Downtown districts

ARENA DISTRICT The BOK Center, twice named “Arena of the Year” by the International Entertainment Buyers Association, has consistently received high-ranking numbers compared to numerous venues in the United States and overseas. Every season, BOK Center and neighboring event space Cox Business Convention Center promise phenomenal experiences for Tulsa.

BLUE DOME DISTRICT People of all ages come to dance at Whiskey 918; consume brats, beer and duck fat fries at Fassler Hall; get authentically fresh seafood at Peacemaker Lobster and Crab Co.; sit down to a locally sourced meal at Juniper; munch on gourmet donuts at Hurts Donut Co.; or enjoy classic arcade games at The Max Retropub. In 2023, expect to see the opening of Santa Fe Square, a mixed-use development.

CATHEDRAL DISTRICT Downtown Tulsa is home to many beautiful and historic churches, cathedrals and chapels, some of which are on the National Registry of Historic Places. Thousands of Tulsans visit downtown weekly for services and programs as the churches continue to accommodate growth by expanding their presence. In addition, the Cathedral District is home to Tulsa Community College’s Metro Campus where Tulsans can seek higher education goals. Public Service Co. of Oklahoma is a cornerstone of the district, and a neighboring community partner.

DECO DISTRICT This collection of blocks has some of the greatest examples of art deco architecture in the nation. These cultural treasures bring people from all over to marvel at what some locals may take for granted. Tours led by the Tulsa Foundation for Architecture regularly fill up exploring the historical architecture, the underground tunnel system and the beauty of some of Oklahoma’s most memorable skyscrapers.

EAST VILLAGE DISTRICT

This district, centered at East Third Street and South Kenosha Avenue, has emerged with a variety of new opportunities, including residential and commercial, as well as dining and entertainment experiences. Like its surrounding districts, the East Village is experiencing a boom in residential living, retail and office options.

HISTORIC GREENWOOD DISTRICT Dubbed America’s “Black Wall Street,” the 35-block Greenwood District surrounded the corner of North Greenwood Avenue and East Archer Street and became a prosperous center for commerce in the early 1900s. When the Race Massacre of 1921 destroyed much of the district, the community rebuilt from the ashes. Today, the Historic Greenwood District showcases its heritage through the Greenwood Cultural Center, the Mabel B. Little Heritage House, the John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park, and numerous memorials and murals depicting reconciliation and resilience. Greenwood Rising history center opened in 2021 on the 100-year commemoration of the Tulsa Race Massacre.

TULSA ARTS DISTRICT An eclectic collection of entertainment, restaurants, offices, retail, residential and arts establishments can be found here. Home to the popular Guthrie Green, Woody Guthrie Museum and more, the District continues to grow and transform. The Bob Dylan Center opened in May, allowing the public to interact with items in the collection of Bob Dylan Archives. Construction continues on OKPOP Museum, which will be devoted to Oklahoma music, film, comics, TV and literature.

Beyond the loop!

If a downtown area is considered the heart of a city, then the arteries that feed it live in a symbiotic relationship. One could easily say Brookside, Cherry Street, the Pearl District, South Boston (SoBo), North Greenwood and Kendall Whittier have very cool vibes representing an eclectic mix of everything from boho to Rodeo Drive, with each having a unique soul of its own. They, too, are seeing their fair share of revitalization and new construction.

Brookside has seen a major facelift in the last few years with facades that seem to blend seamlessly together, creating a sense of sophistication while shopping, dining or visiting. Cherry Street is another staple for those who frequent or live in midtown Tulsa. New construction mingles with historic structures. Shops, restaurants and bars nearby are ready to welcome guests.

The Pearl District has seen a true polishing. Its bohemian feel is a huge attraction, and renovation of existing buildings seems to be the key. The Church Studio opened again in March 2022 after a five-year renovation. Additionally, numerous breweries reside in the area.

SoBo is alive with projects including the construction of Brut Hotel and several other developments along the way. The new DoubleShot Coffee House site continues to brew success.

The Kendall Whittier District is home to Circle Cinema, a vibrant artist community and the home of the Tulsa Farmers’ Market. Abutting the district is Mother Road Market, a nonprofit development featuring more than 20 restaurant and retail business concepts.

Festivals

Throughout the year, downtown is the epicenter of numerous celebrations of culture, music and more.

Monthly Tulsa Arts District art crawls

Held on the first Friday of every month from 6-9 p.m. in the Tulsa Arts District, the year-round monthly event is a crowd favorite. It features participating art galleries, studios, pop-up artists and museums. Grab dinner, a nightcap and a slice of pie, and peruse the visual art, performances and sometimes fireworks the art crawls have to offer. Visit thetulsaartsdistrict. org/first-friday-art-crawl for details.

Mayfest

This iconic arts festival celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2023. Held in the Tulsa Arts and Historic Greenwood districts, this event brings art, music, food and fun to downtown Tulsa for the whole family to enjoy. With more than 140 artists and 40 performers, the goal of this festival is to “keep Tulsa creative.” For details on this year’s Mayfest, visit tulsamayfest.org.

Black Wall Street Rally

A motorcycle event held in the Historic Greenwood District, also known as the Black Wall Street of America, the Black Wall Street Rally is an opportunity to experience its rich history. Rally goers can expect tours, music entertainment, a motorcycle parade and more over a two-day celebration in May each year. Visit blackwallstreetrally.com for details.

Dreamland Festival

One of Tulsa’s newest festivals, Dreamland made its inaugural debut in September 2022 throughout the Tulsa Arts District. A celebration of music, art and culture, it was coined after the Williams Dreamland Theater, which was one of many businesses destroyed in the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. In 2022, local artist Steph Simon announced a lineup of nearly 100 musical performances, panel conversations, keynote speakers, art installations and more. The intention of Dreamland is to spark creative innovation in the city of Tulsa; it’s a music festival meets tech and art summit. For tickets and future dates, visit stephxsimon.com.

Dia de los Muertos

Hosted by the Living Arts of Tulsa, Dia de los Muertos Festival is a Latinx celebration honoring loved ones who have died. Held in Guthrie Green, the festival includes live performances honoring Hispanic and Latinx culture, art displays and food and drink. For more details, visit livingarts.org.

Winterfest

A holiday tradition for the whole family to enjoy, BOK Center transforms into a winter wonderland from late November to early January. Tulsans can enjoy the outdoor ice rink or take a ride on the Winterfest Express train, which picks up passengers outside of the arena from noon-3 p.m. on Saturdays. Food and drinks are available for purchase. For more information, visit tulsawinterfest.com.