Location: Tulsa
Top Things to do in Tulsa
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The 10 Best Budget-friendly Things to do in Tulsa, Oklahoma (OK)
The heart of Oklahoma beckons with over 140 parks, plus a variety of cultural attractions and entertainment venues sure to satisfy all ages and interests. Whether you're looking for world-class art, ballet, opera or just a day at the zoo, Tulsa is a great choice for a quick getaway. On the culture front, you could spend an entire weekend touring the city's fine museums. The Gilgrease, the Museum of Jewish Art and the Philbrook all offer fascinating exhibits in their respective areas of expertise. Anyone with an interest in gardens will not want to miss the Tulsa Garden Center and its extensive horticultural library plus other resources related to all things green. Outdoor endeavors include Bells Amusement Park, golf and River Parks, 20 miles of paved recreation trails that run along the Arkansas River and weave past picnic areas, playgrounds, fountains and sculptures.
Restaurants in Tulsa
1. Philbrook Museum of Art
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,276 reviews
This vast art museum, housed in an Italian style villa, has numerous exhibits from European, American, Asian, Native American and African artists and is surrounded by acres of lush gardens.
Reviewed By teachinturtle - Collinsville, United States
As a lifelong Tulsa resident, I’ve been visiting Philbrook since I was a child. The grounds alone are worth a trip, but the art inside the mansion is also excellent. The staff is very knowledgeable & helpful. There are always special events going on, and each Second Saturday of the month, admission is free.
2. Holy Family Cathedral
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 40 reviews
Holy Family Cathedral is the mother and head church for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tulsa in Eastern Oklahoma. It is a beautiful neo-Gothic edifice built in 1914, and recently renovated. Masses are celebrated everyday either in the Cathedral Church or the Chapel of Peace located in the basement. Our Whole Family Faith Formation Program, called Wednesdays at the Cathedral, begins each Wednesday with an affordable dinner at 5:30pm and then the different programs for youth, teens, and adults run from 6:30 - 8:00pm. Tours of the church are available upon advanced request.
Reviewed By M5586NLpauls
The Cathedral is my parish and I am there at lest three times per week. The building itself exudes an atmosphere of spirituality and prayer.
3. Gathering Place
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 436 reviews
Gathering Place is a public park located alongside Riverside Drive in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Spanning over 100 acres, Gathering Place offers guests a one-of-a-kind playground, gardens, trails, boat rentals, restaurants, outdoor concerts, events and so much more!
Reviewed By jbwhitehouse - Dallas, United States
What a terrific, free place! Lots to do from reading a book inside wifi equipped air-conditioned lodge to walking trails, to enjoying plants to climbing ropes and sliding on zip lines in Adventure Playground to playing ball, and enjoying boating.
4. Vintage Sewing Center And Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 43 reviews
Reviewed By carlsP488XN
We went to see the museum and wound up with WK doing the tour, the amount of information that this man has is phenomenal and the machines and the back stories that went with them is something worth hearing, we spent 5 hours there, asking questions and hearing stores, saw a lot of machines that we have never seen before and came home with out heads full of so much information and we are planning to go back for more. It is a hidden gem that needs to be explored.
5. Boston Avenue Methodist Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 131 reviews
Art-deco National Historic Landmark.
Reviewed By MidwestKathM - Detroit, United States
Knowing Tulsa's reputation for its Art Deco architecture, we wanted to see a few examples. This is one of the best! A church built around 1930, it is a stunning building made of Indiana limestone and Minnesota granite. Walk around and look up!! Bring your binoculars or camera telephoto lens so that you can see the top of the towers and the beautiful details of the statuary. Unfortunately due to COVID, we were unable to go inside the church building.
6. Gilcrease Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 868 reviews
The world's largest collection of art from the American West is housed at this museum, which is also well stocked with Native American artifacts and artwork. Thematic gardens reflect the gardening styles of different time periods.
Reviewed By swwtheman - Little Rock, United States
Wonderful, a do not miss museum. Especially notable western and Native American art collections. Remington, Russell and Moran paintings and sculptures amongst others. Easy to navigate the spacious galleries. Even if your not big into art, you will enjoy this place.
7. The Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 70 reviews
The mission of the SMMJA is to preserve and promote Jewish heritage, culture, history and community through art and education.Through exhibitions and educational programs focusing on Jewish culture, history, religion, and art, the Museum hopes people will come to understand and identify with the Jewish experience. The Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art (SMMJA) and its collections have been a part of Tulsa for decades. It began in 1965 when a local synagogue brought a traveling exhibit, “Traditional Ceremonial Art,” from the Jewish Museum in New York to the Tulsa community. It generated great interest in Jewish culture and art, and the following year, the Gershon and Rebecca Fenster Gallery of Jewish Art opened to the public. Sherwin Miller, the first Curator of the Gallery, began collecting Jewish art and artifacts in earnest. In 2000, the Museum was renamed the Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art to recognize the achievements and contributions of its first curator.
Reviewed By jbwhitehouse - Dallas, United States
Free through December, 2020. Two floors of the life and life cycle events of Jews as well as sculptures and stain glass windows. Due to Covid19 attendees have their temperature taken and sign a paper regarding their current health.
8. River Parks
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 147 reviews
Over 26 miles of asphalt-paved running, walking and biking trail crosses the River Parks along the banks of the Arkansas River past picturesque gardens, fountains, life-sized wildlife sculptures, playgrounds and gathering areas.
Reviewed By 299sherij
Oh my goodness, where do I start..... This place is well worth a visit. If you have kids - of any age - it is a must. You will spend ALL day there without a dull moment. The park is spectacular, the bike trails are amazing, and it is a lovely atmosphere to spend the day.
9. Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 63 reviews
Increase appreciation and awareness of the jazz, blues and gospel art forms through a variety of productions, educational programs, seminars and master classes.
Reviewed By jvcs - Chattanooga, United States
Our last day at the Bob Dylan conference in Tulsa was spent at the Jazz Hall of Fame. It was a pleasant setting, and the buffet brunch provided was outstanding. We had a choice of three different fritatoes, and they were all wonderful. The staff was pleasant and helpful, and the venue quite interesting if you're at all interested in jazz.
10. Tulsa Historical Society & Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 48 reviews
The Tulsa Historical Society & Museum has eight rotating exhibit galleries featuring stories from Tulsa's past. The museum collects, preserves, and exhibits artifacts and archives from YOUR Tulsa history. Visit often as all exhibits are temporary and change regularly.
Reviewed By 355donaldw - Frisco, United States
The Tulsa Historical Society and Museum, located in one of the Travis brothers’ mansions, is worth your time if you’re looking for something to see in Tulsa. The museum provides two floors of an impressive array of artifacts representing various facets of Tulsa’s interesting development: Art Deco buildings and furnishings, Tulsa during World War II, Osage life in Tulsa, the Tulsa race riots/massacre, and transportation innovation as seen in Tulsa. The exhibits are interesting and well organized, and the facilities are pristine. The receptionist at the front desk was knowledgeable and very helpful. A one-to-two hour visit of the museum is very much worth your time, and it’s very close to the shops and restaurants on 15th Street as well as those just south on Peoria.
