Tulsa came of age in the 1920s, an explosion of Art Deco mansions and skyscrapers built on oil money. The buildings that once earned it the title of “America’s Most Beautiful City” are still there today – Tulsa has one of the highest concentrations of Art Deco architecture in the country.
Admire these ornate buildings in the Deco District, the well-preserved core of downtown. While you’re at it, head over to the Gilcrease Museum, with its focus on American art, or the Philbrook, an art gallery in a 72-room mansion.
Music lovers shouldn’t miss the Woody Guthrie Center, with archives and exhibits devoted to the legendary folk singer (born in Oklahoma), as well as displays about the Dust Bowl era. Sports fans can catch a game at the art-filled BOK Center, an architectural marvel. The Brady Arts District is a hub of activity and one of the oldest parts of town. Its red brick buildings are home to galleries and clubs, and the community green space, Guthrie Green (also dedicated to Woody).