Here's Why Tulsa, Oklahoma Is Worth Adding To Your Bucket List

Tulsa is Oklahoma's second-largest city and is considered the state's arts and culture capital. It has among the largest Art Deco architectural collections in the nation. The River Parks and the Arkansas River, are the city's most iconic natural features. The river flows through downtown to Tulsa's west side area, and the River Park trails lead up to the Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area. The city grew out of the early 20th-century oil boom.

Up to 1900, Tulsa's economy was sustained by cattle ranching and agriculture and had a population of 1390 people. But in 1901 after oil was discovered in Red Fork in South West Tulsa, the city's economy boomed. In 1915 when more oil was discovered Tulsa was dubbed the oil capital of the world. By 1920 the population had grown to 72,075 and the economy kept diversifying. Today, Tulsa is a vibrant city endowed with recreational sites and activities suited for all people which makes it worth exploring.

Learn European and indigenous North and South American history at the Gilcrease and Philbrook Museums

For history lovers, Tulsa has two museums worth visiting to learn about North and South American and European history.

The Gilcrease Museum was founded in 1949 by oil baron Thoman Gilcrease, who collected American west art and historical documents. The museum has over 350, 000 historical artifacts representing North and South American indigenous cultures. These date back to 12,000 BCE to the 21st century. Collections include American sculptures, paintings, and paper art that are over 350 years old. The Gilcrease Museum grounds are free and open to the public daily from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. The museum offers annual registration plans that allow members access privileges to special events or lectures.

Set on 25 acres of gardens, the Philbrook Museum of Art opened in 1939 in the former 72 room, home of oil baron Waite Phillips and his wife Genevieve. The couple had given it to Tulsa residents as a gift in 1938. The Philbrook Museum has over 16,000 artifacts of American, Native American, and European heritage. The museum's well-manicured garden designs have made the museum to be named the most beautiful place in Oklahoma by House Beautiful Magazine.

The gardens have sitting areas where visitors soak in the lush ambiance. Many gardens there can also be accessed with mobility devices and wheelchairs. The gardens produce herbs served in the museum's kitchen. There also are beehives that produce artisanal honey visitors can buy at the museum shop.

Cost

Adults: $12

Indulge your tonal intellect with classical music from the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra

The Tulsa Symphony Orchestra (TSO) is a multicultural collection of classical musicians that mostly perform at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center. It is located at the corner of Third Street and Cincinnati Avenue in downtown Tulsa. Seasonally TSO holds over 30 main classical music performances to over 55,000 people. Renowned musicians, TSO collaborates include Wynton Marsalis, Hanson, Rachel Barton Pine, Joshua Bell, Robin Sutherland, Yefim Bronfman, Sarah Coburn, and Amy Grant.

TSO performances include symphonic poetry. Aside from showcasing high-level musical excellence, TSO serves as an avenue for addressing past and prevailing racial issues among different Tulsa communities and encouraging unity and tolerance. Tickets to TSO are in high demand and early booking is advisable. The ticket prices range from $20 to $75.

Marvel at deep-sea wonders and monsters at the Oklahoma Aquarium

The Oklahoma Aquarium is a 72,000 square meter facility nestled on 66 acres of land along the west bank of the Arkansas River in Jenks City, Tulsa. Founded by Doug Kemper and doctor PR Ramey it opened to the public in 2003. At the facility, tourists marvel at deep-sea monsters and wonders in different capacity water tanks, while strolling. The shark adventure tank has 380,000 gallons of salty water. The tank has a tunnel, visitors walk under and observe the bull and nurse sharks swimming. The sea turtle island is another 58,000-gallon water tank where visitors watch the loggerhead sea turtle, and other fishes including one with a beak, from above and below.

The 65,000 gallon, Polynesian Reef tank has over 50 colorful fish species such as hogfish, butterflyfish, parrotfish, angelfish, wrasse, rabbitfish, and damselfish, and the green moray eel. There is also the Ozark stream that's a habitat for river otters, beavers, and raccoon mammals. The Oklahoma Aquarium has a playground with bridges, slides, and climbers for children of up to 12 years. Tickets can be booked online and remain valid for up to a year if visitors don't visit immediately.

Cost

Adults: $18.95
Children (3 to 12 years) $14.95
Military (with valid ID) $14.95
Seniors (62 and older) $14.95

Explore the enchanting rustic River Parks nature trails

River Parks is an expansive nature trail adjacent to the Arkansas River stretch running through Tulsa. It's a quick, relaxing getaway from the bustling Tulsa downtown. River Parks is an outdoor recreational paradise with rustic trails running through parks, sculptures, fountains, and playgrounds. Its eclectic landscape has manicured green spaces and rugged terrain stretching to the Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness. Along the River Park, are dual trails, for rollerblading, disc golfing, jogging, hiking, and cycling. There are also children's climbing boulders and playgrounds. On the Arkansas river fishing, rowing, and kayaking activities are done.

Visitors to trails leading to Turkey Mountain need to wear warm clothes and strong shoes and carry drinking water. The trails are rough and rocky and hikers can be grazed by poison ivy, thorny brush, or be tripped by exposed tree roots. The River Parks trail is free to use but events get charged. Along the trail, are a restaurant and cafe where tourists stopover for food and drinks.

Visit the Tulsa Zoo and help protect wildlife

Tulsa Zoo, unlike most zoos, offers visitors an opportunity to see endangered animals and support the conservation of over 360 wildlife-related projects around the world. Visitors gate fee supports the conservation of giraffes in Tanzania, songbirds in Indonesia, monarch butterflies in Tulsa, snow leopards in the Himalayas, and many more.

At the Tulsa Zoo, visitors get to see other endangered wildlife such as: