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Oklahoma, United States

Tulsa

Give Tulsa a full day for Art Deco downtown, the Philbrook and the Gathering Place, with an evening at Cain's or the Blue Dome district. Below: 5 sights, 1 outdoor spot and 2 places to eat, plus how Tulsa fits into a longer trip.

Plan Tulsa with friendsBrowse 10 places
Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Places
10

5 See · 1 Outdoors · 2 Eat · 2 Drink

Curated routes
1

Oklahoma Route 66

Best season
Mar – May

from our route notes

Warmest month
July

35°C / 94°F avg high

Coolest month
January

8°C / 46°F avg high

Wettest month
May

about 144 mm rain

Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.

Things to do in Tulsa

10 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.

See

5 sights worth building a day around across Downtown, Midtown and Tulsa Arts District. 2 of them are free.

  • Boston Avenue United Methodist Church in TulsaPhoto: David Brossard · CC BY-SA 2.0
    See

    Boston Avenue United Methodist Church

    1929 Art Deco church with a 255-foot tower, the city's signature Deco landmark.

    Tip Free docent tours are offered on Sundays after services.

    • Downtown
    • Free
    • 45 min
    • Sunday
  • Philbrook Museum of Art in TulsaPhoto: Landry76 · CC BY-SA 4.0
    See

    Philbrook Museum of Art

    Art museum in a 1920s Italianate villa with 25 acres of gardens.

    Tip Closed Mondays; leave time for the gardens.

    • Midtown
    • $$
    • 2.5 hr
    • Morning
  • Woody Guthrie Center in TulsaPhoto: Woody Guthrie Center · Google
    See

    Woody Guthrie Center

    Archive and museum on the Oklahoma folk singer, in the Tulsa Arts District.

    Tip Pair with the Bob Dylan Center across the plaza.

    • Tulsa Arts District
    • $$
    • 75 min
    • Afternoon
  • Bob Dylan Center in TulsaPhoto: G. Edward Johnson · CC BY 4.0
    See

    Bob Dylan Center

    Museum of Dylan's notebooks, recordings and manuscripts, opened in 2022.

    Tip Combo tickets with the Woody Guthrie Center save money.

    • Tulsa Arts District
    • $$
    • 1.5 hr
    • Afternoon
  • Route 66 Historical Village in TulsaPhoto: Route 66 Historical Village · Google
    See

    Route 66 Historical Village

    Oil derrick, Frisco steam locomotive and 1920s railcars on old Route 66.

    Tip Free and open around the clock; quick photo stop.

    • West Tulsa
    • Free
    • 30 min
    • Daytime

Outdoors

1 outdoor spot for fresh air in Riverside.

  • Gathering Place in TulsaPhoto: 좀비 브렌다 · CC BY-SA 4.0
    Outdoors

    Gathering Place

    66-acre free riverside park with gardens, trails and big playgrounds.

    Tip Free entry; weekday mornings are calmest.

    • Riverside
    • Free
    • 2 hr
    • Morning

Eat

Where we would book a table in Tulsa in Route 66.

  • Mother Road Market in TulsaPhoto: Mother Road Market · Google
    Eat

    Mother Road Market

    Food hall on Route 66 with local vendors and a mini-golf course.

    Tip Good spot to sample several kitchens at once.

    • Route 66
    • $
    • 60 min
    • Lunch
  • Tally's Good Food Café in TulsaPhoto: Tally's Good Food Café · Google
    Eat

    Tally's Good Food Café

    Route 66 diner famous for chicken-fried steak and huge cinnamon rolls.

    Tip Breakfast served all day.

    • Route 66
    • $
    • 60 min
    • Breakfast

Drink

Our picks for a drink in Tulsa in Tulsa Arts District.

  • Cain's Ballroom in TulsaPhoto: Jordan Michael Winn · CC0
    Drink

    Cain's Ballroom

    1924 Western swing hall where Bob Wills played, still hosting concerts.

    Tip Check the show calendar; doors open early.

    • Tulsa Arts District
    • $$
    • 2.5 hr
    • Evening show
  • American Solera in TulsaPhoto: American Solera · Google
    Drink

    American Solera

    Acclaimed brewery known for barrel-aged sours and hazy IPAs.

    Tip Bottles sell out; ask what's fresh on tap.

    • $$
    • 60 min
    • Evening

How to fit Tulsa into a trip

Tulsa is stop 1 of 3 on our Oklahoma Route 66 route. Follow it as-is or lift Tulsa into your own plan.

Getting here and onward

Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.

Tulsa month by month

Average daily highs run from 8°C / 46°F in January to 35°C / 94°F in July. May is the wettest month, with about 144 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.

Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Tulsa weather and the best time to visit →

Near Tulsa

8 other destinations from our guides within about 350 km (217 mi), measured in a straight line.

Tulsa questions, answered

How many days do you need in Tulsa?

Our route notes suggest a full day in Tulsa. On our Oklahoma Route 66 route it is stop 1 of 3 in a 6-day trip. The listed visit times for our 10 places add up to roughly 14 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.

What is Tulsa best known for?

Give Tulsa a full day for Art Deco downtown, the Philbrook and the Gathering Place, with an evening at Cain's or the Blue Dome district. Standouts on our list: Boston Avenue United Methodist Church (1929 Art Deco church with a 255-foot tower, the city's signature Deco landmark); Philbrook Museum of Art (Art museum in a 1920s Italianate villa with 25 acres of gardens); Woody Guthrie Center (Archive and museum on the Oklahoma folk singer, in the Tulsa Arts District).

When is the best time to visit Tulsa?

Our Oklahoma Route 66 route is best Mar – May. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in July (35°C / 94°F), the coolest in January (8°C / 46°F) and the most rain in May (about 144 mm).

What are the best things to do in Tulsa?

Start with Boston Avenue United Methodist Church, Philbrook Museum of Art, Gathering Place, Woody Guthrie Center and Bob Dylan Center. Our guide lists 10 places in all, from 5 sights, 1 outdoor spot, 2 places to eat and 2 bars & cafés.

Where should a group eat in Tulsa?

Our picks: Mother Road Market (Route 66); Tally's Good Food Café (Route 66). Good spot to sample several kitchens at once (Mother Road Market).

What is near Tulsa?

The closest destinations in our guides are Oklahoma City (about 157 km / 98 mi), Downtown OKC & Bricktown (about 158 km / 98 mi) and Lake Hefner (about 158 km / 98 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.

Plan Tulsa with your crew

Open the Oklahoma Route 66 route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 10 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.

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