Location: Tulsa
Top Things to do in Tulsa
The 10 Best Things to Do in Tulsa, United States
The heart of Oklahoma beckons with over 140 parks, plus a variety of cultural attractions and entertainment venues sure to satisfy all ages and interests. Whether you're looking for world-class art, ballet, opera or just a day at the zoo, Tulsa is a great choice for a quick getaway. On the culture front, you could spend an entire weekend touring the city's fine museums. The Gilgrease, the Museum of Jewish Art and the Philbrook all offer fascinating exhibits in their respective areas of expertise. Anyone with an interest in gardens will not want to miss the Tulsa Garden Center and its extensive horticultural library plus other resources related to all things green. Outdoor endeavors include Bells Amusement Park, golf and River Parks, 20 miles of paved recreation trails that run along the Arkansas River and weave past picnic areas, playgrounds, fountains and sculptures.
Restaurants in Tulsa
1. Philbrook Museum of Art
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
This vast art museum, housed in an Italian style villa, has numerous exhibits from European, American, Asian, Native American and African artists and is surrounded by acres of lush gardens.
Reviewed By Mike D - Tahlequah, Oklahoma
I love BOTH Philbrook and the Philbrook downtown museums! I am an artist and have been privileged to be able to go down into their collections for private research. Christina Burke who is the Curator of Native American Art is THE BEST! Both locations are beautiful and always have great exhibits. The main location has the most beautiful grounds! Definitely worth a visit and you will want to return.
2. Gilcrease Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 731 reviews
The world's largest collection of art from the American West is housed at this museum, which is also well stocked with Native American artifacts and artwork. Thematic gardens reflect the gardening styles of different time periods.
Reviewed By MissMem - Memphis
Gilcrease is an excellent museum with an amazing collection of Native American works. The grounds are very special as well. We admired objects of art for over two hours and could easily have stayed longer.
3. The Cave House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 172 reviews
The Cave House in a landmark in Tulsa. It was built in 1924, as a Chicken Restaurant. Built during prohibition, it was a place you could quench your thirst! It not only has quirky architecture, but it probably best known for its stories, full of interesting and sometimes amusing information. It is a great date, or family adventure, and as the owner I love to share it! It is best to call, or message ahead, as I do not have regular hours. Due to scheduling for private tours and groups, and because travelers request all days and times, I try to schedule according to requests as best as I can. The cost is $10.00 for ages 16yr. and older. Ages 15yr and younger are $5.00.
Reviewed By Richard H - Kansas City, Missouri
Too interesting not to drive by (if you are in the neighborhood). Not interesting enough to drive by (if you are not in the neighborhood). The house is true to life and has existed for decades. I drove by the house endless times to and from a work location.
4. Woody Guthrie Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 214 reviews
Reviewed By Tori M - Nashville, Tennessee
This small museum is packed full of all things Woody Guthrie. I'll admit, I didn't know much about him other than "This Land Is Your Land." And that's definitely prominently highlighted. But he was also an artist, poet, and humanitarian. The archives located here are regularly rotated, highlighting timely and relevant pieces. There also is an area for traveling exhibits - we were lucky to view the John Denver exhibit on loan from the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles. It was also very well done.
There are multiple interactive technology areas, listening areas, a place to write your own verse to a song, and more. It's a small museum, but we spent a good 2 and a half hours seeing it all. We didn't feel rushed, or crowded, or bored. There also is a short movie that sets the stage and introduces Woody Guthrie; it's very well done, and must be seen!
The only 'complaint' I would have is the real lack of a gift shop area. There are some shirts, a couple books, and that's about all, along one wall when you come in.
Oh and I must give a shout out to Sam, the gentleman who was working the front desk, selling tickets, running the gift shop, and basically being a one man cheerleader for the museum. He was wonderful!
It's all very well done, very informational and educational, and timely.
5. Woodward Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 173 reviews
Reviewed By michaela3640 - Edmond, Oklahoma
We Tulsans love a trilogy of items. The beauty of the outdoors, vibrant colors and bragging rights, Woodward park, the wedding, graduation and special event photo backdrop of Green Country provides all three in plenty.
