In a little over a hundred years, Oklahoma City's gently rolling hills have gone from native grass and timberland in the Indian Territory, to the scene of the Great Land Run of 1889, to the discovery of oil at the southeast corner of 59th Street and Bryant on December 4, 1928. That gusher sprayed 110,496 barrels of oil in the 27 days before it was capped, creating Oklahoma City's most important financial resource. Celebrating this rich past, OKC ­ as it is affectionately known ­ is the only state capital with a working oil well on its grounds, and one of the few whose capitol building is without a dome.

Today, the city proper has 444,610 residents ­ including more than 45,700 individuals of Native American descent. The Oklahoma City metropolitan areas, which extend over 4,300 square miles, are home to nearly a million people ­ almost one-third of the state's population. No longer on the boundary of the frontier, the town remains proud of its unique past while offering current citizens a vibrant, cultural center on the cutting edge of the finest urban living.

Another must-see is the Red Earth Indian Center ­ home to the country's largest Native American festival, held in June this year. Don't miss a detailed glimpse of this culture's history depicted through artifacts, contemporary and traditional collections, and hands-on exhibits at the Red Earth Museum.

The National Cowboy and West-ern Heritage Museum preserves the rugged individualism and romantic spirit of the frontier. It also features a great collection of Western art, including works by Charles Russell, Frederick Remington, and the famous 18-foot sculpture, The End of the Trail.

Want to go further back in time? Then stop by Read Ranch ­ a working guest ranch just 35 minutes from OKC. You can't get much closer to the Old West than this.

Unless, of course, you visit the Stockyards District, now known as Stockyards City. At this, the largest stocker/feeder market in the world, you can watch real-life cowboys work the cattle or attend livestock auctions Monday through Friday. Be sure to stroll through Cowtown, which offers a variety of shopping options ­ from jewelry and Western duds, to old time general stores, to a 24-hour beef (what else?) restaurant.

Also not to be missed is the Frontier City Theme Park, an authentic 1880s Western town complete with rides, attractions, and shows. Horse lovers should make time to explore the newly opened Express Ranches Clydesdale Center, where 14 of these magnificent animals live in a renovated 1936 barn. Then again, you may want to visit the State Fair Park for a look at your favorite breeds. OKC, known as the "horse show capital of the world," plays host to a greater number of major competitions than any other city.

Art enthusiasts will be inspired by Dale Chihuly's current exhibit of glass work, showcased at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. Interested in more traditional pieces? Stroll through 15 galleries of permanent collections, including 3500 paintings, prints, sculptures, drawings, photographs, and decorative art.

For more museums and galleries, visit the Omniplex or the City Arts Center, which also houses the Oklahoma Children's Theatre. Other attractions include the 17-acre Myriad Botanical Gardens in the heart of town, the Oklahoma City Zoo, and the National Softball Hall of Fame.

Architecture buffs interested in styles from the early 1900s through the '40s only need to wander down the streets of OKC's many neighborhoods. Heritage Hills, Mesta Park, Crestwood, and Shepherd are just some of the communities where Tudor and Colonial Revival homes, Mission and Bungalow houses, and Craftsman, Prairie School, and Spanish Eclectic structures can be found.

Of course, you can also go hog wild at Bricktown MotorWorks, a custom shop that builds, custom tunes and sells parts for your Harley Davidson ­ the 21st century cowboy's best friend. Don't have a Harley? Check one out at Hawg Wild Rentals.

For less casual fare, don't miss NIKZ on the top floor of the United Founders Tower. It's the only revolving skyline restaurant in the city. Boasting a world-class chef and a cigar lounge in addition to its regular bar, NIKZ has often been voted the most romantic restaurant in OKC. Other elegant dining can be found at the intimate Coach House and at Legacies ­ formerly known as the Brass Rose, an OKC tradition.

At the edge of Stockyards City, Cattleman's Steakhouse is famous for first-rate beef, hand cut and aged on the premises. Since 1910, its stained wood paneled walls and lighted mural of gentleman ranchers has provided the atmosphere for what is widely considered Oklahoma's finest restaurant.

The State Fair Speedway offers fast action on both the 1/4-mile track and 1/2-mile oval. Prefer the horses? Then stop by Remington Park Race Track for quarter horse and thoroughbred racing as well as simulcasting. And don't miss the PRCA Championship Rodeo, held the last four days of the Oklahoma State Fair in State Fair Park (September 13-29).

With the main campus of the University of Oklahoma in Norman, just south of OKC, and Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, there is no shortage of outstanding collegiate sports. Root for UO Sooners football, basketball, and baseball teams or cheer on the OSU Cowboys.

BSN and RN to BSN programs are also found at Oklahoma City University's Kramer School of Nursing, while Oklahoma City Community College has AAS degrees in nursing, occupational therapy assistant and physical therapist assistant programs, respiratory care, surgical technology, and emergency medical sciences. An AAS degree in nurse science is offered through Oklahoma State University ­ Oklahoma City, as well.

Professional practice opportunities may be available with the Integris Health System, located in OKC. A not-for-profit organization, it operates the Baptist Medical Center and Southwest Medical Center.

Integris Baptist Medical Center, opened in 1959, is home to many specialized centers, from burn, heart, and cancer, to fertility, transplantation, and hearing. This 508-bed facility also houses the state's most comprehensive hyperbaric medicine and wound care center.

Established in 1965 as South Community Hospital, Integris Southwest Medical Center is a comprehensive facility with more than 400 beds. In addition to Centris, a 26-bed hospital providing acute long-term care, it maintains the Central Oklahoma Cancer Center, Oklahoma Heart Center, Jim Thorpe Rehabilitation Hospital, and the Sleep Disorders Center of Oklahoma.