48 Hours in Tulsa

If you’ve never been to Tulsa, you might be surprised by the richness this northeastern Oklahoma city has to offer. Shaped by an early 20th-century oil boom, the resilience of Black Wall Street, and the deep-rooted heritage of Native Americans who arrived via the Trail of Tears, Tulsa is a city layered with history and culture. Visit Tulsa for just two days—and discover a destination full of outdoor adventures, powerful stories, and unexpected charm.

Day 1

Be part of the energy driving Tulsa’s nearly $2 billion downtown revitalization movement—restoring historic buildings and reactivating the urban core—by staying at Hotel Indigo Tulsa Downtown,  where the city’s oil boom-era heritage comes to life through curated artwork and authentic artifacts, , such as oilfield photos, rusty pieces of oil excavation machinery and a 1901 map of Oklahoma Territory.

Start your morning with coffee and a cinnamon roll at Topeca Coffee Roasters, a family-owned farm-to-cafe operation with roots in El Salvador. For a heartier breakfast, walk to Dilly Diner for a fresh-made frittata or huevos rancheros.

Next, head to Turkey Mountain for a trail hike. This urban wilderness area features more than 300 acres of undeveloped property with marked trails ranging from a .8-mile loop to a 5.7-mile zig-zag route. Interesting features include a sandstone staircase and Eva’s Rock, where Eva Longoria allegedly napped while filming the rom-com film Unplugging. If you’d rather ride the trails, rent a mountain bike from Tom’s Bicycles.

After a bit of outdoor adventure, it’s time for some culture that’ll take you indoors. Tulsa has too many museums to pack into two days, so you’ll need to pick based on your interest.

For music lovers

Head to the Tulsa Arts District to explore two exceptional museums honoring music legends. Start at the Bob Dylan Center, where fans can dive into rare recordings, handwritten lyrics, and immersive exhibits. Just a short walk away, the Woody Guthrie Center offers an intimate look at the folk hero’s life, featuring his original notebooks, guitars, and more. Cap off the experience with a visit to the Cain’s Ballroom, a historic venue where punk icon Sid Vicious famously once punched a hole in the green room wall.

For visual arts enthusiasts

The Philbrook Museum of Art, a 1920s Italian Renaissance-style villa once home to oil tycoon Waite Phillips. Inside, you’ll find an eclectic and world-class collection that includes Bouguereau’s The Shepherdess, modernist works by Picasso and Milton Avery, and Native American art reflecting the region’s heritage. Be sure to make time to stroll the lush grounds inspired by Versailles.

For those fascinated by Native history and culture:

The Gilcrease Museum at the University of Tulsa showcases the rich heritage of hundreds of Indigenous cultures from North America and South America through a comprehensive collection of arts, artifacts, and archaeology. Highlights include intricate beadwork, pottery, and historic manuscripts that bring Native stories to life across centuries.

For 80’s film buffs

Step back into cinematic history with The Outsiders House Museum, located in the actual home where Francis Ford Coppola filmed scenes from the The Outsiders. The museum is a time capsule of teenage rebellion, leather jackets, and greaser pride, packed with behind-the-scenes photos, movie props, costumes, and signed memorabilia.

For lovers of Americana and roadside nostalgia

Tulsa will welcome a bumper crop of Americana lovers visiting next year when Route 66 celebrates its centennial. Twenty-eight miles of the iconic road runs through Tulsa. Have fun learning Route 66 history at Route 66 Village, or follow the road 20 minutes east to see fan favorite roadside attraction the Blue Whale of Catoosa. Zoologist Hugh S. Davis built this 80-foot sculpture for families to enjoy. If you have a lot of energy, visit Tulsa in November to run in the annual Route 66 Marathon. This year’s medallion features the blue whale!

For dinner, head to The Vault, which resides in the historic First National Auto Bank—once the world’s largest auto bank, boasting six drive-through lanes. Today, the beloved downtown dining spot serves everything pulled-pork sopes to vegan fried-chicken sandwiches. If you’re craving Mexican cuisine instead, nearby Elote Café & Catering is known for its lively atmosphere and locally sourced ingredients.

For dessert, grab a lavender honey or vegan chocolate cone from Rose Rock Microcreamery, perfect for savoring as you wander through the Deco District. Back in Tulsa’s oil boom in the early 20th century, the city built up an eye-catching collection of art deco architecture that still gives the area its unique charm.

Day 2

Start your day with house-roasted coffee and pastry at Chimera Cafe, an industrial-chic gathering spot with a laid-back local vibe.

To truly know Tulsa, you must reckon with its past. In 1921, white supremacists destroyed the thriving African American community of Greenwood—known as Black Wall Street—in one of the deadliest racial attacks in US history.  Today, this history is powerfully honored at the Greenwood Rising Black Wall Street History Center, where immersive exhibits invite visitors to reflect, learn, and carry the story forward.

Spend the afternoon getting some fresh air at the Gathering Place, one of the most extraordinary public parks you may ever visit. Spanning 66 acres along the Arkansas River, this award-winning space offers free amenities such as scenic trails, sports courts, imaginative play areas for kids, kayak rentals, a small zipline, and both indoor and outdoor hangout spots.

As evening falls, make your way to Mother Road Market, a vibrant community space and food hall that champions local chefs and makers. Browse unique shops, sample creative dishes, and catch a sunset view from the market’s back patio—which sometimes hosts live music that can add the perfect soundtrack to your meal.

End your time in Tulsa with a visit to the Golden Driller, a 76-foot-tall golden statue of an oil field worker that stands as a tribute to Oklahoma’s pivotal role in the American oil industry. Originally constructed in 1953 for the International Petroleum Exposition and permanently installed in 1966, the Golden Driller today stands proudly in front of the Tulsa Expo Center—roughly a 10-minute drive from downtown.  It’s especially striking at sunset, offering a symbolic and memorable conclusion to your journey through Tulsa’s past and present.