The 2 Best Historical Tours in Tulsa
Tulsa offers a fascinating mix of oil boom history, early skyscrapers, and underground passageways that tell stories of a city shaped by ambition and innovation. Unlike many cities, Tulsa’s history is woven into its architecture and underground tunnels, making it a perfect playground for history enthusiasts. Exploring these stories on a guided tour brings the city’s past to life in a way that reading plaques or visiting museums simply can’t match. Whether you’re intrigued by the Roaring Twenties, the oil industry, or historic buildings, Tulsa’s unique layers are waiting to be uncovered.
These two tours stand out because they focus on different aspects of Tulsa’s historic fabric—one immerses you in the secret tunnels that connect landmark buildings, the other offers a broader look at Tulsa’s architectural and industrial past. If you’re interested in walking through hidden passageways or learning about early skyscrapers, these experiences will give you a vivid snapshot of Tulsa’s rich, dynamic history.
Quick Overview
If you’re curious about history walking tours that focus on underground tunnels and historic architecture, these two tours are ideal. For around $40, you can explore Tulsa’s underground systems with Tulsa: History Walking Tour of Underground Tunnels, or enjoy a Tulsa History Tour with Underground Tunnels, which combines building stories with underground passageways. Each offers detailed insights, engaging guides, and a chance to see Tulsa from a different perspective.
1. Tulsa: History Walking Tour of Underground Tunnels
This tour is the ultimate choice if you want to stand beneath Tulsa’s downtown streets and walk through its network of tunnels. Starting at about $40 per person, it lasts approximately 1.5 hours and is led by an expert guide who shares captivating stories about Tulsa’s past. The tour highlights the passageways connecting early skyscrapers like Philtower and Philcade, giving you a peek into Tulsa’s oil boom era.
The most distinctive feature is the chance to see what’s buried beneath downtown Tulsa. You’ll visit areas connected through underground tunnels that once served as escape routes, secret passages, or service corridors for the city’s high-rise buildings. The guide shares stories from the Roaring Twenties, revealing how Tulsa’s oil wealth fueled its growth. Reviewers praise the guide’s interactive style—“Jeffrey made the experience both intriguing and informative,” says one.
This tour is well-suited for history lovers, architecture buffs, or those curious about hidden city secrets. It provides a rare glimpse into Tulsa’s underground infrastructure, making it a memorable experience for 1.5 hours.
Bottom line: If you enjoy walking beneath the city and learning about Tulsa’s early skyscraper connections and oil boom stories in a compact, engaging tour, this option offers excellent value and a unique perspective.
2. Tulsa History Tour with Underground Tunnels
This tour combines a walk through Tulsa’s historic buildings with stories of their past and the underground tunnels that connect many of them. For around $40, it lasts about 1 hour and 30 minutes and offers a more architecture-focused experience. Starting from outside the 320 South Boston Building, you’ll explore this bank’s evolution during Tulsa’s oil-fueled growth in the 1920s. Inside, you’ll see vaults and learn how the building expanded as Tulsa’s wealth increased.
The tour also includes stops at the Regus – Tulsa – Kennedy Building, with its marble lobby and quirky statue, and the Mid-Continent Tower, Tulsa’s first skyscraper built by a colorful oil baron. The guide shares the stories that bring these buildings to life, like the tale of Waite Phillips and the Neo-Gothic lobby of the Philtower, where you can enter the private oil man’s tunnel.
Guests love the storytelling—one reviewer calls it “a great balance of history and architecture,” emphasizing the access to hidden tunnels and the stories of Tulsa’s early 20th-century development. The tour’s focus on building history makes it ideal for those interested in architecture, city planning, or Tulsa’s oil industry.
Bottom line: If you prefer a tour that combines stories of iconic buildings with underground tunnel insights, this offers a comprehensive look at Tulsa’s architectural heritage in a relaxed, engaging setting.
How to Choose the Best Tour for You
When deciding between these tours, consider your specific interests and how you prefer to experience Tulsa’s history. If you’re excited by hidden passageways and want a tour dedicated solely to underground tunnels, the Tulsa: History Walking Tour of Underground Tunnels is the way to go. It’s perfect for those who love mystery, architecture, and urban exploration.
On the other hand, if you prefer a broader look at historic buildings, architecture, and the stories behind Tulsa’s skyscrapers, then the Tulsa History Tour with Underground Tunnels provides a richer narrative of Tulsa’s urban development and its connection to the oil boom.
Both tours are priced at around $40, offering good value for the time involved. Consider your schedule—if you’re short on time, the 1.5-hour underground tunnel walk is quick but packed with intrigue. For a slightly longer, architecture-heavy experience, the 1.5-hour building tour delivers more context.
Booking early is recommended, especially during peak tourist seasons, to secure your preferred time slot.
Final Thoughts
Tulsa’s underground tunnels and historic buildings are more than just concrete and bricks—they’re stories of ambition, innovation, and wealth. For travelers especially interested in hidden passageways, the first tour (Tulsa: History Walking Tour of Underground Tunnels) offers a quick, immersive dive into Tulsa’s secret cityscape. Meanwhile, those wanting a detailed history of Tulsa’s architecture and its connection to the oil boom will find the Tulsa History Tour with Underground Tunnels a compelling option.
Both experiences are engaging, informative, and reasonably priced. If you’re planning your trip to Tulsa, consider which aspect of its history excites you most—hidden tunnels or iconic buildings—and book your tour early. These guided walks provide a richer understanding of Tulsa’s vibrant past, making your visit truly memorable.