Known as the “Oil Capital of the World” and located on the Arkansas River between the Great Plains and Ozark Mountains, Tulsa offers visitors a unique blend of culture, architecture and nature to explore. From world-class museums and performing arts to outdoor spaces and historic sites, Tulsa provides plenty of sites and activities to fill your itinerary.
| Attraction | Description |
|---|---|
| Philbrook Museum of Art | An Italian Renaissance villa with expansive gardens, offering art collections and community events. |
| Gathering Place | A riverfront park with play areas, gardens, and trails for outdoor activities and cultural events. |
| Cain’s Ballroom | A historic music venue known for live performances and a rich musical history. |
| Gilcrease Museum | A museum showcasing American West art and artifacts, with extensive collections and exhibits. |
| Tulsa Zoo | A wildlife experience with global animal exhibits, educational programs, and conservation initiatives. |
| Woody Guthrie Center | A museum dedicated to the folk musician, featuring exhibits on his life, music, and influence. |
| Tulsa Botanic Garden | A collection of themed gardens and seasonal displays, promoting horticulture and conservation. |
| Oklahoma Aquarium | An aquatic adventure with local and exotic marine life, interactive exhibits, and educational programs. |
| Tulsa Air and Space Museum | An exploration of aviation history with aircraft displays, a planetarium, and STEM education programs. |
| Route 66 Historical Village | A tribute to the iconic Route 66 with vintage rail cars, an oil derrick, and historical exhibits. |
| Blue Dome District | A vibrant entertainment district known for its nightlife, dining, and historic blue dome building. |
| The Golden Driller Statue | A landmark tribute to Tulsa’s oil history, representing the city’s heritage and the energy industry. |
To help highlight the best attractions this midwestern city has to offer, here is a list of 12 top things to see and experience when visiting Tulsa.
Philbrook Museum of Art
Name and Location: The Philbrook Museum of Art is located in Tulsa, in a historic mansion set within beautiful gardens.
History and Significance: Built in the 1920s, the museum is renowned for its Italian Renaissance-style architecture and impressive art collection, spanning from ancient to contemporary works.
What to Expect: Visitors can explore art exhibitions, stroll through formal gardens, and admire decorative arts, making it a cultural and visual delight.
Visitor Information: Open year-round, with admission fees varying by age and membership options available. Check their website for hours and current exhibitions.
Philbrook Museum of Art resides in a stunning 1920s villa surrounded by expansive formal gardens with terraces, fountains and colorful floral plantings. The art deco mansion provides an elegant home for Philbrook’s eclectic permanent collections ranging from Native American to African to modern works. Visitors can also tour special exhibitions within the original home’s three levels and garden pavilion gallery.
In addition to artistic masterpieces housed inside, the grounds themselves entice as visitors explore winding paths, arching trellises and sculpture installations across 23 acres of breathtaking gardens. For an immersive art experience in an idyllic setting, Philbrook Museum of Art delights the senses.
Gathering Place Park
Name and Location: Gathering Place Park is a sprawling urban park located along the Arkansas River in Tulsa, designed as a vibrant community space.
History and Significance: Opened in 2018, it has quickly become a centerpiece of Tulsa’s recreational and cultural life, offering a wide array of activities for all ages.
What to Expect: Visitors can enjoy playgrounds, sports courts, gardens, and even a boathouse. It hosts concerts, events, and offers scenic river views.
Visitor Information: Open year-round, and it’s a fantastic place for families and outdoor enthusiasts.
Gathering Place park sprawls along the Arkansas river offering something for visitors of all ages and interests to enjoy in its pristine setting. Attractions include playgrounds designed specifically for people with a range of physical or developmental abilities, sports courts hosting activities from basketball to hockey, bike paths weaving across the landscape, water features for playing and scenic boat rides across Peggy’s Pond.
Visitors can also reserve picnic sites, attend live theater performances at QuikTrip Great Lawn, or explore distinctive venues like the Williams Companies Climbing Tower. As a recent undertaking by the George Kaiser Foundation, no detail has been overlooked in crafting this picturesque park as the ultimate community gathering place right in the heart of Tulsa.
Guthrie Green
Name and Location: Guthrie Green is an urban park and entertainment space located in the Brady Arts District of downtown Tulsa.
