How To Spend 48 Hours in Tulsa (From a Local)
We have lived in Tulsa since 2016. I’m sharing some of our favorite places to go, eat, and play to help you plan your trip.
In 2020, Rolling Stone published a piece titled Why Tulsa Might be the Next Austin. As a local, I thought to myself, “Oh yeah! Tulsa is a cool place to visit.”
Tulsa is located in the northwest part of Oklahoma and the beginning of green country. Why green country? Because it is super green here, literally.
Downtown and midtown Tulsa offers trendy gourmet restaurants, bars, art galleries, candy shops, breweries, outdoor farmers’ markets, boutique shopping, shopping, yoga studios, barre studios, beautiful green space parks, art, and music venues.
Where To Stay
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The best places to stay if you are visiting for a weekend are going to be downtown Tulsa or at one of the casino resorts close by.
Below are a few of our favorites:
- The Mayo Hotel – Located downtown
- Hyatt Regency – Located downtown
- Aloft Tulsa Downtown – Located downtown
Casino Resorts Near Tulsa
If you feel like slipping away to play the slots, gamble, or see a show there are a few resorts nearby:
- River Spirit Casino Resort – Located along the Arkansas River about 15 minutes from downtown
- Hard Rock Hotel and Casino – Located about 15 minutes from downtown near Catoosa
➡️ Find mid budget Tulsa Hotels.
Guide on How To Spend 48 Hours in Tulsa
This guide is broken out by morning, afternoon, and evening over a period of two days.
Day 1: Weekend Morning
Hit the Tulsa Farmers’ Market
Start your morning off with a trip to the Tulsa Farmers’ Market.
It happens on Saturdays from April through October 7 am – 11 am at Kendall Whittier (S. Lewis and Admiral).
We love supporting local farmers. Oklahoma has a big agriculture scene plus a long growing season.
Have Brunch or Lunch in Midtown Tulsa
For a sit down brunch or lunch, head over to SMOKE on Cherry Street in Midtown. SMOKE has brunch on Saturday’s and Sunday’s.
If you want a quick bite to eat, we love New York Bagel Cafe on Brookside. They also have gluten-free bagels and muffins.
You will not be disappointed. I repeat –- you will not be disappointed with food when you visit Tulsa. Oklahomans love to eat.
Day 1: Weekend Afternoon
Check Out the Tulsa River Parks
After brunch, drive over to Riverside Drive and spend a few hours wandering Gathering Place and the Tulsa River Parks Trail system.
You can rent beach cruisers or scooters along the trail if you don’t want to walk.
Go Shopping at Utica Square in Midtown
If you don’t want to explore the park or the trails, go shopping at Utica Square. One of my favorite stores here is Gearhead Outfitters. It’s an outdoor apparel and gear store.
Utica Square also has restaurants. Grab a wine or coffee and relax outside on an open space patio.
There are quite a few restaurants to choose from for brunch and lunch. All of the restaurants below are delicious:
- Queenie’s Cafe and Bakery
- Stonehorse Cafe
- Ediblend Superfood Cafe
- Starbucks
- Wild Fork
- Polo Grill
- Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
- Olive Garden Italian Restaurant
- P.F. Changs
- Pepper’s Grill & Cantina
Day 1: Weekend Evening
Happy Hour and Dinner Downtown
For happy hour and dinner, cruise downtown to check out the restaurants and bars.
We think the local speakeasy, Bull in the Alley, is super fun and romantic. Here are a few more places to choose from:
- Sushi – Yokozuna
- Steak – PRHYME Downtown Steakhouse
- Bar – Valkyrie
- Bar – Mayo Penthouse Roof Top Bar
Day 2: Weekend Morning
Grab Coffee
We know you had a great time downtown Tulsa last night.
A few places for coffee and a light breakfast are Chimera, a coffee shop located downtown, and Coffee House on Cherry Street in midtown on Cherry Street. Both have gluten-free options, delicious coffee, and tasty treats.
Want to know more about the best local coffee shops in Tulsa? Then, you’ll love reading this article.
