Location: Norman
Top Things to do in Norman
- 1. Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History
- 2. Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
- 3. Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art
- 4. National Weather Center
- 5. Riverwind Casino
- 6. Historic Campus Corner District
- 7. Legends Lobby at the Barry Switzer Center
- 8. Lake Thunderbird State Park
- 9. National Weather Museum and Science Center
- 10. Native Spirits Winery
What to do and see in Norman, United States: The Best Places and Tips
Norman /ˈnɔːrmən/ is a city in the U.S. state of Oklahoma 20 miles (30 km) south of downtown Oklahoma City in its metropolitan area. The population was 110,925 at the 2010 census. Norman's estimated population of 120,284 in 2015 makes it the third-largest city in Oklahoma, and the city serves as the county seat of Cleveland County.
Restaurants in Norman
1. Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 400 reviews
Reviewed By Brokenarrowhot1
My kids love going here! Love the different exhibits and I think it’s awesome that you can have weddings there!
2. Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 217 reviews
Reviewed By kes1639 - Bristow, Virginia
I went to OU so this place will always have a special place in my heart. While the stadium seating has expanded in the 39 years since I was a freshman the underneath concessions look to be about the same. Husband wasn't too impressed with them but I told them that people tailgate for their food and drink and come here for the game. The restrooms were clean. The PA announcer was easy to understand and the big screens were nice. We had bench seats on the west side and rented seats for $10 that we had to drag up to our seats ourselves which was a hassle. I see you can preorder the cushion seats and they will be waiting for you. We parked at Lloyd Noble which was free and took the bus that was $5 each way (about a 3 block walk to pick up and drop off site but they offer closer in for disabilities and senior citizens). We stayed for 30 minutes with our relatives who were tailgating at LN after the game and then had zero problem leaving with traffic. For me it was a great memory out of my past!
3. Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 141 reviews
Reviewed By WalterCath - Danville, Virginia
This museum is multilevel with impressive pieces of art, including authentic Van Gogh. There are sculptures, contemporary pieces, modern, Native American, etc. We were unaware that the fourth floor had a new exhibit on the body. Full nudity which was a little shocking to the children in the group! Now, we did go up the back stairs, the front stairs stated the exhibit, so that was our fault! The museum has many security to ensure the pieces are not disturbed. I appreciated how attentive they were, but also how knowledgeable. They were easy to talk to and answered all of our questions! There is a very small gift shop, but it had several unique items and it was fun to look around. I enjoyed the furniture and China that was on display.
The museum is on the OU campus. It is free, you just sign in. You cannot bring drinks in, but there is a coat space and shelves to leave items. It was not busy (we went on a Sunday in November), but there were several throughout the museum. I believe you can find something for everyone in this museum!
4. National Weather Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 103 reviews
Reviewed By csserious - Chantilly, Virginia
The center is one of its kind with more than 500 meteorologists working on all sorts of projects there. The tour requires online application beforehand, where a question relates to the citizenship of the visitor. The tour lasted about 75 minutes, with a look at the weather chaser vehicles and tornado watch control room, which is a secured facility, where you could only see the big monitors. I expected much more, with an in-depth look of all types of scanners, radars and sensors used today, and videos of deadly tornadoes and and how these calamities are actually handled in the field as well as in the control room. In essence, I expected far more attention grabbing stuff.
5. Riverwind Casino
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 578 reviews
Enjoy the hottest Vegas-style action at Riverwind Casino, including over 2,700 electronic games, off-track betting, and 45 gaming tables such as Poker, Blackjack, Ultimate Texas Holdem', 3 Card Poker, and Baccarat. Many world-class acts have taken the stage at the Showplace Theatre. The 1,500-seat theatre is the most luxurious venue in the area. Also in the theatre is a mezzanine area, with a full bar, lounge, and two corporate boxes. We offer a wide selection of restaurants, including Chips 'N Ales, the Willows Buffet and the Seasons Food Court, featuring Burger King®, Rick’s Café, Taco Bueno™ and Panda Express®. Located right in the middle of the casino floor is the Energy Bar, a full bar featuring gaming machines built into the bar.Don’t feel like walking far to park your car? Drop it off at our North or South Valet, and take just a few steps to be on the casino floor. And if you’re too tired to even drive home, stop at the Riverwind Hotel, attached to the casino’s south side by a walkway. The hotel, outfitted with the latest luxurious amenities, has 100 guest rooms, including nine spa suites, a junior suite and a governor suite and is sure to be your gateway to relaxation. For our guests who need to travel by airplane, we are conveniently located 23 miles from Will Rogers World Airport. Nearby is Oklahoma’s “most unique entertainment destination”, the Bricktown Entertainment District, as well as the Winter Creek Golf Course, Sooner Mall, and the University of Oklahoma.
