Wake up, babe, it’s time for Oktoberfest! Does the idea of going west of the Arkansas River exactly once a year sound familiar? If so, you’re probably a stuck-up midtowner, in which case I am here to kindly but firmly suggest you leave your bubble more often – it’s for your own good. To be honest, I didn’t realize how much there was to do in West Tulsa until my boss gave me this assignment (thanks, Matt), and I got out to connect the dots for myself.
West Tulsa has historically served as an industrial corridor, and still does, but these days, there’s a new creative and expansive buzz about the area. Warehouse buildings are being repurposed into wild new business concepts and old favorites like Turkey Mountain are being revitalized. I know the siren’s song of beer, bratwurst, and barrel racing is strong, but if you can spare some time during your Oktoberfest trip (or perhaps, at a later date) consider these seven suggestions for exploring West Tulsa.
Get Dreamy At WOMPA
3306 Charles Page Blvd.
If WOMPA was a person, she’d be a cool girl for sure. Smokes cigarettes, eats pizza, is tough but kind, doesn’t care what other people think about her. A massive compound along the railroad tracks curling across Charles Page Boulevard, WOMPA is part-creative coworking space, part-RV park, part-event venue and all things funky. Repurposed from an old industrial tire warehouse, and decorated to the hilt,there’s nothing quite like it anywhere else in Tulsa.
Inside is the total opposite of a stuffy office experience. The decor has clearly been sourced from years of junk store shopping and antique sales. Long hallways, big throw rugs and cute furnishings abound. Wall-to-wall windows wash WOMPA in the sort of sunlight that will fully restore your natural circadian rhythm. And if that doesn’t wake you up, there’s coffee in the communal kitchens. When it comes to, y’know, actually getting work done, you’ve got options. Outdoor patios, cozy little nooks, and multiple shared coworking spaces are all available to the dreamy creative or wandering remote worker.
WOMPA is also homebase for several local businesses and hosts the Westside Market every other Wednesday, which is a great opportunity to wander around the place. The Market features anything from locally-produced merch, soap, vintage stuff and more.
Guide Yourself Through Tulsa History At Daniel Webster High School
1919 W. 40th St.
It’s the Saturday of Oktoberfest. You’ve got some time to kill before meeting your many friends for a little Bavarian excursion. Perhaps a cup of coffee in hand. Why not enjoy a walk-around at one of Tulsa’s most architecturally and historically significant public buildings?
Built in 1938 as part of the New Deal, Webster was constructed in the sleek Art Deco style that was popular at the time, a rarity for Public Works Administration buildings. From its listing in Oklahoma’s National Register of Historic Places:
“It Is Rare For Public Works Administration (PWA) Projects To Exhibit Elaborate Architectural Styles And Detailing. These Were Often Simple, Heavy And Lacked Ornamentation. Daniel Webster High School Is Exemplary Example Of Pwa Art Deco Style Architecture Built In 1938.”
What we’re saying is: she’s gorgeous. She also had brains and heart. In 1955, Webster was the first high school in Tulsa to integrate its student body following the Brown v. Board of Education ruling in 1954.National Register of Historic Places
Whenever you choose to take your self-guided tour, please don’t interrupt a class. It is still a functioning Tulsa Public School, after all.
Greasy Times At Lot-A-Burger
2807 Charles Page Blvd
It’s lunch time, baby. Imagine this: you pull up to a classic burger stand, pick from a handful of options, watch as a little window slides open, and your order’s up. Oil splotches blossom through the paper bag.
Then you go to the little park that’s nearby and set up a picnic table. Tear open that bag and everything, everything, is that toasty-golden shade of delicious beige.
At this point, I admit– I’m a vegetarian, so I made an amendment to my order (BLT, hold the B). Barring dietary restrictions, you can’t go wrong with the classic (and titular) Lot-A-Burger. Order onion rings (crisped to perfection!) and a shake (strawberry, for some needed color) to accompany.
Also, for the real burger diehards out there, quick shoutout to West Tulsa’s other classic hamburger stand, Linda-Mar Drive-In.
Tourist Attraction? Historical Site? It’s Cave House!
1623 Charles Page Blvd
Nestled into a leafy hillside just off Charles Page Boulevard stands Cave House, a mysterious dwelling constructed in the 1920’s. If you draw up a Venn diagram of tourist attraction and historical site, Cave House would exist perfectly in the center.. (Note: “Cave House” is a slightly misleading name - it’s neither an actual cave nor does anyone currently reside there. Though, they have in the past.) This place is better experienced than explained.
At its conception, Cave House was a restaurant by day, Prohibition-era speakeasy by night. Now, the owner has replaced the rambunctious bootleggers and smuggled booze with touring groups, folk art, kitschy memorabilia, and tributes to former Cave House occupants. Speaking of the owner, Linda and her stories are what bring Cave House to life. She restored the shell and has packed it with niche Tulsa history and celebrity sightings. You can book a tour with her at the Cave House website.
Unlock Your Creativity At WaterWorks Art Studio
1710 Charles Page Blvd.
This next one is for the art heads. The creatively inclined. Anyone looking for a hobby or outlet and who hasn’t found it. Please, please go to WaterWorks. The building that once served as a water treatment plant now stands as a thriving community art center. Their programming includes weeks-long foundation courses and one-day specialty workshops in weaving, wheel-throwing, painting, and more.
WaterWorks is both accessible and beginner-friendly. While some studios may have application processes or higher monthly fees, WaterWorks typically requires members to complete a class before they can book studio time as desired. If you’re not sure where to start, I’d recommend taking one of Yusef’s ceramics classes ASAP. (That’s him in the photo at the top of the article.)
Chart Your Own Adventure At Turkey Mountain
6827 S. Elwood Ave.
At this point, I recommend trading in your traditional Dirndl and Lederhosen for some sporty athleisure because it’s time to take a hike on the big hill we call Turkey Mountain. It’s the final wild place in Tulsa, harboring lush trees, vegetation, and fresh air. Though wild, Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area maintains accessibility by offering 45 (and counting) miles of trails for a variety of experience levels, and believe me, I’ve been lost on all of them. Bring water, a friend, and check the map before you take to the trails.
If going fast is more your speed, bring your bike and check out the new biking trails. Social butterflies will enjoy the weekly biking groups and yoga classes, as well as the ever-growing programming Turkey Mountain has planned. They’re consistently updating the area (with big plans ahead), so there’s plenty of reason to visit often.
Search For Hidden Gems At Tulsa’s Biggest Goodwill
3110 Southwest Blvd.
You want to make a statement when you show up to stand around and sip your German beer, right? Well, carve out time for the Goodwill in West Tulsa. You’ll know you've made it because a) it’s a behemoth of a secondhand store and b) its sign is far cooler than it has any right to be.
You need a sweater to keep your cute little shoulders warm? They’ve got it. Shoes for walking around in? Got it. A stein from Oktoberfest-past? I’ve seen it happen. This isn’t any old Goodwill with any old stuff. It’s like a million square feet of scavengable pre-loved treasures.
In Conclusion
Though our beloved Bavarian festival lasts only a week, West Tulsa is here year-round. That means you –yes, you!– should stop by more often. Enroll in that painting class, sign up for an architecture tour, maybe even remember how to ride a bike. While we can’t all be reborn ala a 1920’s warehouse, we sure can give it our best shot – you’ll have to bring your own Euro Disco though.
