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Tulsas history is as rich as the lush greenery that abounds here. It first began under an Oak Tree when the Lockapoka Creek Tribe were forced out of Alabama and walked the Trail of Tears in 1836. Now known as the Council Oak, they were the first to create a community along the Arkansas River. Later, it was well known for its booming oil industry and fantastic jazz and its history is well preserved and celebrated. The wealth from the oil industry can be seen when you make your way through the historic neighborhoods and see stunning homes, or explore the museums that showcase a fantastic collection of art. Jazz is alive and well and youll be able to experience Tulsas lively nightlife when the sun goes down and the tunes turn on.

Enjoy the amazing nature that surrounds you in Tulsa. Affectionately known as Green Country, youll be able to enjoy the many parks found here, including the McClure Park, Chandler Park and the Woodward Park. The Arkansas River provides a great path for many beautiful trails as well. But if you only have time for one park, make your way to the Mohawk Park, home to the Tulsa Zoo. In fact, this park is one of the largest urban parks across the nation. The Zoo is reason enough to come and youll quickly see why its one of Americas favorite zoos. There are more than 1,500 animals, many of which are endangered, that call the recreated natural environments home. Spreading across 78 acres, youll enjoy the Bear and Cat Grottos, Elephant Encounter, the Chimpanzee Connection, and the amazing 15,000 sq ft Tropical Rain Forest. If youre more interested in sea animals, make your way to the Oklahoma Aquarium. There are over 4,000 stunning creatures and 200 exhibits that display the beauty of these fascinating creatures. Youll even get an up close and personal look at the sharks as you walk through the clear tunnels. And the sharks you see arent little baby ones. Youll see the largest bull sharks that are in captivity, making you very happy that theres at least something between you and them.

Although Tulsa has many fine art galleries and museums, two that stand out are the Philbrook and the Gilcrease. The Philbrook Museum of Art is housed in a fantastic villa once owned by oil tycoon Waite Phillips. There are 26 galleries and over 8,500 works of art, which include Italian renaissance, classical pieces and Native American collections. As one of Americas top art museums, youll find an amazing permanent collection on Renaissance and Baroque art featuring Piero di Cosimo and Tanzio da Varallo. And although the art is reason enough to come, the beautiful building and landscaped grounds are a definite bonus. The Gilcrease Museum houses more than 10,000 pieces of art from more than 400 artists. Also connected to Tulsas booming oil industry, Thomas Gilcrease was another oil tycoon who created the museum. Enjoy looking at pieces by Remington, Catlin and Russell. Or, you could look at the fascinating archival and anthropology collections at hand. But one of its most famous pieces is a copy of the Declaration of Independence.

Greenwood is one of the most infamous sites in Tulsa. It was once known as the Black Wall Street as it was home to many wealthy African Americans and was also the place to be for fantastic jazz but it became more known as the site of the race riots in 1921 where more than 300 people died and many buildings burned to the ground. However, the Greenwood Cultural Center showcases the history before the Tulsa Race Riot as well as the Mabel b. Little Heritage center.

If youre making your way through Tulsas Midtown, find Cherry Street. The area has beautiful storefronts built in the 1920s and 30s that now house trendy restaurants, quaint boutiques, antique shops, art galleries and even a few great vintage stores. Close by is Utica Square, a favorite for both locals and tourists since it has a wealth of fantastic shops, including Miss Jacksons, which is the oldest department store in Tulsa, and popular restaurants that are all set in beautiful landscaped areas. Another one of the more popular areas in Midtown is the Brookside area. There are lots of fantastic restaurants that range from amazing burgers to fine cuisine and quaint shops that showcase the latest fashion trends.

Youll know youve reached the downtown area when you see the BOK Tower, which is the tallest building in all of Oklahoma. There are quite a few stunning buildings here including the Midcontinent Tower, which showcases a fantastic art deco design, and the Tulsa National Bank buildings. Another prominent building is the Tulsa Union Depot, the new home to the Jazz Hall of Fame. You might be surprised to find an amazing Jazz museum here but youll be glad it has one as you learn more about Charlie Christian, Dizzy Gillespie and Cab Calloway, just to name a few. Next to the Union Depot sits the Center of the Universe, located on the arched pedestrian bridge. Stand in the middle of its circle, sing your heart out and hear the amazing acoustics. But the acoustics dont make you a great singer so if people are cringing, perhaps you should speak a monologue instead. And if theater is more your thing, youre in luck. The Tulsa Performing Arts Center, PAC, also located in the downtown area, provides amazing ballet, theatre and even musical performances. You might even pick up on a few pointers and try your lungs out at the Center of the Universe one last time.

Tulsa is a wonderful city to enjoy a holiday. The fantastic Art Deco buildings, green parks, beautiful rivers and great museums will impress you. The city boats a clean environment where tree-lined streets lead you to great shops while Jazz fills the air, as does the aroma of fine foods being cooked at the great restaurants.