Home to historic music studios, jaw-dropping art collections, and more than a little movie magic, Tulsa’s museums are anything but ordinary. Whether you’re a die-hard creative, history buff, or just looking to entertain the kids (and your inner kid), this city’s museums roll out the red carpet for curious minds of all ages. Ready to see what treasures are hiding behind Tulsa’s doors? Let’s dive into the must-visit museums that make this city a cultural knockout.
The Church Studio | Tulsa’s Rock & Roll Sanctuary
Push past the nonexistent velvet ropes and step into a Gothic Revival church turned legendary recording studio. This was Leon Russell’s creative playground and remains the spiritual home of Tulsa’s rock heritage. You get the sense that spirits of past sessions still linger in every stained-glass window.
Across the walls you’ll find vintage guitars, handwritten lyric sheets and stage outfits that witnessed countless hit recordings. Peek through glass panels into echo chambers that have soaked up decades of sound. With any luck, you might catch a live session underway and witness musicians in the zone.
Guided tours serve up juicy backstage stories alongside reverent hush-it’s-so-quiet moments. Kids will soak it up as much as adults, though explaining Leon Russell’s legend might test your music trivia skills.
The building’s stunning architecture is worth the price of admission alone and won’t leave your wallet weeping. If you want to say you’ve stood where icons stood and feel the pulse of rock history, this studio should be on your radar. Scope out tour times and maybe score some groovy merch while you’re at it.
Discovery Lab | The Hands-On Wonder Factory
If you think museums are just for silently shuffling past dusty displays, Discovery Lab is here to blow that misconception—and possibly your child’s mind—right out of the water (sometimes literally, thanks to the HydroLab’s water rockets). Sitting pretty beside Gathering Place, this 57,000-square-foot neon playground is basically a physics experiment disguised as pure chaos and fun, stocked with everything from gravity-defying Tape Tunnels to a genuinely mesmerizing Math and Music room that has enough synth action to make Daft Punk jealous. The Ballapalooza will have your offspring gleefully sacrificing hours to ramps, balls, levers, and—because, of course—an oil derrick, while upstairs the rooftop terrace has views of the skyline that almost make you forget your sneakers are squelching from Fog Island.
Kids (birth through sixth grade is the sweet spot) leave here tired, smarter, mildly damp, and buzzing with new obsessions for robots, geology, or musical turntables. Throw in camps, “Tinkerfest,” and surprisingly good coffee from Bean Sprouts Café, and you’ve got a hard-to-beat Tulsa day trip. Pro tip: there’s on-site parking, so just give in and let the kids loose. See what chaos you can engineer.
Woody Guthrie Center | For Music & Activism Nerds
If you think museums are all hushed galleries and dusty plaques, this center will prove you wrong. Virtual reality whisks you straight into a Dust Bowl storm over the Oklahoma prairie.
A dynamic, interactive timeline traces Guthrie’s rambling journey across America. Photos, quirky quotes and video clips form a multimedia tapestry that brings his story to life.
You’ll drill down on original handwritten lyrics, typewritten manuscripts and vintage instruments. Acoustic guitar daydreamers might even spot chords scrawled in the margins of early drafts.
Crowds here buzz with history buffs, protest-song aspirants and anyone curious about American folk’s roots. Everyone gravitates toward the original “This Land is Your Land” manuscript as if it were sacred text.
Entry is free for kids and K-12 teachers, making it an easy family affair. The gift shop overflows with vinyl, books and cheeky merch any Guthrie addict will covet. Parents and students leave inspired, often carrying new perspectives on folk music and labor rights. See why folk music is anything but quiet.
Greenwood Rising Black Wall St. History Center | Immersive History Experience
Step inside and any notion of a dusty glass-case exhibit vanishes. Greenwood Rising uses booming soundtracks, stunning projection mapping and interactive displays to pull you straight into history. It’s a multimedia deep dive you can’t ignore.
The recreated barbershop features holographic conversations that feel impossibly real, and firsthand survivor accounts play across seamless video walls. You’ll witness everything from the rise of a thriving business district to the heartbreak of violence that swept through Greenwood. It’s storytelling with punch.
One standout is the Arc of Oppression exhibit. It broadens the lens from local devastation to the sweeping impact of systemic racism throughout America. This is real history that refuses to sugarcoat its lessons.
Each exhibit is framed with nuance and context that gives familiar events fresh perspective through a 21st-century lens.
Best of all, admission is free, though you do need to reserve your spot. The staff genuinely want to see you there and will hold your ticket. Whether you are curious about how Tulsa reclaimed its story or simply intrigued by a barbershop you cannot get a haircut in, this center belongs on your list. Claim your free reservation and jump into the story.
Decopolis Tulsa Art Deco Museum | Time-Traveling for Free
Blink and you might miss the tiny portal to Tulsa’s Jazz Age. A neon Art Deco sign on historic Route 66 ensures you won’t. Decopolis is a whimsical mash-up of micro-museum and fantasy town, nestled inside TulsaRama Town Square. It captures the spirit of the Roaring Twenties in a few compact blocks.
Inside, gleaming 1920s artifacts like gramophones, period signage and original architectural fragments await exploration. Volunteers hand out free walking maps so you can embark on a downtown Deco hunt, tracking decorative flourishes like a caffeine-fueled explorer. Admission costs nothing unless you choose to tip; every penny keeps the neon lights glowing.
Families will find ample room to roam. Kids can marvel at geometric tile patterns while parents appreciate the meticulously restored typefaces and metalwork. The nearest thing to stuffy here is air conditioning. Before you go, browse the gift shop for enamel pins, art prints and replica signage. This hidden gem delivers all the Jazz Age glamour without the crowds. Plan your time-hop here.
