This up-and-coming neighborhood south of Tulsa's downtown offers excellent coffee houses, shops, cafes and a few choice wine bars. You'll uncover some furniture stores and clothing boutiques and even a Harley-Davidson store as you stroll up and down South Peoria Avenue. Locals recommend stopping by Charleston's for chicken fried steak, a burger or another classic American meal, noting that it's a nice place for a date or to bring the family.

Consider yourself informed and – hopefully – enticed to swing by, particularly on a Wednesday morning. In spring, summer and fall that's when and where you'll find the Brookside Market, from mid-April to mid-October from 7:30 to 11 a.m. In the winter, the market is held every other Saturday from 8 to 11 a.m. Visit this Arkansas riverfront district's website for more information on shopping, nightlife and sightseeing.

Flush with azaleas, dogwoods and roses, Woodward Park is truly a sight to behold. This public park is particularly popular for weddings, but you can also just come here to relax. To learn about the flowers here, heed the advice of recent visitors and stop by the Tulsa Garden Center, which is located next door. Along with information about the park's flora, the center also provides educational programs on horticulture, gardening classes and workshops, as well as tai chi classes.

For a relaxing day, bring a picnic and take your time wandering through the trails. The Tulsa Garden Center is also a great place to improve your green thumb, as it houses more than 5,000 volumes on botany, landscaping and more.