10 Things to Do in Tulsa

Tulsa is a great place full of fun activities for you and your friends and family. Whether you live in Tulsa, or are traveling through Tulsa on vacation, there are many activities to enjoy, from art, to sports, to intriguing curiosities. There are enough places around to where you are bound to find something you love.

1. The Oklahoma Aquarium

When you visit the Oklahoma Aquarium, you step into a fantastical underwater world, right here in Tulsa County. Witness eight exhibit galleries full of lake, river, and ocean fish and other aquatic creatures. Whether local aquatic life, or more exotic displays, such as their extreme fishes exhibit, the Oklahoma aquarium houses such beautifully diverse habitats that both children and adults will find themselves in awe. Of all their exhibits, the greatest is, without a doubt, the shark tunnel, which houses over twenty sharks. If you get hungry after all that excitement, the Oklahoma Aquarium even has a café for its guests, too. Stop by, and get swept up by this aquatic wonderland.

2. The Tulsa Zoo

If you love wildlife, the Tulsa Zoo is the place to visit. With around 1500 animals from as many as 436 species, you can see many stunning exhibits on all 78 acres. There is even more to do there than look at animals, though. They host Zookeeper chats, have train rides to see the zoo in a different way, and they even have a petting zoo for younger children. When you need to eat, stop by their café, which overlooks the tigers. Now you can eat, and still enjoy the wildlife. With the Tulsa Zoo’s helpful guides and exciting exhibits, be prepared for a day full of adventure.

3. TU Football

The University of Tulsa is an impressive campus, and they have a football team to match. The Golden Hurricanes are great players, and if you get a chance to watch a them play, be sure to take that opportunity. The historic Skelly Field at H. A. Chapman Stadium alone is worth seeing. Built back in 1930, this stadium currently can house 30,000 adoring fans. If you love football, then watching a TU game should be at the top of your list for things to do in Tulsa.

4. Tulsa Stained Glass

If you are looking for a place which provides custom stained-glass work, beautiful glass gifts, or an abundance of fun classes and events to attend, Tulsa Stained Glass is the place to go. They have a beautiful showroom, showcasing their collection of artfully crafted pieces, so if you love art, this is where you belong. They also house the Art Event Center, multi-function space perfect for parties, but if you want to go by yourself, Tulsa Stained Glass offers solo activities for individuals, too. You can participate in a variety of stained-glass painting and design projects, so stop on by to get your fill of the master craftsmanship. A true Tulsa treasure as it is a locally owned and operated Art Studio open to the public, with hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of beautiful stained glass creations.

5. The Tulsa Tunnels

Back in the days of Al Capone of John Dillinger, the rich and powerful in Downtown Tulsa needed a way to get around safely, away from gangsters and other organized crime. Many people walk along the streets and have no idea of the whole network of tunnels just beneath their feet. You can book tours online, but if you are ever visiting any of the buildings that connect to the tunnels, ask someone who works there about them. They might have some good stories to tell about the tunnels, or maybe even show the entrances to you.

6. The Center of the Universe

In Downtown Tulsa, there is a brick circle, whose center is no larger than 30 ft. in diameter called the Center of the Universe. Step into the center, and you can hear an amazing acoustic phenomenon. If you say something, it will echo back to you at a much higher volume, but people outside the circle will hear next to nothing. While not an all-day stop, it makes for a fun curiosity to visit when you are exploring Tulsa.

7. The Tulsa Air and Space Museum

The Tulsa Air and Space Museum is a great place to learn more about Oklahoma’s aviation history. You can see and learn about some of the earliest aircraft, and about Oklahoma’s involvement in WWII. Find out about Tulsa’s contributions to the Space Race, and even witness experimental aircraft, to see what our future of aviation might be. When you stop in, be sure to take a look at the James E. Bertelsmeyer Planetarium, and see some videos and interactive programs to help you discover more about the depths of space.

8. The Tulsa Performing Arts Center

If you love musicals, comedy, opera, drama, or just theater in general, the Tulsa Performing Arts Center is the place for you. No matter what time of year it is, there will be a show on that you can enjoy. It is located in a convenient spot, too, right in the Blue Dome District, giving you plenty of options for dining out afterwards. If you like art, the Tulsa Performing Arts Center even hosts an art gallery. At the PAC, you can experience a little slice of Broadway, right here in Downtown Tulsa.

9. Philbrook Museum of Art

The Philbrook Museum of Art is a great place to get your fill of beautiful, creative art pieces. While you can find art from all over the world there, the crown jewel of their pieces is their collection of Native American art, jewelry, baskets, and pottery. After spending the day inside looking at the wonderful artistry, you can get some fresh air in their expansive gardens, inspired by the work of Giacomo Barozzi da Vignola.

10. ONEOK Field

ONEOK Field, the home of the Tulsa Drillers, is a state of the art stadium where you can go enjoy America’s favorite pastime. Found in the Greenwood District of Tulsa, during baseball season you can watch a baseball game while taking in the gorgeous view of the Tulsa skyline. There are numerous seating options to fit your needs, and plenty of dining options so you aren’t just limited to hotdogs and popcorn (though there’s plenty of that too). As an added bonus, the prices for seating go for reasonable rates, so you won’t have to break the bank to enjoy an afternoon out at the old ballgame.