The Outsiders House Museum | Ultimate ’80s Movie Time Capsule
Inside this unassuming Tulsa home you’ll find a tribute to both S.E. Hinton’s novel and Coppola’s film adaptation. Restored by a devoted fan-turned-rap star, it feels like stepping onto an actual movie set. The nostalgia hits as soon as you cross the threshold.
Every detail is here, from Emilio Estevez’s Mickey Mouse shirt and original cast costumes to Francis Ford Coppola’s own director’s chair. A whole wall showcases editions of the book from around the world. It’s a bibliophile’s dream and a cinephile’s time capsule.
The creaky 1920s residence has been meticulously refashioned to mirror its silver-screen appearance. You can explore the kitchen, hang out on the front porch and absorb the exact cozy vibe that made the film so iconic.
Most exhibits encourage hands-on interaction—pose with a replica chocolate cake and embrace the occasional awkward selfie. Keep an eye on the schedule for special film screenings or surprise guest appearances. If you time it right, you might even meet a cast member or S.E. Hinton herself. See what’s waiting behind that famous front door.
Bob Dylan Center | For the Curious & Nostalgic
You don’t need to devote your life to folk music to find yourself captivated here. The collection tops 100,000 artifacts, from napkins scribbled with half-formed lyrics to unreleased recordings and a stunning array of rare photographs. Everything is meticulously displayed in a light-filled, modern gallery that feels more like an art hangout than a traditional museum.
One corner of the Center invites you into a fully equipped studio where you can channel your inner producer and remix Dylan tracks with intuitive controls. A sweeping multimedia timeline spells out his evolution in bite-size segments. You can immerse yourself without worrying about breaking priceless gear.
Admission is an absolute steal. Kids and K-12 teachers wander in for free, and students and seniors enjoy generous discounts. The gift shop overflows with tongue-in-cheek memorabilia proclaiming, “I saw Dylan in Tulsa.”
Surrounded by some of the city’s best restaurants, a visit here doubles as an afternoon of exploration. Whether you’re chasing artistic inspiration or simply craving a cool spot to snap an unforgettable photo, boredom will not be on the menu. See what all the fuss is about.
USA BMX HQ & Hall Of Fame & Museum | For Adrenaline Junkies & Gearheads
If you still remember the thrill of a berm jump or sport battle scars from childhood handlebars, this place is your paradise. More than a dusty collection, the USA BMX HQ feels like the epicenter of pedal power, with every wall lined in race-worn jerseys, shiny trophies, and vintage bikes begging for one more lap.
Next door, the Olympic-caliber training stadium hums with energy—come watch emerging champs or sign up for a summer clinic that’ll have your heart racing. The Hall of Fame corner honors legends who’ve shaped BMX history, and interactive displays make it a blast whether you’re eight or merely young at heart.
Best of all, admission won’t put a dent in your wallet, and you’ll walk away having learned the stories behind your favorite riders and maybe even plotting your next stunt. It’s not the Louvre, but if your perfect day involves speed, gravity, and a healthy dose of nostalgia, the USA BMX HQ delivers. Time to see if you can find your old number plate immortalized.
Tulsa Historical Society & Museum | Tulsa’s Time Machine
To really know Tulsa, you have to wander through the grand rooms of the Travis Mansion. Inside, eight themed galleries spill over with dynamic displays. From the oil boom’s wild rise to the jazz era’s smooth rhythms, each exhibit offers a fresh slice of city lore.
Hear the resilient story of Greenwood as you admire historic photographs and personal mementos. Marvel at everyday objects once nestled in local homes—items strikingly similar to what you might find packed away in your own attic. Rotating exhibits ensure there’s always something new to discover.
Admission is always free for kids and K-12 teachers, so this makes for an easy family day trip. Feel free to photograph every corner without a single raised eyebrow. Whether you’re chasing nostalgia or just curious about 1919’s lavish lifestyle, this stop brings Tulsa’s past vividly into the present. See what Tulsa’s really made of.
The Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art | 5,000 Years in Two Floors
If you appreciate art and history side by side, you’ll love this place. Galleries hold the Southwest’s largest Judaica collection, where centuries-old ritual objects sit next to vibrant contemporary artworks.
Interactive stations invite hands-on engagement with artifacts. Thoughtful displays guide you from ancient clay vessels to modern paintings, creating a rich visual narrative.
Downstairs, the Herman & Kate Kaiser Holocaust Collection provides a somber, essential perspective. Exhibits featuring personal stories, photographs and documents bring this chapter of history to life.
Children get hands-on fun with programs featuring a model synagogue and creative activities. Admission costs less than your average latte, and free days are available for students, teachers and military members.
Easy parking is a bonus. The gift shop offers everything from books to elegant menorahs. Plan for an afternoon to fully appreciate everything on offer. See what’s on at the museum before you go.
Philbrook Museum of Art | Art Meets Mansion Gardens
Stepping into Philbrook feels more like entering an Italian palazzo than a city museum. The 1920s Renaissance villa dazzles with marble staircases, frescoed ceilings and ornate courtyards. It’s Tulsa’s answer to European grandeur without the jet lag.
Inside, galleries overflow with European paintings that predate powdered wigs, alongside striking African masks, intricate Asian ceramics and a standout Native American collection. When you tire of inside marvels, the 25 acres of sculpted gardens beckon. Wind through tiled pathways, fountains and secret grottoes that feel straight out of a movie set.
While admission is an investment, you can snag budget-friendly tickets on special Friday evenings. Senior, student and military discounts make regular visits more accessible than you might expect.
Kids tend to spark to the interactive family tours and outdoor scavenger hunts. Don’t forget your camera—every corner is a selfie opportunity. Stop by the pop-up café for a refreshment break before you dive back into art and daydream about your alter ego as a glamorous art heir. Schedule your mansion daydream here.
