Oklahoma is rich in Native American history, is home to the Oklahoma City Thunder, and oozes cowboy culture. It’s a fun state to visit as long as you steer clear of tornado season. Tulsa is one of our favorite cities in the Sooner State because of its various activities. The city has a thriving arts scene and outdoor recreational opportunities. Today, we’ll look at our list of things to do in Tulsa, OK, so you can plan your itinerary the next time you travel I-44. Let’s dive in!
Tulsa, OK, sits along the Arkansas River in the state’s northeast region. It’s the second-most populous city in the state after Oklahoma City. According to the 2020 Census, over 413,000 people live here.
The city stretches about 202 square miles across Highways 412, 75, and 64, among others. I-44 runs straight through the city. Tulsa is about 90 minutes northeast of Oklahoma City, a straight shot along I-44.
Pro Tip: If you’re headed to Tulsa, be sure to check out Why It’s Called The Center of the Universe first!
While you may imagine miles of farmland when you think about Oklahoma, Tulsa is located in a more forested region of the state. It’s considered the gateway to “Green Country,” the northeastern part of Oklahoma, where green vegetation, hills, and lakes define the geography rather than cow pastures and corn fields.
Tulsa, OK, is known for its art deco architecture in midtown and downtown. You’ll also find elegantly restored revival homes and contemporary architectural styles. In addition to its diverse architecture, Tulsa is home to major oil companies like Gulf Oil, Getty Oil, and CITGO. More recently, Tulsa has developed a strong aerospace industry.
When you visit Tulsa, OK, there are plenty of indoor and outdoor activities to enjoy. You’ll undoubtedly want to check out the arts scene. Here are our top things to do in Tulsa, OK, to help you enjoy the city!
Address: 6421 E 36th St North, Tulsa, OK 74115
Price: $10-14
About: Whether or not you have kids, the Tulsa Zoo is an excellent stop. With 84 acres, the zoo is home to tigers, leopards, elephants, African penguins, monkeys, birds, arctic foxes, bears, and more. The zoo welcomed a baby giraffe on July 26, 2023! Parking is free, and the Tulsa Zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Address: 2650 S John Williams Way East, Tulsa, OK 74114
Price: Free
About: One of our favorite spots in Tulsa is the Gathering Place, a riverfront park. There’s so much to do! Park attractions include an adventure playground, a water mountain, sports courts, a skate park, a mobile library, trails, gardens, beaches, and more. The wide variety of activities at the Gathering Place will have you spending your entire day there. It’s why it’s one of the best spots in Tulsa.
A tourist who recently visited the Gathering Place shared, “I had to visit USA Today’s best city park for 2021 and understood why. Immaculate, huge shade trees, great landscaping and water features, so many incredible places for kids to play, etc. Even when crowded, you wouldn’t feel it. And did I say this is all free?”
Address: 3624 N 74th E Ave, Tulsa, OK 74115
Price: Varies
About: We mentioned that Tulsa has a growing aerospace industry. Another fun thing to do in the city is to visit the Tulsa Air and Space Museum & Planetarium. Inside the museum, you’ll find aircraft that are interactive as well as static. View an F-14A Tomcat and a B-24.
Participate in the MD-80 Theater Experience or book 30 minutes in the Ray Booker Flight Lab. Planetarium shows are scheduled several times daily and include topics like black holes, Mars, and interstellar flight. It’s fun for the whole family!
Address: 1212 East 45th Place South, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74105
Price: varies
About: The Tulsa Ballet presents stellar performances every season. Check out the current schedule and plan to see a show when you’re in Tulsa. Performances include popular stories like The Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet, and Jack and the Beanstalk. If you’re not into ballet, you can enjoy other Tulsa arts like the symphony, opera, and Broadway shows.
Address: 2727 S Rockford Road, Tulsa, OK 74114
Price: $6-17
About: Another arts and culture spot that makes our things to do in Tulsa, OK list is the Philbrook Museum of Art. There are always events, from storytime to nature walks to conversations in art to dog days. Your general admission ticket gives you access to the museum exhibits and the beautiful gardens. You can spend an hour or a whole afternoon exploring all Philbrook offers.
One happy visitor shared, “Philbrook Museum of Art is exceptional. I say this as someone who has seen many of the finest museums. A hidden gem…a must-see in terms of its unique collection of paintings and artifacts in addition to its broad gardens, lush with exotic plants and water. If I lived here, I would go all the time.”
The average high in July and August is above 90 degrees, so we suggest avoiding these months. If you want to enjoy several outdoor activities, you’ll be miserable in the summer. Instead, we recommend visiting Tulsa, OK, between March and May or September and November. Temperatures will often dip below freezing during the winter months.
The wettest months are April, May, and June. This is also tornado season. Therefore, to avoid extreme temperatures, rain, and severe weather, visit Tulsa in March or wait until fall. However, outdoor activities are only two of our things to do in Tulsa, OK. So, if summer vacation is the only time you can visit the Sooner State, you’ll still have fun indoor activities to enjoy.
Oklahoma has family fun, romantic getaways, sports events, outdoor recreation, and more. Tulsa is no exception. You can visit the Tulsa Zoo in the morning and catch a ballet in the evening. Or you can explore the Tulsa Air and Space Museum & Planetarium and the Philbrook Museum of Art on the same day. An adventure at the Gathering Place could take all day.
So, with our things to do in Tulsa, OK, you can spend anywhere from two days to a week exploring and enjoying all this city offers. Have you ever visited this northeastern Oklahoma city?
