Stately Gilded Age Mansion with Manicured Grounds

In the early 1920s, after prominent Tulsa citizen Dr. Samuel Kennedy struck it rich on the oil fields northwest of the city, he built himself a Federal-style estate. The mansion captured the spirit of those affluent times with soaring ceilings, a grand staircase, and a pair of second-floor terraces that overlook carefully manicured lawns. After Dr. Kennedy died in 1941, the house changed hands several times—the rock band Aerosmith even recorded in the mansion’s hardwood-floor ballroom. Now known as the Kennedy Mansion Bed and Breakfast, the sprawling estate still welcomes guests with a stately elegance befitting the Jazz Age, thanks to the efforts of innkeepers Françoise and Darell Christopher.

The inn features a handful of guest rooms, each possessing an individual character. In the mint-colored Presidential suite, nine picture windows face downtown Tulsa. As the house’s master bedroom, the Presidential suite is equipped with a private library, which features an entire section on handlebar-mustache maintenance. The Country Club suite spills over onto two outdoor terraces, with one overlooking the in-ground pool and gazebo and another facing west for sunset views.

In the morning, Françoise uses her French culinary expertise to prepare an à la carte gourmet breakfast, which is promptly delivered to your bedside. Guests place their orders upon check-in, with breakfast entrees including crepes, omelets, quiche lorraine, and french toast. Later in the day, enjoy complimentary beverages and appetizers out by the garden.

Tulsa, Oklahoma: Renowned Art Deco Architecture Mixed with Wild West Identity

The oil booms of the early 20th century infused wealth into Tulsa, and the downtown skyline reflects that prosperity. The city is rife with art-deco-style buildings emulating the architecture that swept the nation in the 1920s. Aside from its urban infrastructure, Tulsa is a remarkable green city due to its prime location along the banks of the Arkansas River. Twenty-six miles of paved riverfront trails wind through River Parks and past playgrounds, sculptures, and fountains.

Near the hotel, the Brady Arts District is home to Cain's Ballroom, Tulsa's legendary dance-hall-turned-music-venue. Cain's rose to fame as the favored spot of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys, who pioneered western swing in the late 1930s. Nearby, a touch of the cowboy era lingers at the Gilcrease Museum, which is lined with paintings by Frederic Remington depicting the Wild West. Tucked in the Osage Hills, the museum also strives to preserve Native American art and artifacts.

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