Get to Know Tulsa
Welcome to Tulsa
Tulsa is the second-largest city in the state of Oklahoma and the 45th-most populous city in the U.S., with a population over 400,000 and close to one million residents in its metropolitan area. Tulsa is situated on the Arkansas River between the Osage Hills and the foothills of the Ozark Mountains in northeast Oklahoma, a region of the state known as "Green Country" which was considered Indian Territory.
Nowadays, Tulsa's economy has diversified to include finance, aviation, telecommunications, and technology. It’s considered the cultural and arts center of Oklahoma, as it houses two art museums, Philbrook and Gilcrease Museum, with the world’s greatest collection of western art, professional opera and ballet companies, and a thriving Arts District within its downtown.Tulsa is well-known for being the “Oil capital of the World” for most of the 20th-century, playing a major role as one of the main hubs for the American oil industry. The city's success in the energy industry prompted construction booms in the popular Art Deco style. Multiple architectural landmarks in the Art Deco District, reflected the prosperous local oil industry of the time.
Brady Arts District -Photo by Daniel Jeffries
Tulsa has been called one of America's most livable large cities by Partners for Livable Communities, Forbes, and Relocate America, and it was ranked among the top 50 best cities in the United States by BusinessWeek.
WHAT DOES TULSA OFFER?
- A wide variety of dining experiences. Whether you enjoy barbecue, burger joints, high-quality steaks and seafood, artisanal breweries or ethnic cuisine, Tulsa has it all! Big plus - Attendees that stay at the Hyatt Conference Hotel get 10% off at any McNellie's restaurant!
- Various entertainment and shopping districts and landmarks. You can enjoy an art crawl at the Tulsa Arts District, a walk around Kendall-Whittier main street, a night out at the Blue Dome District, concert at the Historic Cain’s Ballroom, a trip to the Tulsa Zoo, or a leisure drive along Route 66.
- If architecture interests you, go to the Art Deco District and visit landmarks such as the Mayo Hotel, The Philcade and Philtower building. You can also stop by the Arena District and check out the BOK Center, a contemporary, high-tech style building designed by internationally acclaimed architect Cesar Pelli; and the Tulsa Central Library, a contemporary project that was selected for the 2018 National American Institute of Architects (AIA) Library Building Award.
- For a cultural night out in Downtown, go to the Tulsa Performing Arts Center, which attracts multiple Broadway musicals, renowned musicians and local theater productions, as well as the Tulsa Ballet.
Downtown Tulsa - Photo by Daniel Jeffries
- During the day, visit Philbrook and Gilcrease Museums, which accommodate the world’s greatest collection of western art.
- If you are into sports or are an outdoors person, you can attend a baseball game at ONEOK field, catch an Ice Oiler Hockey or Tulsa Roughneck Soccer game, or visit the Turkey Mountain Wilderness Area for a morning hike. The Tulsa area offers more than 80 miles of pedestrian and bicycle trails, offering an adventurous view of Tulsa.
- If you enjoy parks, make sure you visit Guthrie Green in the Tulsa Arts District, named one of APA’s Great Places in America, under the Public Spaces category. Guthrie Green is an example of the successful conversion of a blighted industrial site into a vibrant urban community space that helps drive economic development in a formerly sleepy downtown neighborhood.Guthrie Green hosts multiple family events throughout the year, so make sure you catch one!
- Don’t forget to stop by the Gathering Place, a $465-million, world-class park located on 66 acres of central Tulsa, which opened last September after years of planning, generous donations, and input from the community. Tulsa’s Gathering Place was named the Best New Attraction in the Nation in 2018 through the USA Today Readers’ Choice Awards.
Tulsa is booming, so we hope you enjoy your stay and come back soon!
Philbrook Museum- Photo by Daniel Jeffries
Helpful Links
City of Tulsa
Gathering Place
The Tulsa Voice
TravelOK
Tulsa World
Tulsa Convention & Visitors Bureau