AD

Things to Do in Tulsa

Here is our guide to best things to do in Tulsa. From iconic places to shopping malls and nature.

What's even better? This list will keep track of what you've already done for future reference. Can you check them all off the list

Famous/Iconic Places

 

Philbrook Museum of Art: This is an art museum with expansive formal gardens located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It has a collection of art from various cultures and periods, including European, American, Asian, African, and Native American art. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions and educational programs.

 

Blue Whale of Catoosa: This is a waterfront structure, just east of the American town of Catoosa, Oklahoma, and it has become one of the most recognizable attractions on old Route 66. It was built in 1972 as a gift for the owner’s wife, who collected whale figurines. The whale is 20 feet tall and 80 feet long, and visitors can climb inside its mouth or slide down its tail.

 

Tulsa Zoo: This is a zoo that covers 85 acres in Mohawk Park in Tulsa. It has more than 400 animal species, including endangered ones, such as snow leopards, rhinos, and chimpanzees. The zoo also features themed exhibits, such as the Lost Kingdom, the Rainforest, and the Children’s Zoo.

 

Gathering Place: This is a 66-acre waterfront park that opened in 2018 along the Arkansas River. It offers a variety of attractions for all ages, such as sports courts, a skate park, a beach, a pond, a carousel, a playground, and a sensory garden. It also hosts events and festivals throughout the year.

 

Oklahoma Aquarium: This is an aquarium that showcases the aquatic life of Oklahoma and beyond. It has more than 100 exhibits and thousands of animals, including the world’s largest collection of bull sharks, a loggerhead sea turtle, otters, a giant Pacific octopus, and interactive touch and feed tanks.

 

Tulsa Air and Space Museum & Planetarium: This is a museum that celebrates the history and achievements of aviation and aerospace in Tulsa and Oklahoma. It has a collection of aircraft, artifacts, and exhibits that span from the early days of flight to the present day. It also has a planetarium that offers shows and programs about the stars and planets.

 

Golden Driller Statue: This is a 75-foot-tall, 43,500-pound statue of an oil worker that stands in front of the Tulsa Expo Center. It was built in 1953 as a symbol of the oil industry and Oklahoma’s prosperity. It is the sixth-tallest statue in the United States and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

 

Gilcrease Museum: This is a museum that houses the world’s largest collection of art and artifacts from the American West, as well as a growing collection of art and artifacts from Central and South America. It has more than 10,000 paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, photographs, and historical documents that showcase the history and culture of the Americas. It also has thematic gardens that reflect different time periods and styles.

 

Best Shopping Malls

 

Woodland Hills Mall: A mall that has over 165 stores, including major brands like Dillard’s, Macy’s, JCPenney, and Sears. It also has a food court and a movie theater.

 

Utica Square: A mall that features upscale stores like Saks Fifth Avenue, Pottery Barn, Williams-Sonoma, and Anthropologie. It also has restaurants, salons, and a park-like setting.

 

Riverwalk Crossing: A mall that offers a variety of dining, entertainment, and shopping options along the Arkansas River. It has places like Los Cabos Mexican Grill, Marble Slab Creamery, FlyingTee Golf, and Pinot’s Palette.

 

Best Food

 

Nola’s Creole & Cocktails: A restaurant that serves American and Cajun cuisine with a 4.8 rating and 595 reviews.

 

The Hemingway - A Steakhouse: A restaurant that specializes in American and steakhouse dishes with a 4.9 rating and 62 reviews.

 

Sisserou’s Caribbean Restaurant: A restaurant that offers Caribbean and Jamaican food with a 4.7 rating and 333 reviews.

 

Kilkenny’s Irish Pub: A restaurant that features American and Irish fare with a 4.6 rating and 1,707 reviews.

 

Mahogany Prime Steakhouse: A restaurant that serves American and steakhouse cuisine with a 4.6 rating and 413 reviews.

 

Andolini’s Pizzeria: A restaurant that makes Italian and pizza dishes with a 4.6 rating and 1,153 reviews.

 

Juniper: A restaurant that offers contemporary American food with a 4.6 rating and 350 reviews.

 

The Chalkboard: A restaurant that provides American and contemporary meals with a 4.5 rating and 492 reviews.

 

Hideaway Pizza: A restaurant that delivers Italian and pizza dishes with a 4.5 rating and 530 reviews.

 

SMOKE. on Cherry St.: A restaurant that prepares American and bar food with a 4.5 rating and 421 reviews.

 

Culture to See

 

Philbrook Museum of Art: A museum that showcases art from various cultures and periods, as well as a beautiful garden.

 

Gilcrease Museum: A museum that houses one of the largest collections of American art and history, especially related to the Native American and Western cultures.

 

The Cave House: A historic site that features a unique cave-like house with quirky decor and stories.

 

Woody Guthrie Center: A specialty museum that honors the life and legacy of the folk singer and songwriter Woody Guthrie.

 

Center Of The Universe: A point of interest and landmark that creates a strange acoustic phenomenon when you stand in the middle of a circle on a pedestrian bridge.

 

Nature

 

Tulsa Botanic Garden: A garden that features a variety of plants, flowers, and landscapes.

 

Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area: A nature area that offers hiking, biking, and wildlife viewing trails.

 

River Parks: A park system that runs along the Arkansas River and provides recreational and scenic opportunities.

 

Woodward Park and Gardens: A park that has beautiful gardens, ponds, and bridges.

 

Oxley Nature Center: A nature center that has trails, exhibits, and programs about the local flora and fauna.