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Woody Guthrie Center

4.9 (41 reviews)
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View of the gallery.
Dan C.

Great museum dedicated to the life and music of Woody Guthrie. A must-see portion of the center is the virtual reality experience of the Black Sunday 1935 dust storm. It will blow you away. Sam is an extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic docent. If he's a paid employee (as opposed to a volunteer) they need to give him a raise.

Lyrics...
Nancy H.

Everyone should know about Woody Guthrie. An Okemah OK native who traveled the USA. Folk music is American History. Learned a few things and plan to return with my kids.

Guitar chandelier in the center of the museum
Mike P.

The story of Woody Guthrie is one that should be told far and wide so that we do not forget what is important in America. This museum captures the life, spirit, and works of a natural born talent that challenge our way of thinking and breaking down the status quo. Yes he is most famously remembered as the author of "this land is your land" And his life was all about giving people hope for a good life no matter how hard it gets. Take a tour here and learn the deeper side of Woody and be inspired by what he stood for and accomplished. Many artists have set their roots in Guthrie and so his influence is subtle but widespread. There is a docent, Sam, that is the most amazing teacher, storyteller, philosopher, entertainer, and champion. Go there to listen to things about Woody that you would not have expected and be prepared to be challenged in your thinking. It was an education for me.

Interior
Michael E.

The Woody Guthrie museum was extremely interesting. Not only did I learn much about the life of Woody Guthrie, I also learned a great deal about the Dust Bowl and what a significant event it was in the United States. During our visit there was also a special exhibit highlighting the disco era The Woody Guthrie Museum sits immediately adjacent to the Bob Dylan Center. It's incredible to have these two amazing resources right next to each other in the heart of downtown Tulsa.

Nicole M.

Fun place to visit! Everyone here is so friendly, upbeat, and helpful. We spent around 1.5-2 hours here. The museum is big enough to explore and have a great time in, and small enough to where you don't need to spend a whole day there unless you'd like to listen to all of Woody Guthrie's music... which I definitely wanted to do but my boyfriend had other plans for us too haha. There's a fun, educational short film you can watch on Woody Guthrie's life and his music inspiration. The whole museum was super educational and informing, it was very fun! All over the museum are places with screens and earphones where you can listen to music or have a more in-depth look at a particular aspect. The music bar was my favorite part! There was also a virtual reality area where you could "experience the dust bowl." I loved the technology of this place, it's very nice and easy to understand and it helps you gain the best experience by giving you a lot of information. We also saw an additional little exhibit of John Lee Hooker. It was very fun to learn about him too!

Great place!
Tulsa Z.

We've been here many times since it opened. Special exhibits change periodically and are always interesting. The Woody Guthrie memorabilia is excellent as are the interactive exhibits throughout. There's a great little auditorium where we've seen artists from Arlo Guthrie to Ramblin' Jack Elliott to Jackie Venson. Very nice venue. The staff are super friendly and knowledgeable and there is a very nice gift shop with great merchandise. It's affiliated with the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles and is a good community partner.

Lauren S.

Free for teachers! As someone who knew nothing about Woody Guthrie I had a absolute BLAST exploring this museum! I spent about 1 1/2 hours and probably actually read/listened/interacted with 80% of the content. The staff were so friendly and informative. I would highly recommend if you've never been.

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3 years ago

Not just a music history, an American history experience. This Land is your lLand should be our national anthem

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3 years ago

This museum is amazing. Tons of Americana and totally fits the definition of a hidden gem.

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9 years ago

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4 years ago

This is a gem of a museum. It is well organized and informative. Learned so much about Woody's life and what inspired his music.

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Review Highlights - Woody Guthrie Center

There is an entire area just devoted to the Dust Bowl and there was a temporary exhibit about John Denver.

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Greenwood Rising - The railroad tracks with a moving display on the shop behind it. Immersion was amazing

Greenwood Rising

4.9(51 reviews)
0.4 miDowntown

Visiting the Greenwood Rising Black Wall Street History Center was such an amazing and powerful…read moreexperience. It was incredible to learn about the history of Greenwood and see it up close through pictures and exhibits. Being from Oakland, CA, I've learned about this history through stories, videos, and books. But actually standing in Greenwood and seeing the history displayed on the walls made it feel so real and meaningful. It gave me a deeper understanding and appreciation for the strength and resilience of the community. This museum is a must-see for anyone visiting the Tulsa area. It's educational, moving, and something you won't forget.

The history of the Greenwood Massacre/Tulsa Race Massacre is a stain on Oklahoma history not only…read morebecause of the atrocities white south Tulsans committed, but the lack of appropriate response from Oklahoma law enforcement and state government. Nevertheless, in the early 21st century Tulsans of all races have come together to remember and heal in this fantastic museum experience that weaves early Oklahoma history, African-American north Tulsa prosperity, devastation of white supremacy and greed, and pathways forward. People from all over the globe stop in by the dozens, hundreds, and even thousands per day. There are photos, videos, and exhibits to immerse oneself in the history and the pathway forward.

