Oklahoma is a state rich in contrasts.  From the flat red sand plains of Western Oklahoma to the treed hills and lakes of Northeastern Oklahoma to the Kiamichi Mountains of Southeastern Oklahoma, this land is a pleasant surprise to visitors.

Tulsa is tucked into the curves of the Arkansas River in an area of Northeastern Oklahoma accurately called “Green Country”.

Its architecture is a blend of historic and modern. Oil barons' mansions cluster on streets shaded with tall elms and maples; new high-rise condos dot downtown, and small cottages proudly display their differences side-by-side in established neighborhoods.

Oil turned “Tulsey Town” from an Indian Territory trading post into  “The Oil Capitol of the World”. Today, Tulsa’s economic growth spans truck and industrial equipment manufacturing, petroleum exploration and production, telecommunications, computer technologies, education, healthcare, and aerospace/aviation.

Transportation is available via freeways, toll-roads and historic Route 66, or by international air service.

The Port of Catoosa, one of the nation’s largest inland water ports, gives the city a strong economic boost. The McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System links the Port to the Mississippi River and Port of New Orleans.

Education contributes to Tulsa’s economic growth and the attraction of new business.  Nine colleges and universities and three vocational/technical schools offer a work force of highly trained employees, and the means to continue upgrading skills to meet future requirements. Public and private school systems provide quality education for children, while the Tulsa City County Library system provides business and personal resources equal to any major U.S. city. 

Medical training and research are ongoing at both the Tulsa campus of the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. 

Ethnic diversity is another of Tulsa’s assets. Many celebrations and special cultural events are scheduled throughout the year.

Entertainment runs the musical gamut from jazz, country/western, hard rock, and drumming at Powwows, to the Tulsa Philharmonic, Tulsa Ballet, Gilbert & Sullivan Society, and Light Opera OK. Theater is available from Broadway shows at the Performing Arts Center and the outdoor performance of “Oklahoma” at Discoveryland to community and college theater groups. The “Old Lady on Brady” theater and Cain’s Ballroom bring visitors to their historic downtown area.

If shopping is your passion, there are acres of malls, streets – even towns – of antique stores, and Oklahoma’s first shopping center, Utica Square, is still bustling in mid-town.

Art is alive and well in Tulsa. Gilcrease Museum is world-renown for its Western art and Native American artifact collections and shows.  Philbrook Museum’s own extensive collections are complemented by shows assembled from around the world. 

Tulsa is surrounded by 48 lakes that make for summer fun. Most have campgrounds and boat launch facilities and several have private or State lodges offering comfortable lodging and dining, golf, tennis, and horseback riding. The Illinois River provides six miles of canoe and float trips.

Tulsa’s Parks & Recreation Dept. maintains 149 parks spread across the city. Many have tennis courts, water features, and children’s playgrounds. The Parks & Recreation Department also oversees the Tulsa Zoo, which encompasses 70 landscaped acres, with a Tropical Rain Forest, African Penguin Exhibit, Living Museum, Zoo Train, and Children’s Zoo. In addition to Mohawk Park, which surrounds the Zoo, the Parks and Recreation Department maintains the Oxley Nature Trail and Redbud Valley to preserve native plants and trees for future generations.

The River Parks hosts 25 annual festivals and provides seven miles of paved paths for all to enjoy along the Arkansas River. It's a great place to prepare for the annual Tulsa Run or numerous other local marathons.

Expo Square, in the heart of mid-town, hosts the annual State Fair, with carnival rides and sideshows, FFA and 4-H animal competitions and a variety of free performances by popular national musical acts. Pari-mutuel betting is allowed during the thoroughbred and quarter horse races at Fair Meadows, which shares the Northwest corner of the Square with Driller Stadium. Major events such as home, garden, sports, classic car, and boat shows fill the Pavilion at Expo Square almost every weekend. 

Oklahomans are true sports fans. Whether it's college football at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, the Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, or the University of Tulsa at Skelly Stadium, every seat is filled.  TU’s Golden Hurricanes play basketball in the new Reynolds Center, and Oral Robert’s University’s Golden Eagles at the Mabee Center. Tulsa Drillers baseball (Texas League) shares the professional sports stage with Tulsa Oilers ice hockey, Tulsa Roughnecks soccer and Tulsa Talons arena football. High school athletics are also an important part of the Tulsa community.

Golf is a year-round sport in a city with 17 golf courses ranging from private country clubs to public courses; some lighted for evening play. Tulsa played host to the prestigious 2001 U.S. Open by welcoming top golfers from around the nation at Southern Hills Country Club.

The people of Tulsa are a community of entrepreneurs and futurists willing to gamble on Oklahoma’s future, much like the original “wildcatters” who gambled on finding oil. Tulsans value family, religious and cultural diversity, good work ethics, individuality, the opportunity to grow and a quality of life that is hard to find anywhere else.