History and Significance: Opened in 2012, it has transformed an old industrial site into a vibrant gathering place for live music, festivals, and community events.
What to Expect: Visitors can attend concerts, food truck festivals, yoga classes, and enjoy the colorful atmosphere in the heart of the city.
Visitor Information: The park hosts numerous free events, making it a lively spot for residents and visitors alike.
At the center of Tulsa’s Brady Arts District, Guthrie Green park provides a community gathering place for visitors and residents through sporting events, live music, movie nights, festivals, farmers markets and more. Designed by world-renowned architect Bruce Graham, the urban park features a central lawn rimmed by pathways leading to a performance pavilion. Intimate alcoves, a playground, snack bar and restrooms also sit tucked amid native trees and prairie grasses blanketing downtown.
Programming at Guthrie Green runs year-round with concerts and cultural celebrations embracing the city’s diversity. For a centrally located respite or entertainment venue, Guthrie Green’s outdoor landscape inspires human connections.
BOK Center
Name and Location: The BOK Center is an arena located in downtown Tulsa, known for hosting concerts, sports events, and entertainment shows.
History and Significance: Opened in 2008, it has become a major venue for national and international artists and sports teams, contributing to Tulsa’s cultural scene.
What to Expect: Visitors can attend concerts by renowned musicians, watch live sports, and enjoy a wide range of entertainment events in a modern facility.
Visitor Information: Check the arena’s website for upcoming events, ticket information, and seating options.
Catch concerts, sports games and headline events at downtown Tulsa’s versatility BOK Center arena. As one of the city’s newest major event venues, the uniquely curved Cesar Pelli-designed structure can accommodate arena football, hockey, basketball, concerts and performances in a sleek modernist setting. Home to the NBA G-league Tulsa Oilers hockey team, the flexible configuration allows audiences clear sightlines for appreciating on-stage talent up close across indoor space sans obstructed views.
Visitors traveling to Tulsa for a special event will delight at the state-of-the-art production capabilities within the BOK Center coupled with plenty nearby parking and districts buzzing with pre-and post-event energy to tap into surrounding your event here.
Blue Dome District
Name and Location: The Blue Dome District is a lively neighborhood located in downtown Tulsa, known for its historic Blue Dome Building and vibrant nightlife.
History and Significance: The district has seen a revitalization in recent years, with a mix of bars, restaurants, shops, and art galleries, making it a trendy destination.
What to Expect: Visitors can explore unique dining options, enjoy live music at local venues, and experience the district’s energetic atmosphere, especially at night.
Visitor Information: It’s a great spot for those looking to immerse themselves in Tulsa’s urban culture and entertainment scene.
Tulsa’s Blue Dome District in the eastern part of downtown earns its moniker from a signature 1924 Gulf Oil gas station topped with a robin egg blue dome. One of Tulsa’s quirkiest and liveliest neighborhoods, the Blue Dome district tempts visitors with locally owned boutiques, galleries, and an array of dining and nightlife establishments. Wile away an afternoon popping between home décor shops, peculiar gift emporiums and outfitters of western wear all clustered around 2nd street.
Next replenish at any number of the districts comfort food havens, breweries or laid-back bars before catching some live music or comedy sets many venues host at night. For an authentic glimpse into Tulsa’s spirited creativity and entrepreneurialism, make time to explore the charismatic Blue Dome District.
Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame
Name and Location: The Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame is located in Tulsa and celebrates the contributions of jazz musicians in the state and beyond.
History and Significance: Founded in 1987, it preserves the rich history of jazz music, highlighting the achievements of local and national jazz legends.
What to Expect: Visitors can explore exhibits, attend jazz performances, and gain a deeper appreciation for the genre’s cultural significance.
Visitor Information: Check the hall of fame’s website for hours of operation and event schedules.
If music is integral to your travels, pay homage to Oklahoma’s rich contributions to Jazz at the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame in Tulsa’s Greenwood District. This unique museum traces the story of Oklahoma jazz through multi-media displays spotlighting industry trailblazers with local ties like Chet Baker, Charlie Christian and Ernie Fields Sr. Visitors can listen to inductee compositions while exploring the history and listening nooks accented with vibrant artwork.