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Greenwood Rising - Comments area - another space good for reflection

Comments area - another space good for reflection

Greenwood Rising - January 2023

January 2023

Greenwood Rising - January 2023

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January 2023

OKPOP Museum - Work/Wear Exhibit by BZRO

OKPOP Museum

4.5(2 reviews)
0.2 miDowntown

I came here on two occasions: Big Bite & an exhibition held by BZRO. Big Bite was fun & I had a…read moregreat experience. One side of the room, tickets were being handled while in the middle, you get your drinks & then you move over to the other side of the place, that's where all of the food vendors were at (all local & delicious). In the middle of it all, along with a really big staircase, there was a DJ. Upstairs (during Big Bite) there was an exhibition with all kind of art displays & art installations. There was a great view from up top, especially while I was checking out Tulsa Tough. An all day event that ended with a concert featuring Sports, a band that I listen to heavy. That was in 2023, fast forward to now, there was an exhibition I visited that was hosted by BZRO & it consisted of his denim work & the history of denim. There was even an element of where you can interact with a machine that does the weaving. It was interesting learning the process of making pants & how denim was centuries ago compared to present time.

I've been looking forward to this museum opening since it was announced in 2009. While not very…read morevisually appealing on the outside, I'm excited about the vision to highlight Oklahoma artists and their influence through movies, radio, tv, books, theater, etc. Last I heard, they're hoping to open at the end of 2024, but they have already started hosting events at their facilities. Their staff has been in the building since 2021. They recently had a display honoring James Garner, an actor from Norman. Blake Shelton has been helping them raise money needed to finish the exhibit design, construction and installation. I hope they're able to reach their goal and I look forward to seeing it in its completion.

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OKPOP Museum - Work/Wear Exhibit by BZRO

Work/Wear Exhibit by BZRO

OKPOP Museum
OKPOP Museum

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Philbrook Museum of Art - SAMURAI: Armor from the Collection of Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Philbrook Mar 12, 2025 - Aug 03, 2025

Philbrook Museum of Art

4.7(199 reviews)
2.7 miMidtown

I had such an amazing time at the Philbrook Museum of Art! The entire place is absolutely…read morebeautiful. From the moment we walked in, we were impressed by how stunning everything was. The art was incredible, and the staff was so friendly and welcoming. One of my favorite parts was the Andy Warhol room was so fun and such a cool experience! The grounds were truly breathtaking. We went with our clinical group and had the best time walking around and taking so many pictures inside and outside. Every corner felt picture-perfect. The gift shop had so many cute and unique items, and we couldn't leave without stopping by the Wildflower Café. Their lemonade was amazing! Such a wonderful experience. I would definitely go back again if I'm ever in Tulsa.

I love that Philbrook is doing a local retrospective of Patrick Gordon. The newest exhibition is…read morebeautiful, quirky and fun. I thought I knew Gordon's works (mostly from his P.S. Gordon days). This exhibit shows his whole range from the 1980s to more current works (like Men in Ball Gowns). There's a dry sense of humor that runs throughout his works. Opening night was crowded so I definitely want to return. A portion of the gallery is remade to look like his studio and I believe he will be painting live there at times. Another world-class exhibition! (Sept - Jan 3, 2026)

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Philbrook Museum of Art - Samurai exhibit

Samurai exhibit

Philbrook Museum of Art - Fall at the Philbrook

Fall at the Philbrook

Philbrook Museum of Art - SAMURAI: Armor from the Collection of Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Philbrook Mar 12, 2025 - Aug 03, 2025

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SAMURAI: Armor from the Collection of Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Philbrook Mar 12, 2025 - Aug 03, 2025

The Outsiders House Museum - Outsiders House

The Outsiders House Museum

4.9(37 reviews)
1.3 mi

The Outsiders is one of my favorite books and movies…read more I knew some of it was filmed on location in Tulsa, but I didn't think the house where Patrick Swayze famously performed a handstand out front was still there. It is - and so is the extra pole that was added to the fence after it buckled during the first take. The inside is quaint, semi recreated and jam packed with memorabilia from the film. I loved the bedroom that recreates the setting where Ponyboy read Johnny's letter, which inspired him to write his English essay. I also loved all the random movie posters, candid photos and movie costumes - especially the autograph wall. The volunteers - who are strategically stationed around the property are the best. They're happy to talk all things book, movie and Tulsa related. If you're nice - they'll tell you about Crutchfield Park, which is just down the street and where the Greaser / Soc rumble was filmed.

The Outsiders House Museum is a Tulsa gem, especially considering its modest size. Though not very…read morebig, it's packed with interesting memorabilia from the movie that will keep you engaged as you wander through. The best part are the volunteers. You can tell they genuinely enjoy what they do and they are eager to share stories and little-known facts about the history behind the movie and exhibits. Their passion really brings the place to life. While we were there we met some fans who had traveled from out of state just to visit. We also chatted with the photographer who was a neighborhood local at the time of the filming and happened to capture behind the scenes photographs on set. He now sells photographs onsite and had some fun stories to share. Parking is convenient with a small lot out back, but if that's full, there's usually plenty of street parking nearby. There is a great little gift shop to check out before you leave as well. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area.

