A Quick Travel Guide to Tulsa, Oklahoma
While I was in college my parents moved from Des Moines, Iowa to Tulsa, Oklahoma. Since then each time I’ve visited I’ve searched for the best restaurants and things to do in Tulsa. While it may not be the biggest city in Oklahoma, this quaint city is full of charm. Check out some of the hotspots worth seeking out while in Tulsa!
Where is Tulsa Located?
Tulsa is a city in eastern Oklahoma that is located on the Arkansas River. It is well known for its bustling urban districts, art deco architecture, and amazing restaurants.
Where to Stay in Tulsa
BUDGET HOTELS IN TULSA
Best Western Plus: (Downtown Tulsa/Route 66) – Convenient location to downtown Tulsa on historic Route 66.
MID-RANGE HOTELS IN TULSA
Renaissance Hotel Tulsa OR Hyatt Regency Tulsa
LUXURY OR ROMANTIC HOTELS IN TULSA
Ambassador Hotel Tulsa OR The Campbell Hotel
FAMILY-FRIENDLY HOTELS IN TULSA
Hampton Inn & Suites Tulsa Downtown
Things to Do in Tulsa
Visit the Center of the Universe
The Center of the Universe may not look like more than a worn concrete circle but when you stand near the center and sing, speak, or make any noise, that noise is mysteriously echoed louder than it was made. I have no idea how this works, but it’s truly a unique place to visit while in Tulsa and it’s not far from many other downtown Tulsa attractions.
Location: 1 S. Boston Ave, Tulsa
Hours: 24/7
Cost: FREE
Go To The Cherry Street Farmers Market
The Cherry Street Farmers Market is one of our favorite seasonal things to do in Tulsa. Not only when you shop here are you supporting local businesses, but it’s also a unique place to shop too! At Cherry Street Farmers Market you can gather seasonal local produce, fresh flowers, creative crafts, and more.
Location: 15th and Peoria
Hours: April-October: 7am-11am, Saturdays only
Cost: FREE
See the Golden Driller in Person
Tulsa is one of the largest known oil cities in the United States. Thus the birth of the 76 ft tall Golden Driller happened and has resided at the Tulsa State Fairgrounds since 1966. While it might just seem like a big statue, this is the perfect roadside photo opportunity for any Tulsa itinerary. On some Saturdays, there is also a flea market at the River Spirit Expo right next to the Golden Driller.
Location: 4145 E 21st St, Tulsa
Hours: 24/7
Cost: FREE
See the Unique Tulsa Street Art
As in most cities, Tulsa has some intriguing street art. Head downtown, walk around, and you’re sure to find some on most corners. Here’s a list of a few of our favorite murals in Tulsa!
- Prairie Schooners – Woven sticks and saplings create this massive wooden art sculpture that you can walkthrough.
Location: Centennial Green, Sixth and Main streets - Mayfest Murals – Mayfest is an annual Tulsa event that is depicted on a number of painted kites.
Location: 3rd and Main Street - Woody Guthrie Mural – This large scale mural features the words “This Land is Your Land.” It’s one of the most popular murals to view in downtown Tulsa.
Location: 102 E. M.B. Brady Street - Habit Mural Festival Murals – Each spring about 20 artists gather to create large-scale murals all around the city.
Location: Many areas around downtown Tulsa - Art Alley – This area features a number of murals and sculptures to enjoy!
Location: 5th and 6th Streets
Go Under The Sea At The Oklahoma Aquarium
Just outside of Tulsa, you’ll find the Oklahoma Aquarium is a massive exhibit where you can say goodbye to your landlocked blues and become amazed by the mystery of the world’s oceans, lakes, and rivers. View 300 lb turtles, reef sharks, and Caribbean fish up close during your visit to the aquarium.
Location: 300 Aquarium Drive, Jenks
Hours: Monday, Wednesday-Sunday: 10am – 6pm, Tuesday: 10am-9am
Cost: $15.95 Adults, $11.95 Children 3-12
Enjoy Artwork And Scenery At The Philbrook Museum of Art
Not only does the Philbrook Museum of Art contain stunning pieces of art on the inside, but the outside is also a work of art itself with its Italian charm! Grasp onto the history of many paintings, sculptures, and browse the outdoor gardens on a nice day. In the summer months, there are also movies in the park to enjoy.
Location: 2727 South Rockford Road, Tulsa
Hours: Tuesdays – Sundays: 10am – 5pm, Thursdays: 10am – 8pm, Closed Mondays
Cost: $9
Visit The Gathering Place
Gathering Place is a 100-acre park in Tulsa that really is a park for everyone. There is a playhouse area that is perfect for kids, a skate park and sports courts, beautiful gardens (including a sky garden too!), a boathouse and pond, and Gathering Place boasts many events and exhibits. No words can really do this place justice, so be sure to add it to your Tulsa itinerary and see for yourself.
