A university town on the outskirts of Oklahoma City, Norman stands out for its memorable museum collections, lively casino entertainment and family-friendly attractions. The Oklahoma Sooners draw football enthusiasts from across the region, while excellent museums and art galleries offer a dose of culture.
Things to do in Norman
Get to know the region at Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, located on the campus of the University of Oklahoma. Within its galleries and collections, you’ll find interactive exhibits and ancient fossils from Oklahoma and far-flung locales. For an in-depth immersion in Native American and Asian art, browse more than 12,000 objects at Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art.
Things can get lively at Norman-area casinos, which are known for their live-music concerts, comedy, magic shows and gaming. Run by the Absentee Shawnee Native American tribe, Riverwind Casino features several restaurants and world-renowned performers in its Showplace Theatre.
Travelling with the family? Spend a few hours at Westwood Park for swimming, golfing and waterslides at the on-site water park. Drive just outside the city to Lake Thunderbird for boating, hiking, archery and horseback riding. Dive into the fun at Andy Alligator's Fun Park, which boasts go-karts, bumper boats and a water park with a lazy river, four-lane racer slide and a separate splash zone for little ones.
Erratic and dramatic weather is a renowned feature of Norman, which hosts the National Weather Center for curious weather-watchers. Take a one-hour tour of the centre’s laboratories and observation deck.
Getting around Norman
The CART rapid transit system operates fixed-route buses throughout Norman, the university campus and into Oklahoma City. Bicycle hire companies and dedicated bike paths facilitate cycling. You can rent a car in the university district or at Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City, about a 20-minute drive away.