Hot takes on traversing Tulsa

Tulsa is one of the largest cities in Oklahoma and it's growing bigger every day. The name is derived from a Creek word meaning “old town” and was incorporated as a city in 1898.

“Tulsey Town's” complicated history continues to influence present-day challenges and minority groups are leading that charge.

For the ninth time, hundreds of Native Americans gathered on October 13 at Dream Keepers Park for Indigenous Peoples' Day. After announcements and speeches, a parade marched around the park perimeter. Health services and homemade goods were offered by vendors at the festival throughout the day.

A similar vendor setup just days before accompanied the Pride festivities curated by Oklahoma for Equality on October 11 to commemorate National Coming Out Day. Beating the heat of June and moving the parade to the fall was a smart move by the organizers. The rainbow march kicked off at 4 p.m. and ended with RuPaul Drag Race alumni performances onstage near the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center.

Party people continued dancing into the late night with an after-party at Club Majestic. For other queer clubs in the vicinity, try exploring the leather scene at the Tulsa Eagle or the historic lesbian bar YBR Pub.

Pick up colorful apparel and popular LGBTQ+ merchandise at Ida Red General Store on Main Street, then cross the street to see the Hanson brothers' recording studio. Music is woven into the fabric of Tulsa's legacy and starts with the Woody Guthrie Center on Reconciliation Way.

Ticket holders can take a trip through time to see the Dust Bowl storms roll out virtually on a front porch and learn about the Great Depression migration. The museum is dedicated to an American folk musician who displays a legion of songwriters influenced by Guthrie. Bob Dylan is just one of his many fans and insisted that his exhibit be placed next door. The Bob Dylan Center features props from movies about him and a self-guided audio tour.

Roll like a stone over to Philbrook Museum of Art on Rockford Road to experience collections inside a villa surrounded by vibrant gardens. Tulsa has been described as a Mecca for the arts in Oklahoma and it shows. Don't miss openly gay Chicago artist Nick Cave's Soundsuit displayed down one of the corridors. Speaking of caves, dig into the Tulsa Cave House, a quirky building with a secret speakeasy entrance that revels in prohibition history dating back to the 1920s.

There's much more territory to explore with 28 miles of highway, where Tulsa earns the name as the “Capital of Route 66.” The Meadow Gold Sign Plaza is picturesque and visitors to the area will find souvenirs galore that celebrate the Southwest Boulevard.

Tulsa Golden Hurricane fanatics should swing by ONEOK Field and theater enthusiasts will enjoy shows at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center.

“The Magic City” nickname refers to the rapid growth in Tulsa during the 1900s and the city's energy is increasing daily. The expansion of the arts, culture and diversity aspects found in the foot of the Ozarks is flourishing by the moment in 2025. Find out more at visittulsa.com.