Overview Hotels Things to Do Restaurants Nightlife Facts Explore Travel

Downtown/North Central

Tulsa's downtown is set near the river, so rather than being the geographical center of town, it is located in the north central section. This area serves as the focal point of many downtown events, such as Mayfest, and features decorative waterways and sitting-places, as well as a number of restaurants and cafes. Many of the older buildings downtown are ornate remnants of the extravagant oil boom days. The Hotel Ambassador, a Tulsa landmark, actually began as a temporary housing facility for oil tycoons who were building their mansions. While the city has had to take steps toward revitalizing certain aspects of the area, one part of downtown nightlife, the fine arts, has never needed attention. Of particular note is the Performing Arts Center, which hosts a multitude of cultural events through the fall, winter and spring.