Shopping

There are studies that indicate that the number one activity of travelers is shopping. If you’re one of those travelers who takes an extra suitcase—empty—there are plenty of places to fill it up in Tulsa. There are a number of malls with the stores you’ll find from coast to coast; these are handy when you know just what you want and who carries it. Many travelers, however, prefer to explore—always looking for that unique little boutique around the corner. You’ll find plenty of shops to suit both kinds of shoppers.

If your shopping time is short, head for Utica Square. Yes, you’ll find chain stores here—but they’re really high-end ones. And there are a lot of shops carrying a lot of different merchandise. It doesn’t hurt that there are also nice places to rest your feet or get a bite to eat.

For more adventuresome shopping, stroll down Cherry Street or South Peoria Avenue in Brookside. The shops listed here are just a starter. And if you fill up that suitcase, look under “Luggage” and you can buy another one.

Shopping - The Arts

Tulsa may not be the political capital of Oklahoma, but few would argue with the statement that it is the state’s culture capital. Having two stunning art museums is a great selling point, but Tulsa doesn’t stop there. It also boasts a symphony, ballet and opera companies, a variety of theater groups, and an art cinema.

Whether you like classical music or contemporary, pop art or pop culture, there are lots of opportunities to explore the visual and aural arts. The architecturally avant-garde BOK Center hosts major concerts—everything from Elton John and Fleetwood Mac to the Jonas Brothers and Keith Urban. The Performing Arts Center is the venue of choice for everything from intimate theater productions to Broadway extravaganzas. And both of those places feature impressive art collections.

As a matter of fact, you’ll find art all over town. The assortment of art deco buildings in Tulsa illustrates the full range of that architectural style. Public sculptures like David Lee Brown’s untitled spiraling stainless-steel work in front of the Performing Arts Center catch the imagination, while Jay O’Meilia’s Oklahoma Indian Ballerina in Williams Center Green at East 3rd and South Main Streets catches the heart.

Probably the most popular works are the NatureWorks installations in the River Parks. This organization, involved in wildlife conservation, gives a new sculpture each year to honor a local conservation hero. Not surprisingly, the sculptures feature animals—from a family of bears cavorting in a waterfall to Black Mesa mule deer.

Performing arts are well represented in Tulsa—the symphony, opera, and ballet are key players. But there are many other organizations providing cultural opportunities to the community. The Tulsa Oratorio Society presents masterworks of choral music. The University of Tulsa and Oral Roberts University add to the mix with musical and theater presentations, lectures, and special events.

The Oklahoma Center for the Book focuses on promoting reading and writers, sponsors the Oklahoma Book Awards, and brings readers and writers together for special events. The Tulsa Town Hall lecture series has been sponsoring appearances by prominent figures since the mid-1930s.

From low comedy to lofty intellectual pursuits, there’s no excuse for being bored in Tulsa. If you can’t find something to do—you’re not looking.