The Ultimate Tulsa Route 66 Itinerary: Best Things to Do in Tulsa, OK

After wrapping up our Route 66 tri-state adventure through Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, we headed to Tulsa for a full week of exploring, and it quickly became one of our favorite stops along the Mother Road. Known as one of the most iconic stretches of U.S. Route 66, Tulsa is packed with history, architecture, and quirky roadside attractions, but also has so much more to offer beyond just Route 66.

In this post, we’re sharing our full day-by-day Tulsa itinerary, including some of the best things to do in Tulsa, from classic Route 66 stops and unique museums to beautiful parks, local shops, and unexpected experiences. We’ll cover highlights like the The Outsiders House Museum, Greenwood Rising Black Wall Street History Center, Gathering Place, and even a night at a retro bowling alley right on Route 66. Whether you’re planning your own Tulsa Route 66 road trip or just looking for unique travel inspiration, this recap has a little bit of everything- history, food, fun, and real-life travel moments along the way.

Where We Stayed Near Tulsa

We spent our week in Tulsa camping at Brush Creek Park, an Army Corps of Engineers campground in Sand Springs, OK. It’s right next to Keystone Dam, which was the biggest downside to an otherwise really nice campground. There were a few nights where I was woken up by the dam siren when it released, but other than that it’s a very well maintained-campground. We paid $25/night for a full hook-up campsite.

Saturday 3/7: Drive Day to Tulsa

We left off our Kansas recap with an unexpected late night storm-driven move to the Downstream Casino RV Park. Saturday morning started with packing everything back up and trying to dry out the gear that had gotten soaked the night before. Before leaving, we swung back by our old campsite at the Baxter Springs Campground just to see how things looked. As it turned out, everything was completely fine, the river hadn’t risen nearly as much as had been suggested. Still, when locals suggest you move because of rising water, it’s usually smart to listen.

From there we officially said goodbye to Kansas and headed south into Oklahoma for the next leg of our U.S. Route 66 trip.

Hi-Way Cafe

We made one stop along the drive in Vinita at the classic roadside spot Hi-Way Cafe, which is also one of the locations in my Route 66 passport book. After the stressful night before and not much sleep, a good diner breakfast was exactly what we needed. We grabbed a few photos, enjoyed a relaxed meal, and then got back on the road.

By early afternoon we arrived just outside Tulsa, where we’d be spending the next week exploring one of the most historic stretches of Route 66 anywhere in the country. After setting up camp, the only other thing we had the energy for that day was a quick grocery run. Between the late night dealing with storms and the drive that morning, we were pretty wiped out.

We did squeeze in one more thing that evening though- watching The Outsiders. If you’re familiar with the movie, you might already know why… and if not, you’ll see tomorrow.

Sunday 3/8: Route 66 History, The Outsiders, and Tulsa Classics

Sunday morning started slow, very slow. Between the late night dealing with storms on Friday, our move day on Saturday, and the start of daylight saving time, we were already behind on sleep. On top of that, we discovered the one downside of our otherwise very nice U.S. Army Corps of Engineers campground: occasionally in the middle of the night, the dam’s warning system sets off a series of five extremely long and extremely loud sirens. That night I got woken up twice by them, so sleeping in felt pretty necessary.

Once we finally got moving, we headed into Tulsa to start exploring.

Grave of Cyrus Avery, “Father of the Mother Road”

Our first stop was Rose Hill Memorial Park to visit the grave of Cyrus Avery, often called the Father of the Mother Road. Avery was a Tulsa businessman and civic leader who played a key role in the creation of U.S. Route 66. Inspired by the Missouri Good Roads Movement, he became involved with the Oklahoma Good Roads Association and pushed for better highways across the state. As a Tulsa County commissioner he helped develop the Ozark Trails, which later became a precursor to Route 66. Avery also served as Oklahoma’s first highway commissioner and sat on the national committee that created the U.S. highway system in 1926. If you read our Springfield, Missouri recap, you might remember we also visited the grave of John T. Woodruff, another key figure who helped bring Route 66 through Springfield.

The Outsiders House Museum

After paying our respects, we moved on to one of Tulsa’s most unique attractions: The Outsiders House Museum. The museum is located inside the actual house used in the filming of The Outsiders, which is why we watched the movie the night before. The surrounding neighborhood honestly still looks pretty similar to how it appears in the film.

