Architecture & The Arts of Bartlesville, Ok

View of downtown Bartlesville taken at Tower Center at Unity Square

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2 days and 3 nights in NE Oklahoma

Welcome to beautiful, historic Bartlesville!

Ready for a few days of enjoying some of the most stunning and world-renowned architecture in the United States? Or sample some of the local food flavors while checking out Bartlesville’s vibrant arts scene? Here are a few suggested trip itineraries to help you make the most of your stay in Bartlesville.

Check-in to your room or rooms at the host hotel
Head to historic downtown Bartlesville and try dinner at Painted Horse Bar & Grill, where you’ll enjoy American fare from a local favorite, complete with farm-to-table menu items.
Enjoy a stroll through the vibrant Downtown District, where you can visit beautiful parks, take a look at our unique murals, or snap a souvenir picture with a member of our artistically decorated buffalo herd.

Day 1

After fueling your morning with a home-crafted signature coffee at Outpost Coffee or filling up with a fresh country breakfast at Weeze’s Café, you will be well on your way to taking in some of the beautiful architectural wonders Bartlesville has to offer. Start your day with a tour of the sumptuous, 26-room mansion of oil baron Frank Phillips, founder of Phillips Petroleum Company. Although The Frank Phillips Home itself is beautiful and ornate, it is the original furnishings left by the Phillips family that make this tour an experience to remember.
For lunch, try a Bartlesville original, Sterling’s Grille, or Oklahoma-favorite Hideaway Pizza, found in the beautifully-restored Johnstone-Sare Building.
Get ready for an afternoon of immersive architectural experiences. Start with the stunning Tower Center at Unity Square, a community green space in Downtown Bartlesville featuring beautiful landscaping, an amphitheater, and an interactive water feature. Then swing by the Bartlesville Community Center, which opened in 1982 and was immediately recognized as one of the finest performing arts halls in the country. The modern architectural design was the vision of William Wesley Peters, apprentice, and protégé of Frank Lloyd Wright and former chief architect of Taliesin West. The BCC also houses The Lyon Art Gallery, which presents a constantly changing array of art, photography, and offers a beautiful place for local artists to showcase their work. Next head over to the historic Price Tower, Frank Lloyd Wright’s only fully-realized skyscraper. Take in the unique architecture with a tour, and swing by the Price Tower Gallery to take in one of the amazing exhibits featuring world-class artists. Finish off your evening with dinner at the acclaimed Copper Restaurant & Bar. Located on the 15th floor, the spot provides a perfect perch for viewing the beautiful rolling Osage Hills.

Bartlesville Buffalo located next to the Presbyterian Church downtown

Alex True

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Day 2

After taking in the art and architecture of the Downtown District, get ready for some of the best western and Native American art in the world at Woolaroc Museum and Wildlife Preserve, located just a short drive southwest of Bartlesville. The 3,700-acre ranch boasts a wildlife preserve that allows up-close views of many species of native and exotic wildlife, Frank Phillips’ country home and the Phillips family mausoleum and a museum with one of the finest art and artifact collections in the world. While there, enjoy lunch at the Prairie Dome Café, located in the Welcome Center, or grab a bite to eat at the lodge of Frank Phillips. You have to see for yourself why Will Rogers called it “the most unique place in this country.”
Head back to Bartlesville for dinner and your final night in the ‘Ville. Some of the great local flavor stops include Weeze’s, Midway Café, Crossing 2nd, Murphy’s Steak House, Sterling’s Grille, Tumbleweeds Steak House, and Medusa Grill and Bar — just to name a few. Check out our restaurant listings page for more options.

We hope you had a great time!

As you now know, two days isn’t enough time to see and do everything the area has to offer! When you decide to come back, make sure you plan your trip with us!