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Oklahoma

Best of Oklahoma: From Tulsa to Tahlequah

Program No. 23215RJ

At art, history and cultural museums, explore the diverse heritage of Tulsa, from its beginnings as an Indian Territory, to the prosperity that followed its 1901 oil boom — and beyond.

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7 days

6 nights

15 meals

6B 5L 4D

Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner

Tulsa, OK

History of OK, Downtown Art Deco, Sherwin Miller Art Museum

Tulsa, OK

Tahlequah, Cherokee National Museum, Cherokee Supreme Court

Tulsa, OK

Boston Ave Church, Greenwood Rising, John Hope Franklin Park

Tulsa, OK

Energy in OK discussion, Woody Guthrie Center, Free Time

Tulsa, OK

Philbrook Museum of Art, Bob Dylan Center

Tulsa, OK

Program Concludes

Tulsa, OK

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At a Glance

When oil was discovered in Tulsa in 1901, the little frontier town exploded with prosperity. In the oil boom years that followed, the city’s downtown developed with Art Deco architecture, and the Greenwood neighborhood became the wealthiest African American community in Oklahoma, bustling with the sounds of jazz, blues and — later — the Tulsa Massacre. Travel to the “Oil Capital of the World” to study the city’s diverse history, art and culture at museums across the city and the surrounding area, including Greenwood Rising, the Philbrook Museum, Cherokee Nation, and more.

Activity Level

Keep the Pace

Walking up to five miles daily at a brisk pace, sometimes on unpaved terrain and standing for up to an hour at museums.

Small Group

Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

Best of all, you’ll…

Learn about the Trail of Tears at the John Ross Museum, and explore Tahlequah, the capital city of the Cherokee Nation.
Visit the Woody Guthrie Center and Bob Dylan Museum to learn about the lives and legacies of these famous men.
Discover fascinating art and architecture throughout the city and at museums like the Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art.

Featured Expert

All trip experts

Tari Intardonato

Tari Intardonato was a teacher for many years before taking her skills to the road. She enjoys leading field trips with Road Scholar, during which she shares her knowledge and love of presidential libraries, history, textiles, and little out-of-the-way gems. Tari is an avid reader and loves sewing, watching British TV shows, and spending time with her family.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Tari Intardonato View biography

Vanessa Adams-Harris View biography

Vanessa Adams-Harris is Muscogee (Creek) American Indian with African American/European ancestry. She serves as director of outreach and alliances for the John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation and is vice chair of the Greater Tulsa Area Indian Affairs Commission, president of the North Tulsa Historical Society, vice president of TKWolf, Inc, and is assistant to the minister of Church of the Restoration Unitarian Universalist. She edited and directed the documentary, “Unheard Voices-Stalking in Indian Country” and “Unheard, Unseen,” an interview with Dr. Reid Melloy.

Kelly Gibson View biography

Kelly Gibson is the owner of Tours of Tulsa. Kelly is a life-long resident of Tulsa, and is married with two children. In 2006, she worked as a travel leader for Bandana Tours of Tulsa. In 2013, she acquired the company and formed Tours of Tulsa. Tours of Tulsa works to make the history of Tulsa come alive and lead visitors through some of the city’s most historic and storied destinations, meet its fascinating people, and learn more about this incredible city.

Michael Teague View biography

Mike Teague leads the government relations team for ONEOK, an oil and gas midstream company based in Tulsa, OK where he is responsible for engaging federal, tribal, state, and local officials in support of current and future ONEOK endeavors. Prior to joining ONEOK, Teague served as Oklahoma’s first secretary of both energy and environment for five years where he oversaw 35 state agencies, boards and commissions. He used his nearly three-decade-long active-duty Army career to guide him on international and domestic energy and environment matters.