The Gathering Place is an expansive, unique riverfront park and playscape that offers acres of fun for the entire family. Seriously, it’s so big that the park needs its own app!
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Location: 2650 S John Williams Way E. Tulsa, OK 74114
Welcome to The Best Park in America
Enjoy 100 acres of riverfront fun and forget that you’re in the city! On our first trip to the Gathering Place, we never made it further than the Adventure Playground. There, we found a life-sized fairy garden, sensory-friendly mirror maze, slides, treehouses, pirate ships, a zip line, and an outrageously fun sand and water feature.
It was all day fun in a well-planned park. Summer temps can get pretty hot in the south, luckily the Gathering Place offers plenty of ways to beat the heat. With picnic areas, clean bathrooms, and lots to do, we were happy to make this park a day trip in the Ozarks.
What to Expect: It’s a City Park, But Better
With a name like the Gathering Place, you might be curious–what exactly is it? As a family, we’ve been there with kids of all ages, including kiddos on the autism spectrum and here’s how we describe it: it’s a city park, but way better.
There are endless opportunities to find a seat in the shade and read a book. There are paved trails for walking and beautiful gardens to delight in horticulture. You’ll find art, food, and music in this 100-acre city park that also offers a children’s museum, water slide, and skate park, among many other attractions. Here’s the full list:
Adventure Playground
Gather Round Stage
Picnic Grove
Water Mountain
Boathouse
Swing Hill
Sky Garden
Four Seasons Garden
Skate & Bike Park
Riverside Swings
Discovery Lab Children's Museum
Sports Courts
North Land Bridge Lawn
Great Lawn
Slide Vale
Mist Mountain
Wetland Gardens
Lodge
Reading Tree
Midland Valley Trail
Personally, we spent an entire day at the Adventure Playground. My five year old became enamored with the play structures. She found independence climbing up treehouse-style ladders and lofts to access daring slides. She played Repunzel in a tall, tall tower. And she pretended to be a mermaid circling a pirate ship while new friends walked the plank.
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From beginning to end, it was a day of magic, far better spent than the time we took the kids to Disney. The park itself, including Adventure Playground, is free to visit. Unlike Disney World, there was no expensive admission tickets, pricey dining plans, or long lines.
Planning Your Trip to the Gathering Place in Tulsa
If you're not local, keep in mind that it gets hot in the South - really hot. The best time to visit is early summer or mid fall. This is just before, or after, the stretch of triple digit days that falls in July and August.
If you find yourself in Tulsa in the later summer months, slide on over to Mist Mountain for a fun way to stay cool at the Gathering Place in Tulsa. Also, remember to bring plenty of water. While there are drinking fountains, concessions, and shade - hot is hot!
Tip: If you're in Tulsa during the holidays, don't miss the festive light display at the Gathering Place.
You'll be delighted to find that both parking and admission are free. You can pack a picnic or grab some grub from one of the eateries in the park to stretch your time. We love to pack a picnic (check out this cooler bag) and plenty of water so that we don't have to interrupt the fun.
If you're visiting with pets, take advantage of the scenic Midland Valley Trail which is a paved walkway that lines the riverfront with a section of trail circling prominent park features like Adventure Playground and the Reading Tree.
Spend a Day with the Kids at Adventure Playground
The kids in our group had varied interests which made it hard for everyone to stick together. Still, we all had a lot of fun. The thing is, there isn't just one playground. The Gathering Place features a system of themed playgrounds that will keep kids of all ages busy all day long.
The playgrounds are accessible by paved walking trails which make for easy navigation using strollers or wheelchairs. Plus, there are frequent sitting spots with plenty of shade. From picnic areas to benches, the park and playground area was designed with families in mind. If it's a hot day, consider bringing a misting insulated spray bottle.
Stroll the Riverfront Midland Valley Trail with Your Pup in Tow
According to the curators of the Gathering Place, there are more than 100 things to see and do around the park. But if your trip to Tulsa involves two wheels, two feet, or a furry companion, we highly recommend strolling the Midland Valley Trail which connects downtown Tulsa to the riverfront using the old railway corridor.
Find Indoor Fun at the Discovery Lab
While most of the park is designed to be enjoyed outdoors, don't let a little weather keep you from visiting. The park is also home to a spectacular children's science center called Discovery Lab. Located at the corner of 3rd street and Riverside drive, you'll find a hydrolab (water feature), math, music, and STEM exhibits, an imaginarium, and much more!
Is it Really Worth It?
Without hesitation, our family can say yes. Tulsa is about a two-hour road trip for us and worth every minute in the car. If you're in Tulsa - or anywhere in the Ozarks, it's worth a day (or two) to check out one of the best parks in America.
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