Ticket Hall

Norman Past and Present Downtown Walking Tour

5.02 reviews

  • 1 hour
  • Free cancellation up to 24h before
  • Guided in English
  • Instant confirmation

Highlights

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.

Inclusions

What's included

  • Knowledgeable guide

What's not

  • Optional gratuity for guide

Itinerary

  1. We begin seated and indoors with an historic overview of Norman's founding in Oklahoma Territory.

    10 min

  2. Founded on this corner in 1936, a local retailer grew to 1,000+ stores across the country and once outcompeted Walmart.

    5 min

  3. From this municipal lot, enjoy prime viewing of the oversized "Heart of Norman" murals that tell Norman's story from past to present.

    5 min

  4. Observe quirky architecture at this historic former post office.

    5 min

  5. Outside this restaurant, learn how the University of Oklahoma was founded on Main Street and hear conflicting accounts of their first football game.

    5 min

  6. 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.

    10 min

  7. 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.

    5 min

  8. 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.

    5 min

  9. 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.

    5 min

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

5.0

  • 52
  • 40
  • 30
  • 20
  • 10

Ratings come from 2 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Know before you go

Meeting point
Meet inside the coffee shop. We'll be at a reserved table or in the back room.
Pickup
Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
Ticket type
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group size
Up to 25 travellers
Operated by
OKC Tours
  • 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

How it compares in USA, outside the cities

  • Its from-price is 61% below the median of the 2274 experiences we list in USA, outside the cities.
  • It is shorter than most of them.
  • By number of reviews it ranks 875 of 2274.
  • The operator lists free cancellation on it.

Special offers in USA, outside the cities

Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.

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