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Norman is a city of about 128,000 people in central Oklahoma, about 20 miles south of Oklahoma City. It was founded overnight in the Land Run of April 22, 1889, when settlers raced to claim land in the Unassigned Lands, and it was named after Abner Norman, a surveyor who had worked in the area. The University of Oklahoma was founded here just a year later in 1890.
The university defines the city. Its campus mixes Cherokee Gothic buildings with green spaces like the North Oval, and Sooners football draws more than 80,000 fans to Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on fall Saturdays. OU's Sam Noble Museum of Natural History holds dinosaur fossils and Native American collections, and the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art has an impressive collection including French Impressionist works.
Norman's historic Main Street and Campus Corner are lined with local restaurants, bars and shops, and the city hosts festivals like the Norman Music Festival each spring. The National Weather Center, where much of the country's severe storm research takes place, is on the south campus, and Lake Thunderbird State Park offers boating and trails just east of town.
The main OU campus in Norman is known for its Cherokee Gothic brick buildings, landscaped South Oval, Duck Pond and public art. Visitors can walk the grounds freely and visit its museums. Park in a visitor garage, and expect crowds on football weekends in the fall.
Norman's historic downtown along Main Street has brick storefronts with restaurants, coffee shops, bars and boutiques. It hosts the monthly 2nd Friday Art Walk and the Norman Music Festival in spring. Street parking is easy most days, and the Sooner Theatre is close by.
A walkable shopping and dining district just north of the OU campus with bars, cafes, restaurants and student-focused shops in older brick buildings. It is lively on game days and evenings during the semester. Parking is metered; walking from campus is easiest.
OU's main library on the South Oval, a Cherokee Gothic building from 1929 with a grand reading room often compared to a Harry Potter hall. It also holds the History of Science Collections. Visitors may enter quietly to see the Great Reading Room; keep noise low.
Home of Oklahoma Sooners football, a large stadium on campus with statues of Heisman Trophy winners and coaches on the plaza outside. Fall game days bring huge crowds. Even on off days you can walk around the statue plaza, and the gift shops nearby sell team gear.
OU's natural history museum displays dinosaur skeletons including a huge Apatosaurus, fossils, a hall of Native American cultures and natural history exhibits on Oklahoma. It has a hands-on discovery room for children. Allow two hours; parking is next to the building.
An art museum on the OU campus with a strong collection of French Impressionist paintings, Native American art and works of the American West, plus rotating exhibitions. Admission is free. It is near the Campus Corner district, so combine it with a meal there.
A research building on OU's south campus housing the National Weather Service forecast office, Storm Prediction Center and university meteorology. Guided tours, booked in advance, let visitors see forecasters at work. Check the tour schedule; walk-ins are limited.
A Queen Anne style house from 1899 in central Norman run by the Cleveland County Historical Society, furnished to show early Norman family life with exhibits on local history. It is free, and volunteers lead tours. Check the limited opening days before visiting.
A restored 1929 Spanish Gothic movie palace on Main Street that now hosts musicals, concerts, comedy and youth theater productions. Its ornate interior is worth seeing. Check the season schedule online and buy tickets early for family shows, which often sell out.
A central city park near downtown Norman with a playground, splash pad, an amphitheater for summer concerts and festivals, a skate park and walking paths. It is handy for a picnic after exploring Main Street. The splash pad runs only in warm months.
A large reservoir east of Norman with beaches, boat ramps, marinas, fishing, campsites, horse trails and a nature center. It is popular for kayaking, sailing and swimming in summer. Swimming is only allowed at designated beaches, and weekends are busy in warm months.
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