Tulsa

Tulsa calls itself the "Oil Capital of the World" where the age of the oil boom found its center. A small town by US standards, metropolitan luxuries such as theater, fine dining, nightlife, and shopping are found in a state known for sparsely populated farming communities. The picturesque downtown is surrounded by rolling hills covered with prairie grasses and ancient forests, with world-class architecture and museums of art, miles of biking and walking trails, and huge parks. Tulsa contains one of the largest concentrations of Art Deco architecture in the nation, ranking number 9 on US News and World Report's list of top cities for Art Deco.

Tulsa is situated between the prairies of central Oklahoma and the foothills of the Ozarks in the Green Country region. It was settled in the mid-1800s by the Loachapoka Band of Creek Native American tribe. A booming city during the 1920s, rich oil barons built stately mansions and skyscrapers, turning Downtown Tulsa into a treasure trove of art and architecture. Tulsa sustained heavy economic hardships during the oil crises of the 1970s and 1980s which led to diversification into energy, aviation, finance, telecommunications, and technology industries. The city had about 391,000 people and the metro area had about 937,000 people as of 2010 from the US Census Bureau.

Tulsa lies in northeastern Oklahoma at the convergence of the Great Plains and the Ozark Plateau, receiving an average of 40 inches of precipitation each year. Summers can be very warm with temperatures reaching 93.6°F, while winters are considered mild with just a few inches of snow typically each year. Tornado season is normally in the spring and early summer, but they can occur anytime during the year. Tulsa has over 225 days of sunshine annually. The intersection along 71st Street, especially the one at Memorial, is amongst the most dangerous in America.

Tulsa is served by Tulsa International Airport in the northern part of Tulsa, which has major airlines with direct flights to major cities in the U.S. The airport has a very laid-back feel with sofas and chairs all around. Free short term parking is available for the first half-hour. Three general aviation airports also serve the area: Richard L. Jones Jr. Airport south of downtown, Okmulgee Regional Airport, and William R. Pogue Municipal Airport in Sand Springs. Greyhound Lines operates from 317 S Detroit Ave downtown with routes connecting Tulsa to Dallas, Oklahoma City, and points west to Los Angeles. Jefferson Lines connects Tulsa to Minneapolis via Kansas City.

Thanks to urban planning, the major city streets are placed in a grid layout with almost all major intersections 1 mile from each other in a straight line, making navigation easier than in cities where streets go every which way. The major exception is downtown, which is slanted at a 25 degree angle to the rest of the grid due to the original town not facing true north. Tulsa Transit provides bus service for the Tulsa Metro area from 319 S. Denver Ave downtown, serving Tulsa, Sand Springs, Sapulpa, Jenks, and Broken Arrow. Unlike major cities in the Northeast, the city bus is not a major form of transportation and is usually a means of travel for those without their own motor vehicle.

Tulsa offers accommodations ranging from budget motels to historic luxury hotels. Budget options include Microtel Inn & Suites on Admiral Place and Super 8 Motel downtown. Mid-range options include Hyatt Regency Tulsa adjacent to the Performing Arts Center and Doubletree hotels. For historic luxury, The Mayo Hotel opened in 1925 and was once regarded as the preeminent Tulsa luxury hotel, while the Hotel Ambassador houses the excellent Chalkboard restaurant. Postoak Lodge & Retreat offers a resort experience in North Tulsa.

Major dining corridors include 15th Street South (Cherry Street) near downtown, 71st Street South near Woodland Hills Mall, the Brookside district near midtown, the Blue Dome district, and Utica Square shopping area. For authentic local fare, seek good barbecue at Albert G's (run out of an old gas station) or Elmer's BBQ in Brookside which has hosted Bill Clinton and other celebrities. Regional chains include Taco Bueno for Mexican fast food and Braum's for Oklahoma ice cream - this popular chain does farm-to-fork dairy products and refuses to open stores more than 300 miles from their home farm in Central Oklahoma. Tulsa has over 24 coffee shops including DoubleShot Coffee Company, Gypsy Coffee House with free wi-fi, and Shades of Brown featuring local art and live music.

The Philbrook Museum of Art in a former oilman Waite Phillips residence features changing exhibits, a sculpture garden, and art from around the World. The Gilcrease Museum is touted as the "Museum of The Americas" with one of the world's largest collections of Western and Native American art. The Bob Dylan Center and Woody Guthrie Center celebrate American music heritage. The Greenwood Cultural Center preserves the history of Tulsa's Greenwood District and the tragic 1921 race massacre. For outdoor activities, Turkey Mountain offers excellent hiking and mountain biking with views of Downtown, while River Parks has a lovely cafe with live music in warm weather. The Tulsa Zoo at 6421 E 36th St N has zebras, giraffes, elephants, and penguins with adult admission $8.

Take precautions as you would in any other larger American city. The areas of Tulsa immediately north and east of downtown have a rough reputation and caution should be taken. Tornado sirens are tested at noon on Wednesday (except if rainy, stormy, or very windy). Tornado season is normally in the spring and early summer but tornadoes can occur anytime during the year. Oklahoma weather is very harsh on road conditions and repairs are needed on an almost yearly basis - fines double for accidents in work zones per Oklahoma State Law. Swimming in the Arkansas River is inadvisable due to pollution and currents created by dams near downtown.

Tulsa County has more Wi-Fi spots than anywhere else in Oklahoma (as well as most of the Great Plains), making it a major tech hub in the region. Check into any number of restaurants and cafes for wi-fi access. The Central Library across the street from Denver Station (the central city bus station) has free Internet terminals. Gypsy Coffee House downtown is Tulsa's only late-night coffee house with free wi-fi.

Tulsa is known for being cheap while still maintaining an urban experience that rivals most larger cities in the region. Budget travelers can find accommodations under $70/night at Microtel Inn & Suites or Super 8 Motel. Local barbecue meals typically cost $10-15. The Tulsa Botanic Garden charges $8 for ages 13+ and $4 for children ages 3-12. Tulsa Zoo admission is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors 55+, and $4 for children 3-11.

The Frank Lloyd Wright Price Tower and Arts Center is in Bartlesville. The Oklahoma Aquarium is just south of Tulsa in Jenks. The city of Claremore, about 30 minutes away, is the birthplace and hometown of Will Rogers with a wonderful museum. Pawhuska is home to the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve and is also the Tribal Headquarters of the Osage Nation. Suburbs within the Tulsa Metro Area include Sand Springs, Jenks, Broken Arrow, Owasso, Bixby, and Catoosa.

Major highways radiate from Tulsa including I-44 west to Oklahoma City and east to Joplin, US 64 west to Enid, US 66 historic route west to Oklahoma City and east through Catoosa, US 75 north to Topeka and south to Dallas, US 169 north to Kansas City, US 412 west to Enid and east to Springdale Arkansas, and State Highway 51 west to Stillwater and east to Muskogee via the Muskogee Turnpike. The Renaissance Fair in Muskogee takes place the last week of April and first part of May. The Rhema Bible Church Christmas Light Tour in Broken Arrow offers free admission.