Major Landmarks In Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

Broken Arrow is a vibrant and growing city located in northeastern Oklahoma, part of the Tulsa Metropolitan Area. While not as large or well-known as its neighbor Tulsa, Broken Arrow has developed its own unique identity and offers visitors plenty of great landmarks, attractions, and things to see and do.

In this local guide, we will explore some of the top landmarks that make Broken Arrow a special place.

Broken Arrow Historical Society and Rose District

The Broken Arrow Historical Society is dedicated to preserving, protecting, and promoting the history of Broken Arrow. Their beautiful complex located downtown in the lively Rose District makes a great starting point for exploring some of Broken Arrow’s top landmarks.

The Broken Arrow Historical Society Museum

This museum houses engaging exhibits and thousands of artifacts related to Broken Arrow’s history dating back to the 19th century when the city was founded. Visitors can learn about historic figures like Broken Arrow’s first doctor and pharmacist, early settlers, civic leaders, and more.

The 1898 Santa Fe Depot

One of Broken Arrow’s most iconic structures, this depot served the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad (also known as the “Katy Railroad”) back when Broken Arrow’s economy relied heavily on the cattle and cotton trades. Today, the beautifully restored depot recalls Broken Arrow’s frontier days.

The Rooster Statue

In the plaza outside the Historical Society stands a statue of a rooster, the official emblem of Broken Arrow. The statue symbolizes the city’s early agricultural roots and is a popular spot for photos.

Parks and Recreation

Broken Arrow offers many wonderful parks for outdoor recreation, from small neighborhood playgrounds to large complexes with sports fields, walking trails, and more.

Nienhuis Park

One of Broken Arrow’s flagship parks located in southern Broken Arrow, Nienhuis Park boasts playground equipment, a skatepark, basketball courts, sand volleyball, walking trails, and a large duck pond. The Broken Arrow Community Playhouse offers live theater productions in the park’s arts center.

The Oklahoma Aquarium

Billed as “Tulsa’s number 1 family attraction”, the Oklahoma Aquarium isn’t technically in Broken Arrow but it is right across the border. This aquatic zoo showcases many exhibits like Shark Adventure, Sea Turtle Island, and Alien Creatures. A fun family outing and a point of pride for the whole metro area.

Broken Arrow Soccer Complex

With 12 fields, this huge soccer facility hosts games and tournaments drawing tens of thousands of visitors from across the region every year, helping make Broken Arrow a hub for the thriving soccer community.

Imperial Plaza Skate and Event Center

Caters to skateboarders and BMX riders with indoor ramps and bowls. The facility also hosts concerts, trade shows, and more in their versatile event spaces.

Trail System

Broken Arrow maintains an excellent system of pedestrian and bike trails throughout the city that connect neighborhoods to schools, parks, and commercial zones. The trails provide a way for residents to enjoy green spaces and the outdoors.

Broken Arrow Community Playhouse

Offers live theater productions throughout the year like popular Broadway musicals, comedies and dramas. Founded in 1983, it is one of the area’s longest running community theater companies.

Shopping and Entertainment

As Broken Arrow grows, many new retail stores, restaurants, and entertainment options are springing up across the city.

Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World

Anchors the Main Event entertainment complex with popular restaurants and attractions like bowling, arcade games, laser tag and more all under one very large roof. The huge Bass Pro Shop attached next door is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.

Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center

This brand new state-of-the-art facility is slated to open in 2024 next to Broken Arrow High School. It will have a 1,100 seat theater, black box theater, dance studios and more. The PAC promises to elevate Broken Arrow’s arts and cultural scene.

Rose District

Downtown Broken Arrow’s charming Rose District built around the Historical Society has become a dining and entertainment hot spot with restaurants, shops, art galleries and creative spaces housed in historic brick buildings. Events like craft fairs and concerts keep the district lively.

Entertainment Districts

Broken Arrow has two designated entertainment districts – the Rose District downtown and the Area 71 district along OK-51 – where patrons over 21 can enjoy alcoholic beverages from local vendors in designated outdoor common areas.

Broken Arrow Express Soccer Complex

In addition to soccer fields, this 100 acre complex will also have a mix of retail shops, restaurants, hotels and a Republic FC minor league soccer stadium slated to open in 2025. It will be a major new entertainment hub on Broken Arrow’s south side.

Education

Broken Arrow takes pride in its quality public schools and distinctive college opportunities. Education is a priority here.

Broken Arrow Public Schools

The school system serving most of Broken Arrow, BAPS comprises 4 early childhood centers, 16 elementary schools, 5 middle schools, 3 high schools and 1 alternative center. BAPS has been rated the top school district in Oklahoma based on test scores, graduation rates and more.

Broken Arrow High School

The original and largest high school in the district located downtown, BAHS Tiger pride runs deep. Their football team are perpetual contenders and the marching band is renowned across the region. The school’s College Career Center provides top-notch guidance.

Union High School

Union High and their mascot, the Redskins, are BAHS’s chief sports rivals, creating an energetic cross-town dynamic. Union students can take unique Career Tech courses at the adjacent Broken Arrow Technology Center.

Rhema Bible College

This private Christian college located in south Broken Arrow offers accredited Associate and Bachelor’s programs focused on theology, ministry and religious education. Rhema’s flagship domed campus church hosts popular services televised across the country.

Historic Downtown Broken Arrow

Broken Arrow’s historic Main Street area lies along OK-51 Business Route running through the city’s original downtown district. Several landmarks here recall Broken Arrow’s early days.

The Arrowood Trading Post

Run by local historian Theresa Overall, this gift shop and mini-museum celebrates Broken Arrow’s heritage through rare artifacts, historical publications, and memorabilia. A great place to learn little-known nuggets of Broken Arrow history.

The Grand Avenue Methodist Church

Constructed in 1915, this stately church anchored downtown Broken Arrow through periods of growth and decline. Grand Avenue UMC remains an active congregation today in the same historic landmark building dating back over a century.

The Old Broken Arrow Post Office

This beautiful, century-old sandstone building no longer sorts mail but still stands proudly along Main Street as a Broken Arrow icon. Look for the engraved “U.S. Post Office Broken Arrow I.T.” above the door, commemorating Indian Territory days.

Historic Storefronts on Main Street

Several structures from Broken Arrow’s early 20th century downtown days remain despite devastating fires. These historic buildings now house antique shops, law offices and local businesses keeping some of that old-time charm alive on Main Street.

So while outsiders may associate Broken Arrow more with modern suburbs, soccer fields and shopping centers, we hope this guide illustrates Broken Arrow’s distinct identity today is very much shaped by its robust past starting back in the 19th century.

This mix of trendsetting new development blended with treasured landmarks old and new makes Broken Arrow a special place to call home.