Introduction to Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa is located in northeastern Oklahoma on the Arkansas River. Settled in the 1830s by Creek Indians, Tulsa attracted white settlers and became a cattle-shipping center with the arrival of railroads in 1882. An oil boom at the turn of the century brought dramatic growth. Once known as the "Oil Capital of the World," Tulsa remains an important center for the industry, with a diversified economy now embracing other industries such as aerospace, chemicals, computer parts and industrial machinery. Tulsa is particularly attractive to high-tech industries, and also encourages small businesses - 80% of its businesses employ less than 10 people. With an income level 11% above the national average and a cost of living 4% below, Tulsa is a great place to live.
Tulsa Culture
Tulsa's Gilcrease Museum features American art from colonial times to the present, with an emphasis on western art. Its vast collection, once owned by Tulsa oil magnate Thomas Gilcrease and bought by the city in 1955, includes 10,000 paintings, drawings, prints and sculptures by 400 artists. Of Frederic Remington's 22 bronzes, 18 can be seen here. Other Tulsa museums and cultural attractions include the Fenster Museum of Jewish Art, the Philbrook Museum of Art and the Tulsa Air and Space Center. The city is home to the Tulsa Zoo and the Oklahoma Aquarium. Mayfest is a 4-day outdoor music and arts festival that attracts 250,000 annually.
Tulsa Sports and Leisure
Several minor league sports teams are based in Tulsa. The Tulsa Drillers, a Double-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, play at Drillers Stadium downtown. The Tulsa Convention Center is home to the hockey's Tulsa Oilers and arena football's Tulsa Talons. Tulsa is also the site of many horse exhibitions and shows throughout the year, including the World Palomino Horse Show.
Tulsa Outdoors
For recreation, Tulsa offers great weather, a first rate park system and plenty of lakes, with more man-made lakes in Tulsa than anywhere in the country. A favorite destination for runners is the 3-mile paved track in South Tulsa's LaFortune Park. There are 16 public golf courses within the city, including a lighted par 3 at LaFortune Park. The nearby Ozark Mountains offer hiking trails and plenty of lakes for boating, skiing and fishing.
Tulsa at Night
Tulsa has a lively nightlife, with a surprisingly good array of evening options for a city its size.