Inside, the house is set up with rooms decorated like scenes from the movie along with displays of costumes, props, and memorabilia. The staff were very friendly, but the house fills up quickly and it can get a little crowded trying to get photos of everything. The real highlight of our visit, though, was that three locals who had worked as extras in the movie were there that day. It was so cool hearing their stories about filming and meeting people who were actually part of the movie- even if most of them joked their big moment on screen lasted about five seconds.

Meadow Gold District

From there we headed over to Tulsa’s Meadow Gold District along Route 66, where we had several passport stamps to collect. Three of them are located in shops owned by the same group: Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios on 66, Buck’s Vintage, and Meadow Gold Mack’s Route 66 Outpost. All three stores were full of fun and quirky items, and every staff member we met was incredibly welcoming.

The district is also known as the Land of the Giants thanks to its collection of giant roadside statues, including the famous Muffler Man known as Buck Atom along with several other towering figures nearby. From left to right below are: Cowboy Bob, Buck Atom, Meadow Gold Mack, Stella Atom, and Rosie the Riveter.

Another must-stop shop in the district is Decopolis, a place that sells all sorts of fascinating things but also feels like a store I’d happily move into and live in. Decopolis is also home to the Tulsa Art Deco Mini Museum. Tulsa actually has one of the largest collections of Art Deco architecture in the country, much of it funded by oil boom wealth during the 1920s.

Of course we had to stop at the actual Meadow Gold sign, too, which also has a pavilion with interpretive signs about the history. The neon sign was created in 1934 for the Beatrice Creamery Company to promote their Meadow Gold brand. By the 1970s, the sign was not looking good, and sat that way for a while. In the early 2000s the building was slated for demolition and the sign would go with it, until preservationists stepped in to save it. The original makers of the sign, Claude Neon, were even the ones to restore the sign- which is pretty cool! It was finally relit in 2009 and is now a Route 66 Tulsa icon.

How to Visit Tulsa’s Meadow Gold District

Website: https://www.meadowgolddistrict.com/

Tally’s Good Food Cafe

By this point we were ready for lunch, so we stopped at the classic Route 66 diner Tally’s Good Food Café. The food was great and the retro diner vibe was exactly what I wanted for a proper Route 66 lunch stop. We split the goat burger (goat cheese, onions, and barbecue sauce) and the chicken fried steak (which they’re famous for!) and liked them both. 

Generations Antique Mall

We still had a little time to kill before our next activity, so we popped into Generations Antique Mall next door. It turned out to be a fantastic stop. Not only was it a really good antique mall with tons of variety, but we almost immediately spotted several pieces of Boy Scouts memorabilia, something Josh and his dad collect. We rarely see that much in one place, so that was a pretty exciting find.

Circle Cinema

After browsing the antiques, we headed to Circle Cinema. The theater first opened in 1928 right along Route 66 and became a nonprofit art house cinema in 2004. It’s also another filming location from The Outsiders. Besides the beautiful historic sign outside, it’s just a really cool place. That afternoon they were hosting a free screening of the Oscar-nominated documentary short films. I absolutely loved it but it’s less Josh’s style, but he’s always happy to tag along for whatever I’m excited about. There were probably only about a dozen people in the theater, which honestly shows why places like this can be hard to sustain, but I’d love to seek out more nonprofit cinemas like this while traveling.

After the movie we headed back to camp for dinner, but we still had a little energy left afterward. Before calling it a night, we tried out the fitness trail in the park where we were staying. It’s actually one of the better maintained fitness trails we’ve come across on our travels, and it was fun to basically turn our evening walk into a little playground-style workout.

Monday: Greenwood Rising & The Green Book Experience

Monday was a slower day for us, which worked out well because our main plans weren’t until the evening. Josh had to work a little later than usual, and before we could even think about heading into town, we had a bit of a mini fiasco trying to get him seen for an ear infection. It all worked out in the end, but it definitely added a little chaos to the day.

That evening we headed into Tulsa for a special event at Greenwood Rising Black Wall Street History Center, The Green Book Experience.

The timing couldn’t have been more perfect, I had just finished reading Overground Railroad by Candacy Taylor, which explores the history and legacy of the The Negro Motorist Green Book. When I saw this event pop up, it immediately went on our list.

