When people travel to Oklahoma from around the world to join our Healing Broken Trust workshop one of the biggest questions I get is “what is there to do in Oklahoma?”
It’s a fair question.
Many people confuse us with Nebraska or Kansas or one of the other fly over states. At first glance it may seem we’re still primitive beings living in tee pees. Yes, I’ve heard that before.
I promise…Tulsa is actually a pretty interesting and a beautiful place. But Brad and I HAVE lived here all our lives…with the exception of the two weeks we spent in Spain…so we’re a little biased.
I grew up in Broken Arrow, OK (which is where the workshop takes place) and Brad grew up in Oologah, OK. Oologah, interestingly enough, is right next to Claremore which is the birthplace of Will Rogers.
So many cool people came from here. Carrie Underwood and a ton of other country music artists come to mind.
So in this article I will put together some of our favorite dates and give you an idea of what you can do when you join us for one of our very popular workshops.
(Side note…if you can’t travel to Tulsa for our workshop you can attend virtually or catch the pre-recorded version of the workshop in the members area of the Complete Healing Broken Trust Program).
I am organizing these in a complete date format. To me, it’s stressful to see a long list of seemingly random things to do that don’t feel cohesive. So I wanted to remove some of the guesswork and stress.
Date #1:
Eat at Sisserou’s Carribbean Restaurant
We both love the bread there. It’s incredible and a special family secret recipe. We do not recommend drinking alcohol during the workshop. It complicates things. But if you go to this place on Sunday night post-workshop then enjoy their rum punch. It’s excellent!
Then walk around the corner to the Bob Dylan and/or the Woody Guthrie museums. They are fun and interesting and very well done.
Date #2:
Eat at Elote Cafe. This Mexican inspired restaurant is fun and zany. Sometimes you can catch a live Luchador match. A little laughter and fun is such great medicine!
While you’re downtown consider catching a baseball game at OneOk Field or a show at the BOK Center. There’s so many things to see there. We have enjoyed Cirque Du Soleil on several occasions.
Date #3:
Eat at Nola’s on Cherry Street. This is a New Orleans speak easy type restaurant with a lot of charm and interest. The food is excellent as well. This southern girl, whose mother hales from Alabama, LOVES their grits. They are EXCELLENT. Be sure to try them and the fried green tomatoes for a wonderful southern experience.
Hop in your car and drive 6 minutes to the Gathering Place. You MUST see this anytime you come to Tulsa. It’s one of the best spots around! There are so many beautiful places to sit and enjoy scenery.
If you come in the winter months pop in and visit the lodge where the fire blazes and you can sit and read a book together in the cozy chairs. So lovely! They also have a small museum and beach front that is interesting to see.
Grab an ice cream cone and venture towards the river trail. Take a stroll or grab one of those fun green motorized scooters if you’re feeling adventurous.
Date #4:
Eat at the Wild Fork or Flemings Steakhouse at Utica Square. Then stroll around Utica Square window shopping. Then you can park in the neighborhood across the street and walk or ride your bike through the beautiful neighborhoods.
You can also drive 21 minutes south to the Jenks Riverwalk and check out the live music. The riverwalk hosts Pinot’s Palette where you can sip wine and paint a picture. For golf enthusiasts the Flying Tee is also on the riverwalk. They also have a few restaurants and ice cream places for desert.
Date #5:
Eat at the Waterfront Grill or The Melting Pot while you’re around Jenks. Then check out the Jenks Aquarium. It’s a little pricy but fun and interesting.
On one of our first dates Brad and I tossed a football at Cascia Hall high school and then strolled down the Jenks Main Street. It was lovely and romantic. It’s fun to shop at the River City Trading Post. They sometimes have horse drawn carriages that go up and down the street.
Date #6:
Eat at Cheri Ann’s Trattorria if you want to stay a little closer to where the workshop is held in Broken Arrow. It’s a lovely little family owned Italian restaurant right on Main Street. The farfalle is amazing! The Waters Edge is also a great choice for lunch or dinner not to mention the excellent wine and sangria (just make sure you don’t have any alcohol until after the workshop is finished).
Then stroll down the bustling main street. Grab a little ice cream or chocolate and watch the colorful water fountains dance. Check out a show at the performing arts center or the local community theatre down the street.
Some honorable mentions:
Bull in the Alley - it’s an interesting speak easy but when we went the food was lacking. Maybe worth a second shot!?
Gyros By Ali - this Mediterranean food-truck-turned-restaurant is a little bit of a trek from the workshop location but it’s good. We like to do it once a week just to unwind. Brad gets the Sultan Platter and I get the Gyro Platter or the Chicken Shawarma.
La Madeleine - probably a little commercial but it has some great sandwiches and deserts. Worth a mention if you’re interested in French fast casual.
Margaret’s German Restaurant - Located in the Farm Shopping Center it’s interesting and pretty good. Sometimes the service is on the slow side. But fun nonetheless. We also have a German Society down by Cherry Street that hosts festivals and can be fun.
Roosevelts on Cherry Street Tulsa - I love the food here…Brad is not as excited about it. The gnocchi is really really good and memorable. They used to have beautiful lights year round but now it’s only around Christmas.
I hope this is helpful!! We hope to see you at the next workshop here in Oklahoma. In the future we hope to venture out to more exotic locations but until then visit our sweet cozy community and let us show you true southern hospitality!!
