Tulsa

Welcome to the 918: Where the Deco is Fancy and the People are… Actually Super Nice.

So, you’ve found yourself with a ticket to Tulsa. Maybe it was a cheap flight, a questionable dare, or a deep-seated desire to see where the “Oil Capital of the World” hides all its… well, oil. Whatever the reason, buckle up, buttercup. You’re about to discover that Tulsa is the cool, artsy cousin of the Midwest that nobody told you about. It’s a city that wears its history on its sleeve—a sleeve that’s probably on a vintage denim jacket, to be honest.

Fun Facts That’ll Make You the Hit of Your Next Party (or at least a trivia night)

• The Town With a (Drill) Bit of a God Complex: Tulsa is home to Oral Roberts University, famed for its 200-foot-tall, spaceship-looking prayer tower and the 60-foot-tall bronze statue of praying hands that look like they could crush a small car. It’s a sight so gloriously bizarre you simply have to see it to believe it.
• A Fistful of Dollars (and a Side of Art): All that black gold money had to go somewhere. In the 1920s, Tulsa had more millionaires per capita than any other city on the planet. They spent their riches building downtown, which is now one of the nation's largest collections of Art Deco architecture. It’s like the Great Gatsby threw up, and it was fabulous.
• The Outsiders Were Insiders Here: That classic novel and movie you maybe skimmed in high school? Francis Ford Coppola’s 1983 film The Outsiders was filmed right here in Tulsa. You can even stay at the Curtis House, the actual boarding house where the Greasers lived. Stay gold, Ponyboy.

Get in My Belly: The Tulsa Food Tour

You cannot, and I repeat, cannot leave without trying these:

• Oklahoma Onion Burger: This isn't just a burger with onions on it. This is a Depression-era masterpiece where thinly sliced onions are smashed into the beef patty on the griddle, creating a caramelized, juicy, flavor explosion. It’s messy, it’s glorious, and you’ll need five napkins.
• Fried Pie: A handheld, half-moon of perfection. Flaky crust filled with everything from classic apple to adventurous chocolate chip. It’s the official pastry of “I-deserve-a-treat,” and you can find them at local legends like Tally’s Good Food Café.
• Anything from a “You-Drive-Through” Liquor Barn: This is less a specific food and more a cultural experience. Oklahoma has these magnificent drive-through liquor stores that are the size of airplane hangars. It’s a uniquely Tulsan way to stock up for a picnic in the Gathering Place.

The “I Only Have 24 Hours” Itinerary (Don’t Panic)

• Morning: Grab a life-changing coffee and pastry at Hodges Bend. Then, head to the Philbrook Museum of Art. It’s a stunning Italianate villa (former oil baron’s home) with gardens so beautiful you’ll forget you’re in Oklahoma.
• Afternoon: Get that iconic onion burger at Bill's Jumbo Burger or Claud’s. Then, work it off by exploring the Gathering Place, a world-class, jaw-droppingly cool riverfront park. Seriously, this park has its own hype man.
• Evening: Wander through the Deco District downtown and feel like a flapper or a gangster. For dinner, dive into upscale comfort food at The Tavern or incredible Basque-inspired small plates at NOLA’s. Cap the night with a craft cocktail at the swanky, speak-easy style Valkyrie.

Expectation vs. Reality: The Tulsa Edition

• Expectation: A dusty, tumbleweed-blown prairie town where everyone says “y’all” and rides horses to the saloon.
• Reality: A surprisingly lush, green city with an incredible collection of Art Deco skyscrapers, a world-class park, a thriving arts district, and people who say “y’all” while drinking a perfectly crafted latte. (The horses are optional.)

The Local’s Cheat Sheet: How to Not Look Like a Tourist

• Transport: You need a car. Or a robust rideshare budget. Tulsa is spread out. It’s just a fact.
• Etiquette: Be cool and chatty. Tulsans are friendly. Your barista, the person next to you in line, a random stranger on the street—they might just strike up a conversation. Lean into it.
• Hidden Gems: Skip the big chains.
  • For a weird and wonderful dive bar experience, hit up The Max Retropub (arcade games!) or The Saturn Room (tiki drinks!).
  • For shopping, wander the Mother Road Market (food hall + local vendors) or Ida Red for awesome Tulsa-themed gifts.
  • For a true local’s night, catch a show at the legendary Cain’s Ballroom, a historic dance hall that’s hosted everyone from Bob Wills to The Sex Pistols.

So, Should You Go?

Absolutely. Tulsa is a city that will completely shatter your expectations. It’s a place of deep history, surprising beauty, and a genuinely creative, welcoming spirit. It’s not trying to be Austin or Nashville; it’s perfectly, proudly itself. So book the trip, order the onion burger, and get ready to have a genuinely awesome time. You’ll be planning your return visit before you’ve even left.