Norman (Oklahoma)

Norman is located less than 30 minutes due south of Oklahoma City, and approximately 3 hours north of Dallas, on I-35. It is easiest to access by car, though there is limited Amtrak service to the area (train does stop in Norman), as well as bus service from Oklahoma City. An Airport Express shuttle will transport you from the Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City directly to your destination in Norman: +1 405 681-3311.

By bus

There are multiple daily Greyhound buses from Dallas. The bus stop is located at 506 North Porter Ave.

By train

Amtrak serves Norman with its once-daily Heartland Flyer, running between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth, Texas. The southbound train depart around 9AM while the northbound leaves just before 9PM. is located at 200 S Jones Ave, close to Main St.

Norman has a small transit system, so it's easier to get around by car. Areas around the OU campus can be accessed on foot. CART, the local bus service with some service to Oklahoma City, is free to OU students and faculty and affordable for others.

• Cleveland Area Rapid Transit

Norman is home to the University of Oklahoma, a member of the Big XII conference. The OU campus, the heart of the city, is located north of Highway 9 and south of Boyd St. in between Elm St. and Jenkins. It has a 2 million-volume library open to the public, a wide array of undergraduate and graduate programs, a law school, National Championship-winning football and men's gymnastics teams and one of the top women's basketball teams in the nation. It houses two major museums (see below, under Do).
Norman's small historic downtown, located on and around Main St. east of University, hosts an increasingly thriving array of local businesses, including:

• MAINSITE Contemporary Art

  phone: +1 405 360-1162
  address: 122 E Main St
  A commercial gallery that shows cutting edge work by artists from near and far.

• Opolis

  address: 113 N. Crawford Ave
  A hip live music venue.

• The Performing Arts Studio

  address: 200 S. Jones Ave
  Inside Norman's cute historic train depot, hosts concerts and exhibitions.

• Sooner Theatre

  address: 101 E. Main St
  Hosts a variety of live music and theatre performances.

Notable restaurants, bars and cafes in the historic downtown (see full listings below under Eat and Drink): Benvenuti's (Italian), Sweet Basil Cafe (Thai), Winan's Fine Chocolates and Coffee, Coach's (microbrewery), Bison Witches Bar and Deli, The Diner (just like the name says), Pho Sooner Vietnamese Restaurant.

• Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art

  phone: +1 405 325-3272
  address: 555 Elm Ave
  Houses a notable collection of French Impressionist art and a large collection of the Taos Society of Artists.

• Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History

  phone: +1 405 325-4712
  address: 2401 Chautauqua Ave
  Make sure to see the "Cooper Skull," the crushed skull of a now-extinct bison, which is the oldest known painted artifact in North America.

• George M. Sutton Wilderness Park

  address: 2000 12 Ave. NE
  Is a great place to find a little country right in the city. It is small, but has so many trails that you can explore for hours. It is a peaceful and scenic place to walk or jog, with two or three ponds and native Oklahoma scenery.
• Norman has a surprisingly active local music scene. See especially the free Summer Breeze Concert Series, organized by the Performing Arts Studio and held in the evenings in local parks during the warmer months.

• The Crucible

  address: 110 E. Tonhawa St
  A bronze foundry, gallery and sculpture garden. It is a couple of blocks from Main St. but worth the walk.

• Studio Zen Salon

  phone: +1 405 329-2859
  address: 301 S Porter Ave
  A full service salon and spa on the corner of Main and Porter in downtown Norman.

• Tribes 131 Native American Fine Art

  phone: +1 405 329-4442
  address: 131 24th Ave. NW
  Norman's premier gallery for Native American Fine Arts, Jewelry & Gifts. A 20 year fixture in Norman, previously on Main street. The gallery has a vast inventory of some of the Nation's most seasoned artists. From contemporary to traditional and ledger art, all styles all mediums are represented. Website: tribes131.com

• National Weather Center

  phone: +1 405 325-3095
  address: 120 David L Boren Blvd
  The National Weather Center is the headquarters of the OU School of Meteorology and houses many weather agencies, including the National Weather Service Norman forecast office, Storm Prediction Center, National Severe Storms Laboratory, and Oklahoma Mesonet. The National Weather Center also houses the Flying Cow Cafe. Reservations are required for tours, and visitors are encouraged to make reservations two to four weeks in advance. Visitors must check in with security upon arriving.

• Norman Music Festival

Gambling

• Goldsby Gaming Center

  phone: +1 405-329-5447
  address: 1038 W Sycamore Rd
  Goldsby Gaming Center is open 24 hours. Here, you can play games ranging from eGames to Bingo. Easy to access from I-35 and has a nice vibe for a smaller casino option. Grab a burger at the Goldsby Grill or head to the bar to watch sports on the big screen and enjoy a drink.

• Riverwind Casino

  phone: +1 405 322-6000
  address: 1544 State Highway 9
  Riverwind Casino has over 2,700 electronic gaming machines with a poker room, 20 table games, keno and off-track betting. Inside are several restaurants including Willows Buffet, Chips 'N Ales and Seasons Food Court, which contains a Taco Bueno, Panda Express, Rick's Cafe and Burger King. There is a hotel on-site with 4 conference rooms and a 24-hour fitness center. For entertainment, there is the River Lounge, which houses local and regional music acts, and the Showplace Theatre, which brings in national touring music and comedy acts.

• Thunderbird Wild Wild West Casino

  phone: +1 405 360-9270
  address: 15700 East State Highway 9

• The Firehouse Art Center, 444 S. Flood Ave., offers classes in a variety of artistic forms.

For truly distinctive Norman souvenirs, pick up T-shirts from Rusty's Frozen Custard and Guestroom Records.

Shopping areas

• Norman's Historic DowntownHas a number of interesting shops, listed above in the "See" section.

