Recommendations for a half day trip to Norman

[Celebrator]

We have been living in the Metro for about 6 months now and have not had the time, until the holidays, to get out and explore our new state. We have family coming into town who have never been here and would also like to sight-see a bit.

We know we want to come down to Norman in the next week or so and do three things: Walk around the OU campus to take in the architecture, go to the Fred Jones, Jr. Museum, walk around an older part of Norman with shops, restaurants etc. (college towns always have fun main drags) and have a good meal at a quintessential Norman eatery.


Hopefully this will be a fun project for you Norman fans out there... would you please put together a detailed plan for us to come and spend part of a day in your fair city?

Thanks and Merry Christmas.

[kevinpate]

Have Breakfast at The Diner on Main Street.

Stroll Campus, enjoy Fred Jones, Visit Shoppes at Campus Corner (north side of campus focused north of intersection of Boyd and Asp)

For lunch, if ya want the newest, try the new Iron Starr on boys in Campus Corner. If you want more traditional Norman locations, O'Connell's at Jenkins and Lindsey or The Mont at Boyd and Classen. Less traditional due to time in service but strongly favored locally are Van's Pig Stand on North Porter, between Gray and Acres, or for mexican focus, Tarahumara on North Porter, a lil' further north than Van's.

There's also The Greek House just north of the corner of Jenkins and Boyd. Great peeps and excellent gyros. Child's plate fills most of my friends. hearty eaters will be very happy with the adult plate.

Another great choice for breakfast, lunch or dinner is Ozzie's Diner out at the airport (N Flood to Rock Creek, W on Rock Creek until you reach the airport parking lot, walk in and turn right to the pure heaven that is Ozzie's. If you're chow hounds, Ozzie's all you can eat breakfast will make you cry little girl tears of joy.

There's the Sam Noble Museum of natural History on the south end of Campus.

Not sure what it says about me that I can assist way more on the food than the rest of the town after 25 years. Oh who am I kidding, I know exactly what it says about me ... my priorities, they be in order.

[kmf563]

I would definitely visit the National Weather Center. Even if you don't get to set up a tour, they are only done on Mondays, you can still see Dorothy from Twister and eat at the Flying Cow. It's a really impressive site.

[Celebrator]

Well, kevinpate, one thing we have noticed about people around here is that they like to eat! And we have NO problem with that. Thanks so much for your recommendations. And thank you to knf for the NWC suggestion. We'll take more if anyone else wants to jump in here.

[blangtang]

well, campus corner is only a five minute walk from the art museum. plenty of food and shops, but they will likely be quieter over the xmas break than when regular school is in session. maybe thats a good thing. the library bar is about 2 minutes from the art museum and its worth checking out.

campus corner doesnt have much in the way of breakfast options. the diner is a good breakfast option, open 6am-2pm.

cheers!

[John]

Don't forget the Switzer Center, if it's open during break...

[dismayed]

Assuming the weather cooperates... Walk around Campus Corner and have lunch there, walk across the street and go to Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, walk around the OU campus, go to south campus and visit the Sam Noble Museum of Natural History, then maybe head over to Main St. and Porter Ave., and walk around old downtown and check out some of the shops and art studios there. National Weather Center would be cool but I think you have to call in advance and schedule a tour.

As far as unique eat/drink places in Norman... the Service Station (burger place in a converted old gas station), Louie's in Campus Corner, The Library, and of course The Mont (probably the must-go place more than any other in Norman).