The museum also houses a cozy jazz club called the Cotton Club Room where guests can catch live local jazz shows over drinks and snacks on weekends. Through dynamic exhibits tracing Oklahoma’s legacy advancing the American art form of jazz plus opportunities to hear mellow notes, the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame beautifully honors the genre’s regional roots.
Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area
Name and Location: Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area is a natural oasis located near the Arkansas River in Tulsa, offering hiking and outdoor activities.
History and Significance: This wilderness area has long been cherished by locals, providing a rugged escape for nature enthusiasts within the city.
What to Expect: Visitors can hike on various trails, go mountain biking, and enjoy scenic views of the river and surrounding landscape. It’s a serene retreat for outdoor lovers.
Visitor Information: Open year-round, and it’s an excellent spot for hiking and reconnecting with nature.
Nature lovers rejoice at Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness spanning over 300 acres of rugged woodlands just minutes from downtown Tulsa. The landscape contains rocky bluffs, wildflower meadows and dense forests waiting to be explored across miles of multi-use unpaved trails. Trail options range from easy half mile loops to challenging nine mile out-and-backs allowing visitors to select the route fitting their physical ability and time constraints.
In addition to diverse plant life and ecosystems, keep eyes peeled for glimpses of wildlife including colorful songbirds, small mammals like squirrels and cottontail rabbits and even deer bounding through openings. For an easy nature break surrounded by stunning scenery without straying too far into Tulsa’s beautiful Ozark foothills, Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness offers proximity and seclusion.
Woodward Park and Gardens
Name and Location: Woodward Park and Gardens is located in Tulsa, featuring beautifully landscaped gardens and historic attractions.
History and Significance: Established in the 1920s, it offers a serene environment for relaxation, featuring the iconic Tulsa Rose Garden.
What to Expect: Visitors can stroll through lush gardens, admire seasonal blooms, and explore the historic Phillips Mansion, which is now a museum.
Visitor Information: Open year-round, with no admission fee. It’s a peaceful place to unwind and appreciate horticultural beauty.
Woodward Park encompasses 55 verdent acres blanketing gentle hills across north Tulsa, providing residents and visitors an expansive space for gathering and appreciating nature’s gifts. The grounds offer fragrant rose gardens flush with over 2,000 blooming bushes, stretches of open lawn for games and picnics and a shimmering lake. The park also contains multiple unique gardens like vibrant butterfly beds, serene Japanese elements and a magnolia glade.
Inside the grounds, visitors can explore the Tulsa Garden Center conservatory showcasing tropical plants from across the globe as well as rotating displays by local horticulturalists. For a family-friendly natural oasis in the heart of the city, Woodward Park delights the senses year-round.
Cain’s Ballroom
Name and Location: Cain’s Ballroom is a historic music venue located in downtown Tulsa, known for its iconic neon sign and live music performances.
History and Significance: Established in 1924, it has hosted legendary musicians and played a pivotal role in Tulsa’s music history, especially in the country and rock genres.
What to Expect: Visitors can attend concerts by both local and nationally acclaimed artists in an intimate and iconic setting.
Visitor Information: Check the venue’s website for upcoming shows and ticket information.
Cain’s Ballroom stands as a historic Tulsa music institution and mother church of Western Swing that still hosts contemporary concerts by major touring acts today. Once serving as the backdrop for legendary Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys shows in the 1930s, Cain’s Ballroom launched the Southwest sound characterized by Jazz, Blues, Country and Rock influence that influenced popular music still today.
Now Cain’s Ballroom books major touring musicians within its intimate setting allowing you to glimpse performances up close while also soaking in echoes of bygone eras from the original maple dancefloor preserved to this day. Catching a show at this Tulsa icon offers a present day musical experience wrapped in homage to genres and artists originating in the region. Don’t miss Cain’s Ballroom for concerts offering the ultimate blend of gritty Tulsa talent historic charm.
Gilcrease Museum
Name and Location: The Gilcrease Museum is located in Tulsa and is renowned for its extensive collection of American Western art and Native American artifacts.
History and Significance: Founded in the 1940s, it is one of the country’s premier museums focusing on the American West and Indigenous cultures.
