Downtown

Tulsa’s downtown is set near the river, so rather than being the geographical center of town, it is located in the north central section. Much of the district is pleasant to walk in, especially the Main Mall, which is a pedestrian-only area around 5th Street and Main Street. This area serves as the focal point of many downtown events, such as Mayfest, and features decorative waterways and sitting-places, as well as a number of restaurants and cafes. Many of the older buildings downtown are ornate remnants of the extravagant oil boom days. The Hotel Ambassador, a Tulsa landmark, actually began life as a temporary housing facility for oil tycoons who were building their mansions. Functioning as a full-service hotel these days, it gives its guests a taste of the luxury of the glory days. Like many growing metropolitan cities,

Vision 2025, a comprehensive economic and tourism development initiative, was city leaders’ response to an economic downturn during a national recession in the early 2000s. The initiative promised to recreate recently lost jobs and rapidly increase job development over the next decade. The crown jewel of Vision 2025 projects, the BOK Center, the 18,000-seat arena currently under construction in downtown Tulsa, was designed to be an architectural icon of the city. Leaders hope the arena will spur downtown development.

Midtown

The west central portion of Tulsa, known as midtown, begins just south of the downtown area until about 51st Street and extends east toward Memorial Drive. This part of the city is home to some of Tulsa’s oldest and most popular business establishments and neighborhoods. The streets are lined with classic houses dating to the Art Deco period and earlier. There are some mansions in the area, especially near the Arkansas River, where old-money families lived and, in some cases, still live. This upscale history survives today at Utica Square at 21st Street and Utica, which is still known as Tulsa’s chic place to shop. Woodward Park, Philbrook Museum and other landmarks only add to the district’s character.

Several of Tulsa’s most popular neighborhoods are found in midtown. Brookside, Cherry Street and Expo Square are the three most worth mentioning. The area known as Brookside extends from the Arkansas River east to about Peoria. Its defining strip is South Peoria between 31st and 41st Streets, where visitors find a variety of shopping delights, fabulous restaurants (many with patio seating) and a bustling nightlife. The atmosphere is chic and eclectic, appealing to a younger, more progressive set. Scenic Riverside Drive, which parallels the east bank of the river, and River Parks, the park that stretches along the riverbank, are also popular sections of Brookside. The Cherry Street District is set near downtown in the northern midtown area, defined by a portion of 15th Street dubbed “Cherry Street.” Visitors to this neighborhood find great shopping, particularly antiques and collectibles, a variety of local eateries, as well as some fabulous old homes in the surrounding residential areas. The Expo Square complex, between Harvard and Yale on 21st Street, encompasses the huge Expo Center and Pavilion, Big Splash Water Park, Bell’s Amusement Park, Drillers Stadium (home of the Tulsa Drillers baseball team) and more. This one area has more things to do per square foot than anywhere else in town, especially during the summer months. There is almost always some sort of exhibit or show going on, and the Tulsa State Fair makes its home here every autumn.

North Tulsa

The main highlights of north Tulsa are the Tulsa International Airport and the massive Mohawk Park, which includes the Tulsa Zoo and other outdoor activities. The airport area includes numerous hotels and highway junctions to other parts of the city, with downtown being the most accessible. Also found near the airport is the Tulsa Air and Space Center, which is a great educational, hands-on museum for kids and adults.

South Tulsa

This part of town, south of 51st Street and east of the Arkansas River, is where Tulsa’s new growth is. The Oral Roberts University complex and the Prayer Tower are in the neighborhood, as well as the highly popular Mabee Center arena and the CityPlex Towers (the tallest building in Tulsa). In the eastern sector, at 71st Street and Memorial, is Woodland Hills Mall and mile after mile of shopping centers extend along 71st Street toward Broken Arrow. This has become one of the busiest and most popular areas of Tulsa in recent years. In addition, south Tulsa contains some of the most beautiful homes in town, many of them having been built recently. Particularly worth noting is the Southern Hills area, which, as the name suggests, consists of numerous neighborhoods built in the rolling green hills of south Tulsa. Some of the mansions are landmarks worth visiting in their own right, and many have spectacular views.

East Tulsa

This part of town is generally defined as being east of Memorial Drive and north of Broken Arrow and 71st Street. Although most of Tulsa’s attractions are in other sectors of the city, there are some hotels near the freeways here, and a few points of interest, such as Eastland Mall on 21st Street and the Carl Smith Sports complex. This part of town seems to place an emphasis on youth and amateur sports. Several sports facilities can be found among the aluminum industrial buildings here, including an indoor soccer club and an ice skating rink.

West Tulsa

Much of Tulsa’s major industry can be found here, such as the huge electric plant along the river’s west bank, and other manufacturing companies around the railroad tracks and old Route 66. The hills in the northwest corner of this district hold the Gilcrease Museum complex, one of the finest donation-only museums around. Just west of town is Sand Springs and its famous Discoveryland outdoor amphitheater. This part of town isn’t always as pretty as the more trendy neighborhoods, but those looking for a true sense of Tulsa’s history will find it here.

Outlying Areas

Not all the great things in Tulsa are actually in Tulsa proper. A short drive northeast along historic Route 66 takes you to Claremore, the home of Will Rogers, and one of the fastest-growing towns in Oklahoma. Various historical sites dot this area, such as the Will Rogers Memorial, his birthplace in nearby Oologah, and the J.M. Davis Arms and Historical Museum. A short drive west of Tulsa takes you to Sapulpa, where you will find the famous Frankoma Pottery Factory and Sand Springs, home of Discoveryland. A little further west takes you to the popular Lake Keystone and just southwest of Tulsa is the historic town of Jenks, which is an antique-shopping hotbed.