Tulsa Masterpieces
In the galleries of the Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, visitors will find the works of internationally renowned artists such as Charles M. Russell, George Catlin, Frederic Remington, Albert Bierstadt, non-Western painters such as Winslow Homer, and large-scale landscape masterpieces by Thomas Moran. Offering the world’s largest, comprehensive collection of arts and artifacts from the American West, the grounds of the Gilcrease match the artistry found within. Eleven themed gardens enhance the museum's 460 acres, with garden tours available for those wanting a more informative look.
At the Philbrook Museum of Art in Tulsa, visitors will find one of only five U.S. museums with the unique combination of historic home, gardens and art collections. Replicating an Italianate villa, the permanent collections contain masterpieces of American and European painting and sculpture, impressive works from the Renaissance and Baroque periods, as well as fine examples of modern and contemporary art.
In the area:
The Hotel Ambassador in Tulsa, one of Oklahoma’s premier boutique hotels, is luxuriously appointed in European style with unmatched attention to detail. Reminiscent of an Italian Renaissance villa, the hotel is home to the Chalkboard Restaurant, a European-style bistro featuring an ever-changing menu of tantalizing specialties.
Don't miss:
While visiting the Philbrook, don't miss “The Brilliant Prayer” by Allan C. Houser, internationally renowned sculptor, Chiricahua Apache and native Oklahoman.
Frontier Reflections
A tranquil pool and a field of 168 empty chairs at the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum set the stage for powerful, poignant reflection and an unforgettable experience. Created to honor those who were killed, those who survived, and those changed forever by the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, the Outdoor Symbolic Memorial includes the Field of Empty Chairs honoring the 168 people who were killed, monumental bronze-clad Gates of Time, a reflecting pool, Survivor Tree, Rescuers' Orchard and a special area for children. The interactive Memorial Museum tells the story of the April 19, 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. Recordings, video programs, moving oral histories, bomb-damaged artifacts and touching stories document the heart-wrenching process of loss, recovery and rebuilding.
Located only a short distance away, the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City highlights the entire Western experience with collections focusing on Western history, art and culture. Featuring significant works by master artists Charles Russell, Frederic Remington and Albert Bierstadt, the museum also showcases rotating exhibits along with numerous premier Western events such as the Western Heritage Awards, Chuck Wagon Gathering and the prestigious Prix de West.
In the area:
A beautiful and historic landmark, The Skirvin Hilton Hotel stands tall and strong as a symbol of resiliency in the heart of downtown Oklahoma City. Built in 1911, the Skirvin epitomizes the city's downtown renaissance. This elegant architectural beauty, with its distinctive facade and gracious amenities, glows with character. The upscale Park Avenue Grill, located within the hotel, features palette-pleasing American menu items alongside adventurous Southwestern fusion cuisine. The Skirvin is within walking distance of the Oklahoma City Museum of Art and the Bricktown Entertainment District.
Towering Vision and Honest Wisdom
The design-expanding Price Tower in Bartlesville is Frank Lloyd Wright’s only fully realized skyscraper and a National Historic Landmark. Considered one of the great buildings of the 20th century, the tower houses the Inn at Price Tower and the Price Tower Arts Center, which offers outstanding collections and exhibitions of art, architecture and design. The distinctive rooms at the inn are filled with Frank Lloyd Wright touches, from copper towel rods and angular furniture to an orange-and-turquoise color scheme straight from the master’s palette. The Copper Bar on the 15th floor, where visitors can sip and nibble while viewing stunning vistas of the surrounding prairie landscape, offers a pub-style menu and delicious cocktails. Guided tours of the tower are available to the public.
Just a short distance away, visit the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore to immerse yourself in the honest wisdom of a prairie icon. “A man that don’t love a horse, there is something the matter with him,” observed Will Rogers, Oklahoma’s favorite son. Enjoy the the life, legacy and wisdom of Will Rogers, actor, humorist, move star, commentator and syndicated newspaper columnist at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum. The museum features artifacts and memorabilia from Rogers’ life including art and saddle collections, photographs and manuscripts. There's even a special children’s area for little buckaroos. One of the best seats in the house is the Will Rogers Memorial Mini-Theater, where Will’s movies show continuously during museum hours. Will Rogers starred in 21 20th Century Fox movies, was the hero in 50 silent films and was the top box office star of his time. Many of his movies reference his Oklahoma, Rogers County and Cherokee heritage.
In the area:
For almost three decades, the Claremore lunchtime crowd has flocked to The Pink House, a Victorian homestead now more than a century old, to enjoy hearty and satisfying sandwiches served on thick slabs of homemade bread, crisp salads, specialty casseroles or quiches, and coconut cream pie. A northeast Oklahoma tradition since 1969, Hammett House Restaurant become a success by keeping things simple with unmatched Southern hospitality and heaping platters of well-prepared food. Try the “pamper-fried” chicken and pork chops, but don’t leave without sampling one of the 14 types of equally renowned pie, ranging from chocolate chip peanut butter to sour cream blueberry.
