If there’s one truth in this world, it’s that Tulsa has a lot going on. Often overlooked by people as a drive-by city in a fly-over state, Tulsa is a vibrant metropolis in northeastern Oklahoma. Not quite Southern, not quite Midwestern, Tulsa is everything in between and more.
Tulsa is famous for its well-preserved Art Deco architecture, big-booted performing arts scene, and Oklahoma-style barbecue joints. Tulsa is also famous for its rich history of oil production and as the birthplace of iconic Route 66.
Let’s take a look at these 16 things Tulsa is known and famous for.
Table of Contents
1. Street names
Whoever designed Tusla had a plan in mind. Tulsa is known for its curious system of naming streets.
Tulsa’s east-west streets tend to be numbered, as is common in cities in the U.S. But Tulsa wanted to mark its place in the world, deciding to name streets after other cities in North America.
On the east side of town, you’ll find avenues with names like Atlanta, Knoxville, and Cincinnati Avenue. Meanwhile, on the west side, there are streets named after Phoenix, Denver, and Vancouver. You see the trend? West-side streets are named for cities west of Tulsa and vice versa, affirming the city as one in the nation’s heartland.
2. Tulsa tunnels
Underneath Tulsa is a tangled network of pedestrian tunnels that connect office buildings, parking garages, and other sites. Legend has it that the tunnels were used to smuggle alcohol during the Prohibition, but in reality, most tunnels were built decades later.
Exploring a city underground is simply cool, and you can organize a tour of the tunnels to learn more about Tulsa’s history. The tour will also take you to some historic buildings throughout the city.
3. Art Deco architecture
Speaking of historic buildings, Tulsa is famous for Art Deco architecture. The sleek, classy architectural style is seen in buildings all over town, from high schools and social clubs to fire stations and churches.
The Art Deco and similar-styled buildings number in the dozens and, in grand fashion, contributed to what Tulsa is famous for.
4. Disc golf
Heads up, frolfers — Tulsa has one of the best disc golf scenes in the country. Tulsa has a mighty repertoire of courses for its humble size, with 23 across town that are free to access for anyone who wants to hit the links.
Whether you’re an expert or a beginner, Tulsa’s disc golf courses are sure to impress.
5. The Center of the Universe
Tulsa is famous for the Center of the Universe, an aptly-named brick circle that may (or may not) be a rip in the space-time continuum.
While standing in the circle, whatever you say will echo back at you with booming volume. Those standing off to the side won’t hear any sort of echo at all — you’re in your own acoustic bubble, a phenomenon that baffles physicists.
No one knows quite what’s going on here, but that’s okay. Part of the draw of this quirky corner of Tulsa is its mystery.
6. The Gathering Place
At Tulsa’s state-of-the-art riverfront park, Gathering Place, imagination runs wild. It’s the Disneyworld of community spaces, an elaborate and enchanting place I would have loved as a child.
Tulsa is known for Gathering Place, a 66.5-acre park along the Arkansas River. The park’s attractions, installments, and next-level playgrounds foster creativity among Tulsans and visitors alike.
Gathering Place, which opened in 2018, was funded by a generous donation and has become one of the most acclaimed parks in the nation.
7. Oil
Before oil wells were struck in Texas, Saudi Arabia, or Iran, oilmen flocked to Tulsa. Tulsa is famous for its oil history and was once known as the Oil Capital of the World.
Since the middle of the 20th century, Tulsa’s status as a hotbed of oil production has waned. The legacy, however, lives on, as seen in the names of sports teams like the Oilers and the Drillers.
Tulsa is also known for the Golden Driller Statue, the likeness of a 76-foot-tall golden man standing proudly outside the Tulsa Expo Center.
8. Barbecue
Just about everywhere in the southern United States is going to boast about their barbecue, but in Tulsa, the braggadocio is well-earned.
Since Tulsa is located at the intersection of pork and cow country, there’s no debate over pork versus beef barbecue. T-Town BBQ joints smoke, grill, and roast it all, then smother the finely-cooked meats with signature rubs and sauces.
Northeastern Oklahoma’s forests are abundant with the best woods, such as hickory, oak, and maple, that grant such rich flavor to the meats while cooking.
9. Woody Guthrie…
Tulsa was made for you and me and Woody Guthrie. While Guthrie was born in Okemah, a small town about an hour from Tulsa, a museum dedicated to his life and legacy is located in Tulsa.
The Woody Guthrie Museum holds various collections that explore the folk artist’s life, music, and anti-fascist political involvement, among other things. His work has gone on to inspire some of the biggest artists in history.