Explore Cherry Street or Brookside
Walk around Cherry Street or head over to Brookside to splurge on boutique shopping or simply to enjoy the walkways, people watch, and get some fresh air.
Brookside has a Lululemon Athletica. I know I am not the only one interested in this information.
Day 2: Weekend Afternoon
Taste the Microbreweries in Tulsa
Tulsa is gaining quite a micro-brewery scene. Breweries are popping up all over downtown and midtown. There are even a few outfits offering beer tours, like Pearl Brewery Tours.
My favorite brewery is NEFF Brewing because they have gluten-free beer (and I am gluten-free).
Below is a list of breweries to check out:
Discover the Art and History Museums in Tulsa
If you’re not into breweries, then check out the Philbrook Museum of Art in midtown or the Gilcrease north of town.
The gardens are spectacular at the Philbrook, and they even have a Picasso. Yes… a Picasso in Tulsa! I go crazy over Picasso’s cubism.
Explore Downtown Tulsa and the Art Galleries
If you prefer to keep hanging out closer to downtown, browse the boutique shops and art galleries.
Here are recommendations for unique art galleries downtown:
- Tulsa Artists Coalition
- 108 Contemporary
- Black Wall Street Gallery
- Living Arts of Tulsa
Then, walk over and stand in the middle of The Center of the Universe to hear your echo.
Okay, you might be asking, “What is The Center of the Universe?” The Center of the Universe is a top Tulsa tourist attraction.
You have to experience it for yourself. Yell, talk, laugh out loud while you are there. It is on the north side of all the skyscrapers downtown.
Drive Route 66
Tulsa was just named the Capital of Route 66. Cruise through 11th street and see America’s Historic Route. There are vintage signs, memorabilia, boutique shops, and restaurants.
Be sure to swing by Mother Road Market — Tulsa’s premier food hall.
Visit the Tulsa Fairgrounds
The Tulsa Fairgrounds has a giant Golden Driller for your Instagram. It sounds silly, but Tulsa likes to dress up the giant Golden Driller.
This is a Tulsa must see — keep your eyes peeled for this iconic statue.
Hike at Turkey Mountain
You can also hike in the Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area. It is free to use the trails.
Day 2: Evening Ideas
Have Dinner on Cherry Street
I love pizza, and Andolini’s Pizzeria has gluten intolerant pizza and fried mozzarella.
Looking for a New Orleans vibe and Cajun without being in NOLA? Then make reservations at Nola’s Creole & Cocktails. Try the turtle soup — it’s good.
Cherry Street (and Brookside) have lots of restaurants and bars to choose from with outdoor patios.
The Music Scene in Tulsa
Look at the line ups at Cain’s Ballroom, the Tulsa Theater, the Cove, BOK Center, Tulsa PAC, and the Joint.
Since we have lived in Tulsa, Pablo and I have gone to see quite a few shows, including Bob Dylan, Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters, and Nora Jones.
Be sure to check out the Bob Dylan Center in the Tulsa Arts District downtown Tulsa. It is cool to see Tulsa honoring such a legendary rock icon. And, even cooler that Pablo and I got to see Bob Dylan in person at the Cove.
Tulsa rocks.
➡️ Find mid budget Tulsa Hotels.
More Oklahoma Guides:
Are you traveling through the Tulsa area? Here are more guides to plan your adventure:
- 27 Easy Road Trips from Tulsa
- Oklahoma State Parks You Didn’t Know Existed
- 14 Outdoor Getaways & Day Trips from Tulsa
- 12 Best Hiking Trails Near Tulsa, Oklahoma
- FREE Things To Do in Tulsa Outdoors for Couples
- The Ultimate Pioneer Woman Mercantile Weekend Getaway
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Thank you for such a detailed guide. It sounds like a perfect stop on a Route 66 road trip. The bike ride and urban wilderness hike would be on my list, followed by a meal at one of your recommendations, one with an outdoor patio for sure.
Hi Anne – Tulsa is a gem! There is a city but also so much green space. We love it. Hope you can visit someday.