Bartlesville is named after Jacob Bartles, son-in-law of a Delaware chief who moved from Kansas to Native American territory in 1873. He settled at Silver Lake just south of the area now known as Bartlesville. Bartles opened a trading post in 1874 and modified an existing grist mill on the Caney River to produce flour. He soon added a residence, general store, blacksmith shop, boarding house, and livery stable, attracting other settlers to the community. In those early days, residents called the community Bartles Town.
Bartlesville was incorporated in 1897 and surveyed and platted the following year. By 1899, the railroad reached town, bringing in even more settlers. In 1957, the town was chosen as the first test site for experimenting with paid cable TV.
Today, Bartlesville is most notable as the home of the Phillips Petroleum Company, which was founded in 1905 when the area was still considered Indian Territory. The city is also home to Price Tower, the only realized skyscraper by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Thanks to the city's downtown revitalization efforts, its many festivals, and noted landmarks, Bartlesville is a wonderful place to live or visit.
Whatever your reason for coming to Bartlesville, it's important to find the right accommodation that can allow you to explore everything this historic community has to offer.
When are the best times to visit Bartlesville, OK?
One of the best times to visit Bartlesville is during the late winter when hotel rates are at their most affordable and tourism is at its annual low. While Bartlesville doesn't experience high rates of tourism like nearby Tulsa, it still features notable landmarks, festivals, museums, and shopping destinations that draw in crowds during the spring and summer months. Visiting in the winter after the holiday season can score you the best deals. Just be sure to pack accordingly, as wintertime lows dip into the low 20s in January and February.
Hotel rates start to rise along with the temperatures in the spring. If you don't mind paying a little extra for your room, springtime in Bartlesville is quite lovely with high temperatures averaging 72 degrees in April. Spring is also a month for celebrating the arts. The city features a variety of events showcasing music, dance, theatrical productions, and art. Check out the Bartlesville Community Center for upcoming performances by the Bartlesville Symphony Orchestra or Broadway in Bartlesville!
Festival season is in full swing during a typical Bartlesville summer. Between the OK Mozart Festival, Sunfest, the OKM Music Festival, and other key events, you can easily fill your vacation itinerary from May through September. Hotel rates are typically more affordable in Oklahoma during the summer than in the spring thanks to the heat, so if you don't mind exploring the outdoors in 90-degree temperatures, take advantage of this affordable summertime destination.
If you prefer to avoid the heat and crowds, plan your visit to Bartlesville in the fall. Average highs hover around 74 degrees in October, which is perfect for participating in outdoor activities. Be sure to check out the annual Oklahoma Heritage Farm Festival with its pumpkin patch, 11-acre maze, educational events, and games.
Below is a chart of the current pricing seasonality of hotels and motels in Bartlesville, OK:
Bartlesville by Star Rating
Below we've posted 3 graphs demonstrating mean price patterns by star rating class in Bartlesville, OK. You can use these line graphs to determine the best time period to make a reservation in Bartlesville for your upcoming travels.
Where are the luxury hotels near Bartlesville, OK?
For the best luxury accommodations in Bartlesville, book a room at the Inn at Price Tower. This hotel boasts 19 glass-wrapped, boutique-style guest rooms, including two-story suites with the best views of the cityscape. Even the standard rooms feature an intimate, relaxing ambiance that's ideal for travelers looking to escape the city's hustle and bustle. Rooms feature unique floor plans, midcentury modern decor, personal Keurig coffee machines, and bathrobes.
Best of all, Price Tower is a beloved National Historic Landmark. Reserving a room at the Inn at Price Tower means getting a chance to experience Frank Lloyd Wright's architectural genius firsthand. In fact, the Inn is ranked alongside such iconic accommodations as the Henley Park Hotel, Drake Hotel, and the Kelley House of Martha's Vineyard, all of which are listed on the registry of Historic Hotels of America.
On-site activities to enjoy at Price Tower include the Price Tower Arts Center with its permanent collection of Frank Lloyd Wright and the H.C. Price Company artifacts and memorabilia, the Copper Restaurant + Bar with sweeping views of the Osage Hills, and guided tours of the restored 19th-floor executive offices with original Wright interiors.
What affordable hotel options are around Bartlesville, OK?
3 Star Average Prices: $93.67
If you're visiting Bartlesville on a budget, you'll be happy to know the area has many affordable hotels to choose from.
Budget Inn is located on Southwest Frank Phillips Boulevard within walking distance of downtown. Although the property is a bit dated, guest rooms are clean and quiet and equipped with microwaves, refrigerators, TVs, and pillowtop beds. Pets are allowed, and weekly rates are available. There's also ample parking for your car, truck, or RV. Additional amenities include an available airport or area shuttle for an extra surcharge, free newspapers, concierge services, vending machines, free Wi-Fi internet access, and guest laundry facilities.
Knights Inn Bartlesville, also known as Super 8 Motel – Bartlesville, is another affordable option. Featured amenities include express check-in and check-out, free self-parking, a safe deposit box at the front desk, a meeting room, and coffee and tea served in common areas. Guests can enjoy rooms with free Wi-Fi, shower/tub combinations, cable TV, mini refrigerators, microwaves, coffee makers, and work desks.
Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Bartlesville places you close to the Adams Municipal Golf Course and Jane Phillips Medical Center. Guest amenities include a complimentary breakfast, free Wi-Fi internet access, an on-site fitness center, laundry facilities, a business center, and free parking. Each room is spacious and well equipped with a flat-screen TV, mini fridge, microwave, and work desk with ergonomic chair. Upgrade to a suite to enjoy even more amenities, including a kitchenette, iron, ironing board, and sitting area.