Location: 2650 S John Williams Way, Tulsa
Hours: Sunday-Thursday 9am-8pm, Friday & Saturday 9am-10pm
Cost: FREE
See A Movie At The Warren Theater
This isn’t just any movie theater. The Warren Theater offers a premium movie experience with a full menu, luxury seating (even an adults-only balcony for certain movies), and once you step inside you’ll feel like you’ve gone back in time due to its lavish decor.
Location: 1700 Aspen Creek Dr, Broken Arrow
Hours: Sunday-Saturday starting at 10 am
Test Your Luck At The Hard Rock Casino
If you’re feeling lucky walk into the Hard Rock Casino and join a poker table or try the slots. If you’re not feeling like gambling, the Hard Rock Casino also has terrific restaurants or attend a concert at The Joint – the Hard Rock’s concert venue.
Location: 777 West Cherokee Street, Catoosa
Cost: FREE… to enter of course 😉
Places to Shop in Tulsa
Utica Square
Utica Square offers upscale and boutique outdoor shopping and many great restaurants that are sure to appease anyone. A few of my favorite stores to shop at in Utica Square are Madewell, Anthropologie, and J. Spencer.
Location: 1709 Utica Square, Tulsa
Hours: Monday-Thursday: 9am-5pm, Friday: 9am-6pm, Saturday & Sunday: 9am-1pm
Jo & June
Jo & June is one of my favorite small shops in Tulsa that has a variety of vintage clothing and goods as well as a number of other unique handmade items.
Location: 2413 E Admiral Blvd, Tulsa
Hours: Sunday 12pm-4pm, Tuesday-Thursday 11am-5pm, Friday & Saturday 11am-6pm, Closed Monday
Made
Made is a modern, handmade boutique that is located in the Brady Arts District. The store is full of items that support local crafters, artists, and makers.
Location: 219 E Archer St, Tulsa
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 11am-7pm, Closed Sunday & Monday
Farm Hippie
Farm Hippie is one of my new favorite stores to visit when in Tulsa! They are a year-round indoor farmer’s market that offers local produce, meats, grains, teas, soaps, and handmade goods. A large focus they have is sustainability and eco-friendly products so you can feel good about what you’re buying when you support this small locally-owned business.
Location: 1117 W Main St, Collinsville
Hours: Tuesday-Friday 10am-6pm, Saturday 10am-4pm, Closed Sunday & Monday
You might also like: A Complete Travel Guide to Northwest Arkansas
Places to Eat in Tulsa
Casual Dining in Tulsa
Queenies Cafe and Bakery
Egg Salad Sandwich with fresh fruit at Queenies in Tulsa Quiche and soup at Queenies in Tulsa
Queenies Cafe and Bakery is a fun lunch shop located in Utica Square. I recommend getting one of their chicken salad or egg salad sandwiches or quiche with a side of fresh fruit or soup. Be sure to get one of their delicious baked goods to share or to go as well!
Location: 1834 Utica Square, Tulsa
Hours: Monday-Friday: 7am – 7pm, Saturday: 8am – 5pm, Sunday: 9am – 2pm
Mondo’s Italian Restaurant
A slice of Italy all the way in Oklahoma? You bet! Mondo’s, a family-owned restaurant, will satisfy your cravings for Italian food. Their pizzas are made with fresh ingredients and hand-tossed dough then cooked in a wood-fired oven. Their homemade pasta is to die for too, the baked rigatoni and manicotti are two of my favorites.
Location: 3410 South Peoria Avenue, Tulsa
Hours: Monday-Thursday: 11am – 10pm, Friday & Saturday 11am – 11pm, Sunday 3pm – 9pm
Yokozuna
Tempura Cauliflower at Yokozuna Fish Tacos and tempura sweet potato at Yokozuna
Yokozuna is an Asian fusion restaurant where you can enjoy a twist on original Japanese favorites and other Asian cuisines. For appetizers, I recommend getting the tempura cauliflower which is the best one I’ve ever had (I could eat it for my meal!) or the Pupu Platter which has an assortment of gyoza, steamed buns, tempura, edamame, and spring rolls. For entrees, try the ramen, pad thai, or one of their specialty sushi rolls.
