Nobody knows fun like Norman!

For a complete list, visit our friends at the Norman Convention & Visitor’s Bureau!

Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History

The Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History is one of the finest university-based museums in the nation. The 50,000 square feet of exhibit space features seven breathtaking galleries that give you an in-depth tour of more than 500 million years of Oklahoma’s fascinating history.

The journey begins in the Hall of Ancient Life which takes you on an adventure through Oklahoma’s age of Dinosaurs. In the Hall of the People of Oklahoma, you’ll learn how the state’s first inhabitants lived and worked thousands of years ago. The Hall of Natural Wonders surrounds you with the sights and sounds of Oklahoma’s native landscape in a series of dioramas so realistic, they seem to come alive. The Gallery of World Cultures features beautiful rarities from all over the world and the Fred and Enid Brown Native American Art Special Exhibitions Gallery displays a variety of traveling exhibitions throughout the year.

The National Weather Center

The National Weather Center is a unique confederation of federal, state and University of Oklahoma organizations that work together in partnership to improve understanding of events occurring in Earth’s atmosphere over a wide range of time and space scales. Tours are given on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art

The Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art is one of the finest university art museums in the United States. The museum includes French Impression, twentieth-century American painting and sculpture, contemporary art, contemporary and traditional sculpture, art of the Southwest, ceramics, Asian art, photography and graphics from the sixteenth century to the present. Temporary exhibits are mounted throughout the year which explore the art of various periods and cultures.

In 2005 the museum opened a new addition, designed by acclaimed architect Hugh Newell Jacobsen of Washington, D.C. Named in honor of Mary and Howard Lester of San Francisco, the wing adds more than 34,000 square feet to the earlier 27,000 square-foot building. The Lester Wing features galleries for the Weitzenhoffer Collection, additional galleries, a 150-seat auditorium, an orientation room, a classroom, a museum store and a new main entrance.

Sooner Theatre

The Sooner Theatre opened her doors for the first time in 1929 as the first movie theatre in the region built to show “talking pictures.” Local architect Harold Gimeno spared no expense while building the Spanish Gothic Style building, spending over $200,000. Mosaic tile and Italian marble were imported for the project, and a special ladies’ lounge was installed on the mezzanine level. A soundproof cry-room at the back of the orchestra level accommodated babies. The ceiling is adorned with 252 Spanish coats-of-arms, which were hand painted by the Patricio Gimeno, the architect’s father. The theatre even boasted refrigerated air and cooled water fountains.

During the 1970’s movie theatres became multiplexes and the single screened Sooner just couldn’t keep up with the demand. In 1975, the Sooner Theatre closed with Attack of the Amazons. It seemed that the only future visitor the Sooner Theatre could look forward to was the wrecking ball.

A dedicated group of citizens refused to lose the theatre and appealed to the City of Norman under the aegis of The Sooner Theatre, Inc. The City agreed to purchase the theatre and lease her to them for a dollar per year. After the first phase of restoration, Norman’s own “Grand Dame” opened her doors again in 1982 as a community performing arts center. The theatre is now listed on both the State and National Registry of Historic Places, and hosts a variety of shows, ranging from ballet and opera to concerts, plays and musicals. Visit the Sooner Theatre today to find out why she’s so special!

Barry Switzer Center

When it comes to college football success, few schools can match the University of Oklahoma. Inside the walls of the Barry Switzer Center, visitors will learn the Sooners’ rich history and overwhelming accomplishments. Three floors take you through a time line of Sooner tradition, showcasing numerous murals, awards, sculptures, national and bowl trophies, interactive video and all five Heisman trophies.

Lake Thunderbird State Park

Norman is home to Lake Thunderbird State Park. This state park offers a variety of water activities and recreation, hunting in specified areas during season, horse rental and boarding, horseback riding trails, hiking, mountain biking, nature and interpretive trails, restaurant (in season), two marinas, nature center with interpretive programs and scheduled events, and an archery range. Accommodations include RV camping, primitive campsites and unfurnished one-room lake huts. Playgrounds, picnic tables and a swimming beach are also on site.

Moore-Lindsay Historical House

The museum is one of Cleveland County’s cultural and architectural showplaces. The house is an unaltered example of the late Victorian Queen Anne style characterized by its turret, gables, fluted chimneys, patterned stained glass and spindle work porch. The interior is furnished with period pieces.

The Performing Arts Studio

The Performing Arts Studio was founded in December 2003. The non-profit organization produces lunchtime concerts, gallery exhibitions, poetry readings, stage plays and jazz concerts. All shows are held in The Norman Depot, part of the original Santa Fe Railroad company.

Norman’s Annual Events

The Medieval Fair features over 200 arts and craft booths, food concessions, games, a vast array of entertainment including brightly costumed performers, camel and elephant rides and a hand-cranked medieval swing carousel.

The Norman Music Festival features seven stages of live music in the heart of downtown Norman in the arts district.

The May Fair Arts Festival features over 100 artists and is the past winner of the Pinnacle Gold Award in Children’s Programming.

The Firehouse Chocolate Festival, as seen on The Food Network, is always a treat with its chocolate art and sweet samples.

Jazz in June is just another reason to heat up the Norman summer nights. Come listen to renowned jazz musicians up close and outdoors.

Feeling Lucky?

Strike it rich at Riverwind Casino. If you are interested in a little entertainment, Riverwind offers the very best in entertainment with nationally recognized stars like, Styx, Jewel, Bonnie Raitt, Ron White and much more.

Entertain The Kids

Parents, if you’re looking for ways to entertain the kids in Norman, dare them to climb the rock wall at Andy Alligator’s Fun Park, challenge them to a game of laser tag at HeyDay Entertainment or take them in for glow bowl at Sooner Bowling Center.