Tulsa, Oklahoma is often referred to as the ‘Oil Capital of the World’ and is a place worth visiting because it has many interesting attractions. In addition to its captivating Art Deco architecture and historic landmarks, it offers beautiful parks and two exceptional art museums to explore.
Due to the presence of large energy companies and big businesses in the city, there are numerous outstanding restaurants and popular bars to try. Moreover, Tulsa is known for its diverse neighborhoods and lively downtown area, which offer fantastic theaters, performing arts venues, and sports arenas to visit.
Adding to its appeal, the state’s second-largest city also has various charming old sites connected to the historic Route 66. Considering all these options, a visit to Tulsa, also known as T-Town, is simply a must when in Oklahoma.
17. The Golden Driller
Just a short distance from Route 66, there is another must-see attraction in Tulsa. The Golden Driller is a huge statue that stands 75 feet tall and stands out in its surroundings. It was first built in 1953 and is now proudly located in front of the Tulsa Expo Center.
The statue is gold in color and depicts a massive figure resting with one hand on an oil drilling machine. The word ‘Tulsa’ is written on the figure’s belt. The statue is a symbol and tribute to Tulsa’s status as the ‘Oil Capital of the World’ and is one of the tallest statues in the United States.
After taking some photos, visitors can attend events at the expo or explore the other attractions in the city.
16. Blue Dome District
If you’re looking for a lively nightlife instead of a peaceful and quiet atmosphere, then the bar-filled Blue Dome District is the place to go. It is located next to both the Tulsa Arts District and downtown, making it one of the best places in the city to eat, drink, and have a fun night out.
The district got its name from the notable Blue Dome building, which was built in 1924. It is a trendy entertainment area that offers many stylish restaurants and cool bars for visitors to explore. In addition to that, there are also cozy cafes, a comedy club, small local shops, and several art galleries located in the area.
While it is famous for its diverse dining options and vibrant nightlife, the district is also known for hosting popular events such as an art festival, a food truck extravaganza, and lively St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
The events are accompanied by live music and stunning views of the city skyline, which adds to the overall ambiance of the district.
15. Tulsa Historical Society and Museum
If you want to know more about the city and state, you should visit the Tulsa Historical Society and Museum. Located near Woodward Park, the museum has many artifacts, images, and exhibits that focus on different aspects of local history.
It was established in 1963 and is housed in the elegant Travis Mansion, which is in the Italianate Revival style. The museum examines the origins of the city, including the impactful oil boom, as well as the events of the Tulsa Race Massacre. Historical photos and videos give you a glimpse into the past, present, and future of the city.
Once you’ve seen all the old artworks, fashion items, and personal artifacts, you can take a leisurely walk through the beautiful gardens that surround the museum.
14. Philbrook Museum of Art
One must visit the Philbrook Museum of Art in Tulsa, as it is a stunning sight near Woodward Park. The museum is surrounded by beautiful gardens and showcases an exquisite collection of paintings, pottery, and jewelry. It is housed in a magnificent mansion built in 1926, which was the former home of oil pioneer Waite Phillips and his wife.
Thousands of artworks from around the world now adorn its elegant interior. Additionally, the museum’s grand gardens feature fountains, pools, and even a sculpture garden. For those interested in art, history, architecture, and nature, the Philbrook is a must-see destination in Tulsa.
13. Tulsa Zoo
If you go to Mohawk Park in the southwest, you’ll find the Tulsa Zoo. It was established in 1927 and is spread out over a huge area. It has more than 1,500 animals from over 450 different species. As you explore the park, you’ll come across sections like the African Plains, Lost Kingdom, and Tropical Rainforest.
These sections have a variety of animals, such as Arctic foxes, alligators, elephants, tigers, and snow leopards. In addition to the animal exhibits, there are also jungle-like ruins, a replica of a Maasai village, and educational audio and video displays.
Besides riding the Safari Train and visiting the children’s zoo, you can watch penguins and sea lions swim in their tanks.
