Location: Bartlesville
Top Things to do in Bartlesville
- 1. Woolaroc Museum & Wildlife Preserve
- 2. Tom Mix Museum
- 3. Kiddie Park
- 4. Frank Phillips Home
- 5. Price Tower Arts Center
- 6. Phillips Petroleum Company Museum
- 7. Bartlesville Community Center
- 8. Bartlesville Area History Museum
- 9. Keepsake Candles Factory & Gift Store
- 10. Red Apple Bowling Bartlesville
What to do and see in Bartlesville, United States: The Best Places and Tips
Bartlesville is a city mostly in Washington County in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The population was 35,750 at the 2010 census, with a 2015 estimate of 36,595 according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Bartlesville is 47 miles (76 km) north of Tulsa and 18 miles (29 km) south of the Kansas border. It is the county seat of Washington County. The Caney River runs through Bartlesville.
Restaurants in Bartlesville
1. Woolaroc Museum & Wildlife Preserve
Overall Ratings
5 based on 459 reviews
The Frank Phillips Ranch was founded in 1925 and the Woolaroc Museum had a humble beginning four years later in 1929. The 3,700 acre wildlife preserve is home to more than 30 varieties of native and exotic animals and birds. It is a working ranch that maintains the animals for the enjoyment of our guests in a natural, protected setting. The Woolaroc Museum presents one of the world's most unique collections of Western art and artifacts; Native American pottery, baskets, beads, blankets and cultural art; historical displays; and one of the most complete collections of Colt firearms. Guests can also tour the Lodge, which was used as a place for Frank Phillips to entertain his friends and maintain business relationships. The Lodge abounds with tales of the parties, business events and wilder goings-on.
Reviewed By Plantlady65
Woolaroc stands for « Wood, Lake, Rock » and is the name bestowed by its original owner and benefactor Frank Phillips. A founder of Phillips Petroleum Company, this is ´Uncle Frank’s’ gift to the community. People come from around the world to see works of fine art and early Americana, including an amazing gun collection and local history displays. Then folks stay for the beauty — also to discover they can picnic on buffalo burgers or frito chili pie in paper holders (but not much else). There is inside seating overlooked by a stained glass window depicting early settlements and native American traditions. There is an entrance fee—and limited hours. Check website before traveling.
Worth spending a full afternoon or morning—or planning when to return. Good for families too. I try to go at least once a year.
2. Tom Mix Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By diana g - argonia
Great museum about Tom Mix. I wasn't expecting anything this good, so I was pleasantly surprised. Our tour guide was extremely knowledgable and you could tell she was genuinely interested in the very interesting person. There are many artifacts and even a short documentary to watch and then you can wrap it up with a trip through the gift shop. Very enjoyable afternoon spent there. No fee, but donation.
3. Kiddie Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 104 reviews
Reviewed By Connie S - Bartlesville
Great place to take younger children who may be overwhelmed by a large amusement park. Open 7-9:30 pm the day we went. Definitely targeted towards toddlers but there are a few rides for some older elementary age children. The prices of the rides were a nice surprise. Very nice public park (Johnstone Park) adjacent to the Kiddie Park.
4. Frank Phillips Home
Overall Ratings
5 based on 60 reviews
Reviewed By The_Real_Birdcatcher - Moore, Oklahoma
Positives: authentic, well-preserved, interesting anecdotes
Negatives: street parking, no photos allowed in the house
Frank Phillips was quite a figure. A one-time barber with a knack for making things happen, he took advantage of opportunities of his era to become a petro-tychoon.
Along the way he married a banker's daughter, pioneered oil production, and started an international company that's still the cornerstone of Bartlesville business. In the middle of all this he and wife Jane built, then enlarged, a house on what was then the edge of town.
In many ways the Phillips home is similar to historic houses across the country. It's decorated with expensive wallpaper and substantial furniture. It contains a well-stocked library and features what was then "cutting edge" technology. Photographs of family members can be seen in various rooms.
But unlike other sites we've visited, virtually everything inside this house was owned and used by the Phillips family. Many historic locations can't make that claim.
We were part of a foursome that toured the house at 2:00 p.m. on a hot Saturday in late June. No reservations were needed.