Woodward Park is the crown jewel of the Brookside, Maple Ridge, Philbrook and Utica Square Districts. Its grounds adjoin the Tulsa Historical Society. Located primarily at 21st and Peoria, it has geography, flora and fauna and fall and spring beauty as thousands of accent flowers and plants erupt and explode in perfect symmetry. There are few walking paths but they are not needed. There are sheltered areas but most visitors are short term and drive through or take gentle stroll. It is heavily wooded with stone, rock and water accents. It is surrounded by the vintage and opulent Maple Ridge housing district withe th great Philbrook Art Museum a scant 1/2 mile away. Utica Square is a 1/2 mile to the east. The Cherry Street District is a 1/2 mile to the north. This is OLD, OLD time Tulsa. Azaleas dominate the landscape in the Spring. Roses are the transition as one walks towards the Historical Society to te south.
Having recently moved from Tulsa, I greatly miss this treasure. It is gorgeous and magical. Go, park, take a blanket, cheese, bread and some well concealed wine and enjoy.
MSA
6. Tulsa Performing Arts Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 195 reviews
Complex of five theaters accommodates a variety of ballet, opera, symphony, plays, meetings, lectures and films.
Reviewed By Ron B - Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
The Tulsa PAC is an excellent place to watch a play or listen to a music concert. The acoustics are the best of any place in Tulsa. The seats are comfortable and the facility is easy to leave as there are plenty of exits. You can get refreshments at a stand on the bottom floor beside the main entrance. Perhaps the only minor complaint I may have is that there is no center isle in the main hall (Chapman). If you are unlucky enough to have to leave one of the seats in the center, you have to crawl over a lot of people to get to an isle at the side.
7. ONEOK Field
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 323 reviews
Reviewed By Ron A - Tulsa, Oklahoma
I attended several ball games over the spring and summer and sat in different sections each time. There's not a bad seat in the house. Excellent choice of food and the all you can eat specials as well. You can't beat the price of this entertainment for an evening and then top it off with a fireworks show.
8. BOK Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 727 reviews
Reviewed By sandratilkin - Tulsa, Oklahoma
The BOK Center has successfully brought major entertainers to Tulsa for the last several years. Those performers who are constantly in the news and appearing in major cities throughout the U.S. have performed for soldout audiences in Tulsa, some appearing more than once. We are proud of a first class venue that attracts major talent. Don't hesitate to buy a ticket and sit back to enjoy a show in a wonderful arena with comfortable seating.
9. Boston Avenue Methodist Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 113 reviews
Art-deco National Historic Landmark.
Reviewed By P5_Crazy_Train - G-Patch, Texas
This church has some of the most beautiful architecture I've ever seen in the US. We trekked across town after seeing it on the horizon, hoping to get a closer look. It is stunning up close.
However, we were disappointed to find that it wasn't open. Most churches are open during the day so that people can come inside and pray or see the interior. Perhaps the was just the door we tried that was locked.
Glad we got to see the exterior. It was stunning.
10. Tulsa Zoo
Overall Ratings
4 based on 924 reviews
Learn about animals from all parts of the world at the Tulsa Zoo, which is located on 85 acres in Mohawk Park in Tulsa. For more than 85 years, the Tulsa Zoo has provided family friendly recreation, natural sciences education and conservation of wildlife.
Reviewed By hd452016 - Tulsa, Oklahoma
We took grandchildren during Friday of Spring Break. Tons and tons of people with kids. Weather was great. Prices for seniors helps. Recommendation that if you are going to ride the train, get your train tickets when you enter the zoo rather than at the train station. Also, tickets are $2 for one way. Recommend getting there at 10:30. Walk to sea lion show, then make you way back down past the conservation center, stop off at the play park, then the Rain Forest and Children's Zoo. Pass through the Life in the water, Forest, Desert and Cold, then take the train back around to the south end of the zoo and then walk the east side of the park, taking in the giraffe experience and save the lost Kingdom as last. You will arrive just about feeding time.
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