Oklahoma Transportation & Parking Authority

http://www.parkingokc.com/

For those who are a big fan of top celebrities in the country, there is no other place in Oklahoma where you can catch the brightest of stars but in Oklahoma Ford Center. The Ford Center is located at 100 W Reno Avenue, Oklahoma City, 73102-2423. You may also call them at 405 -602-8700 or email them at info@okfordcenter.com.

Official website of Oklahoma Ford Center

http://www.okfordcenter.com

Schedules and Dates:

There are tons of concerts and big events held at the Ford Center and one way of keeping track of the latest happenings here is to visit its website and go directly to its Event Calendar page. At this area, you can find the event name, celebrity performers, special guests, event schedule, dates and quick information about the concert.

Ford Center Event Calendar

http://www.okfordcenter.com/events/?page=calendar&event_list=1

Ticket information:

You can get your concert tickets in more ways than one. You buy concert tickets at the Ford Center Box Office located off West Reno Avenue. You can buy tickets from 10 am to 5:30 pm. Major credit cards are accepted. You may also charge by phone via Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 or buy your tickets online via the Ticketmaster website.

Ford Center: Buy concert tickets online

http://www.ticketmaster.com/venue/98958

Terms and conditions:

For concert cancellations, you can always get a refund. If you bring your children under two years old along with you, they can enter the premises for free(not seated). Tickets are non-refundable and a no return, no exchange policy applies.

Oklahoma Ford Center reviews

http://www.yelp.com/biz/ford-center-oklahoma-city

Formerly as Ford Center, Oklahoma City Arena is a multi-purpose arena, situated adjacent to the Robinson Avenue exit of I-40 Crosstown Expressway in downtown Oklahoma City. It is home to the CHL's Oklahoma City Blazers, in addition to NBA's Oklahoma City Thunder.

The facility also serves as a venue to host major concerts, family and social events, ice shows, sporting events and various other events throughout the year. To explore the upcoming events at the Oklahoma City Arena, visit this page:

Oklahoma City Arena Event Calendar

http://www.theokcarena.com/events/index.cfm?page=calendar

Is there a charge for these events at the arena? For most events at the arena, you need an admission ticket to get in. The specific fare varies in different events. Children are admitted free if they are under one year old (this applies mainly to shows intended for young kids), under three years old (for Oklahoma City Thunder games) and under two years old (for most other touring events). However, if you want your kid to have his/her own seat, a ticket is required.

Please note that tickets are non-refundable and non-exchanged, so it is better to make a confirmation about your ticket selection when you are purchasing it.

Group tickets are also available at Oklahoma City Arena. Groups of 15 people and more will enjoy a discount on admission. For info and details about group tickets, visit this page:

Oklahoma City Arena Group Ticket Information

http://www.theokcarena.com/events/index.cfm?page=groupsales

Where to buy Oklahoma City Arena tickets? Tickets may be bought at Arena Box Office, online, by phone or at all Ticketmaster outlets including Homeland stores. The phone number is 1-800-745-3000.

1) Arena Box Office is situated just off West Reno Avenue between Robinson and E.K. Gaylord and the two main entrances. The hours are from 10am to 5:30pm on Monday through Friday. Evening, weekend and holiday hours may vary depending on event schedule. Accepted forms of payment include cash, Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover Cards.

2) If you choose to buy tickets online or by phone, you may pick them up at the Box Office Will Call window during normal working hours, after 48 hours of your purchase through the day of the event. Will call policies may vary for some events, so you'd better to check the event calendar page where any changes will be noted. For more info about online order, visit this page:

Order Oklahoma City Arena Tickets Online

http://www.ticketmaster.com/venue/98958?brand=fordcenter

When picking up tickets at Will Call Window, simply show a valid photo ID, order confirmation as well as the credit card used to purchase your ticket.

TicketFast is also a way of receiving your tickets. When you select ticketFast as your delivery method during purchase, you will receive your tickets via email. This ensures you to get your tickets right away. Also, you can print them out anytime before the event. Learn more about ticketFast, visit this page:

A Comprehensive Info about TicketFast

http://www.ticketmaster.com/h/ticketfast.html

3) Tickets also can be available at all Ticketmaster outlets including Homeland stores. They can be picked up anytime from the time of your purchase to the event day. To claim your tickets, present your confirmation number, picture ID, and the credit card used to place the order at one of Ticketmaster outlets. To locate an outlet near you, click here:

Find a Retail Outlet near You

http://www.ticketmaster.com/h/retaillocations.html

Ticketmaster

http://www.ticketmaster.com/h/help.html