12. Tulsa Botanic Garden
The Tulsa Botanic Garden is a beautiful and peaceful place located on the northwestern outskirts of town. It is filled with vibrant and colorful plants, flowers, trees, and shrubs which make it a delightful spot to take a leisurely walk.
Since it opened in 2009, the garden has expanded to include different themed gardens and untouched wild spaces that surround its lovely waterways. In addition to strolling around its large lake, prairies, and rosebeds, visitors can also visit the informative visitor center.
However, the most impressive feature is the floral terrace, which annually showcases over 120,000 spring bulbs cascading down the hillside. Springtime brings dancing daffodils, hyacinths, and tulips that illuminate the garden, while autumn highlights pumpkins and scarecrows beneath the colorful autumn foliage.
11. Cave House
Located near the center of Tulsa, not far from the Arkansas River, is an unconventional and charming building called the Cave House. This unique structure makes for great photo opportunities, and guided tours are available to explore its equally strange interior.
According to legend, it was originally constructed in the 1920s as a restaurant that transformed into a speakeasy at night, with customers entering through a secret tunnel. Today, it is affectionately known as the ‘Flintstone House’ and is one of Tulsa’s most popular and photographed landmarks.
In addition to capturing its distinctive design, visitors can also explore the interior, which is adorned with stalactites and stalagmites. The cave-like rooms are filled with interesting artifacts and amusing features, and Linda, the current owner, will charm you with entertaining stories about the house and its former residents.
10. Tulsa Air and Space Museum
The Tulsa Air and Space Museum is located next to the city’s international airport. Inside, you will find a large hangar filled with vintage airplanes, artifacts, and exhibits. The museum’s main purpose is to preserve Oklahoma’s rich aerospace history, and it opened to the public in 1998.
The exhibition space is filled with interactive displays and hands-on activities, including one of the only remaining Spartan C-2 aircraft and a powerful F-14 Tomcat. These exhibits showcase the progression of America’s aviation industry from balloons and WWII jets to the present-day planes of the Space Age.
In addition to learning about the city’s involvement in aviation, you can also try out flight simulators and enjoy shows in the museum’s planetarium.
9. Center of the Universe
There is a unique place called the ‘Center of the Universe’ near the mentioned site. Although it may not look impressive at first, standing on it and speaking will make you understand its appeal. Nobody really knows why, but when someone speaks on that spot, the sound gets echoed back even louder.
Interestingly, people outside of the circle only hear a distorted noise and can’t understand what was said. It’s quite enjoyable to experience this mysterious musical anomaly. You can find it on a pedestrian bridge, north of the Williams Center Tower.
Once you’ve had your fill of shouting for a few minutes, you can visit the nearby Woody Guthrie Center or explore the nearby Blue Dome District.
8. Gilcrease Museum
The Gilcrease Museum is often called the ‘Museum of the Americas’ because it has a wonderful collection of artworks from the American West. It has Native American paintings, pottery, and sculptures, as well as art and artifacts from Central and South America.
The museum was first opened in 1958 and is named after Thomas Gilcrease, who was a wealthy oil man and art collector. The museum is now one of the leading institutes in its field and has galleries that display stunning beadworks, bronze sculptures, landscape paintings, and portraits.
It also has Pre-Columbian artifacts and Hispanic relics, as well as masterpieces by famous artists like Frederic Remington, Thomas Moran, and Charlie Russell, among others. After admiring the art, visitors can enjoy a peaceful walk in the gardens that surround the museum in the Osage Hills.
7. Gathering Place
For those seeking beautiful outdoor spaces and breathtaking views, the stunning Gathering Place is the perfect destination. Located just a short five minute drive from downtown Tulsa, this riverfront park offers a range of picturesque paths, picnic areas, and playgrounds.
The park opened its doors in 2018 and boasts lush lawns, peaceful ponds, and charming gardens with water features scattered throughout. Renowned landscape architect Michael van Valkenburgh designed the park, creating a harmonious layout that caters to visitors of all ages.
Alongside playgrounds and a skate park, there are also opportunities to rent boats and enjoy outdoor patios where you can grab a delicious meal or refreshing drink. In addition to enjoying leisurely walks, bike rides, and admiring the scenic river views, visitors can also partake in the numerous festivals and cultural events hosted in the park.
