Named after Jacob Bartles, the tradesman who first to settle by the Caney River in the late 1800s, Bartlesville is a pleasant and charming Midwest town set amid the beautiful outdoors. Today, Bartlesville is well known for being the home of Phillips Petroleum Company, one of the nation’s largest oil companies. In part due to its rich “black gold” legacy, the city boasts numerous unique attractions - fascinating nature preserves, cool museums, architectural gems, a thriving theatre/arts scene plus amazing food. Not to forget, its busy and eclectic festival calendar which always keeps things exciting. Check out our list of top things to do in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and be pleasantly surprised at just how much this relatively small town has to offer.
1. Appreciate nature at Woolaroc Museum & Wildlife Preserve
Set up initially as the ranch retreat of the famed oilman Frank Phillips, it is now a large wildlife preserve spread over 3,700 acres (1,500 ha). Within it, live over 30 kinds of native and exotic wildlife, including bison, water buffaloes and longhorn cattle that you may easily come across as you drive through. There is plenty to do here - walk around on the many nature trails, check out cute animals at the seasonal petting zoo or experience life in the 1800s in Mountain Man Camp. You’ll also find a fascinating museum that hosts artifacts from Western and Native American as well as one of the largest collections of Colt firearms in the world.
Woolaroc Museum & Wildlife Preserve
Address: 1925 Woolaroc Ranch Rd, Bartlesville, OK
Website: Woolaroc
Opening hours: Wed - Sun: 10am - 5pm (Fall and Winter); Tue - Sun: 10am - 5pm (Summer)
Price: 12 USD
2. Experience the quirky charm of Price Tower
Designed by the legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright, the historic Price Tower is his only completed skyscraper. An architectural marvel that gives you a feeling of soaring into the sky, the tower’s distinctive style and design make it a must-see! Take the guided tour that runs on scheduled hours to know all about the tower and its history. Also visit the Price Tower Arts Center on the 16th floor, which features ever-changing exhibits across eclectic subjects like modern art, furniture and design. Enjoy breathtaking views of the city from the top floors and have a meal at the fine dining restaurant Copper Restaurant + Bar on the 15th floor. You can also book a stay at the Inn At Price Tower.
Price Tower
Address: 510 Dewey Ave, Bartlesville,
Website: Price Tower
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 10am - 8pm; Sun: 12pm - 5pm
Price: Exhibition & Gallery: 6 USD; Guided Tour: 15 USD
3. Learn about the city's history at Bartlesville Area History Museum
This small but engaging museum encapsulates the history of Bartlesville. Located on the top floor of Bartlesville City Hall, this museum’s displays take the visitor through the city’s rich history, from the time it was a small frontier settlement to its latest avatar. You will find exhibits related to the region’s American Indian tribes, the history of the oil boom plus other major historical points of interest. Displays are fun thanks to animatronics and audio narration that bring the history alive!
Bartlesville Area History Museum
Address: 401 S Johnstone Ave, Bartlesville
Website: Bartlesville Area History Museum
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 8am - 4pm (closed on Sat & Sun)
Price: Free
4. Marvel at the splendor of Frank Phillips Home
Experience the opulent grandeur of famed oilman Frank Phillips’s town mansion. Featuring a Neo-Classical style, the house still retains its original decor giving a glimpse of how the rich-and-famous lived back then. Join one of the regular tours where guides will take you through the three floors of the house, sharing insights about the Philips family, the architecture of the house and of course, the history of Bartlesville. Take the Director’s Tour for a chance to see parts of the house that are not open otherwise. Also, explore the Interpretive Center which contains a small museum with displays about the family’s history as well as a gift shop.
Frank Phillips Home
Address: 5027, 1107 SE Cherokee Ave, Bartlesville
Website: Frank Phillips Home
Opening hours: Wed - Sat: 9:30am - 4:30pm
Price: Guided tours: 7.50 USD; Director’s tour: 15 USD
5. Leave your kids ecstatic with a visit to Kiddie Park
This week, August 6 - 10, Is our last full week. Then we go to weekends only ( Fridays and Saturdays ) with August 31st...
Posted by Bartlesville Kiddie Park on Monday, 5 August 2019
Located within Johnstone Park, this cute children’s amusement park is a highly popular destination in the region. Offering small fair rides at a really low cost, this amusement park is perfect for small kids (up to 4 feet tall and below age 12). There’s a whole host of fun rides available such as a small roller coaster, small airplanes, trucks, bumper cars, a carousel and more. There’s even a train that goes around the park that the kids can ride! The simple old-world charm of Kiddie Park makes it a favorite among both small kids as well as accompanying adults.