The evening started with a tour of Greenwood Rising, and we ended up with a really special experience, our guide was actually the museum’s executive director. When he found out we were from the Chicago area, he went out of his way to weave in connections and stories tied to Chicago throughout the tour, which was such a thoughtful and personal touch.

Greenwood Rising is an incredibly well-done, immersive museum that tells the story of Tulsa’s historic Greenwood District, once known as “Black Wall Street.” Through a series of interactive galleries, the museum walks visitors through the rise of the community, the devastation of the Tulsa Race Massacre, and the resilience and rebuilding that followed.

In the early 20th century, Greenwood was one of the most prosperous Black communities in the United States, home to a thriving business district and a strong sense of independence and community. That all changed in 1921, when a white mob attacked and destroyed the neighborhood. An estimated 75 to 300 Black residents were killed, hundreds more were injured, and thousands were left homeless as homes and businesses were burned to the ground. Despite this, many residents stayed and rebuilt, recreating a vibrant community within a decade, even while facing significant obstacles and opposition.

The museum doesn’t just focus on the past, it also looks at the lasting impact of these events and how they continue to shape conversations today. It’s powerful, emotional, and incredibly thoughtfully done. It’s also deeply integrated into the local community, with all Tulsa Public Schools eighth graders visiting as part of their education and even local police cadets including it in their training.

After the tour, the evening continued with a 1950s-themed dinner followed by a performance of The Green Book Experience. The show, performed by a duo consisting of a humanities scholar and an actress, blended storytelling, history, and live performance to bring the realities of Black travel during the Jim Crow era to life.

The The Negro Motorist Green Book was originally created by Victor Hugo Green, a New York City postal worker, and published annually from 1936 to 1966. During a time when segregation and discrimination made travel dangerous and unpredictable for Black Americans, the guide provided a list of safe places to stay, eat, and refuel. The performance did an incredible job illustrating what that experience might have felt like in real life, combining personal stories with historical context in a way that was both engaging and impactful.

Overall, it was such a meaningful evening. Between the museum, the performance, and the conversations we had with staff, it’s something I would absolutely recommend if you’re visiting Tulsa. Whether you attend a special event like we did or just visit the museum itself, Greenwood Rising Black Wall Street History Center is a must-see stop.

Tuesday: Tulsa Parks

After a heavier, more history-focused day on Monday, Tuesday was all about getting outside and enjoying some fresh air around Tulsa.

Woodward Park and Gardens

Our first stop was Woodward Park and Gardens. Even though it was technically the off-season for the gardens, I had seen photos of early spring blooms like tulips and daffodils, so I was expecting at least a little color. Unfortunately, when we got there, there really wasn’t much in bloom yet, and overall it felt a bit underwhelming. I think this is one of those places that’s probably beautiful at the right time of year, but we just missed it. So we pivoted, and that ended up being the best decision of the day.

Gathering Place

Next we headed over to Gathering Place, and it completely lived up to the hype. This massive 66.5-acre park sits along the Arkansas River and is packed with things to see and do. It’s honestly one of the most impressive public parks we’ve visited anywhere.

There are multiple distinct areas throughout the park, including the Adventure Playground, Williams Lodge, ONEOK Boathouse, sports courts, a BMX pump track, a skate park, Peggy’s Pond, and tons of walking trails, gardens, and little tucked-away spaces to explore. It’s the kind of place where you could easily spend an entire day and still not see everything.

What really stood out to me is how intentional the space feels. Everything is thoughtfully designed to be both fun and functional, with areas for kids to play, spots to relax, and spaces that bring people together. And the fact that it’s completely free makes it even more impressive.

From the Gathering Place website: “Imagine a park that offers amazing attractions and world-class programming for all ages with no entry fee… a park that reflects the unique culture and spirit of our city… a park like none other.” Honestly, that description feels pretty accurate after experiencing it in person.

Later in the day we had to take care of a less exciting but necessary errand, a follow-up stop at the doctor and pharmacy for Josh’s ear infection situation. Not exactly a highlight of the trip, but part of real life on the road.

Overall, even with a slightly disappointing start at the gardens, the day turned into a really fun mix of exploring and just enjoying time outside, and Gathering Place was easily one of our favorite stops in Tulsa.