• Campus CornerIs also worth a shopping visit, especially for OU gear. Has a number of shops, bars and restaurants worth exploring.

• Ed Noble ParkwayWhich begins across Main St. from the Sooner Mall (just west of I-35), houses many large chain stores and restaurants (Bed Bath & Beyond, Home Depot, Chili's, Applebees, etc.)

Stores

• The Earth Natural Foods

  address: 309 S. Flood Ave
  Is a small but useful natural foods store that sells a great variety including bakery items, fresh produce, bulk spices, and Burts's Bees.

• Encompass Interiors

  address: 224 E. Main St
  Features custom designed furniture.

• Forward Foods

  address: 123 E. Main St
  A nifty little gourmet grocery with a wonderful array of US and imported cheeses.

• Guestroom Records

  address: 125 E. Main St
  An independent record store with a very cool T-shirt.

• L & B Yarn Co.

  address: 425 W. Gray
  Has a beautiful selection of gourmet yarns and many knitting classes and events.

• Sooner Mall

  address: 3413 W. Main St
  Is undistinguished but supplies the basics.

• Vintage Vibe

  address: 311 W. Main St
  A vintage clothing store that also rents out period outfits (especially to OU students headed for theme parties).

• Benvenuti's

  address: 105 W. Main St
  An expensive Italian restaurant that garnered an immediate following when it opened in March 2006.

• Chelino's

  address: 1331 Alameda St
  Mexican food.

• Copia on the Corridor

  address: 326 E. Main St
  An intimate spot for weekday lunches, open 11AM to 2PM

• The Diner

  address: 213 E. Main St
  A popular place for breakfast and brunch.

• Hideaway Pizza

  address: 577 Buchanan Ave
  Gourmet pizza. Tues evenings they have a Dim Sum style buffet.

• Il Dolce Gelateria

  address: Robinson Crossing
  Norman's first real Italian gelato and espresso. Locally owned and operated.

• Misal of India Bistro

  address: 580 Ed Noble Parkway
  Great Indian food and lovely atmosphere. Won Norman Transcript Reader's Choice Awards for Best Healthy and Vegetarian Restaurant, Lunch Buffet, and Best Place to Take a Date in 2007.

• Pad Thai

  address: 119 W Boyd St & 1309 Jenkins Ave
  Now has two locations near OU, one near campus corner on Boyd and the other near the stadium just southeast of campus. Great Thai food, locally owned and operated. The one on Boyd is larger and a little more upscale. Nice lunch specials.

• Pepe Delgado's

  address: 752 Asp Ave
  Good Mexican food with great daily specials. Vegetarian friendly.

• The Custard Factory

  address: 1000 E. Alameda Square
  A Norman landmark. Previously known as Rusty's Frozen Custard.

• Sweet Basil Cafe

  address: 211 W. Main St
  Thai food served in a nice atmosphere in Norman's historic downtown.

• Tarahumara's Mexican Cafe

  address: 702 N. Porter Ave
  Great food - expect to wait on the outdoor patio before being seated.

• Taste of India

  address: 1000 Alameda St # 140B
  Norman's favorite authentic Indian restaurant. It even has Indian popsicles.

• TEA Cafe

  address: 1241 Alameda St
  Asian fusion food and bubble tea.

• Thai Kumkoon

  address: 1347 W. Lindsey
  Excellent lunch buffet.

• Thai Raja

  address: 761 Jenkins Ave
  Reasonably priced lunch buffet with many vegetarian options.

• Turquoise Cafe

  address: 786 Asp Ave
  Elegant gourmet dining in Campus Corner. Locally owned by two chefs and featuring local ingredients.

• Victoria's Pasta Shop

  address: 327 White St
  Homemade pasta with a variety of sauces.

• Van's Pig Stand

  phone: +1 405 703-3000
  address: 320 N Porter Ave
  BBQ.

• Bison Witches Bar and Deli

  address: 211 E. Main St

• The Spirit Shop

  phone: +1 405 321-3100
  address: 1117 Garver St
  Norman's oldest and most extensive wine and liquor store. Thousands of hard to find wines.

• Gray Owl Coffee

  address: 223 E Gray St
  In historic downtown. Artsy new coffee shop. Great teas and pastries as well.

• Il Dolce GelateriaBrewing Italy's Lavazza espresso.

• The Library Bar & Grill

  address: 607 W. Boyd St
  Walking distance from OU campus. Small bar with relaxed atmosphere and a pleasant outdoor patio space. Serves beer from Coach's microbrewery.

• The Mont

  address: 1300 Classen Blvd
  Bar and restaurant within walking distance of OU campus. Big outdoor patio space.

• TEA Cafe

  phone: +1 405 366-1555
  address: 1241 Alameda St & 788 Asp Ave
  Bubble tea and espresso. New Campus Corner location now open.

• Michelangelo's Coffee and Wine Bar

  address: 207 E. Main
  Coffee shop with a nice atmosphere and good chocolates. Cafe style menu with artisan pizzas, panini, etc. Local art and performances, wine bar, gourmet coffees and teas, free Wi-Fi.

• Residence Inn by Marriott

  phone: +1-405-366-0900
  address: 2681 Jefferson
  This hotel specializes in extended stay suites, making the rooms larger than the average hotel rooms with accommodations to make it feel like a home away from home.

• Montford Inn and Cottages

  phone: +1 405 321-2200
  address: 322 Tonhawa St
  Built in 1994.

• Lake Thunderbird, a few miles east of Norman, offers great mountain bike trails (the Clear Bay Trails) as well as boating, camping and horseback riding.
• The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge offers some nice hikes, plus the likelihood of a buffalo or longhorn cattle spotting. These are not enormous mountains, but the trails are scenic and relatively diverse. Approximately 90 minutes from Norman by car.