6. Tulsa Performing Arts Center
Looking up at the sky is an incredible experience, but watching a ballet, musical, or opera at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center is just as memorable. The venue is made up of four theaters and an art gallery, and it is located in the heart of the city.
For many years, the PAC has entertained both locals and tourists with a busy schedule of high-quality concerts, comedians, and Broadway shows. The building, constructed in 1977, has four main performance venues, with the largest being the lovely Chapman Music Hall.
In addition to enjoying wonderful orchestra performances or operas, visitors can also admire the numerous art pieces displayed in the grand halls and lobbies. The center also hosts lectures, local theater plays, dance shows, dramas, and workshops led by experts.
5. ONEOK Field
If you’re looking for a different kind of entertainment in the area just north of the busy part, you should head to the ONEOK Field. This is a small and cozy ballpark where you can watch exciting baseball games played by the Tulsa Drillers, while the crowd cheers them on.
The stadium, which has an Art Deco design, is located in the Greenwood District and has been the home of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ minor league team since 2010. Despite being a minor league stadium, it offers luxurious facilities similar to those of a major league franchise and a wide range of food options.
As fans sit on the edge of their seats and cheer, they can enjoy the beautiful view of the pitch and the city’s skyline in the distance, which is quite impressive.
4. Route 66
Tulsa has many historical sights connected to Route 66, so it’s definitely worth driving along the part of the highway that goes through the town. You’ll see beautiful Art Deco buildings, picturesque roadside inns, and also big signs, statues, and old service stations.
Route 66, also known as the ‘Main Street of America’ or the ‘Mother Road’, used to go across Tulsa from east to west, crossing the Arkansas River. Even today, you can still find many landmarks from its heyday along the 26-mile stretch of road that goes through Tulsa.
While some of the old hotels, theaters, and gas stations are not in great shape, there are also well-preserved sites with new markers and monuments. Some highlights include old food places with lots of memorabilia, the East Gateway Arch, and Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza, which is in the middle of the route.
3. BOK Center
Downtown is home to the BOK Center, a fantastic venue that hosts a wide range of exciting sports events, shows, and concerts. People from both the local community and visitors can come and enjoy incredible performances from some of the most well-known names and teams in their fields.
The arena itself is now seen as an iconic piece of architecture, incorporating elements of Native American and Art Deco design. It features a sleek and stylish exterior made up of stainless steel panels and a glass facade, while inside, there is a bright and open lobby leading to a large arena.
The BOK Center is an important part of the city’s ongoing efforts to revitalize downtown, and it officially opened its doors in 2008. It is now the home of the Tulsa Oilers ice hockey team, but that’s not all – you can also experience unforgettable concerts by renowned artists like Billy Joel, Dua Lipa, and U2, to name just a few.
2. Woody Guthrie Center
The Woody Guthrie Center in the Tulsa Arts District is a popular tourist spot. It has many artifacts and exhibits that give you a great understanding of the life and work of the famous folk singer. The museum is located near the Woody Guthrie Green and the Bob Dylan Center.
Inside, you can see original artworks, instruments, and manuscripts that belonged to Guthrie. The exhibits and historic photos teach you about Guthrie’s views on American life, his opposition to fascism, and his impactful lyrics. In addition to the writings and artworks, you can also listen to his songs and watch a short film about his life.
1. Woodward Park
Woodward Park is a beautiful place located in the southern part of the city, right next to the Tulsa Historical Society and Museum. It has beautifully landscaped grounds and gardens with various attractions. These include an elegant mansion, a conservatory, and an arboretum that visitors can explore.
This park used to be privately owned by Helen Woodward, but in 1929 it was opened to the public. Since then, they have added rose, herb, and sunken gardens, as well as lush woodlands and reflective ponds. One of the park’s best features is its scenic rock gardens, which have streams and small springs.
The park also has terraced floral arrangements and outdoor art installations. Visitors can also go inside the historic mansion and Victorian conservatory, or participate in classes, workshops, and even tai chi at the garden center.