Enjoy opera and ballet, visit the Jazz Hall of Fame and admire well-preserved art deco buildings in this vibrant downtown district in Oklahoma’s second-largest city.
Downtown Tulsa in Oklahoma is a high-density, urban district packed with concert venues, cocktail bars and historic art deco architecture. Once the heart of an affluent oil town, today this precinct offers visitors historic architecture, sophisticated jazz and opera venues and fascinating museums.
In the early 1900s, a major oil well was discovered near Tulsa. This created a boom in the area and Tulsa became home to many of the country’s wealthiest oil barons. At the same time, the art deco movement was growing and much of the area’s historic architecture was built during this prosperous time. Take one of the many walking tours to learn more about the architecture of the area.
Tulsa is also a musical hub. Visit the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame, which showcases musicians from the past century and holds a free twilight concert every Sunday in summer. Cain’s Ballroom is another historic landmark in Tulsa. It hosts musicians from all over the world. Head to the BOK Center to see performances from renowned artists in a state-of-the-art setting. The venue is also home to Tulsa Shock, Oklahoma’s WNBA team.
The Gilcrease Museum has one of the world’s largest collections of American Indian art. Learn more about regional culture at Philbrook Museum of Art, which celebrates four centuries of American artists. Afterwards, stroll through the botanic gardens that surround the facility.
Immerse yourself in culture at Tulsa Opera or enjoy a show at Tulsa Ballet. The Tulsa Performing Arts Center hosts traveling Broadway plays, comedy shows and musicals. Younger crowds generally gather in the Blue Dome Entertainment District to take advantage of the area’s bars and nightclubs.
Tulsa International Airport is located 10 miles (16 kilometers) east of the downtown area. The city is also easily accessible by car. Tulsa is famous for its 100-mile (160-kilometer) regional bike trail system, which many people use to get around the city.