Almost no parking is available on the property. Signs encourage visitors to park on 11th Street. For most visitors street parking shouldn't be a problem. Neighborhood traffic is light, and it's only a short walk to the house.
During our visit street parking was an advantage as large trees shielded our car from the blazing summer sun!
Our guide was knowledgeable and good one-way communicator. She told interesting stories about family members and household employees, and also shared funny incidents from previous tours. In my opinion, these stories were the best part of going inside the house.
The tour lasted just under an hour, long enough to get a sense of "place," but too short to take it all in...especially since photos (which later serve as memory joggers) cannot be taken inside the house.
We understand "why" pictures are not permitted, but the restriction was a disappointment. I'm one of those people for whom "taking pictures" is the main reason for travel. Take that away, and my interest in visiting a location decreases sharply.
Fortunately, photos may be taken of the outside and of the grounds...and inside the nifty "interpretive center" (museum) behind the house. Be sure to spend some time there. You can move at your own pace to learn more about topics covered briefly during the tour.
The Bottom Line -
The Phillips House and it's contents are in nice condition, especially considering their age. Although furnishings and structural features were interesting, in my opinion the real reason to take the tour is to learn how the family lived and interacted with others.
Generally, we enjoyed the tour but felt a bit rushed. I liked walking around the property and viewing exhibits in the museum more than the house tour, but they complement each other. Information shared inside the house relates to events depicted in the museum. To get a full appreciation, you need to see it all.
5. Price Tower Arts Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 114 reviews
Reviewed By Zachary W - Bartlesville
The whole building is an amazing work of art. We have been in several times for art exhibits and just to look at the building. I have always loved the work of FLW and to have his only skyscraper here in this small town is easy to take for granted. We are very fortunate to have such an amazing piece to look at.
6. Phillips Petroleum Company Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 78 reviews
Reviewed By dbutler385 - Sussex, Wisconsin
If you want to learn about the Phillips Petroleum Company, then the company's FREE museum is the place to stop in downtown Bartlesville. The museum features two floors of exhibits from the company started by Frank Phillips. The self-guided tour begins with a video about the company's history. Plenty of cool artifacts and exhibits from there will peak your interest as Phillips produced more than gasoline products. I especially liked the basketball exhibit, featuring a look back at the Phillips 66ers, an amateur basketball team sponsored and run by the company. Depending on how much you want to consume, plan on spending an hour there. A shout-out, too, to the three volunteer workers at the front desk; they greeted us with smiles and conversation at the start of our visit and thanked us for coming as we left.
7. Bartlesville Community Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
Reviewed By RickyTickyTavy E - Bartlesville, Oklahoma
Great acoustics and a very comfortable venue for all types of entertainment from Broadway to Willie Nelson. The location is easily located in Bartlesville, ample parking, and lots of things to do nearby. Small rooms or the large auditorium, it is well maintained and a credit to the community.
8. Bartlesville Area History Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By TangledinText - North Houston, Texas
I was visiting here for work and saw an advertisement for little chocolate boots and hats the Museum sold, so I decided to go up and visit it one day. It was during lunch on a week day so I should have expected it to be slow, but I was the only one there which made it a little awkward. Still the lady behind the counter was nice, I went for a Bartlesville postcard and they had exactly what I was hoping for. I got a few chocolates on a stick and some souvenirs for the rest of my family in their little store. They have a $3 suggested donation next to the sign in sheet if you are going there to walk around and look at the history and pictures.
9. Keepsake Candles Factory & Gift Store
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By Kmerri - St. Augustine, Florida
My family and I have visited this candle factory and store on several visits to Bartlesville. It sits on top of a hill so the view is great and the candles are unique, hence the name keepsakes. It's fun to smell all the candles and see how they make them. The shop also carries other nice items so I always find something besides a candle to buy and even more to look at. The employees in the small store are very helpful and it's just a nice stop to make.
10. Red Apple Bowling Bartlesville
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By Buffy2147 - Barnsdall, Oklahoma
I went bowling with my grandkids and had a blast. They charge hourly so if you take a crew it can get expensive pretty fast but we really enjoyed our outing. The place was clean and family oriented.
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