Arts & Culture

Tulsans are surrounded by fine art, cultural experiences and moving performances. After all, Tulsa is home to some of the nation’s most renowned museums and historic theaters. So no matter what your artistic preference, you’ll discover something beautiful.

One of Tulsa’s greatest gems is the Italian Renaissance villa of Waite Phillips — today known as the Philbrook Museum of Art. Considered one the top 50 fine art museums in the country, Philbrook guests can stroll through the historic home and gardens while viewing famous works of art and traveling exhibits. Tulsans can also enjoy Gilcrease Museum, which houses the world’s largest, most comprehensive collection of art and artifacts from the American West. Other local museums include the Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art, the Tulsa Air and Space Museum, the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame and the Greenwood Cultural Center.

The critically acclaimed Tulsa Ballet regularly performs at Tulsa’s Performing Arts Center, along the Tulsa Opera, Tulsa Symphony Orchestra and traveling performances of award-winning musicals and productions.

Music enthusiasts can enjoy their favorite musical acts at the new BOK Center, the Brady Theater and the historic Cain’s Ballroom – the home of Bob Wills. Tulsa is also home to some of the Midwest’s largest festivals – Rocklahoma, Dfest, Mayfest and Oktoberfest.

Attractions & Recreation

Spend your days off work exploring Tulsa with friends and family. Tulsa offers an array of recreational activities and attractions that are sure to leave you refreshed and ready for the work week.

From the penguins at the Tulsa Zoo and Living Museum (voted America’s Favorite Zoo in 2005) to the sharks and fish at the Oklahoma Aquarium, you’ll discover a fun new world. And to cool off during those long, hot days of summer, hit up Big Splash Water Park, home of the Silver Bullet super slide.

For those with a passion for shopping, Tulsa is home to multiple malls and shopping centers, including Utica Square. The village-like design of this Tulsa treasure, offers outdoor, upscale shopping and fine dining.

The Tulsa metro area – living up to its description as “green country” – is resplendent with 150 beautiful parks, including the 45-acre Woodward Park which features botanical and rose gardens. For those who enjoy walking, running and biking, Tulsa’s river includes 20 miles of newly renovated, tree-lined, hard-surface bike and running trails. Turkey Mountain on the west bank of the river has 30 miles of unpaved trails overlooking the downtown Tulsa skyline.

Tulsa is also home to minor league sports teams for baseball, hockey, arena football, basketball and soccer.

Comfortably Cosmopolitan

Tulsa boasts friendly small town charm in an urban environment. As a close-knit community, Tulsans exude southern hospitality, despite that the metro area population is close to one million.

A number of Fortune 500 companies and large financial institutions are headquartered in Tulsa. But local entrepreneurs are also successful. You’ll find that Tulsa is filled with local businesses, boutiques and farmer’s markets.

Luxurious Living

In Tulsa, even the smallest of budgets can go a long way. With one of the country’s lowest costs of living, Tulsa is an economically sound environment in which to buy a home and start a family. Tulsa also has one of the fastest growing job markets with continued expansions in the field of healthcare. And with low unemployment rates, your career as a healthcare professional is secure.

From unique downtown loft apartments and sprawling midtown homes, to the growing suburban areas, everyone has the ability to live luxuriously in Tulsa. And with low rent and mortgage rates, and a low cost of doing business, Tulsa is a prime location for industries to expand and relocate. In fact, Tulsa-area job growth outpaces the state of Oklahoma and the U.S.

A Rich History

Originally settled by the Creek Native Americans in the 1830s, Tulsa quickly grew into the “Oil Capital of the World” after the discovery of a large oil site nearby. And when the Mother Road, Route 66, was built in the 1930s, it only increased the country’s attraction to all things Tulsa. In fact, original Route 66 bridges still remain in Tulsa today.

Tulsa is also known for having one of the largest concentrations of art deco architecture in the country. This distinctive style is seen throughout the older neighborhoods, the midtown area, and downtown, most prominently at the famous Boston Avenue United Methodist Church.

Today, Tulsa is a wonderful blend of ethnicities, religions, tastes and architecture. It’s the perfect place to easily and comfortably blend in, yet still be original.

Higher Education

With 14 higher education institutes in the Tulsa area, including private universities such as The University of Tulsa and Oral Roberts University, opportunities abound to increase your knowledge and experience. Furthermore, with Hillcrest Medical Center’s education reimbursement program, you’ll have no problem finding the right institution to earn your degree in the medical field.

Whether your aim is to discover a new educational path or just brush up on your basics, Tulsa has the colleges, universities and tech schools to help you advance professionally.