Things to do in Tulsa
Spring (April to May) and fall (September to October) bring mild temperatures, blooming gardens, and comfortable days for the riverfront and Route 66. Summers are hot and humid, while winters are cool with occasional ice.
Best months: April, May, September, October
What is worth your time in Tulsa
Tulsa Art Deco DistrictDo not miss
One of the country's richest concentrations of Art Deco architecture, a legacy of Tulsa's oil-boom skyscrapers and terra-cotta facades.
Architecture · 1.8 hr5
Greenwood Rising History CenterDo not miss
An immersive center telling the story of Black Wall Street and the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre in the historic Greenwood District.
Historic Site · 2 hr4.9
Cain's BallroomDo not miss
A legendary 1920s dance hall and the birthplace of Western swing, still one of Tulsa's best live-music rooms.
Cultural Experience · 2.8 hr4.8
Gathering PlaceDo not miss
A nationally acclaimed riverfront park with sculptural playgrounds, boathouses, gardens, and trails along the Arkansas River.
Park · 3 hr4.8
Philbrook Museum of ArtDo not miss
An Italianate 1920s oil baron's villa turned art museum, surrounded by 25 acres of formal gardens and fountains.
Museum · 2.8 hr4.8
Woody Guthrie CenterDo not miss
A tribute to the Oklahoma folk legend with handwritten lyrics, instruments, and the social-justice spirit of This Land Is Your Land.
Museum · 1.6 hr4.8
Gilcrease MuseumDo not miss
Home to the world's largest collection of art and artifacts of the American West, set on landscaped hilltop grounds.
Museum · 2.8 hr4.7
Golden Driller StatueDo not miss
A 75-foot golden oil-worker statue, Tulsa's beloved roadside giant and one of the tallest statues in the country.
Landmark · 30 min4.6
Tulsa ZooDo not miss
An award-winning zoo in Mohawk Park with elephants, big cats, and immersive habitats across shaded walking trails.
Activity · 3.3 hr4.5
Historic Route 66 TulsaDo not miss
The Mother Road threads through Tulsa with neon signs, vintage motels, and roadside Americana along 11th Street.
Scenic Route · 2.5 hr
Brookside District
A trendy Peoria Avenue stretch of boutiques, restaurants, and bars, one of Tulsa's liveliest dining-and-strolling zones.
Neighborhood · 1.8 hr4.9
Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios
A towering spaceman muffler man guards this kitschy Route 66 curio shop, a fan-favorite photo stop on 11th Street.
Landmark · 40 min4.8
Circle Cinema
Tulsa's oldest standing movie house, a restored 1928 art-house theater showing independent and foreign films.
Cultural Experience · 2 hr4.8
John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park
A moving memorial in Greenwood honoring the victims of the 1921 race massacre with towering sculptures and reflective spaces.
Historic Site · 53 min4.8
And 31 more, which the planner picks between based on your dates, pace and what you are into.
Worth knowing
- Tulsa is car-friendly and spread out, so renting a car makes hopping between downtown, Brookside, and the riverfront far easier.
- Downtown's Art Deco district, Greenwood, and the Tulsa Arts District are all walkable and close together, ideal for one on-foot day.
- The Gathering Place is free but huge, so allow several hours and arrive early on weekends to beat the crowds.
- Summer afternoons get hot and humid, so save outdoor spots like Turkey Mountain and River Parks for mornings or evenings.
- Route 66 runs straight through town as 11th Street and Southwest Boulevard, so build a loop of the neon signs, the Driller, and roadside stops.