If you’re searching for a fantastic city to engage your crew with team building activities, Tulsa, OK, is an incredible choice. Whether you’re local or coming in for a corporate event, Tulsa can deliver excellent experiences across the board.
As someone who grew up in the suburbs of Tulsa, I’ve always known that it’s something special. And now, as TeamBonding’s Event Experience Manager, I get to help teams from all over the country discover what makes this city so amazing!
In this guide, I’ll share why Tulsa’s group activities are some of the most memorable you’ll find anywhere, highlight the team building options that shine here, and give you my insider recommendations for places to eat and explore.
Why Team Building Activities in Tulsa, OK, Hit Different
Tulsa is a laid-back city with great music, incredible food, and a gorgeous sunset, especially when you’re watching it over the Arkansas River. There’s just something about this chilled-out vibe that clicks with team building—it’s infectious.
We have beautiful views, friendly people, delicious food, and a ton of fun activities to choose from, but the positive feedback we receive always reminds me that it goes even deeper than that.
Creative Energy
With the laid-back air here, the creative group activities Tulsa has to offer work really well with the city and its people. From historic architecture and world-class museums to cutting-edge dining and scenic outdoor spaces, there’s something for everyone.
My favorite spot for these activities is downtown in the Northern Midtown area around Cherry Street, which is one of the most popular areas around and a total foodie’s haven. It has tons of locally-owned restaurants and creative vibes that spread across the city.
Cultural Heritage and Route 66 Spirit
Lots of Tulsa activities for adults shine a light on Route 66. It was created all the way back in 1926, and it blows my mind how relevant and admired it still is in today’s busy world—check out the Route 66 Historical Village to get an idea of its history.
There’s also a rich and proud Native American history and heritage around Tulsa, and it works great for giving teams something authentic to connect over and learn about during their visit. This city has done a great job preserving this history, and it shows.
Perfect Size for Group Activities
Tulsa isn’t some sprawling metropolitan area where you’re stuck in traffic for hours, and I think this makes it even better for group activities. It’s large enough to offer diverse venues but small enough that it’s not a logistics nightmare to explore multiple places.
This tends to make it easier to find and plan activities to do in Tulsa, no matter what your group is interested in. The city’s layout naturally helps you flow from one spot to another, which keeps energy high and stress low.
Best Team Building Activities Tulsa Teams Love
Since every TeamBonding event is customizable and we have hundreds of options, the possibilities are practically endless, no matter where you go. The key ingredients for good team building are usually fantastic people and careful planning.
That said, some events consistently shine in this creative city, and I do have some top picks that never fail to create lasting memories.
1. Global Games: Center of the Universe Edition
One of my absolute favorite activities here takes advantage of one of Tulsa’s quirkiest landmarks—the Center of the Universe. It’s a little concrete circle with unique acoustics, and your voice will echo back to you when you speak, but people outside can’t hear it!
It can honestly be a disconcerting experience that’ll challenge your grasp on sound and space, but it’s my #1 must-visit spot. It’s perfect for our Center of the World event, which we can customize to incorporate this unique spot in the trivia and activities.
In the game, your team will split into smaller groups and work through six interactive rounds, each highlighting a different world region to test their knowledge while they work together.
Aside from using the Center of the Universe as a metaphor for how teams can lift each other up and amplify each other’s voices, you’ll be right in the heart of downtown with plenty to explore before and after the event.
2. Food Truck Challenge: Tulsa Flavors
Tulsa is well-known for its diverse, growing culinary scene and the EAT36STN Food Truck Park, which is on 36th Street. A visit here would be great inspiration (or a delicious reward) for our Food Truck Challenge.
During the event, your team will split into smaller groups and compete to create the best food truck concept, complete with branding, menu development, and actual tasty treats! It’s lots of fun, and everyone wins since you get delicious food after the judging rounds.
Since every TeamBonding event is customizable, I’d suggest focusing on local favorites like:
- Oklahoma-style barbecue with those famous tangy sauces
- Greek-style dishes (there’s a strong Greek community here)
- Native American-inspired cuisine
- Route 66 diner classics
3. Playing the Blues: Tulsa Music Heritage
Given Tulsa’s incredible musical history and the famous “Tulsa Sound,” it’s a fantastic spot for our Playing the Blues program. The Tulsa Sound is a style of music that originated here—it’s a mix of blues, blues rock, rock and roll, and country music.