Wednesday: Route 66 Historical Village & I-44 Antique Mall

After work on Wednesday, we headed out for a couple of more low-key stops around Tulsa.

Route 66 Historical Village

First up was Route 66 Historical Village. Going in, I already knew the visitor center would be closed, but since it’s described as an outdoor, open-air museum that you can visit year-round, I figured it would still be worth a stop.

There were a few interesting things to see, including some historic structures and photo ops, but overall it felt a little underwhelming. “Museum” might be a bit of a stretch. It’s not a bad stop if you’re already nearby, but I wouldn’t recommend going out of your way for it.

After that, we leaned into something Tulsa had already proven to be really good at: antiquing.

I-44 Antique Mall

We headed over to I-44 Antique Mall, hoping for another great find. While we didn’t end up buying anything this time, it was still a fun place to wander. There was a good mix of booths and plenty to look through, making it a solid stop if you enjoy browsing and treasure hunting.

All in all, it was a pretty relaxed evening, not every stop can be a standout, but it’s still fun exploring what’s out there.

Thursday: Exploring Sapulpa on Route 66

Thursday we headed just outside of Tulsa to spend the day exploring the nearby Route 66 town of Sapulpa.

Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum

Our first stop was the Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum, which is also a stop in the Route 66 passport book. The museum has a solid collection of beautifully restored cars, and everything was well done, but overall it didn’t feel quite as unique or memorable as some of the other car museums we’ve visited, especially the one in Springfield. We spent about 20–25 minutes walking through, and at $9.50 per person, it felt a little steep for the size and experience.

Rock Creek Bridge & Tee Pee Drive-In

After that, we made a couple of quick photo stops around town. First up was Rock Creek Bridge (also known as Bridge No. 18), one of the remaining steel truss bridges along Route 66. It’s currently closed to traffic and is down to one lane, but it’s still a really cool piece of history to see up close. As part of the Route 66 centennial preparations, Sapulpa is working on turning the surrounding area into a park, and they’ve even uncovered sections of the original Route 66 pavement nearby. It’ll be really fun to see how this area develops over time.

Next, we stopped by the Tee Pee Drive-In for a few photos. It was still closed for the season when we visited, but the neon sign alone makes it worth pulling over. Originally opened in 1950, the drive-in has had a bit of an on-and-off history over the decades before being restored in 2021 and reopening again in 2023.

Heart of Route 66 Vintage Market

From there, we headed into downtown Sapulpa to check out the Heart of Route 66 Vintage Market. Even though we didn’t end up buying anything, it was a fun place to browse. Sapulpa’s downtown in general is really charming, and it’s also known for hosting the Route 66 Christmas Chute in the winter, definitely something we’d come back to see someday.

After heading back to Sand Springs (where our campground was), we decided to try a local favorite for dinner: Braum’s. It’s a regional burger and ice cream chain that started in Oklahoma, and it’s clearly a go-to spot for locals. The burgers were pretty standard fast food, but they definitely hit the spot. What makes Braum’s a little different, though, is the small fresh market attached to each location, you can grab things like milk, eggs, and other grocery staples. We picked up a couple tubs of their ice cream to take back to camp, which was a win.

Friday: Philbrook Museum of Art

Friday ended up being a later start for us since Josh had a few meetings that ran long, but that actually worked out perfectly. We were planning to go out in the evening anyway for one of the stops I had been most excited about in Tulsa: Philbrook Museum of Art.

I had my eye on Philbrook from the beginning of our trip, not just for the art, but because it’s housed inside a stunning historic mansion surrounded by beautiful gardens. The only thing holding me back was the regular admission price. At $20 per person, it felt a little steep, especially since art museums aren’t really Josh’s thing. But then I found out about Friday evenings after 5pm, when admission drops to just $5, and that made it an easy yes.

The museum itself opened in 1939, and in 1990 it expanded significantly, adding around 70,000 square feet to transform the historic home into a full museum complex. Today, the collection includes more than 16,000 works, with a focus on American, Native American, and European art (other regions are represented though).

We started outside in the gardens while there was still some daylight left, and honestly, that alone would be worth visiting for. The grounds are beautifully maintained, with a mix of formal gardens, open green spaces, and even areas that feel perfect for picnicking or just relaxing. If we lived nearby, I could absolutely see this being a place we’d come back to regularly.

