College towns are unique places that hold a special place in the hearts of those that attend the universities that make up the most significant presence in that particular city. Norman, Oklahoma, is a special place to those who’ve called it home during their time as students at the University of Oklahoma.
It’s why Norman finished inside the top 20 in Southern Living’s reader vote for best college towns in the South.
When it comes down to it, there’s only one thing that all these towns seem to share—and that’s your devotion to them. Inviting streets and cool music venues be darned, these are the best college towns in the South because they’re your college towns. You know that each time you step foot on campus, whether it’s every football season or once in a blue moon, it’ll still feel like home. And that certainly earns a place the distinction of being the best. Here are the South’s 20 Best College Towns as voted by you, our readers. – Betsy Cribb, Southern Living
And here’s what she had to say about Norman, which came in at No. 20 on the list in the Southern Living reader vote.
The University of Oklahoma’s campus offers two of the area’s main attractions: the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, the nation’s largest university-based museum, and the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, where visitors can see works by Ansel Adams, Edward Hopper and Georgia O’Keefe. There’s fun to be had off campus, too; picnic or camp at Lake Thunderbird State Park or explore Historic Campus Corner, where dozens of shops, restaurants and bars fuel community between OU students and Norman residents – Betsy Cribb, Southern Living
While a few towns in Texas rank ahead of Norman, fear not, there is no sight of Austin, the home of the Texas Longhorns. San Marcos and College Station were the only Texas cities to come out ahead of Norman. San Marcos is the home of Texas State, and College Station is the home of Texas A&M.
It’s easy to see why anyone would love to visit Norman. There are so many different restaurants, you’d be hard-pressed to NOT find something you didn’t like.
Campus Corner always comes alive on the weekend and now that the campus is coming out of the pandemic, live is finally starting to feel normal once again.
I’ve never regretted my decision to attend the University of Oklahoma for a moment. Norman feels much more like a home than other college towns I visited when looking at schools.
The way you can see the imposing Gaylord Memorial Stadium while walking around campus always makes it feel as if the ghosts of OU Football are watching over the campus.
Being able to just drive anywhere on any day and find somewhere to be is so easy in Norman. Just yesterday morning, I had brunch at Neighborhood Jam with some friends. It was excellent. Just stuff like that where you can be with friends and have a nice time is why Norman feels like home.
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