Norman Past and Present Downtown Walking Tour
Description
Enjoy a stroll through charming downtown Norman while exploring historic sites and modern culture. This guided tour along Main Street discusses the city’s transformation from a surveyor’s campsite to a modern-day football powerhouse. Learn about the town's founding, symbolism of colorful murals, and stories behind local landmarks. Perfect for history buffs and casual explorers alike, this 1-hour tour covers less than a mile while offering insights into Norman’s past and present.
Tour Options
Itinerary
We begin seated and indoors with an historic overview of Norman's founding in Oklahoma Territory.
Founded on this corner in 1936, a local retailer grew to 1,000+ stores across the country and once outcompeted Walmart.
From this municipal lot, enjoy prime viewing of the oversized "Heart of Norman" murals that tell Norman's story from past to present.
Observe quirky architecture at this historic former post office.
Outside this restaurant, learn how the University of Oklahoma was founded on Main Street and hear conflicting accounts of their first football game.
This iconic theater was designed by a local architect and built with the finest materials and cutting-edge movie theater technology. Hear about confirmed sightings of an apparition that glides down the staircase.
Snap a photo with Norman's most famous Hollywood celebrity, memorialized here in bronze. Garner is best known for playing Bret Maverick in the Western TV series.
Pass the former gateway to Norman where settlers flooded into town on one eventful day in 1889. This historic brick rail depot still serves Amtrak trains but is closed most of the day.
Town leaders lobbied hard to break away from Oklahoma County and become a county seat. This Art Deco building replaced earlier courthouses that we revisit through photos. From here we head to the end of the tour.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Must be able to stand for 1 hour
Reviews(2)
It was an awesome tour!! There was a lot of history and facts that were packed in within about an hour. Didn’t realize how much history is associated with Norman Oklahoma! Definitely would recommend this tour.
Learning about the weird oddities of the architecture of the buildings, walking around Main Street with my friends, and learning about some haunting history is incredible! High recommend!!!
