Do this: The summer bucket list you've always wanted

A checklist of the best things to do in Tulsa this summer

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14 // Laugh at The Looney Bin

I’ve never done it but always wanted to be a stand-up comedian. And assuming I ever grow a pair and give it a shot before being shuffled off this mortal coil, I already know where to start—open mic night at Tulsa’s venerable comedy club, The Loony Bin, 6808 S. Memorial Dr. Every Wednesday affords the opportunity to take the stage and do your worst (because you probably will). Sign up is a week prior to a performance, at 7 p.m. Must be present to win a slot. Guts also required. // Joe O’Shansky

15 // What the hell is a “Busker?”

Find out at the first-ever Fringe Festival in Tulsa, in town this summer as part of SummerStage. Find all the details on page 34.

16 // See the trees that gave Irving hell

In October 1832, Washington Irving, the American writer responsible for “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” hiked along the Arkansas River Valley, making his way through the Keystone Ancient Forest. Take a literary-infused hike among 500-year-old cedars any Saturday from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Trails require easy-to-mild effort and take about an hour. // Jennifer Luitwieler

17 // Imbibe on local flavor

Forget Napa Valley – this is Green Country, baby. Think young-vine wine, along with wine made from nuts and Oklahoma fruit like elderberries, peaches, and chokeberries, all expertly and/or creatively blended and enjoyed in the company of some of the most hospitable, down-home folks you’ll ever meet, sometimes in their own homes. A few of my favorites: Whispering Vines Vineyard in west Tulsa, Nuyaka Creek Winery near Bristow, and Girouard Vines in downtown Tulsa. // Natasha Ball

18 // Spend the day  at Guthrie Green

With the dozens of free concerts each year, Sunday Markets, Food Truck Wednesdays, Lucky’s on the Green, fitness programs, and even dance lessons, there isn’t much you can’t do at Guthrie Green. That is, of course, as long as you’re not panhandling, smoking, spitting, bringing outside alcohol, riding any form of transportation whatsoever, or stepping foot onto the park between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. // John Langdon

19 // Browse the Rose District

Broken Arrow, a once-remote little suburb is now bustling with new businesses and a sassy attitude. With Tulsa and Oklahoma City ramping up their downtown games with serious revitalization, Broken Arrow took a tired strip of Main Street and gave it a facelift. The new Rose District offers a farmers market, food truck Mondays and live entertainment on Thursday nights (always free!). New restaurants and events – and even some loft-style apartments – are being added regularly. // Jennie Lloyd

20 // Go cave diving

Linda Collier offers I’ve-Always-Wanted-To-See-Inside tours of her home on Charles Page Boulevard just west of downtown, known as The Cavehouse. You’ve seen it—it’s that place across from Newblock Park, the one that looks like it’s cobbled together of stone and secrets. It’s not often one can satisfy one’s curiosity for a mere $7.50. Visit cavehousetulsa.com to set up a tour. // Natasha Ball

21 // Head, meet clouds

If you’ve ever wanted to experience the Oklahoma landscape from an entirely different perspective, Skydive Airtight of Skiatook (about 20 miles north of Tulsa) offers a bird’s-eye view. Newcomers can select from different ground school class and skydiving packages including Instructor Assisted Deployment, a Tandem jump or an Accelerated Free Fall. // Nicci Atchley

22 // Run with the bull at ONEOK Field

Got the kids? Catch a Tulsa Drillers game at ONEOK Field in historic Greenwood, probably the prettiest boutique ballpark around. Not only is there a playground, a splash pad, two grassy lawns, and two picnic areas, but there’s also plenty of kid-friendly food and a chance with each game to run the bases with Hornsby. Parents, grab a pint of Marshall beer, expertly brewed just up the street. The Hornsby Burger, named for the Drillers mascot, ain’t bad, either. // Natasha Ball

23 // Drink and do your laundry

When I lived across from Piehole Pizzeria on 15th, University of Wash was my go-to place for doing laundry while nursing beers and smoking cigarettes (yes, they once let you smoke, and it was good). Because if you can be productive and drink at the same time, that’s a win-win. Nowadays you have to step outside for a butt, though the bar (serving low-point beer and soft drinks) and its regulars remain, reading books—with which the walls are lined—playing video games and shooting pool to the hypnotic white noise of the machines as they spin the afternoon away. At 3132 E. 15th Street. // Joe O’Shansky   

24 // Get proud

There’s no place to celebrate the year’s advances and support for marriage equality than at the longest-running pride festival in the state of Oklahoma. The Tulsa Pride Celebration and Parade will bedeck with every color of the rainbow our city, from midtown to downtown to The Pearl District and back, for the 32nd time the weekend of June 6.

The parade, which follows a new route this year, kicks off Saturday at 5 p.m. on Boston Avenue near Boston Avenue Methodist Church. Featured along the way will be performances from My So Called Band, The Please, Please Me, Steff Mahan, and Campbell Reid Andrews. The parade will head north into Tulsa’s Art Deco District, then east on 4th, ending at the Tulsa Pride Celebration at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center. The Pride Celebration there begins at noon and wraps at 10 p.m.

Picnic in the Park, on June 8 (exact time yet to be announced) and sponsored this year by Tulsa Shock, is Tulsa Pride’s family picnic, complete with a small stage where entertainers Jeremiah Clark and Chasing Nadean will perform, plus a Proud Pup Dog Parade. Ice chests, blankets, kids, dogs, friends, and family are all invited. 

Pride weekend this year also includes the first-ever Rainbow Run. A timed 5K and half-mile fun run will kick off at 8 a.m. from Centennial Park at 6th and Peoria. Rainbow Run benefits Tulsa Pride and Oklahomans for Equality. Sign up at rainbowruntulsa.com.

Other Pride Nights and special events: June 4-5, the Council Oak Men’s Chorale concert, “Be Our Guest”; June 6, Pride Night with Tulsa Shock at BOK Center; June 6, Eric Himan Pride Show at The Majestic. // Natasha Ball