It hasn't always been smooth sailing for the Oklahoma River, now a renowned home for rowing, kayaking, dragon boating and other water sports. "We used to mow it; now we row it," quips Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett, and he's not embellishing. In the 1920s, flooding of the North Canadian River prompted engineers to redirect water away from downtown. The MAPS initiative changed that, restoring the wet stuff – not to mention wetlands, trees and more – to a seven-mile stretch of river subsequently renamed the Oklahoma River.

At the center of the Oklahoma River's rebirth is the Chesapeake Boathouse. Designed by celebrated architect Rand Elliott, it boasts rowing and kayaking instruction, a fitness center, yoga classes and bicycle rentals. The Regatta Park/Boathouse District also includes the Chesapeake Finish Line Tower and the Devon Boathouse, which houses Oklahoma City University's Rowing program and the Oklahoma City National High Performance Center, headquarters to USRowing's Lightweight National Team. With so much activity, it's no surprise the Oklahoma River is a U.S. Olympic and Paralympic training site.

From an array of Oklahoma River Cruises to 13 miles of trails on the river's banks, this area is truly among the most extraordinary additions to Oklahoma City. For more information, check out the Oklahoma River Events website.