Location: 309 E. 2nd St., Tulsa
Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 11am – 10pm, Friday & Saturday: 11am – Midnight
Mother Road Market
Similar to the Time Out Markets that are popping up across the world, Mother Road Market is Tulsa’s first dining and food hall. At Mother Road Market you can find an assortment of local restaurant stations all under one roof. It’s perfect for those who are wanting to try a smorgasbord of items from all different restaurants or if you’re stuck in a debate about where to grab something to eat.
A few of our favorites at Mother Road Market include Andolini’s (one of our favorite pizza places in Tulsa (and the world if we might add). Umami Fries serves up some truly unique french fries with bulgogi beef and kimchi that are perfect for sharing. If you’re looking for something sweet Big Dipper Ice Cream has unique, artisan flavors of ice cream (I’m partial to the honeycomb lavender).
Location: 1124 S Lewis Ave, Tulsa
Hours: Sunday-Thursday 10am-9pm, Friday & Saturday 10am-10pm, Closed Monday
Memory Lane Tea Room
Finger sandwiches, salad, and scone with lemon curd at Memory Lane Tea Room. Choose from a large variety of teas at Memory Lane Tea Room.
If you’re on a mother-daughter or girl’s trip to Tulsa, Memory Lane Tea Room is an endearing place to stop for lunch. Memory Lane Tea Room has a few different menu options including quiche, finger sandwiches, soups, and salads.
Each meal comes with a freshly baked scone and a side of lemon curd. Our favorite aspect of Memory Lane Tea Room is the menu dedicated completely to teas! There are a number of different varieties of tea and with two different sizes of teapots, they’re perfect to share.
Location: 209 N Main St, Owasso
Hours: Only Friday & Saturday 10am-3pm
Fine Dining in Tulsa
Polo Grill
French Chicken Breast 
Filet with potatoes and asparagus 
New York Strip Steak 
Bone in Fillet 
Chocolate Gooey Butter Cake and Key Lime Pie with Mango Sorbet Polo Grill Bar area
Polo Grill is one of the oldest and most prestigious fine dining establishments in the Tulsa area. It is perfect for a romantic evening or business occasion. While they boast some of the best steaks in the country, their french chicken is also delicious. Be sure to get a cup of the lobster bisque on the side as well, I’m salivating just thinking about it!
Location: 2038 Utica Square, Tulsa
Hours: Monday – Thursday 11am – 10pm, Friday 11am – 11pm, Saturday 10:30am-11pm, Sunday 10:30am-9pm
PRHYME
Tenderloin Fillet 
Stuffed Double Breast of Chicken 
Chocolate Midnight Cake
PRHYME is a newer Tulsa hotspot part of a series of four restaurants that Chef Justin Thompson. It’s a modern take on the American steakhouse with dishes of USDA prime beef, stuffed chicken, and seasonally selected fresh seafood.
Location: 111 N Main St, Tulsa
Hours: Monday – Saturday: 4pm – 11pm, Sunday 4pm – 9pm
Places to Get Dessert in Tulsa
Pinkitzel
Pinkitzel has some of the most glamorous cupcakes we’ve ever seen. Prepare to be blown away by the vibrant colors, sweet treats, and candy bins!
Location: 201 S. Denver Ave.
Hours: Sunday: 1pm – 9pm, Monday – Thursday: 11am – 9pm, Friday & Saturday: 11am – 11pm
Candy Castle
Sugar shock will have a whole new meaning if you get an ice cream flight or cotton candy shake at Candy Castle. But really, why don’t more ice cream stores do flights of ice cream?
Location: 7890 E 106th Pl S, Ste V-6, Tulsa
Hours:Monday – Thursday: 10am-9pm, Friday & Saturday: 10am – 10pm, Sunday: 12pm – 6pm
Antoinette’s Bakery
I’ll be honest, I want to try EVERYTHING at Antoinette Baking Co. – Pies, cakes, macarons, and savory snacks are all there to tempt me! You can get a few sweet treats to enjoy or even have a cake made for a special occasion.
Location: 207 N. Main, Tulsa
Hours: Monday – Wednesday: 7am – 4pm, Thursday – Saturday: 7am – 10pm, Sunday: 10am – 2pm, Pie Nights: Friday & Saturday evening 7pm – 10pm
Menu
We can’t wait to add more to this list that is ever-growing and changing as we explore more of Tulsa. What are some of the things to do in Tulsa that you’d like to try?
Comments & Reviews
lhelmbre says
Of all the places in the US, I wouldn’t have ever thought of going to Tulsa! Thanks for the great recommendations and the pictures from Candy Castle look amazing!
