Things To Do and Eat
The Oklahoma Swing Syndicate
Want to learn some basic swing dance steps before our wedding? Want to get some good dances in with your favorite Tulsa lindy hoppers? Check out The Oklahoma Swing Syndicate (TOSS) on Saturday night. We may or may not be there. At most, it'll cost you $7, which is a steal. Beginner Lesson: 7pm - 7:30pm Social Dance: 7:30pm - 10pm When you arrive, be sure to park and enter on 35th Street, not the Peoria entrance.
Chicken and the Wolf
Try the best chicken sandwich you'll ever eat with this double-fried gigantic delicacy. The spice levels are hotter than you'd think, so we recommend sticking to "no spice" or extra mild. We recommend the Nashville with a side of fries (spicy or not) or potato salad. We've heard the vegetarian chicken sandwich is pretty amazing, too.
Gathering Place
Tulsa's new park with creative playhouses, architecturally interesting buildings, free kayaking and native plant-life. You can't leave Tulsa without a quick walk-around. Grab a coffee or ice cream at the Redbud Cafe.
Brownie's Hamburger Stand
Do you love root beer? Do you hate root beer? Either way, get yourself over to Brownie's, home of the best root beer in the world (says Matthew and Sandi). The root beer is made in-house and has a deep, rich flavor. It's a root beer float without, no ice cream needed. The food there is greasy enough to make your stomach hurt later, but the cheese fries ain't bad.
Center of the Universe
Yes, the Center of the Universe is in Tulsa. This experience is best if you don't know what it is beforehand. Have a Tulsan or one of the Popes show you. I promise its worth it. And it's free!
Tacos Don Francisco
You can trust the Mexican food here. This ain't no Taco Bell. Do yourself a favor and order 2-3 tacos, a tamale, chips and queso and a Jarritos. This place changed Sandi's mind forever about chips and queso.
Mother Road Market
Named for Route 66, Mother Road Market is home to some great food, beautiful murals and some Tulsa-themed mini-golf. Grab a chicken sandwich at Chicken and the Wolf, a slice at Andolini's Sliced, some ice cream at Big Dipper Creamery, a warm cookie at Cookie Momster and/or a drink at the WEL Bar. Sit outside under a canopy on some comfy outdoor furniture.
Burn Co Barbeque
Want an unreasonable amount of juicy meat that'll fall right off the bone? Go to Burnco. We recommend the steak sandwich, but really anything you get here will be delicious. They're only open for lunch, so plan for that, and call ahead cause sometimes they run out of food early.
Philbrook Museum of Art
If you love beautiful things, check out Philbrook. The gardens and architecture are. a sight to behold and the art inside ain't bad either. Don't leave without seeing the Kehinde Wiley painting, which reminds Sandi of the North Philly cowboys.
Antoinette Baking Co.
Antoinette's is the place to go for fresh baked goods, sweet and savory brunches and coffees and lattes. We absolutely love it, so don't leave Tulsa without stopping by. Gluten free and vegan options are available.
Woolaroc Museum & Wildlife Preserve
Care for an Oklahoma safari? Drive an hour out to Woolaroc and see some buffalo and other native and grazing animals. Here you can see some Native American art, but if you want a fuller experience of Native American art, check out Gilcrease Museum back in Tulsa.
Heirloom Rustic Ales
Heirloom is Sandi's favorite brewery in Tulsa, both for the taste of their beer and the coziness of their bar. They remind her a lot of Tired Hands Brewery in Ardmore, PA, with milkshakey IPAs, sours and the best stout I've ever had, their Morning Devotion. Definitely check it out. And if you're looking for other breweries to hit up, I recommend American Solera and Cabin Boys. These are all within 5 mins of each other, so give yourself a little brewery tour. (Skip Dead Armadillo, though.)
Gilcrease Museum
If you're from the east coast, you probably don't get to see Native American stuff that often. Well, the Native American history and lineage is rich in Oklahoma, and Gilcrease is a great place to learn more. Gilcrease is home to Native American, western and Americana art. If you're even vaguely interested in that, we'd recommend you check it out.
Que Gusto
Want some Ecuadorian empanadas and cheesy yucca bread? Yeah you do. Check out one of our favorite spots, Que Gusto, run by a lovely family of four from Quito. This is a great spot to hit while you're visiting the Center of the Universe and walking around Guthrie Green and the arts district. Swing around the corner onto Archer St. to check out Shuffles for game-playing and beer drinking, Made for crafty knick knacks and Magic City for some books.
Chimera Cafe
Great coffee and some of the best vegan options in all of Tulsa, don't miss Chimera. It's a great stop along your walk around the arts district and it's a place where you and hip people go to work on their laptops. People love their vegan tacos.
Fat Guy's Burger Bar
Skip the burgers at Brownie's and head over to Fat Guy's for a proper huge burger. It's across the street from the baseball stadium, so you know it's a proper burger. The Fat and Juicy has cheese cooked inside of the patty, so try not to burn your mouth on the hot cheese.