What to Expect: Visitors can explore art exhibitions, historical documents, and Native American artifacts, gaining insights into the history and heritage of the region.
Visitor Information: Open year-round, with admission fees and memberships available. Check their website for hours and current exhibitions.
Escape into nature and step back in time all at once when visiting Gilcrease Museum situated northwest of downtown Tulsa on the Osage Reservation. This world-class museum sits amid the rolling hills of the Cross Timbers ecoregion, home to bison, wild mustangs and diverse foliage. Expanding over 14 acres, the grounds surrounding Gilcrease Museum contain historically preserved buildings plus sculpture gardens and nature trails immersing you in the landscape.
Inside, world-class collections center on showcasing art and artifacts of the American West from early European maps to contemporary Native American works. With one of North America’s most extensive collections of southwestern cultural heritage, Gilcrease Museum promises visitors enrichment through art appreciation coupled with splendid natural beauty just minutes from cosmopolitan Tulsa.
River Parks
Name and Location: River Parks is a scenic greenbelt along the Arkansas River in Tulsa, offering recreational opportunities and beautiful river views.
History and Significance: The park system has grown over the years, providing a serene and natural escape for residents and visitors alike.
What to Expect: Visitors can walk or bike along the riverside trails, enjoy picnics, and take in the beauty of the Arkansas River. It’s a peaceful urban retreat.
Visitor Information: Accessible year-round, and it’s a great spot for outdoor activities and relaxation.
Tulsa harnesses the power of the Arkansas River snaking through the city by offering miles of cycling and pedestrian trails connecting across the lushly landscaped River Parks system. These ribbons of running, walking and biking paths allow locals and visitors alike to traverse from downtown across the waterfront while accessing parklands and attractions easily through the connectivity.
Paved trails wind below the towering cliffs defining Turkey Mountain wilderness area, pass the blooming Tulsa Rose Garden and on through an urban arboretum filled with nearly 200 species of trees. Picnic spots, splash pads, a whitewater rafting and kayaking center and seasonal festivals punctuate the pathways regularly, giving ample reason to return often to experience this lifeline tying Tulsa closer together.
Woody Guthrie Center
Name and Location: The Woody Guthrie Center is located in downtown Tulsa and pays tribute to the iconic folk singer Woody Guthrie.
History and Significance: Opened in 2013, it houses archives, exhibits, and educational programs dedicated to Guthrie’s life and social activism.
What to Expect: Visitors can explore Guthrie’s legacy, listen to his music, and learn about his contributions to American folk music and social justice.
Visitor Information: Check the center’s website for hours and special events, especially if you’re a fan of folk music and American history.
Folk music icon Woody Guthrie left an indelible legacy on American culture through his dusty stories sung providing voice to the common man during the Great Depression era. Although not a native Oklahoman, Woody spent key parts of his life in the state which greatly informed his advocacy for the marginalized and working class within his lyrics still respected today.
The Woody Guthrie Center located inside the Tulsa Arts District stands as an homage to Guthrie’s contributions making folk music the voice for social change through interactive songwriting exhibits and an extensive archives collection. Music lovers or anyone inspired by using creativity to spark progress will appreciate discovering more about one of American’s most influential singer-songwriters at this engaging Tulsa museum.
Conclusion
From oil money to Native American heritage to Western swing sounds, Tulsa’s unique history shaped the cultural landscape visitors tap into today through world class museums and live music meccas. The Arkansas River carves out stretches of protected parks stitching the city together via pedestrian pathways flush with flora. Downtown sharply juxtaposes art deco buildings and gleaming contemporary towers against vibrant warehouse districts humming with hip shopping and dining options for every taste.
Visitors who take the time to experience the range of attractions across Tulsa leave with an informed appreciation for the regional ingenuity and passions that built Oklahoma’s second largest city into the dynamic capital it stands as today. Use this curated list highlighting 12 top museums, music halls, sports centers, nature escapes and historic districts as your launch point to uncover Tulsa’s dynamic treasures. Whether relishing in fine art collections, hiking wooded trails or toe tapping to local bands echoing renowned Western Swing styles pioneered throughout Oklahoma’s layered landscape, Tulsa’s welcoming spirit beckons.