12 Must-See Tulsa Attractions

The 66-acre park is award-winning for a reason. From playgrounds that fuel imagination to community spaces that spark connection, it’s the perfect place to get a healthy dose of the outdoors in any season. Spend a breezy spring day flying kites along the Arkansas River. Paddle out onto the pond to soak up the summer sun. Take in the fiery fall colors while you explore the trails. Or, cozy up by the fireplace at the Lodge for a hot beverage and park views on a winter day. 
 

Tucked away in a gorgeous midtown neighborhood is the Philbrook art museum and gardens. Housed in an Italian Renaissance-inspired villa, galleries range from Renaissance masterpieces to contemporary marvels. There are so many places to get lost here, from the many rooms of the mansion to the swings in the South Formal garden to the iconic tempietto. And, you may just recognize some of the garden views from the finale of FX’s The Lowdown. Check out the events calendar for Films on the Lawn, Backyard BBQs and more, to level up your museum experience. 

Shows at Cain’s hit different. This isn’t a massive, impersonal arena where you have to crane to see your favorite artist. This is music how it should be. Built in 1924, Cain’s is an old-school venue tucked away in the Tulsa Arts District with an intimate stage and wooden floors. On any given week, it hosts both rising stars and the biggest names in music, from Willie Nelson and Eric Clapton, to Green Day and Jack White, to Chappell Roan and Ethel Cain. 

This stretch of road in Tulsa is jam-packed with all the Americana charm of America’s highway. Neon Signs. Old school diners. Vintage shops. Roadside attractions. It’s everything you could hope for in a Route 66 experience. Make a stop at Buck Atoms or Meadow Gold Mack’s to find vintage-inspired souvenirs and marvel at the “Land of Giants,” a growing collection of larger-than-life Mother Road mascots. More wonders await at Decopolis Discovitorium, including a mini Art Deco museum and a bookstore fit for a fairytale. And, cruise down this block after sundown for a marathon of classic neon signs.
 

When everyone’s hungry after a long day on the road, don’t argue over where to stop. Pull up to Mother Road Market, a food hall just off Route 66 that has everything from hot Nashville chicken to Mexican street tacos to Tulsa BBQ (don’t sleep on it.) After your meal, try a scoop (or two!) of small-batch ice cream and enjoy some fresh air on the sprawling patio space, complete with lawn games and mini golf.

Tulsa breweries have conveniently clustered in the Pearl District for a perfect walking tour of the local beer scene. Here’s an overview:

Start at Marshall Brewing for traditional German brews like lagers and pilsners. Then, head over to neighboring Cabin Boys and American Solera. If you’re an IPA fanatic, you’ll be spoiled for choice at American Solera. If stouts and red ales are more your speed, choose Cabin Boys. 

For those with more experimental taste, try a soft-serve beer up the road at Nothing’s Left. And if you prefer some activity to a patio hang, check out the stacked events calendar at Dead Armadillo or the sand volleyball leagues at Pearl Beach.

Keep the party going when you pop over to the Kendall Whittier District. You’ll find Heirloom Rustic Ales, a community hub serving both timeless and innovative brews. 
 

In case you haven’t heard, Tulsa is a music city. Some have called it the next Nashville or the next Austin, but we know it’s something all its own. The Woody Guthrie Center, home to the archives of the iconic Oklahoma folk singer, is a shining example of Tulsa’s music legacy. At the center, you’ll find stories from a life hard-lived, handwritten lyrics of unrecorded songs and even writing workshops that study Guthrie’s approach to activism.

After your visit to the Woody Guthrie Center, head next door to the Bob Dylan Center for even more one-of-a-kind music history. The folk singer-songwriters were kindred spirits, creating art that shaped entire cultures. Discover the early life and artistic career of the Nobel prize winner and one of America’s most influential figures, as told through his manuscripts, unreleased recordings, rare photos and exclusive film footage. The center was even an important research stop for the prop team of the Oscar-nominated biopic, A Complete Unknown.

This neighborhood in Downtown Tulsa has a rich history of black entrepreneurship as the home of the historic “Black Wall Street.” It also holds the pain of the Tulsa Race Massacre that devastated the community in 1921. The state-of-the-art Greenwood Rising museum tells both stories alongside the black-owned businesses defining the neighborhood today. After a museum visit, head to Sweet Lisa’s Cafe for soul food staples or grab a sweet treat from Frios Gourmet Pops. Sneakerheads will love Silhouette, and you can find more wearables at BWS tees & souvenirs.

In addition to Green Country’s rolling hills and diverse wildlife, you’ll find plant and animal species from around the world at the Tulsa Zoo in Mohawk Park. The conservation center has been steadily expanding its grounds and exhibits in recent years, so there is something fun for everyone at every age. Bring the kids for a ride on the Safari Train. Get up close and personal with the giraffes at a feeding experience. Or, learn more about your favorite animals, from penguins to tigers, at one of the near-daily zookeeper chats. 

NYC has Lady Liberty. Tulsa has the Golden Driller. The quirky roadside attraction is a 76-foot-tall, 43,500-pound statue of an oil worker or “roughneck.” The structure honors Tulsa’s roots as the “Oil Capital of the World” during the country’s 1920s-era oil boom. It towers over the Tulsa Expo Square, overseeing the Tulsa State Fair every fall and events like equestrian shows and the Time Travelers Vintage Expo throughout the year. 

True crime fanatics and history buffs alike will love Tulsa Tours, named a top 10 walking tour in the US. Choose your own adventure with topics ranging from Art Deco architecture to the tunnels below Downtown Tulsa to true crime deep dives. No matter your route, you can meet your knowledgeable guide at the Tulsa Tours office Downtown and let them whisk you away on a journey back through time. 

Have you experienced all twelve of these iconic Tulsa attractions? If not, what are you waiting for? And if so, it’s never too soon to pay your favorite places another visit. Save this list or this post to plan your perfect day in Tulsa. You’ll get a taste of what makes the city one-of-a-kind when you do.