Downtown Tulsa facts for kids
Downtown Tulsa is a lively area in Oklahoma. It covers about 1.4 square miles (3.6 km2) and is surrounded by major highways like Interstate 244, US 64, and US 75. This area is the main place for business and finance in Tulsa. It's also working hard to attract visitors by showing off its amazing historic buildings.
Many big event places are in downtown Tulsa. These include the Tulsa Performing Arts Center, the Tulsa Convention Center, and the BOK Center. Downtown Tulsa has several cool neighborhoods, like the Blue Dome District, the Tulsa Arts District, and the Greenwood Historical District. The Greenwood area is home to ONEOK Field, a baseball stadium where the Tulsa Drillers play. It opened in 2010.
In 2010, about 4,000 people lived downtown. During the day, around 36,000 people are usually there for work or visits.
Contents
Exploring Downtown Tulsa's Neighborhoods
Tulsa has many buildings from the 1920s and 1930s, a time when oil was a huge business. Many of these are Art Deco style, known for its cool, geometric designs. Famous examples include the Mid-Continent Tower, Boston Avenue Methodist Church, and the 320 South Boston Building. Oilman Waite Phillips also left his mark with the Philtower and Philcade buildings. Other important buildings are the Atlas Life Building and Holy Family Cathedral.
Downtown Tulsa is in the northwest part of the city. It's circled by a highway system called the inner dispersal loop. Many tall office buildings are found here. The BOK Tower is 667 feet (203 m) tall. It was the tallest building in the "plains states" until the Devon Tower in Oklahoma City was finished in 2012. The same architect, Minoru Yamasaki, designed the BOK Tower and the original World Trade Center in New York City.
The Tulsa Performing Arts Center (PAC) is also designed by Minoru Yamasaki. It has five theaters and a large hall. Over 250,000 people visit the PAC each year. They come to see performances from Tulsa's famous groups like the Tulsa Ballet, Tulsa Symphony Orchestra, and Tulsa Opera. The PAC hosts many cultural events from fall to spring.
In 2005, Tulsa started building a large event center. It was designed by architect César Pelli. This arena, called the BOK Center, opened on August 30, 2008. It can hold 19,199 people.
Blue Dome District Fun
The Blue Dome District is a popular place for entertainment. It's named after a unique domed building at Second Street and Elgin Avenue. This building was built in 1924 as a Gulf Oil gas station. Now, it's an information center for the district. It is also close to the OneOK Field baseball stadium.
The Blue Dome District is known for its local restaurants and great views of the Tulsa skyline. Every May, the Blue Dome Arts Festival takes place here. Families can enjoy local music and street vendors around the historic dome. This district is a great spot for pictures of Tulsa's famous skyline. With many tasty places to eat and easy-to-walk areas, the Blue Dome District brings a special art scene to Tulsa.
Deco District: Art Deco Wonders
Tulsa has one of the largest collections of Art Deco buildings in the United States. You can see most of them in the downtown Deco District. This area runs from 1st to 8th street, between Boston and Cheyenne. It's in the heart of downtown Tulsa's tall buildings. You'll find many places to eat, drink, and exercise here. Bartlett Square at 5th and Main has a unique European feel.
The Philtower and Philcade buildings, the Atlas Life building, Tulsa Club, and Public Service Company of Oklahoma building are great examples of Art Deco style. You can even take tours of this area. A cool fact is that many classic buildings are connected by tunnels. These tunnels are now open for public tours, offering a special Tulsa experience. Besides shops and restaurants, this district hosts Mayfest every May. This festival brings artists, vendors, and live musicians together for one of Tulsa's biggest street parties.
East Village: Modern Living and Community
East Village covers 115 acres. It's bordered by East 2nd and East 7th Streets, and Detroit and Lansing Avenues. This area has cool places like an upscale martini bar, a hair salon, and pet day care. You can also find photography studios, apartments, and art spaces. A key part of this neighborhood is the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center. This center supports diversity and inclusion in the community. More restaurants, apartments, and shops are being planned for this area.
The East Village has brought many new food and fun options to Tulsa. Places like the Bond Center host big events. There are also nice apartment buildings, creating a strong sense of community. The Boxyard is a shopping area made from old shipping containers. It's become a popular spot for local shopping and food. The annual MOJO music fest also happens here, with live music, local craft beers, and food trucks. The East Village District truly offers something for everyone in Downtown Tulsa.
Greenwood Historical District: A Rich History
The Greenwood Historical District is just north of downtown. It was once a very successful African-American community, known as Black Wall Street. In 1921, a terrible historical event occurred. Many businesses and homes in this district were destroyed. The Oklahoma Legislature passed laws in 2001 to help rebuild Greenwood. They created a scholarship fund for descendants of those affected and gave money for a memorial. By 2004, some parts of the old neighborhood were restored.
Today, the Greenwood Historical District is home to the Greenwood Cultural Center, the Tulsa Race Riot Memorial, and the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame. Oklahoma State University - Tulsa and Langston University-Tulsa are also here. Because of its important past, Greenwood offers a unique cultural experience. The John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park tells the story of African-Americans in Oklahoma, focusing on the 1921 event. The Mabel B Little Heritage House shows what homes were like in the 1920s. The Greenwood Cultural Center teaches about the district's history, especially its jazz and blues music. Near OneOK Field, there's a growing area with many food and dessert options. Greenwood is a great place to learn about Tulsa's history and enjoy a meal.
Tulsa Arts District: Creative Hub
The Tulsa Arts District is north of the main business area. It's one of Tulsa's oldest parts, with many two-story brick warehouses. The Brady Theater, built between 1912 and 1914, was first called "Convention Hall." It was used for concerts and shows. In 1952, it was renamed Tulsa Municipal Theater. It's still used today for many concerts and plays.
North of the theater is Cain's Ballroom. This used to be a garage and was home to Bob Wills and his band, the Texas Playboys. The district also has many art galleries, restaurants, bars, and dance clubs. It's a diverse and welcoming neighborhood.
A few blocks from Cain's Ballroom is Guthrie Green. This urban park is a mix of a garden and an outdoor stage. It hosts events like movie nights and workout classes. It's a central spot for the Tulsa Arts District, with family-friendly concerts and food truck Wednesdays. On the first Friday of every month, local businesses have an "Art Crawl" around the Green. You can see exhibits at Philbrook Downtown, 108 Contemporary, and the Hardesty Arts Center (AHHA). This monthly event brings the community together to enjoy the best of the Tulsa Arts District.
Today, the Tulsa Arts District is one of the most diverse areas in Tulsa. It has restaurants, clubs, museums, and businesses. It's a great example of city living. More homes are being built here, which will double the number of people living in this artistic area. The district continues to grow as a welcoming community hub.
Downtown Tulsa's Economy
Major companies with headquarters in Downtown Tulsa include Williams Companies and ONEOK. BOK Financial also has its main office here.
Media in Downtown Tulsa
The Tulsa World newspaper and This Land Press have their main offices in Downtown Tulsa.
Images for kids
-
Oklahomans for Equality, 4th & Pride Street
-
The Dennis R. Neill Equality Center in the East Village District in Downtown Tulsa
-
Downtown Tulsa
-
Tulsa Municipal Building
-
Looking North along Boston Avenue from 6th Street
-
Williams Technology Center
-
Downtown buildings
-
320 S. Boston Building
-
First National Bank Building and First Place Tower
-
Bartlett Square at 5th and Main