Once it started getting darker, we headed inside to explore the museum itself, and unexpectedly, it ended up being way more interesting for Josh than either of us anticipated. Down in one of the lower galleries, a large mural immediately caught his attention. It depicted Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, which is a well-known high adventure base for the Boy Scouts of America. That got him wondering about the name, Philmont… Phillbrook….

Sure enough, the plaque next to the painting confirmed it was donated by Waite Phillips. As we kept exploring, we learned that the entire mansion we were standing in, originally called Villa Philbrook, had been his home. Phillips, a wealthy oilman, had the estate built starting in 1926 in an Italian Renaissance style. He’s also the same person who donated Philmont Scout Ranch (along with his New Mexico home, Villa Philmonte) to the Boy Scouts.

That unexpected connection ended up being the highlight of the visit for Josh. If you didn’t know, he’s a lifelong Scouter (and I spent about a decade as an assistant scoutmaster), so anything tied to that world immediately grabs his interest. He even pointed out how similar some of the architectural elements felt between Philbrook and Philmont. Beyond Philbrook and Philmont, Waite Phillips also left his mark on Tulsa with the iconic Philtower downtown. In 1938, he donated his 72-room mansion and 23 acres of land to the city, which eventually became the museum we visited.

Saturday: Climbing, Chandler, and a Night at Route 66 Bowl

Saturday was technically a move day, but it felt very different from our usual routine. Normally we’re up early, packing up, and hitting the road, but this time we only had about an hour drive ahead of us. On top of that, our campground had unusually late checkout rules, we didn’t have to leave until 4pm, so there was absolutely no rush.

Climb Tulsa

That gave us time to split up for a bit. Josh headed out to check out a local climbing gym in Tulsa, while I stayed back at camp to catch up on some chores. He’s been getting back into climbing regularly over the winter at home, so he was excited to try a new gym. His verdict: overall a nice facility, but with fewer auto-belay walls than he’s used to. He wasn’t sure if that’s typical or if his home gym just happens to be unusually well-equipped, but either way, he was glad to get a climb in.

Route 66 Interpretive Center

After packing up, we made the short drive out to Chandler. Our first stop was the Route 66 Interpretive Center to grab another passport stamp. We decided to skip the full museum experience, it’s more video-based and didn’t seem quite worth the price for us, but we spent a little time browsing the gift shop and chatting with the woman working the visitor desk, which is always one of the best parts of these stops anyway.

Harvest Hosts Stay at Route 66 Bowl

From there, we headed to our Harvest Hosts stay for the night at Route 66 Bowl, and this place was such a fun, unexpected stop. The entire property, inside and out, leans fully into the Route 66 theme, with vintage gas station decor, road signs, and neon everywhere you look (including a very squeaky sign outside that definitely caught our attention during the night).

We made the most of it by bowling a game (just $4 per person, which felt like a steal), playing a round of mini golf, and grabbing pizza from the on-site café. There’s also an arcade and laser tag if you want even more to do, which makes it feel like a full-on entertainment stop rather than just a place to park for the night.

What is Harvest Hosts?

Harvest Hosts is a membership program that lets RVers stay overnight at unique locations like wineries, breweries, farms, and attractions across the U.S. Instead of a traditional campground, you get the chance to park your RV at small businesses and experience something local and memorable. The stays are typically free with your membership, though it’s encouraged to support your host by making a purchase. It’s a fun, flexible way to find overnight stops while discovering hidden gems you’d probably never visit otherwise. You can use our link to get the best price on membership!

What We Missed in Tulsa

We never have time (or money) to do everything, so here’s some of the things we’d like to do when we go back to Tulsa:

• Tulsa Tunnel Tour
• Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area
• The Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art
• Tulsa Botanic Garden
• Oxley Nature Center
• Tulsa Zoo
• Tulsa Air and Space Museum
• Tulsarama Ice-Cream Parlor
• Church Studio
• Bob Dylan Center
• Woody Guthrie Center
• Dust Bowl Lanes
• Mother Road Market
• Museum of Tulsa History
• Neon Sign Tour

Route 66 Passport Stamps: Vinita, Tulsa, Sapulpa, Chandler, Oklahoma

As Amazon and Harvest Hosts affiliates, we earn commission on qualifying purchases.