16 Mar Things To Do In Tulsa For Free
What Are Some Things To Do In Tulsa For Free?
Tulsa, Oklahoma, is a great place to live and work. It is one of the south’s best-kept secrets. There are so many interesting things to see and do in Tulsa. This is an excellent place for families, adults, and children. It is even a great place for animals! I have visited Tulsa often and even lived there for a few years. I found all the best locations for exploring and adventure. The best thing about Tulsa is that you can enjoy what it has to offer for little to no money. Saving your hard-earned dollars is always a win! In this article, I will discuss some of the best places Tulsa offers for free.
Tulsa offers many things for adults, children, and even pets. Here are some of my favorite things to do in Tulsa for free:
- Gathering Place
- Woodward Park and Gardens
- Golden Driller Statue
- Oxley Nature Center
- Mohawk Park
- Center of the Universe
- Blue Dome District
- Oral Roberts University
- Boston Avenue United Methodist Church
- Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area
There are many more than just these ten items. Tulsa is rich with historical monuments, parks, and recreational activities to explore. Other attractions have a minimal fee associated with them which also might be of interest. These places would also be great for your family, kids, and pets. Read on to learn more about the free activities I found where you can create memories, have fun, and not break the bank!
The Gathering Place
The Gathering Place is a relatively new riverfront park built in 2018. It is 65 acres with an urban landscape featuring a skate park, sports courts, playground, scenic trails, boating, and discovery lab (interactive museum). This place also has a few options where you can dine while visiting. There are numerous educational activities for your children to participate in, just go to their website and check out their schedule. Lastly, if you are an art enthusiast, you will also enjoy this park. The Gathering Place has murals to art exhibits you will love!
Woodward Park and Gardens
This is a 43-acre public park built in 1933. It has beautifully landscaped gardens. This park hosts the Tulsa Rose Garden and the Tulsa Garden Club. The Rose Garden has 9000 or more colorful roses with over 250 varieties. The Tulsa Arboretum, also located here, has 270 trees and shrub species native to Oklahoma. These gardens have received the Better Homes and Gardens’ coveted “More Beautiful America Achievement Award.” They have also been given other awards from the American Rose Society and the New York Times. This park is also a great place for animals. Feel free to bring your pets and walk with them on a leash. This attraction also includes teaching and demonstration gardens. These gardens were created to inspire homeowners with ideas for their landscapes. Visitors can take advantage of various pocket gardens, outdoor classrooms, seating areas, a greenhouse, and fountains.
Golden Driller Statue
The Golden Driller Statue is one of the largest statues in the United States. It measures 75 feet tall. It is a great attraction to see in Tulsa. Most sightseeing tours in Tulsa will have this on their agenda. The statue weighs approximately 43,000 pounds. This makes for a great photo opp! This statue is also near shopping, a water park, restaurants, and other attractions.
Oxley Nature Center
The Oxley Nature Center is an 800-acre nature preserve located at Mohawk Park. This area has 16 trails, programs for adults and children, and an observation deck. This nature center has various wildlife, such as 200 species of birds, turtles, deer, bobcats, and a wide variety of other types of wildlife. The Nature Center also hosts hands-on exhibits and even a library. You can even book group tours to explore what the Nature Center offers.
Mohawk Park
Mohawk Park is the largest park in Tulsa, with 3,300 acres. It is also one of the largest parks in the country. This park features 800 acres of hiking and picnicking, a 5-acre marsh with a 600-foot boardwalk, an observation tower, and over 9 miles of trails. Visitors can also enjoy hands-on exhibits and an observation beehive. This attraction also has various wildlife and waterfowl and the Tulsa Zoo. You and your family can also enjoy the 36-hole Mohawk Park Golf Course, picnic shelters, a polo field, and miles of equestrian trails.
Center of the Universe
The Center of the Universe is a city landmark of a small concrete circle with larger bricks surrounding it. This activity deals with acoustics; if you stand in the middle of it, any sound you make will echo, creating a larger sound. However, only those standing in the larger circle will be able to hear the sound. This is an activity you and your kids will have loads of fun and enjoyment!
Blue Dome District
This is a popular entertainment area in Tulsa. This area has loads of restaurants, shopping areas, coffee, pubs, and more. There are great casual walking areas where you can take in the sights and view public artwork on the district streets. Do not leave without getting a picture with the Blue Dome in the background as part of your sightseeing. The Blue Dome is a 100-year-old building that the area was named.
Boston Avenue United Methodist Church
This church was completed in 1929. It is one of the premier examples of art deco architecture in the United States. This architecture was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was also designated a National Historic Landmark in 1999. This is one of Tulsa’s jewels and is a “must-see.” This building has 15 floors and many interesting architectural details. You will find beautiful murals inside. Another added feature is the various materials like metal, glass, terra cotta, Indiana limestone, and Minnesota granite in which the building was constructed.
Oral Roberts University
Oral Roberts University (ORU) is a landmark in the Tulsa area. This university was established in 1963 on 323 acres of land. This university is home to legendary art deco architectural building designs, manicured landscaping, and feature statues and buildings. Here you can find the world-renowned “Praying Hands,” a 60-foot-tall and 30-ton bronze statue, the Prayer Tower, and Prayer Gardens, to name a few of the famous landmarks. ORU also offers guided tours of its campus for visitors.
Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area
This outdoor attraction has about 600 acres of dirt trails and two large ponds. This is a place where you can bring your family for many outdoor activities. These trails are for the hiking enthusiast. They are rough and rocky. They are considered an “urban wilderness.” You can jog, bike, hike, or ride horses in this area.
In Closing
As you can see, Tulsa has many sights, attractions, and activities to explore and do that come at no cost. These are some of the best free places I could find in my research and personal exploration of the city. I encourage you to take some time and visit each sight. There are many more places to see that I did not mention in this article. Other attractions worth visiting have a small fee but will not “break the bank.” Take your time and explore all that Tulsa has to offer. It is a great place for animals, families, kids, adults, and really anyone!
Related Questions
Are there any additional fees associated with these attractions?
Most of these sites are completely free to get in. However, depending on the venue, extra fees for certain items could be associated with it. For example, on certain days, there is a cost of $2 per car for Mohawk Park. For the Blue Dome District, of course, there is a cost to eat in the dining establishments and to shop. This is also true for other attractions like the Golden Driller. There are opportunities to purchase additional items to make your experience more enjoyable at each venue. This includes things like bike rentals, snacks, water, other programs, and more.
How many of these locations are pet-friendly?
Many of these locations are great places for animals! Since an assortment of these locations is outdoors or in parks, you will need to follow the location’s rules. A majority of these locations allow you to have your pets. However, they must be on a leash. Before visiting your selected site, go on the location’s website to see its specific rules before arriving.
What is the best advice for taking your pet to these attractions?
Anytime you are taking your pet on vacation, you should follow a few rules of thumb. Before you leave, you should always consult with your veterinarian to be sure it is safe for your pet to travel and that they are current on their vaccinations. Also, make sure you have proper identification for your pet since you will be in an unfamiliar location. Before going to your destination, ensure you have pet-friendly accommodations, i.e., your hotel. Check to make sure wherever you go what the restrictions might be for your pet (i.e., pet breeds or sizes). Lastly, make sure you bring everything your pet might need for an enjoyable experience. This includes things like their food, water bottle, bedding, sunblock, medications, and wastebaskets.