Kallsy Page says
It’s definitely not as well known but has such charm! The Candy Castle is perfect for people with a sweet tooth. 🙂
Paula Morgan says
The Gardens at the Philbrook museum look lovely. I would also like to check out the street art. The Golden Driller would also be on my list as we have a tradition of big things in Australia – lots of small towns build them in the 1960s and 70s as a way to attract tourists and they are now so kitsch I love them.
Kallsy Page says
I love that about Australia! We spent time in Brisbane/Gold Coast area while we were there but didn’t venture much farther. The Philbrook is definitely a beautiful spot. 🙂
Ally Emm says
I’ve never been to OK, but now that I see that an ice cream flight exists, i think I need to make a trip hahaha this is great, thanks for sharing! I think I really will put Tulsa on my bucket list =)
Kallsy Page says
Ice cream is always a good reason to visit ANY place! Let me know what you end up doing when you visit. 🙂
Natalie says
Before I read this post, the only thing that I knew about Tulsa was that Hanson (of MMBop fame) was from there (oh, the useless ’90s pop trivia in my head). I had no idea that it was such a gorgeous place! I would love to wander around that art museum and take my kids to the aquarium. Adding this to our must-visit places whenever we get around to doing that massive U.S. road trip!
Kallsy Page says
Natalie, that gave me a good laugh! It’s been ages since I thought of Hanson but now I’m singing MMBop along with you! Definitely stop in Tulsa if you plan to take on Route 66! Give a shout if you hit up St. Louis on your trip too. 🙂
Carola says
Never thought of Tulsa as a destination. But your photos have certainly sparked my interest! And to be standing for free in the center of the universe 😉 😉 😉
Thank you & happy continued travels!
C
Kallsy Page says
It’s not a place most people think of hence why I had to let it shine! 😉 Thanks Carola, same to you!
FS Page says
Thank you for writing this wonderful blog. I had no idea Tulsa has such a variety of experiences. And i cannot even get started on how enticed i feel by the pictures of such delicious foods.
Kallsy Page says
Of course! Thank you for reading. 🙂 It is definitely full of unique experiences. I hope you’re able to make it some time.
Janine Good says
You had me at cupcakes. I love those little delightful treats. The street is fab! I totally reminds me of Brick Land in London 🙂 I think if I were to go to Tulsa I would be eating the cupcakes while heading to the casino. I love Hard Rock. They announced this week the one in Toronto is closing and it made me so sad.
Kallsy Page says
That’s such a bummer about the Hard Rock closing in Toronto! 🙁 Where is the next closest one for you? Most places have me at cupcakes too Janine!
Christina says
Where to begin??!?! Very thorough list of things to do. I cannot believe that Tulsa, let alone Oklahoma (no offense) has a beautiful garden at their art museum that looks like it belongs in France or Italy. Wow that is beautiful! Besides the art museum the Center of the Universe looks like good fun and I alway love aquariums. The food…wow the cotton candy shake sounds and looks delicious! The Antoinette bakery looks darling. If I ever find myself in Tulsa I know where to go 🙂
Kallsy Page says
No offense taken! Tulsa is not usually on the radar of most people! It’s a rather interesting city and there is loads of fun places to visit! 🙂
Johanna says
Thanks for the tips … we are a full-time RV/ing family @living_over_wheels ?
bruceschinkel19 says
We met some new friends on a recent trip who are from Tulsa, and we’d love to go visit … now we have so many activities to do when there!
Kallsy Page says
It’s surprising how many cool things there are to do there! A lesser known and traveled to city, that’s for sure!
candycastleonline says
Thank you so much for including us on this awesome list! That’s a great photo of our ice cream flight! <3
Brinda says
Let’s not forgot a Route 66 favorite, the Big Blue Whale. It’s not actually in Tulsa, but it’s only a few miles from the Hard Rock Casino. Definitely worth a mention.
Isa says
My husband and I are currently roadtripping the U.S. and in Tulsa. Thanks for making this list! We were able to grab a few more things to see from it!
Kallsy Page says
Hi Isa! I’m so glad you found this helpful. Tulsa is a very neat city that is often overlooked by many travelers. Hope you enjoyed your trip!
Melissa says
Tulsa now has the Gathering Place, a huge, unique, beautiful park for the whole family! Definitely a must-see in my beloved hometown!
Kallsy Page says
Hi Melissa! My parents have told me wonderful things about The Gathering Place. We will have to go soon so we can experience it and add it to our list. Thank you for commenting. 🙂
Mary Kathryn Campbell says
Thank you for this wonderful post about Tulsa. I travel for work and it’s helps so much to read blogs that break down the area. Question- I love foodie souvenirs. Are there any you can think of?