Bartlesville Kiddie Park
Address: 205 S Cherokee Ave, Bartlesville
Website: Bartlesville Kiddie Park
Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 7pm - 9:30pm; Fri - Sat: 7pm - 10pm (closed on Sun & Mon)
6. Hike or walk down the wooded Pathfinder Parkway Trail
This 12-mile (19 km) paved trail goes through the city of Bartlesville along Caney River and Turkey Creek, connecting several areas of the city. Beginning at Johnstone Park and ending at Jo Allyn Lowe Park, the pathway will take you through woodlands where you can come across wildlife as well as major city spots like Eastland Shopping Center. Popular among those looking to walk, jog or bike, the pathway is a fantastic way to experience the city’s superb outdoors - there are several different entry points through the city using which you can join the pathway. During your explorations, look out for the gorgeous arched suspension bridge over the Caney River.
Pathfinder Parkway
Address: 401 S. Johnstone Ave.,Bartlesville
Website: Pathfinder Parkway
7. Take you kids for a splash at Frontier Swimming Pool
Your kids will love spending time at this public swimming pool where you can do more than just swimming around. Ideal particularly for younger kids, the pool has lots of facilities for fun water activities including water slides, a kiddie pool, a lazy river, a swirl pool and a splash pad. There’s plenty of space to relax plus a concession stand for snacks. This is perfect for spending a family day on a hot summer day.
Frontier Swimming Pool
Address: 312 S Virginia Ave, Bartlesville
Website: Frontier Swimming Pool
Opening hours: 12pm - 6pm (daily)
Price: 2 USD (Ages 6 and under); 4 USD (Ages 7 and up)
8. Get close to nature at the Johnstone Park
Spend sometime amid the soothing tranquillity of this green oasis right in the middle of the city. The city’s oldest park, Johnstone Park is a forested land bordered by the horseshoe bend of Caney River on one side. Walk around on the paths going through the woods or along the river and take in the beautiful sights. You can also take advantage of its many facilities including a skate park, a playground, outdoor fitness areas, a picnic area and covered pavilions.
Johnstone Park
Address: Bartlesville
Website: Johnstone Park
9. Head to Lee Lake for a day of fishing and boating
This serene and soothing lake has been recently renovated and it offers a host of facilities. Popular among locals, you can head here if you want to indulge in some fishing - the city has recently stocked the lake with several kinds of fishes including catfish, sunfish and bass. Want to spend some time on the water? Go boating or kayaking (only no-wake vessels though). Want to keep it low key? Take a walk around the lake’s paved path, or sit awhile in one of the many benches and enjoy the sunset over the lake.
Lee Lake
Address: Bartlesville, OK
Website: Lee Lake
Opening hours: 6pm - 11pm (daily)
10. Enjoy a live performance at Bartlesville Community Center
Posted by Bartlesville Community Center on Monday, 30 August 2010
Located in the heart of downtown, Bartlesville Community Center’s elegant architectural style and beautiful grounds make it a wonderful setting to enjoy live performances. The building has a circular design with rounded lines and smooth curves. It regularly hosts symphony performances, art shows, concerts, Broadway shows among other performances. The center’s concert hall is renowned for its brilliant acoustics and intimate design - there’s no central aisle so the front seats are right next to the stage! Be sure to check out the world’s largest cloisonné artwork inside - a 25-foot long mural that depicts an artistic visualization of the Oklahoma countryside.
Bartlesville Community Center
Address: 300 SE Adams Blvd, Bartlesville
Website: Bartlesville Community Center
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 5pm
11. Get some retail therapy at Eastland Shopping Center
Newly renovated, this outdoor shopping mall has over 30 retail establishments including food stores, salons, cafes, gyms and retail outlets. Easily accessible with convenient parking, the mall is a great place to explore local small businesses.
Eastland Shopping Center
Address: 500 SE Washington Blvd, Bartlesville
Website: Eastland Shopping Center
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 9am - 9pm; Sun: 9am - 6pm
12. Enjoy a meal at Frank and Lola's Restaurant
Thursday Night Special: Bacon, cheddar, sautéed mushroom, and roasted green chilies burger!
Posted by Frank & Lola's Neighborhood Restaurant & Bar on Thursday, 1 August 2019
If you are in downtown Bartlesville, be sure to check out the popular local restaurant Frank and Lola’s. Featuring a casual bistro vibe, this crowd-favorite restaurant serves scrumptious classic American-style food. On offer is a wide range of dishes including a superb seafood menu, but on the must-try list are its signature Geen Chilli dishes including the Green Chill burger and the Pork Green Chili. Other things to not miss here would be the calamari and the bread pudding. Given its popularity, you will need to be ready for a wait as the restaurant is usually busy both during lunch and dinner.
