US Travel Guide - Tulsa

Tulsa Entertainment

Tulsa is a study in harmony. This area of Oklahoma is known as "Green Country," and Tulsa is its Emerald City. Sunshine abounds throughout the year, so parks and outdoor recreation are a given, but Tulsans often indulge in more cosmopolitan pursuits. More so than in its sister city, Oklahoma City, Tulsa celebrates history and the work of master artists in several museums recognized the world over for their fine collections and exhibits. Residents here do share a passion with their OKC counterparts -- one that seems to have been bred into every Oklahoman -- the love of rough-and-tumble sports. Whether you are seeking an evening of classical entertainment, a sporting excursion or a romp in nature, let Tulsa be your playground.

Artistic Pursuits
In Tulsa, the arts have a character all their own. While the city is as modern as they come, these cultural institutions have a history, a place in Tulsa history all their own. Brady Theater is a perfect example. This distinctive theatre is nearing its centennial and occupies a spot on the National Register of Historic Places, yet the show continues to go on here -- in the form of concerts, plays and local events. Another theatre that has survived through the generations is Theatre Tulsa, a renown playhouse that produces works at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center. The Tulsa Ballet also calls the Performing Arts Center home. The graceful art in motion of classic dance is sure to delight -- whether at a performance of the holiday standard, "The Nutcracker," or at one of the troupes season events. The ballets classical music counterpart is the Tulsa Philharmonic Society. Director Kenneth Jean takes listeners on a symphonic journey through timeless masterpieces and more popular modern works. For a more accessable type of art, look to an Oklahoma Sinfonia concert. This orchestra has long been a community favorite for their brand of fun, contemporary musical stylings.

Museums
When it comes to museums, Tulsa is top-notch. Travelers come from across the state, and some even from across the country, to visit the citys premier collections. The two most well-known institutions are the Gilcrease Museum and the Philbrook Museum of Art. Gilcrease is a favorite of all ages, with its extensive gallery of American and, more specifically, Western art. In addition, the museum houses a collection of historical documents and Native American artifacts. The beauty isn't restricted to the museums interior, either. Gilcrease also encourages visitors to enjoy the grounds' lush gardens -- a landscape that stretches over nearly 500 acres.

The Philbrook has a similarly stellar reputation. Located in the posh mansion of an early Oklahoman oilman, this museum has an extensive assemblage of art by European masters. After touring the galleries, bask in the elegant atmosphere while you dine in the on-site restaurant. For a more specialized look at the world of fine art, take a trip to the Fenster Museum of Jewish Art, which focuses on the creative works of this peoples history. History is also on display at the Tulsa Air and Space Center, a must-see for aviation buffs. With such names as Wiley Post and Will Rogers, Oklahoma often led the way early in aviation history. Here, guests can get up close and personal with vintage models of those great flying machines. For those travelers looking to learn more about Tulsas rich history, the Elsing Museum and Sunbelt Railroad Museum offer visitors a chance to step back in time, exploring the geologic and transportation evolution of the city. In this city, the appreciation of culture isn't limited to art and artifacts -- Macs Antique Car Museum, the Ida Dennie Willis Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys, and the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame are just a few examples of Tulsa irreverent approach. Finally, the museum held most dear in the hearts of Oklahomans can be found just outside of Tulsa, in the town of Claremore. The Will Rogers Memorial and Museum is a comprehensive tribute to the states favorite son -- a Renaissance man of the frontier.

Recreation
Tulsans follow that old adage, "Work hard and play harder." The city is teeming with sites whose aim is to charm the childs heart in all of us. The nucleus of recreation in Tulsa can be found at Expo Square in midtown. In addition to serving as the site for Oklahoma's annual State Fair, the cluster of attractions here includes Bells Amusement Park and Big Splash Water Park. Bells is the place to go to feel like a kid again. Before you realize it, you will have spent the entire afternoon riding the roller coasters and water rides, and maybe even indulging in a sugary sweet or two. Oklahoma summers can be brutal, but when those "dog days of summer" roll around, head to Big Splash Water Park. An afternoon at this oasis in the city will leave you cool and refreshed. You'll be amazed when you visit the famed Tulsa Zoo. Upon entering the gates, guests find themselves in a tropical paradise -- a unique environment in which man can interact with the wild and majestic animals. Visitors of all ages will marvel at the sight of the lithe big cats, impish primates, colorfully plumed birds, and earth-toned reptiles.

The Great Outdoors
The landscape of Tulsa is dotted with parks and preserves -- perfect excursions for the intrepid urban explorer. Two of the favorite activity grounds in the city are La Fortune Park and Mohawk Park. Aside from a wide expanse of green grass and facilities for sporting events, each offers a 36-hole golf course. If you prefer your setting to be more serene, consider Woodward Park, a 40-acre wooded grove sprinkled with native flora and fauna. Beautiful blooms are even more prominent at the adjacent attractions of the Municipal Rose Garden and Tulsa Garden Center. Visitors can stop to smell the roses, but be forewarned, it might take some time -- there are nearly 10,000 rosebushes here! The Garden Center has a conservatory done in a picturesque Victorian style. Red Bud Valley Nature Preserve takes a more natural approach. Its walking trail winds through indigenous Oklahoma foliage to the breathtaking vista of a limestone cavern.

Sporting Events
Tulsans, while a bit less zealous than their neighbors to the south in Oklahoma City, still take their sports very seriously. A Tulsa Oilers hockey game is a perennial hot-ticket event -- the members of this Central Hockey League team play like pros, and the rowdy fans bring the house down cheering their team on to victory. The nights will only get louder once arena football comes to town. The city is now the proud home of the Tulsa Talons, who debuted in the 2000 season. This US football hybrid is a lightning-fast, high-scoring adrenaline ride -- a definite crowd pleaser. For a more refined sporting experience, come watch the ponies run at Fair Meadows Race Track. Baseball is another classic spectator sport, and Tulsans enjoy the great American pastime courtesy of their Tulsa Drillers. From traditional to upstart, a variety of sporting events awaits you in T-town.

Unique to the Tulsa Area
For many non-natives, the image of this state is often tied to the famous Rodgers and Hammerstein Broadway hit, "Oklahoma!" Residents embrace the sweet musical -- its signature theme has even been named the official state song. To truly experience this pop-culture standard you have to see it performed live at Discoveryland! During the summer months, visitors flock to this amphitheater for a hearty barbecue dinner and a night of quality family entertainment. Also worth the drive is the Woolaroc Ranch, Museum & Wildlife Preserve in nearby Bartlesville. Not easily categorized, this attraction combines an art gallery whose pieces reflect an emphasis on Western and Native American culture, an old-fashioned frontier home, and a wildlife range. Guests can tour the 3,600-acre grounds and glimpse the craggy majesty of the Oklahoma buffalo.

Tulsa, Oklahoma's Emerald City, offers visitors so much more than the outdoor adventures apparent on its surface. World sensibilities are imported through exhibits at local museums, yet the local flavor is celebrated as well, at attractions like Discoveryland! and the Will Rogers Memorial and Museum. Whatever your pleasure, T-town likely has an attraction to draw your attention -- whether one of those listed above or the many more found here. Come explore this lively microcosm of natural and cultural possibilities!

L. Niblock