I’m not trying to bash any city, but every time I told someone I was going to Tulsa, their first question was “Why?” Uh, rude, guys.  

Well, here’s the real answer. I’m trying to go to every state in the U.S. I’d never been to Oklahoma and $49 tickets popped up on Southwest Airlines (not sponsored). So off to Tulsa I flew with one carry on and one friend in tow.

And you know what? Tulsa surprised me in the best way. It was full of quirky charm, meaningful history, and a strong sense of community. Here’s how it went:

Day 1: Art Deco, Space Cowboys, and Sipping Around Downtown

Lunch at Sisserou’s Caribbean Restaurant

Located in the Tulsa Arts District, Sisserou’s puts forward bold, savory, and tremendously delicious Caribbean food…in Oklahoma. The Bake & Shark and Caribbean Medley were the highlights of our feast. When I asked for restaurant recommendations throughout the trip, Sisserou’s was the spot every single local mentioned. If you’re in Tulsa, eat here (still not sponsored).

Center of the Universe (Almost)

I was excited to experience an acoustic phenomenon and headed to The Center of the Universe, an outdoor echo chamber that can only be heard by those standing inside a brick circle. Alas, it was under construction! Being aurally disappointed, I thought it was possible we’d reached the end of our Tulsa luck.

Tulsa Arts District Stroll

We wandered through shops like Made and Magic City Books, each filled with local flavor and quirky finds. Topeca Coffee offered more than just caffeine. Their lobby had a rotating community art gallery that gave our coffee break some creative flair.

DECOpolis Misadventure

We aimed for an art deco museum and instead walked into what can best be described as a themed gift shop with a mini exhibit tucked in the back. Definitely not what we expected, but we had a good laugh, especially reading the messages on the naughty souvenir socks.

Roadside Oddities

Looking for retro roadside Route 66 charm? Tulsa’s got it. We snapped pics with Space Cowboy Buck Atom, Stella Atom, and lumberjack Meadow Gold Mack, and poked around their namesake souvenir and thrift shops. Delightfully kitschy.

Evening Wind-Down

After a tactical CVS run for water and prosecco, we checked in at Hotel Indigo Tulsa Downtown-Entertainment Area (definitely not sponsored – I’m just going to cover all my bases and let you know that absolutely nothing is sponsored), which delivered urban loft style and rooftop views. The prosecco was sipped from hotel room coffee mugs in a very classy and gentile manner.

Cocktail Crawl

We embraced our inner cocktail critics with a progression of drinks: inventive cocktails at Vintage Wine Bar (mine tasted like Honey Nut Cheerio bourbon), appetizers and another round at McNellie’s, and a final toast at Roof Sixty-Six Bar at the hotel while pretending we were the kind of people who frequent swanky rooftop lounges on the regular.

Day 2: Black Wall Street, Books & Coffee, and Banh Mi

Slow Morning

We took our time waking up at Hotel Indigo. I wandered out solo to Sona Coffee for a proper latte after botching the in-room pod brew thanks to a blurry-eyed sweetener mishap.

John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park

With a guide from the John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation, we took in the solemn beauty and historical weight of this outdoor memorial. A sobering and essential stop.

Lunch at Lone Wolf Banh Mi

Flavor-packed, fast, and funky. Lone Wolf’s creative spin on banh mi and kimchi fries made for a top-tier lunch.

Exploring the Greenwood District

Walking through the historic Black Wall Street area, we stopped into Black Wall Street Tees & Souvenirs and Black Wall Street Corner Store & More, where we were greeted with warmth and sent off kindly with a piece of fruit with purchase.

Greenwood Rising Black Wall St. History Center

This powerful museum was deeply immersive and emotionally resonant. Give yourself time to take it in.

Final Coffee at Fulton Street Books & Coffee

This Black-owned bookstore and café combo was a quiet, reflective place to wind down our visit and sip one last cup before heading home.

Final Thoughts

Tulsa wasn’t just a layover on my journey through the U.S., it turned out to be a genuinely memorable trip. It gave me history, hospitality, and a reminder that small cities often hold big surprises. If you’re looking for an affordable, enriching short escape, don’t sleep on Tulsa.

Have you ever taken a trip that pleasantly surprised you? Drop your most unexpectedly awesome destination in the comments. I’m always looking for ideas for my next mini getaway!