Tulsa
Tulsa suits travelers who want history, architecture and a road trip stop, with a riverside park and the Philbrook museum to fill a few days.
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Tulsa is the second-largest city in Oklahoma, on the Arkansas River in the northeastern part of the state. It is best known for the Greenwood district, a prosperous Black business community that was largely destroyed in the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921. Visit the Greenwood Rising history center to learn that story, then walk the blocks where the neighborhood once stood.
Downtown has many Art Deco buildings from the 1920s and 1930s, including towers and churches. Route 66 passes through Tulsa, so the city fits a road trip across the Midwest and Southwest. The Gathering Place, a large park on the Arkansas River, and the Philbrook Museum of Art give you more to do. Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons, since summers are hot and humid. Plan two or three days for the main sights, and add a day if you want more time on Route 66 or in the surrounding area.
Tulsa in five
- Rent a car for the cityTulsa's main sights are spread across the city, and the Gathering Place, Greenwood and the Route 66 sites are easier by car. Book a rental at Tulsa International Airport (TUL) before you land.Getting around
- Visit Greenwood Rising firstGreenwood Rising is the history center for the Greenwood district and tells the story of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Go there before you walk the district so the blocks make sense.
- Set up an eSIM before landingGet mobile data before you land so ride apps and maps work from the airport. Download the Tulsa map offline for the Gathering Place and Greenwood walks.Phones and eSIM
- Watch storm alerts from March to JuneTornado season runs from March to June, and storms can close trails and delay flights. Check National Weather Service alerts for Tulsa each morning of your trip.
- Give the Gathering Place a half dayIt is a large riverside park with trails and playgrounds, and a half day is enough to see the main paths. In summer, bring water and a hat, since the open lawns get hot by midday.
Need to know
- Currency
- US dollar (USD)
- Entry
- Visa Waiver Program travelers need an ESTA; most other nationalities need a US visa Read more
- Emergency
- 911 police, fire or ambulance
- Tipping
- Expected at restaurants and bars, usually 15 to 20 percent of the bill
- Time
- UTC-6 Central Time; UTC-5 when daylight saving runs in summer
Weather by month
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold, quiet
- FebruaryCool, windy
- MarchStorm season
- AprilMild, spring
- MayWarm, stormy
- JuneHot, humid
- JulyHot, humid
- AugustHot, humid
- SeptemberMild, pleasant
- OctoberMild, fall
- NovemberCool, quiet
- DecemberCold, holidays
Right now in Tulsa
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
21
- Feels like
- 21°
- Humidity
- 82%
- Wind
- 22 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 63%
Tulsa
01:52 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today20°11°63%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 20°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 63%.
- Wed20°10°0%Wednesday: Partly cloudy. High 20°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu21°13°23%Thursday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 23%.
- Fri19°10°15%Friday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 15%.
- Sat21°12°6%Saturday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Sun16°11°6%Sunday: Clear. High 16°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 6%.
Updated 10:48 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.119 USD
Rates from Nov 3, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Claremoreabout 30 to 40 min by carWill Rogers Memorial Museum, a short drive northeast of Tulsa.
- Bartlesvilleabout 45 min to 1 hour by carFrank Lloyd Wright's Price Tower, a copper-clad office tower with tours.
- Muskogeeabout 1 hour by carA small city with a museum on the Five Civilized Tribes and the history of Indian Territory.
- Oklahoma Cityabout 1.5 to 2 hours by carThe state capital, a larger city with its own museums and arena district.
Before you go to Tulsa
Rules for Tulsa, checked
- Visa Waiver Program travelers need an approved ESTA before boarding. Other nationalities need a US visa. Check eligibility at travel.state.gov.Source
- Declare cash or monetary instruments above the legal limit when you enter or leave the US. Check the rules at cbp.gov.Source
- The drinking age is 21, and bars ask for photo ID. Carry your passport or a driver's license when you go out.
Plan around Tulsa
Regions, towns and travel basics for a trip across Oklahoma
Read the guideGetting around TulsaCars, buses and rides for the city and the nearby towns
Read the guideMoney and costsCards, tipping and typical prices for a Tulsa visit
Read the guideVisas and entryWho needs ESTA or a visa and how to apply for it
Read the guideWhere to stayNeighborhoods and lodging options for a short or long stay
Read the guideMusic in TulsaLive music venues, including those in the Brady District
Read the guideTulsa FAQ
How many days do you need in Tulsa?
Two days cover the Gathering Place, Greenwood and the Blue Dome District. Add a day for Philbrook and the Route 66 sites, or a day trip to Bartlesville to see Frank Lloyd Wright's Price Tower.
Is Tulsa worth visiting?
Yes, if you like Art Deco architecture, art museums and live music. It is a smaller city than Oklahoma City, so it works well as a stop on a longer Oklahoma or Route 66 trip.
When is the best time to visit Tulsa?
September and October are the mildest months. Summer is hot and humid, and storms can hit in spring, so check forecasts before outdoor plans from March to June.
Do you need a car in Tulsa?
Yes for most trips, because the main sights are spread across the city. Downtown and the Blue Dome District are walkable once you are there.
Is Tulsa safe for tourists?
Stay alert at night and keep valuables out of sight in a parked car, as you would in any US city.
What is the Greenwood district?
Historic Greenwood was a Black business district that was largely destroyed in the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Visit Greenwood Rising, the history center, before walking the district.