Tulsa's Pearl District is the end result of a second life granted to one of the city's oldest neighborhoods. After this nearly-downtown area spiraled into disrepair, The Pearl District Association stepped in and formulated a plan to transform these city blocks into a mixed-use walkable neighborhood with an emphasis on the arts.

Venture into this urban business district and stumble upon multipurpose features like a pretty pond that doubles as a catchall for flood waters. Appreciate the Tulsa skyline in the background as you walk between coffee shops and creative studios, as well. Visitors and residents can even mix and mingle at the dog park housed within the Pearl District.

In the Pearl District, community and business meet in the form of bold, decorative murals and Centennial Park events. Break bread over a cold brew at Dead Armadillo Brewery, or make new friends with fellow creatives holed up inside The Phoenix Coffeehouse and Lot No. 6. Catch evening entertainment with a play produced at The Nightingale Theater, or stock up on handcrafted wares at Garden Deva Sculpture Company. Plenty of dining options abound here, too, from Ike's Chili's chili cheeseburgers to Papa Ganouj's chicken shawarma wrap and El Rancho Grande's chimichangas.