7 Top Outdoor Recreational Activities To Do In Tulsa (2024)

The 2nd biggest city in Oklahoma, Tulsa, offers a voyage into a dazzling metropolis packed with top-notch attractions, exciting nightlife spots, and upscale to original shopping choices. Tulsa is a vibrant city recognized for its global charms and Southern friendliness. Tulsa is also known for having one of the country’s greatest collections of art deco structures and a range of vibrant urban districts, outstanding eating, and an unmatched appreciation of the art forms.

7 Top Outdoor Recreational Activities To Do In Tulsa

Here is our list of some of the best outdoor recreational activities that one can do in Tulsa:

1. Take a Hike:

There are numerous wonderful locations to hike in Tulsa, whether you visit while the Eastern redbuds are covered in beautiful pink petals, the routes are filled with vibrant wildflowers, or even the fall foliage is at its most stunning. The Turkey Mountain Urban Nature Reserve is much more than 300 acres in size and is located about fifteen minutes from the city center. There are countless riverfront trails there that may be explored. The Oxley Wildlife Center is a favorite destination for wildlife enthusiasts in the opposite way, close to the Tulsa Airport. The 600-foot walkway, observation deck, and numerous picnic areas are all part of the Oxley Nature Center, which is situated in Mohawk Park, among the biggest public parks in the nation. The hiking routes weave through woodlands, farms, and marshes, giving hikers the opportunity to see wildlife.

Best time to take a Hike: September to October

2. Visit the Tulsa Zoo:

The Tulsa Zoo is located on Mohawk Avenue, together with the Oxley Wildlife Sanctuary. At this AZA-accredited location, see fuzzy mammals, feathery flocks, and slimy reptiles from all over the globe. Visitors won’t choose to pass up the chance to see the monkeys play or feed the giraffes in the African exhibition. The Lost Kingdom, which has a vast variety of Asian creatures, is yet another excellent attraction. Drive by the training facilities to observe zookeepers working with the creatures and keep an eye out for Malaysian tigers roaming above as they cross the tiger footbridge to get from one cage to the next.

Best Time To Visit The Zoo: February to June and preferably in the early mornings as most of the creatures are active at that time.

3. Enjoy a Picnic:

Food most often tastes somewhat better outdoors, particularly in a beautiful environment. If you agree, the fields of the Philbrook Art Museum are indeed the ideal location for a picnic in Tulsa. Waite and Genevieve Phillips previously resided inside that enormous three-story Italian-style estate, which is now adorned with amazing works of art from all around the globe. A picnic on the grounds around the house is a great outdoor activity, even though we certainly advise going to the museum of art. To purchase all the quality ingredients, you will need to complete your picnic basket, drop by The Farmer’s Market. Or stock a charcuterie set made in the style of Europe with premium cheese and meat from EuroMart. The Mother Street Market, a shopping center with numerous regional eateries situated underneath one rooftop, also sells ready-to-eat meals. Again, for the main meal, if you prefer sushi, hamburgers, or salad, make sure to include some Glacier Confection truffles.

Best time to have a picnic: September to November as the weather is pleasant at that time.

4. Go on a Scavenger Hunt:

A fun scavenger hunt is among the most popular methods to discover a new place. One can able to acquire a sense of the area over a short period of time (and a short distance), while also learning a little about its background, and culture, and finding beautiful places. A few of Tulsa’s most recognizable sites and undiscovered beauties are included in the Let’s Wander Center of the World scavenger hunt, such as The Guthrie Green, Mayo Resort, as well as the Tulsa Arts District. Additionally, as the interactive treasure hunt’s title suggests, a stopover at the Center of the Universe is also on the route.

Best time to go on a scavenger hunt: In the afternoon as everything is lively at that time.

5. Tour the Art Deco Architecture:

Leaders in the automotive business competed to build the highest structure in the world as New York flourished during the 20th century. The developing Tulsa metropolis did not reach as high into the air as the Manhattan skyline, despite the fact that it was experiencing a flourishing economy (due to its placement atop one of the largest oilfields in the nation). But regional powerhouses in business were also attracted by the French arts décoratifs movement. As a result, this small city contains a number of the most stunning art deco structures in the nation, comparable to those found in much bigger cities like New York, Miami, and Chicago. A guided tour of the Terra Cotta Metropolitan area will teach you further about Tulsa’s incredible art deco structures. Observe the splendor of several magnificent old art deco buildings that have flawless terrazzo flooring, glossy mahogany, and sparkling glass and also take a trip down to Black Gold Row after that. There, in the early 20th century, Tulsa’s oil barons (such as Waite Phillips) built grand houses a la Gatsby while black money poured from the oilfield and the community prospered.

Best time to see Art Deco Architecture: Any time of the day.

6. Learn About Black History:

This African American neighborhood of Greenwood, widely known as “Black Wall Street,” was booming even during the transition of Tulsa from a mining town to a bustling city, despite the severe discriminatory laws in place at the time. The thriving 35-block self-contained village north of central Tulsa was home to almost 10,000 residents from Oklahoma. However, Greenwood was totally demolished by the most violent race riot in American history around May of 1921. Visit John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park to discover more about the terrible riot that destroyed the Greenwood District and the challenges of the black people in America. This beautiful green area is located just southwest of Oklahoma State University– Tulsa and offers tourists educational opportunities through a number of monuments and placards and also promotes contemplative thinking.

Best time to visit this area: In the Afternoon

7. Explore the Tulsa Botanic Garden:

The Tulsa Botanic Garden, located just on the city’s northern border, is also another lovely outdoor recreational location in Tulsa. This 170-acre park is a striking all-year destination and is constructed into the undulating hillsides of the Osage Reservation’s southernmost point. When visiting in the springtime, look toward the bottom of the floral slopes to see countless brilliant tulips streaming down. Explore the Spring Giant, a 15-foot mythical creature who fills Stream Meadows with a little waterfall gushing out of his toothy smile in the summertime, to cool off. Have a trek on the 1.5-mile Cross Timbers Hiking Track as summer gives way to autumn. Relax on a bench among the bushes and listen to the sounds of wildlife or keep an eye out for songbirds. Also, during Garden of Lights, you’ll discover the greenery illuminated by countless lights as the final colorful leaves descend to the ground.

Best time to visit the Tulsa Botanic Garden: One can visit this garden all year round as every season have unique scenery of its own.

Tulsa offers a variety of outdoor recreation all year long which includes calm treks in the foothills and architectural explorations of the city. So, the next time you visit Tulsa, these are the outdoor recreational things that you can do.