Reviewed By BamaGrandslammer - Tuscaloosa
Visited the casino on seafood night at the buffet on a Saturday. The casino has a large parking lot and it was almost full, having to park at the very tip end. Upon entering, the huge casino was loaded with patrons. We headed over to the buffet around 8:30 and there was still a line of over 40 people to enter. Took more than 20 minutes to get in, but once inside we were pleasantly surprised to find that the quality of the seafood (crab legs were the top attraction) & the meats, including prime rib, were very good. Price was a little steep at $29.99, but not unreasonably so. After dinner, we walked around the casino to find a few open slot machines. We sat and played for more than an hour on just $10. Pretty good meal & entertainment for the price.
6. Historic Campus Corner District
Overall Ratings
4 based on 52 reviews
Historic Campus Corner District is home to over 75 retail, dining and entertainment facilities with a nostalgic University atmosphere. Located just across the street from the University of Oklahoma Campus Corner has been serving the needs of students and the community since the early 1900's.
Reviewed By kes1639 - Bristow, Virginia
I first visited Campus Corner in the early 1970s when I was a kid and then went to OU in the late 70s and have been back several times. I would say it is better than some years but has room for improvement especially as you get further back. Good selection of restaurants although miss the iconic Toto pizza! For home football game days they set up with lots of vendors and beer stations and close off traffic on the side streets. It was very busy when we there about 4 hours before game time and right before homecoming parade. We went to Hideaway Pizza and the iconic O'Connell's pub has relocated from Lindsay Street to Campus Corner. Still not the same without Harold's although enjoyed the plaque on the original location.
7. Legends Lobby at the Barry Switzer Center
Overall Ratings
5 based on 22 reviews
Temporarily Closed
Reviewed By Rjmathers_13 - Shreveport, Louisiana
Loved seeing all the exhibits, old uniforms, and Sooner trophies! Don't visit on a game day, it is closed. We came back Sunday morning after game day. The staff was friendly and knew their Sooner history, they were happy to talk!
8. Lake Thunderbird State Park
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 81 reviews
Reviewed By Ebazinam - Oklahoma
Dirty Bird...that's what the locals call it...is a good lake in central Oklahoma. It's not crystal clear. Quite the contrary, visibility underwater is about 3 inches. Nevertheless, fishing is not a problem (with a license) and the wet and dry camping areas are adequate. There are plenty of boat ramps and the place is jumping on major holidays (so much so that if you are a camper, you might consider staking out your location well before the weekend). The marina is renovated (after a Tornado destroyed the old one a few years ago). It is strange that there hasn't been any kind of real investment, to improve the property,by the state or anyone else over the past 30 years. Lake thunderbird is the nicest lake in central Oklahoma (that is about an hour from downtown OKC).
9. National Weather Museum and Science Center
Overall Ratings
5 based on 10 reviews
The scientist and community leaders that started the National Weather Museum and Science Center wanted to establish a museum that would house historical meteorological instruments and interactive displays and but also serve as a place to learn about weather and science. The purpose was to preserve the history and highlight the future of weather observing, forecasting and research.
Reviewed By GARY C - Prague
if you are interested in weather and tornados this is a pure most see.. this is the epicenter of violent weather and the real history is here.. must see
10. Native Spirits Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By Donna C - Norman, Oklahoma
Good sweet red wines. Comfortable, casual setting and friendly informative staff. Groupon for it was well worth the price. Get the Groupon if you can! It's a small place and not much to see but it was worth checking out if you like wines or even seeing the wineries in Oklahoma.
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