Frank and Lola's
Address: 200 E 2nd St, Bartlesville
Website: Frank and Lola’s
Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 11am - 2pm, 5pm - 9pm; Sat: 4pm - 9pm (closed on Sun & Mon)
13. Have a steak dinner at Murphy's Original Steak House
This 1940s-era eatery featuring old-style booths and counter-stools is famous for its wonderful hot hamburger with fries and gravy over all. If you are wondering what that entails - it is a beef hamburger patty served on Texas toast with a side of fries and covered with brown gravy! Don’t let the no-frills decor put you off as its burger has been famous since the 1940s for a reason! But there’s a lot more to enjoy here including steaks, chicken fingers and the popular house salad that features a secret garlic cream dressing.
Murphy's Original Steak House
Address: 1625 SW Frank Phillips Blvd, Bartlesville
Website: Murphy’s Original Steak House
Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 11am - 12pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 10pm
14. Step in the cab of the antique Locomotive Number 940
Thanks for everyone who came out to ride the train Saturday. Thanks to all of the volunteers who helped with Heart of the Heartlands Train Club Watco Companies LLC
Posted by SantaFe No. 940 on Sunday, 24 March 2019
Experience the wonder of locomotives of yore by checking out the restored trains showcased at the Bartlesville Depot. Here, you can admire three vintage railway cars - the Locomotive Number 940, the AT&SF caboose No. 2259 and the oil tank car AOX No. 930. After extensive renovation and work, you can now climb into the locomotives to explore them and even ring the bell. The attractive depot, built in the classic Santa Fe “Southwest” style, houses a visitor center where you can learn all about the role of railways in the city’s history.
Locomotive Number 940
Address: 201 S. Keeler Ave., Bartlesville,
Website: Locomotive Number 940
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 8am - 5pm; Sat: 9am - 2pm (visitor center)
Price: Free
15. Take in splendid city views from Sooner Park Play Tower
Designed by noted city architect Bruce Goff, this uniquely shaped tower offers incredible views of the city and Sooner Park itself, though you’ll have to brave a dizzying climb for it. A spiral steel staircase rises vertically above, leading to a circular observation space where you can stand to take in the view. Originally installed in 1964, the tower with its space tower look became a landmark of the city. It was restored and re-installed in 2014, and today attracts both kids and adults. The park itself has lots of facilities; walking trails, mini-golf, and a kids’ gym, making it an enjoyable family destination.
Sooner Park Play Tower
Address: 231 SE Quail Ridge Loop, Bartlesville
Website: Sooner Park Play Tower
16. Enjoy a fun evening with your pet at Cooper Dog Park
This spacious park is perfect for your dog to let loose and have some fun. The park has separate spaces for small and large dogs so you can safely take the leash off your dog and let them run free. There’s plenty of seating for you to take in the lush greenery around as your dog enjoys itself.
Cooper Dog Park
Address: 2400 SE Adams Blvd, Bartlesville
Website: Cooper Dog Park
17. Knock some pins at Red Apple Bowling Center
Posted by Lindsay Long on Sunday, 21 July 2013
If you are hunting for something to do as a family then Red Apple Bowling Center is a great choice. This bowling center offers a family-friendly atmosphere with separate bumper bowling for kids and a full snack bar for refreshments. Clean, functioning lanes and friendly staff are prime reasons for the popularity of the venue. Pricing is per hour and varies depending on whether it’s a weekday or weekend. You can also get family passes that offer good value. If you are a serious player, then consider joining their league and challenges.
Red Apple Bowling Center
Address: 1414 SE Washington Blvd, Bartlesville
Website: Red Apple Bowling Center
Opening hours: Mon: 12pm - 10pm; Fri: 12pm - 12am; Sat:10am - 12am; Sun: 12pm - 9pm (closed from Tue - Thu)
18. Cool off at Sooner Swimming Pool
Posted by Pooky Panisa on Sunday, 27 May 2018
Located inside Sooner Park, this is yet another public pool where you spend hot summer days cooling off. The park has a kiddie section plus a 50-meter (164-foot) pool. Like other public pools, this too offers swimming lessons and space for private parties.
Sooner Pool
Address: 420 SE Madison, Bartlesville
Opening hours: 12pm - 6pm (daily)
Price: 2 USD (ages 6 and up); 4 USD (ages 7 and up)
Lots more to experience in Bartlesville
Looking for more things to do in Bartlesville, Oklahoma? Be sure to check out the city’s festival calendar. Nearly every month, there is something interesting happening. Festivals to not miss are OKM Music Festival, Sunfest Arts and Music Festival, Kidsfest at Woolaroc, Oklahoma Indian Summer Festival. Additionally, there are interesting destinations just beyond the city limits - check out Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, Osage Casino and Osage Tribal Museum, all of which are a short drive away. What’s more, Tulsa is just 41 miles (66kms) away, so you can always head there for big-city entertainment if you are in the mood for it.
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