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Things to Do & See
Bloomington and the surrounding area offer you enough things to do and see that you could easily spend a lifetime here. But in case your stay is slightly shorter, you’ll find hundreds of reasons to keep coming back.
Antiques, hiking and walking trails, wildlife, boating and canoeing, arts, crafts, museums, walking tours, farms, wineries, golf, athletics, fairs and festivals, community suppers, youth activities and four beautiful seasons are part of the many features that enhance the quality of life in the area.
Bloomington's downtown is healthy and vibrant, thanks to thoughtful revitalization that allowed it to keep its quaint charm and small-town feel. It is an active hub of community activities, commerce, politics and entertainment anchored by the beautiful County Building crowned by the infamous brass fish weathervane. One-of a kind gift shops featuring local, regional, state and national artisans and craftspeople complete Bloomington. And nowhere else but Bloomington can you find such a vast offering of restaurants and eateries featuring foods from around the world.
Adjacent to downtown is picturesque Indiana University which draws students and visitors alike with its diverse offerings rich in arts, culture, athletics and educational programs. The Bloomington campus offers 328 degree programs and more than 130 majors. IU fields athletes in 24 Division I sports and is a member of the Big Ten Conference. Much of the charm of life among the Hoosiers springs from traditions, like the Little 500 bicycle races dramatized in the 1979 film, "Breaking Away." That same charm can be seen in the limestone architecture found in the buildings on the IU campus. It’s little wonder that Indiana University’s main campus in Bloomington ranked as one the nation’s most beautiful!
RECREATION
Bloomington is home to three lakes, including Lake Monroe, the state’s largest manmade lake, and is within 30 to 45 minutes of three beautiful state parks and the Hoosier National Forest. With 33 parks, three community pools, five golf courses, an ice skating facility, open green spaces, and an exquisitely beautiful university campus, it is no wonder Bloomington has become a destination for visitors, conferences and amateur sporting events. The area offers opportunities for outdoor sports of all types, and in all seasons, contributing to the quality of life of its residents, as well.
- Lake Monroe – 6 miles south of Bloomington
- Lake Griffy and Griffy Woods – 5 miles north of Downtown
- Lake Lemon – 10 miles northeast of Bloomington
- Hoosier National Forest – 15 miles southeast of Bloomington
- Nearby State Parks – Brown County State Park (Nashville), McCormick’s Creek State Park (Spencer), and Spring Mill State Park (Mitchell)
Check with the Convention & Visitors Bureau for updated event listings at www.VisitBloomington.com while here. Some local favorites include the Canopy of Lights; Taste of Bloomington; East Fest; Hoosiers Outrun Cancer; Lotus World Music & Arts Festival; Picnic with the Pops; and so many more.
CULTURE & THE ARTS
Bloomington is recognized as the state’s center for cultural and artistic expression, largely in part due to the presence of Indiana University. IU Bloomington offers more than 1,500 free or low-cost artistic and cultural performances each year. The IU Auditorium hosts celebrity performers and Broadway touring companies in its 3,154 seat facility. IU’s Musical Arts Center features an acoustically-refined auditorium and a stage with technical capabilities unequaled by any other university facility in the country. It is home to IU Opera Theater, IU Ballet Theater, and numerous orchestral, ensemble, and jazz performances throughout the year.
IU also features the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center which hosts educational, cultural, and social programs that promote public awareness about the Black experience while celebrating the academic and leadership achievements of students. The community surrounding the IU Bloomington campus is also ripe with cultural amenities. The John Waldron Arts Center features two art galleries, offers hundreds of art classes and presents over a hundred productions each year including dance, theatre, music and poetry. The community also features the Downtown Gallery Walk, offering free receptions that highlight new exhibits at many local galleries nine times a year.
The historic Buskirk-Chumley Theatre in downtown Bloomington attracts 56,700 persons to more than 260 community musical and theatre performances, lectures and business meetings each year. One of the many groups that perform at the Buskirk-Chumley Theatre is Cardinal Stage Company. Cardinal Stage Company seeks to advance professional theatre in our community by programming a lively and ambitious mix of classics and lesser known works that speak to the range of interests of our community.
Love museums? Bloomington has one for every age! WonderLab Museum of Science, Health & Technology is a regional family-friendly attraction located in downtown Bloomington featuring exciting science exhibits, and a separate exploration area for toddlers and preschool-age children; and finally, visitors can take a step back in time at the Monroe County Historical Society Museum. Additionally, the IU Art Museum, designed by world-renowned architect I.M. Pei, is one of the best university art museums in the world. And, visitors can also take a trip around the world at IU’s Mathers Museum of World Cultures.