Bartlesville is weird. I mean that in the best way possible. You're driving through the rolling Osage Hills of Northeast Oklahoma, expecting nothing but wind and prairie grass, and suddenly a 19-story copper and terra cotta skyscraper rises out of the concrete like a desert mirage.
Most people think of this place as just another quiet oil town. They figure they'll see a few pumpjacks and maybe a statue of a guy in a cowboy hat. Honestly? They’re missing the point. If you’re looking for what to do in Bartlesville OK, you have to understand that this city was the personal playground of the 1920s oil elite. It’s a surreal mix of high-concept architecture, wild animal preserves, and deep-fried comfort food that shouldn’t work together, but somehow does.
The Tower Everyone Talks About (and the One They Don't)
You can't mention Bartlesville without talking about the Price Tower. It is Frank Lloyd Wright’s only realized skyscraper. He called it "the tree that escaped the crowded forest."
Here is the thing: as of early 2026, the building's status has been a bit of a rollercoaster. It’s been through ownership changes and temporary closures that have locals and architecture nerds on edge. Currently, you can usually snag an exterior tour, and when the interior is open, the 19th-floor executive office is like a time capsule of 1956 mid-century modernism. If you can’t get inside, don't sweat it too much. Just stand on the sidewalk and look up. The way the copper louvers turn green against the Oklahoma sky is worth the drive alone.
But if you want the real architectural secret, head over to Sooner Park.
Most tourists miss the Sooner Park Play Tower. It was designed by Bruce Goff, a protege of Wright who was, frankly, even more "out there" than his mentor. It’s this wild, spiraling mesh structure that looks like a space-age jungle gym. It’s free. It’s strange. It’s the kind of thing you won't find in a standard travel brochure.
Woolaroc: Not Your Typical Museum
About 12 miles southwest of town sits Woolaroc Museum & Wildlife Preserve. The name is a mashup of woods, lakes, and rocks. Original, right?
Frank Phillips—the founder of Phillips 66—built this as a retreat to entertain his Wall Street buddies. He famously said that if he could get a man to Woolaroc, he could get him to sign any deal. Walking through the 3,700-acre preserve today, you’ll see bison, elk, and longhorn cattle roaming around. You might even spot a zebra. Yeah, a zebra in Oklahoma.
The museum itself is massive. It houses one of the most significant Western art collections in the country, featuring works by Frederic Remington and Charles M. Russell.
Expert Tip: Don't just rush to the art. Look for the "Woolaroc" airplane. It’s the actual Travel Air 5000 that won the 1927 Dole Air Race across the Pacific. It’s hanging there in all its wood-and-fabric glory.
Where to Actually Eat Without the Tourist Traps
If you ask a local where to go, they’re going to point you toward Murphy’s Steak House.
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Go there. Order the "Hot Hamburger."
It’s an open-faced sandwich buried under a mountain of hand-cut fries and then absolutely smothered in brown gravy. It is not "light eating." It’s a delicious, salty mess that defines the Bartlesville experience.
For something a bit more modern, Frank & Lola’s Neighborhood Restaurant and Bar in the downtown area is the spot. They do a green chile pork stew that has a legitimate cult following. The vibe is casual, the beer is cold, and it feels like the living room of the city.
If you're around on a Saturday morning, wander into Lollipops Woodfire Oven. It’s part boutique grocery, part restaurant, and entirely charming.
Nature and the "Pathfinder"
Bartlesville is surprisingly walkable if you know where the Pathfinder Parkway is. It’s a 12-mile trail system that snakes through the city along the Caney River and Turkey Creek.
It connects several major parks:
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- Johnstone Park: Home to a 1903 Santa Fe engine and the Nellie Johnstone No. 1 (a replica of the state's first commercial oil well).
- Jo Allyn Lowe Park: Great for birdwatching and has a solid arboretum.
- Sooner Park: Where that Bruce Goff tower lives.
It’s all paved, so you don't need hardcore hiking boots. Just a pair of sneakers and maybe some bug spray if it’s humid.
The Phillips Legacy is Everywhere
You kind of have to lean into the oil history here. You can tour the Frank Phillips Home, which is a 26-room mansion that looks exactly like it did when "Uncle Frank" lived there. It’s weirdly intimate—you can see his personal barbershop chair and the original 1909 fixtures.
For a quicker hit of history, the Bartlesville Area History Museum is tucked away on the fifth floor of City Hall. It’s free and covers everything from the Osage Nation’s history to the boomtown days.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
If you're planning a trip, don't just wing it. Bartlesville rewards the prepared.
- Check the Calendar: If you’re here in January, hit "Christmas in the Ville" for outdoor ice skating. If it's June, the OKM Music Festival brings world-class musicians to the area.
- Verify Price Tower Access: Since the building's status fluctuates, call ahead or check their official site the morning of your visit.
- Drive the Osage Hills: Take Highway 123 south toward Woolaroc. The views of the tallgrass prairie are stunning, especially at "golden hour" right before sunset.
- Bring the Kids to Kiddie Park: If you have little ones and it’s summer, this place is a miracle. It’s an old-school amusement park where rides are still incredibly cheap. It’s been running since the 1940s and feels like a total time warp.
Bartlesville isn't a place you just pass through on the way to Tulsa. It’s a destination for people who like their history a little eccentric and their landscapes wide open. Whether you’re staring at a Wright skyscraper or eating gravy-soaked fries at Murphy’s, you’re experiencing a very specific, very real slice of Oklahoma that hasn't been polished into a generic tourist trap yet.