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The Outsiders House Museum
The Outsiders House Museum
The Outsiders House Museum

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Gilcrease Museum - William Aiken Walker; Levee at New Orleans; before 1921; oil on canvas

Gilcrease Museum

4.3(51 reviews)
1.9 mi

Can't wait for the reopening of the Gilcrease Museum. The Gilcrease is a fantastic cultural…read moretreasure that promotes diversity and community and represents various forms of the arts in an engaging manner.

The collection focus here is western art, especially 19th century. Considering 95% of the works…read moreare in storage, this museum could put on good temporary exhibitions from its own closet if only it had the room. For example, they have enough Thomas Moran paintings and drawings to fill its own gallery. Fortunately, the museum announced a multi-million dollar expansion plan last year and the new design is impressive. In the meantime, visitors must make do with some galleries that are incredibly dark and an antiquated personal photography policy that, while allowing camera use, still puts much off limits. (Hey, Gilcrease, if you want more visitors, liberalize your policies.) Luckily, the museum has a good online collection that, once you create a user account, permits you to easily download images for personal use. The depth of this robust collection includes surprises but it would all benefit from a curatorial refresh. Wandering the jumble of individual galleries and reading some labels that are missing relevant information can be frustrating. I look forward to the expansion of this museum that proudly says it 'houses the world's largest and most comprehensive collection of art and artifacts of the American West'. I don't doubt it. The visitor experience cannot but change dramatically.

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Gilcrease Museum - Pipe bowl; North America; 19th century; red catlinite (claystone or pipestone)

Pipe bowl; North America; 19th century; red catlinite (claystone or pipestone)

Gilcrease Museum - Seahorse effigy pendant; Panama, Gran Cocle; 500-850; gold

Seahorse effigy pendant; Panama, Gran Cocle; 500-850; gold

Gilcrease Museum - Charles Willson Peale; James Madison; probably 1792; oil on canvas

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Charles Willson Peale; James Madison; probably 1792; oil on canvas

Museum of Tulsa History - Love the older style

Museum of Tulsa History

4.6(9 reviews)
2.3 miMidtown

This location has a shared parking lot but plenty of free parking. There is a small ticket desk…read moreand store with books available. The first exhibit is about the Tulsa massacre. The second exhibit is a chronological history which is pretty good. The 1920s exhibit is what turned me off about the museum. There are some limited exhibits upstairs which reflect on the house itself.

My boyfriend and I went yesterday during a day trip to Tulsa from Dallas. We were allowed in for…read morefree because we're students (!!) and the man at the front desk had a wealth of knowledge. The museum itself isn't large, but there is a wide array of information available here. There's a room dedicated to the Tulsa Race Massacre, another exhibit dedicated to Tulsa restaurants, a small gallery featuring some local art, and more. My favorite room featured lots of little knick-knacks, an informative digital reference option about the definition and history of lynching, as well as public health history. (Notably, this room also has a KKK member's cloak and hood; it has blood on its collar. Please tread carefully if this kind of exhibit is painful for you.) You could easily spend an hour or two here looking around and reading the vast array of history provided at this institution. The cost to attend for adults is $10 but, as aforementioned, it's free for students (even out-of-state students!). Take advantage of all the resources here at the historical society and spend a day here and at the nearby garden center. The Philbrook is also not far!

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Museum of Tulsa History - Costume in the exhibit about Tulsa's theatre scene

Costume in the exhibit about Tulsa's theatre scene

Museum of Tulsa History - Clothing

Clothing

Museum of Tulsa History - Info next to ballerina statues

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Info next to ballerina statues

Philcade Building

Philcade Building

5.0(3 reviews)
0.5 miDowntown

Another one of my favorite buildings downtown! It is made up of three interconnected buildings that…read moreshare a lavish lobby built in the shape of a "T" for Tulsa. It was originally 9 stories, 4 more stories were added shortly after completion. It was supposed to complement (not compete visually with) the Philtower. A tunnel connects the two buildings. You can also find the WP initials. The zig zag designs of the glass and bronze insets above the entrances are very characteristic and the architecture shows the Art Deco style in Tulsa. It had naturalistic motifs outside and inside (flowers, vines, and animals). The penthouse was added in 1937 as Waite Phillips' primary residence. The rooms have hardwood paneled walls and ornate decorative Art Deco details. Besides it's awesome historical significance, it is where Mod's coffee and crepes is located as well as the awesome Deco District shops (Picklesworth, The Bookerie, Okie Crowe and Made).

The Philcade building was built by Waite Phillips with Leon Senter as the architect. The building…read moreopened in 1930 with 259 suites of offices and 28 shops. It has a beautiful, classy lobby that is probably the most beautiful lobby in Tulsa. I love the fan traceries of the Philtower, but that is gothic! I have never been past the first floor, but hear the second floor and penthouse are fabulous art deco examples. It is on the National Register and in all the Art Deco books!

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Philcade Building - This building is pretty awesome...

This building is pretty awesome...

Philcade Building
Philcade Building

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Woody Guthrie Center - museums - Updated May 2026

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