A Gotcha Guide to Norman, OK.
These are a few of our favorite things.
The #GotchaGang recently cruised through the land of crimson after adding our electric scooters to the mix in Norman, OK.
While we were scootin’ around town, we discovered some favorite local spots y’all have to visit next time you’re in town.
Address: 2401 Chautauqua Avenue, Norman, OK, 73072
Hours: 10am–5pm, Monday–Saturday | 1pm–5pm, Sunday
Social: @samnoblemuseum
Favorite: Obviously the Pentaceratops skull, which was the world’s largest land vertebrate (we toootally knew that before we got there).
The impressive Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History holds four billion years of Oklahoma history, showcasing gigantic prehistoric bugs, massive aquatic skeletons, and huge mounted dinosaurs.
Where did our jaws drop the lowest? The Hall of Ancient Life.
The “Clash of the Titans” centerpiece showcases two Jurassic giants fighting in a life-or-death struggle and feels as real as it gets. Another favorite was the mammoth exhibit because, well, mammoths are cool.
Riding a scooter here is basically the closest you get to two-wheeled time travel.
Photo courtesy of @samnoblemuseum.
Photo courtesy of @samnoblemuseum.
Photo courtesy of @samnoblemuseum.
Address: E. Main St. and Jones Ave.
Hours: Available, daily
Social: @normanarts
Favorite: The 2nd Friday Norman Art Walk. Art + local shops = a good time.
You know the #GotchaGang can’t go anywhere without finding at least one ultra-Instagrammable spot. This location boasts unique murals from local and national artists, all next door to sweet shops that feature everything from records to coffee or a cold beer.
It’s also the location of The 2nd Friday Art Walk held on—you guessed it—the second Friday of each month from 6pm–9pm.
This free celebration of art in the heart of downtown Norman’s Walker Arts District unites local artists, organizations, and businesses for an experience that’s as fun as it is artsy fartsy. Be sure to scoot by if you’re around the right place at the right time.
Photo courtesy of @erinnfgavaghan.
Photo courtesy of @visitnorman.
Photo courtesy of @visitnorman.
Address: 315 White Street, Norman, OK 73069
Hours: 4–11pm, Monday–Thursday | 11am–2am, Friday–Saturday | 11am–11pm, Sunday
Social: @volarenorman
Favorite: The Bee Sting Pizza - Red sauce, house-made mozzarella, Parmigiano Reggiano, soppressata, Serrano peppers and post oven local honey.
It’s been too long since we mentioned food, which means it’s been any amount of time.
Our third favorite spot has the best wood-fired Neapolitan pizza this side of the Atlantic.
Just two blocks from The University of Oklahoma, you’ll find the best slices in town that’s prepared with old-school Old World methods. But first, we suggest easing into things with the Popper—a jalapeño artichoke dip.
Aside from our favorite pie (the Bee Sting), we suggest the King Parma, which is topped with prosciutto. Insert Italian kissing sound here.
Photo courtesy of @gingermarieblog.
Photo courtesy of @livewellwithsarah.
Photo courtesy of @shelbyzimbelman.
Address: 132 West Main Street, Norman, OK 73069
Hours: 11am–11pm, Monday–Wednesday | 11am–12am Thursday–Friday | 9am–12am, Saturday | 9am–3pm, Sunday
Social: @scratchkitchenandcocktails
Favorite: Mr. Owl, a beautiful Rittenhouse-based cocktail.
Scratch is American-style eatery that makes everything worth savoring and sipping from, well, scratch.
The owners are “nerds about flavor,” and it shows in everything they’ll put in front of you.
During our visit, we found out exactly why the cuisine and cocktails are so dang good: the staff spends their free time coming up with new dishes, studying spices, and dissecting spirits.
Bless their culinary nerdery and the things it does for our stomachs.
Photo courtesy of @expastor.
Photo courtesy of @ineffablyerin.food.
Photo courtesy of @keepitlocalok.
Address: 120 David L Boren Blvd, Norman, OK 73072
Hours: 1pm, Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays | 10am & 1pm, Tuesdays & Thursdays
Social: @nwcnorman
Gotcha Favorite: Dorthy, from the movie Twister!
When in the weather capital, do as the meteorologists do. That’s not Norman’s official title—but it may as well be since the National Weather Center calls this city home. During your visit, you’ll learn to control the temperature with your mind, make it thunder when you clap, and lightning when you blink.
JK, but you will get to tour an amazing building where people are responsible for keeping us up to date on all things weather, from sunshine to semi-wonky.
The best part, by far, is the main level art gallery, which houses images from around the US. It’s also where props from the movie Twister are located, which is legit awesome. It might be the safest place during a tornado, but don’t make that the only reason you visit.
Photo courtesy of @NWSNorman.
Photo courtesy of @NWSNorman.
Photo courtesy of @NWSNorman.
While that wraps up our recent trip to Norman, OK, it definitely won’t be the last. Did we miss your favorite? Let us know by tagging @ridegotcha on all the social places.