10. …and other musicians
But Guthrie isn’t the only musician Tulsa is famous for. Country legend Garth Brooks was born in Tulsa, as was David Gates. Gates’ soft rock band Bread reached international popularity turning the 1970s with its timeless tunes.
Tulsa is also known for contemporary artists and bands like indie singer-songwriter St. Vincent, and indie folk band Wilderado.
Additionally, Paul Klein, lead singer of the pop band LANY, and Jacob Sartorious, an Internet personality turned singer after achieving fame on the Musical.ly app (a precursor to TikTok), are from Tulsa.
11. Fine arts museums
Tulsa is known for fine arts museums, such as the Gilcrease Museum and the Philbrook Museum of Art.
Tulsa’s Gilcrease Museum is known for showcasing the world’s largest collection of American West artwork. The collections explore the history of the American West through the artwork of Native Americans, settler colonialists, and other groups.
A stunning Italian Renaissance villa holds the expansive collection of the Philbrook, which draws on art from cultures across the world, including pieces by artists like Giovanni Bellini, Pablo Picasso, and Kehinde Wiley.
Both museums boast extensive gardens that attract thousands of visitors each year.
12. Muscogee (Creek) Nation
Much of Tulsa lies within the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, a federally-recognized confederation of Native American peoples. The members’ ancestors were forcibly displaced to Oklahoma from the southeast by the U.S. Government as part of the Trail of Tears.
The Muscogee peoples have had a significant impact on the culture of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma, especially in the realm of art and cuisine. Many notable people in Tulsa were or are enrolled members of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, such as Thomas Gilcrease, who founded the museum of the same name.
13. Performing arts
Tulsa is famous for its performing arts scene, which includes the acclaimed Tulsa Ballet company, the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra, and several theatre companies. The University of Tulsa has a robust Theatre and Musical Theatre program that attracts some of the best talent in the country.
You can find many of the city’s best performances at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center, a state-of-the-art venue that fosters art in Tulsa.
14. Tulsa race massacre
Tulsa is known for the Tulsa race massacre, one of the worst single acts of racial violence in American history. It is a painful part of the city’s history, but as family members of mine born and raised in Tulsa never learned of it in school, I find it necessary to include it in this list.
In the early 20th century, Tulsa was home to a burgeoning Black community-based in the Greenwood District that was known as “Black Wall Street.” In late May of 1921, frenetic white mobs launched a wide-scale assault on the community.
After two days of violence and destruction, the Greenwood District had been razed and over 10,000 Black Tulsans were left homeless, with dozens killed. In 2020, the event officially became part of Oklahoma’s school curriculum.
15. QuikTrip
In Tulsa, QuikTrip convenience stores are ubiquitous. Forget a Speedway Slurpee — QuikTrip’s slushies, which can be found in a curious range of flavors, are perfect for slaking your thirst on a hot Tulsan summer day.
Tulsa is famous for QuikTrip, which is headquartered in the city. The popular chain has since expanded across the Southwest, South, Southeast, and Midwest with over 900 locations.
16. Route 66
QuikTrip is just one element of the Tulsa automobile culture. The city is nicknamed the “Birthplace of Route 66,” as the highway’s mastermind was a Tulsa businessman.
Route 66 played an important role in the growth of Tulsa. Across town, you can still find remnants of the roadside aesthetic, such as the neon Meadow Gold Sign and the Blue Whale of Catoosa twenty minutes outside Tulsa.
Conclusion
Tulsa is a city with a powerful pulse and a complicated, compelling history. This list shines a light on many things Tulsa is known or famous for, but if you feel we missed something, leave a comment!
How about a mention for Leon Russell!!!
Besides being a member of Joe Cocker’s Mad Dogs and Englishmen, he was a well known L.A. session musician, recorded with Bob Dylan,(who I believe visited Russell’s Church Studios in Tulsa), he was also recognized as one of the pioneers of the “Tulsa sound.
just sayin….
Of all the famous musicians from Tulsa, you forgot to mention the most famous of them all ! Leon Russell. He was key to defining the Tulsa sound as a teenager when he was in a band called the Starlighters. He owned two large recording studios in town. The Church Studio- which you can now tour and it is an active recording studio and the Lake studio. Leon has done more for 20th century music than anyone. Shame on you for leaving him out.
Could refer to “Tulsa” sound formed by J.J Cale an Oklahoma born famous musician
Some politically charged writing. No one asks for a list of atrocities before visiting a city Dingus. No one brags about their cities atrocities either.
LEON RUSSELL!!!
Agree with the other commenters. A big omission of the Tulsa Sound including Leon Russell and J.J. Cale.
how about the King of Tulsa movie?))) im from other part of the world (Kazakhstan) and thanks to Sly now i know the city of Tulsa)