Downtown Tulsa - Tulsa, OK Area Guide

Once a settlement for uprooted Native American tribes and arriving settlers, downtown Tulsa developed in the late 1800s as a major trading post and cattle town after the Civil War. The area gradually grew into the booming city that it is today with a strong aircraft and aerospace industry.

Cultural attractions are around every corner in downtown Tulsa. Head to the Philbrook Museum's downtown satellite location in the Brady Arts District to explore a collection modern art. Visit the Woody Guthrie Center to learn about the legendary folk singer's life, or check out the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame. See a theatrical performance at the historic Cain’s Ballroom or Brady Theater. Watch the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra, the Tulsa Opera or the Tulsa Ballet perform at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center. Annual events in the downtown area include the Free Tulsa Music Festival and the Rock 'n Rib Festival.

The restaurants in downtown Tulsa reflect the diversity and sophistication of this exciting neighborhood. In the stylish Deco District, The Vault restaurant offers an eclectic setting in a historic bank. The vintage mid-century style and unique layout make this restaurant a standout in the neighborhood. The menu features 1950s dishes that have been updated with a decidedly modern twist. Try menu favorites such as the The Vault pasta, the vegetarian shepherd’s pie or the chicken and waffles. Be sure to try The Vault's amazing cocktails, like the banker’s wife, which combines vodka, lemon juice and seltzer water, or the fish house punch, which includes rum, cognac, lemon juice and peach brandy.

Enjoy a contemporary farm to table experience at the Tallgrass Prairie Table in the Blue Dome entertainment district. The upscale restaurant features both local and globally inspired cuisines with most ingredients sourced from area farms and ranches. The ever-changing menu has included creative items like twice-cooked pork cheeks, slow-roasted bone marrow and the pork shoulder confit. In the Brady Arts district, Chimera offers high-quality coffee, sandwiches and small plates with many vegan and vegetarian-friendly options. Try the popular bison street tacos, or the vegan coconut curry tacos. The cafe also has a large menu of creative lattes and coffees from around the world.

While you can find nightlife options all over the downtown area, the nine squares block known as the Blue Dome entertainment district is packed with bars, lounges and live music venues. At Enso Bar, enjoy creative cocktails and wine in an upscale lounge atmosphere. At its sister establishment, Electric Circus, dance the night away on the massive dance floor. This premiere Tulsa nightclub features a colorful, fun lighting system and an epic sound system. Indulge in German beers and bratwurst at Fassler Hall, while listening to live local bands on the weekends. Be sure to try their famous duck fat fries, which are free on weekdays with any food purchase in the afternoons. Play classic video games from the '80s at The Max Retropub, Tulsa’s popular bar and arcade combination. The pub hosts weekly events, including Free Play Tuesdays.

As a somewhat walkable neighborhood, you can explore most of the downtown’s districts on foot, especially the compact Bok Center, Deco and Blue Dome Districts. However, you may want to drive or take public transportation when traveling between districts.

Tulsa has a comprehensive public transportation system, Tulsa Transit, which provides bus service all over the city, especially in the downtown area. However, it is not considered the most convenient way to get around outside of the neighborhood, as service is more limited in other areas.

Generally, Tulsa is a car-dependent city and getting into and around the downtown area by car could not be easier. Enclosed by an inner-dispersal loop, you can get into downtown via the surrounding highways 75, 412, 65 and Interstate 244. Portions of historic Route 66 also run along the southern section of the neighborhood. While traditional cabs are readily available, it’s not easy to hail one, and you must call well in advance when you need one. Uber offers a much faster and easier ride-sharing option, however. On Friday and Saturday evenings, you can hop on the Tulsa Downtown Trolley for a free ride to Tulsa’s entertainment districts and major points of interest.

A relatively bike-friendly neighborhood, downtown Tulsa has many bike lanes, a flat terrain and an easy grid system that makes riding around on two wheels pretty safe. The city also has a bike-share program, Rack-n-Roll, operated by Tulsa Transit, which allows you to borrow a bike for free from the Denver Avenue Station for up to 24 hours.

Guthrie Green, the city’s premier urban park, draws many downtown residents with its garden oasis look and variety of outdoor activities and events. The park has several tree-lined walking and biking paths, a spacious lawn and artistic water features, including a splash pad. There’s also a state-of-the-art performance stage for events like free concerts and movies under the stars. Regular events at the park include Food Truck Wednesdays and Fitness on the Green, a series of free outdoor fitness classes.The park also plays host to the annual Festival Americas, a multicultural celebration of Tulsa’s Latino culture.

Nearby in the northeast corner of the neighborhood is Reconciliation Park, part of the John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation, created to memorialize the 1921 Tulsa Race Riot. The beautifully designed park features statues and a tower that represent the issues and turmoil that occurred during the time. The park also has ample areas for quiet reflection and relaxation.

While the overall cost of living in Tulsa is 11 percent lower than the national average, housing in the downtown area costs considerably more than other areas. As the center of entertainment and commerce in Tulsa, the growing demand to live in this vibrant neighborhood keeps the housing market tight. Expect to pay an average rental rate of $1,125 for a one-bedroom apartment in downtown Tulsa.

Getting into and around the downtown area via public transportation costs only $1.50 per ride. Driving into the neighborhood is fairly affordable, as gas prices in Tulsa are about 17 percent lower than the national average. Beer at a local pub typically costs between $3 and $5.

Independent and local define much of the shopping opportunities in downtown Tulsa. Each entertainment district has a number of unique shops to explore.

The Blue Dome District includes the Dwelling Spaces, a creative and fun shop that carries home decor and accessories you can't find anywhere else, and the stylish Simply clothing boutique. In the Brady Arts District, check out the handmade fashion and home goods of local artists at Colors of Etnika. Indulge in gourmet truffles and other sweets at the independently owned Glacier Confections.

Stop in at Abbey's Hallmark Shop to pick up gifts and cards for any special occasion. If Glacier Confections didn't satisfy your sweet tooth, Abbey's also has chocolates of all flavors, gourmet truffles and holiday candies. Residents shop here often to sample fresh baked cookies and other seasonal and holiday treats.

While no grocery stores lie within the downtown area, several scatter throughout the surrounding neighborhoods. A year-round farmer's market in the heart of the downtown area opens on Tuesday mornings, and a market at Guthrie Green Park opens on Sundays from mid-spring to late fall.