Tulsa's Best: Self-Guided Driving Tour of Iconic Landmarks & History
About this English self-guided 1h:18m driving tour in Tulsa
Welcome to Tulsa, Oklahoma — a city that blends history, music, and modern energy in a way few places can.
Tulsa sits in the heart of what was once Indian Territory, a crossroads of Native American nations moved here in the 1800s. The city’s name actually comes from the Creek word “Tallasi,” meaning “old town,” a fitting nod to the people who first made their home on these rolling green hills along the Arkansas River.
Tulsa began as a quiet trading post, but everything changed in 1901 when oil was discovered nearby. Almost overnight, this small frontier town became the Oil Capital of the World. Wealth poured in, skyscrapers rose, and Art Deco architecture transformed the skyline. Much of that golden-age design still shines today, giving Tulsa one of the most beautiful downtowns in America.
But Tulsa’s story isn’t just about oil — it’s about resilience and reinvention. In 1921, the city faced one of the darkest moments in American history with the Tulsa Race Massacre, which devastated the prosperous Black community of Greenwood, also known as Black Wall Street. Today, that same neighborhood stands as a place of remembrance and renewal, anchored by the Greenwood Rising History Center.
Tulsa is also a city of legends. It’s the home of musicians like Woody Guthrie, whose folk songs gave voice to the working class, and Leon Russell, whose studio drew icons like Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton. The city’s musical legacy still echoes at places like Cain’s Ballroom, once the home of Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys, and a venue where countless stars have played since.
As we make our way through Tulsa, you’ll see landmarks that tell every part of this city’s story — from the whimsical Center of the Universe, to the architectural grace of the Philbrook Museum of Art, to the freedom of the open road along Route 66.
By the time we finish at The Outsiders House Museum, you’ll have experienced the rhythm, history, and heart that make Tulsa truly one of a kind.
So settle in, start your engine, and get ready to explore Tulsa, Oklahoma — a city built on dreams, defined by resilience, and forever driven by creativity.
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Language
English
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Region
North America / USA
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- City