Your entire team will learn to play the harmonica together (and take one home as a souvenir) as a demonstration of the power of teamwork. It’s also an excellent exercise for reminding people what they’re capable of and boosting your crew’s confidence!
We can also bring retro sunglasses and Blues Brothers-style hats to help unleash your crew’s inner blues monsters.
I’d recommend checking out the Bob Dylan Center or the Woody Guthrie Center afterward to continue the fun with an on-brand historical highlight. Church Studio would be a fun spot to visit, too.
The Gathering Place: Tulsa’s Crown Jewel for Team Building Activities
Tulsa has lots of amazing places to see, but the Gathering Place is an award-winning local favorite for a reason—it has over 66 acres of beautiful park along the Arkansas River with plenty of space for outdoor team building games and summer outings.
It has free admission and a ton of attractions, including:
- The Skate Park: Perfect for Just Roll With It, our charitable skateboard build
- Peggy’s Pond & The Wetland Gardens: Great spot for our Build-A-Boat event
- Mist Mountain: Nice spot to cool off after our Summer Camp Throwback program
- Willow Beach: A rare landlocked destination for our Sand Sculpting challenge
- Four Seasons Garden: Fun place to explore on our Polaroid Scavenger Hunt
- Gather Round Stage: The perfect stage for any of our musical team building activities
- Redbud Cafe: Delicious coffee, snacks, ice cream, and other treats for between events
I could seriously turn this list into an entire article—there are dozens of unique spots to check out around the Gathering Place! It’s one of those gems that you just have to see to believe.
If you’re planning an event here, just check the calendar to see if it’ll overlap with a festival or event. It’s not a super busy spot, but several events do take place here throughout the year.
When to Plan Team Building Activities: Tulsa’s Best Seasons
The best times of year for team building activities in Tulsa are spring and fall. Summer gets hot fast in Oklahoma, and winter is a bit erratic with the weather.
Spring and fall are great times to be outdoors, though, and these seasons really make the city shine.
You can explore Tulsa’s expansive bike trail system, enjoy the waterfront, or check out some of our rooftop bars and gardens, all of which are absolutely thriving during these seasons.
If you do plan an event during the summer or winter, have an indoor backup plan ready, just in case! You can also find plenty of indoor options that showcase the city’s character.
Where to Eat: Local Favorites Your Team Will Love
Grabbing a bit to eat before or after a team building experience gives your team a spot to chat, reflect, and solidify the memories they’re making together. Tulsa’s restaurant scene is something special, too. Here are my favorites:
- Coney I-Lander: This is an amazing coney dog spot across from the University of Tulsa campus with a casual vibe and delicious food, perfect for team conversations.
- Cherry Street District: This is a foodie’s paradise with several spots for brunch, lunch, dinner, and even late-night events like our Pub Crawl Scavenger Hunt. Roosevelt’s Gastropub, Kilkenny’s Irish Pub, and SAPORI are my faves.
- Leon’s Smoke Shack: This is one of many spots that perfectly showcase the Tulsa BBQ scene. It’s family-owned, super friendly, and everything on the menu is delicious.
- The Chowhouse: This is a casual American eatery with tons of comfort foods on the menu and a beautiful outdoor patio.
Want to Plan Memorable Team Building Activities? Tulsa Awaits!
Tulsa is unique because it offers something that many corporate destinations lack—authenticity and an air of real creativity. No matter what event you pick, your team will leave with shared memories they’ll be talking about for years to come.
Whether you’re exploring spots around the Gathering Place, learning harmonica at the Church Studio, or just enjoying the city’s local BBQ culture, the laid-back atmosphere is an excellent backdrop for bringing people closer together and helping them relax.
If you didn’t see the perfect event from my recommendations, never fear! These are just my favorites from TeamBonding’s catalog, which has more than 200 customizable programs to choose from. We’ll even create a totally custom event just for you!
Contact us to find out how we can help you plan an unforgettable team building adventure. We’ll create something that captures Tulsa’s spirit while making sure your team’s unique personality can shine front and center.
