Bloomington, IN offers plenty of outdoor and indoor things to do around the area. From the Monroe Lake to the Indiana University, you’ll find the town full of excitement to the experience. But before you start wandering off into the city to explore what you can find, you should try planning out your day around town. We don’t want you to miss out on the fun parks, museums, and live entertainment around Bloomington. That’s why we at the Monroe are more than happy to assist you with all the information you need to have the best trip around town. Just check out our awesome list and discover the best of this culture filled Indiana town.
Visit the Eskenazi Museum of Art at Indiana University
Location: 1133 E 7th St, Bloomington, IN 47405
One of the top things to do in Bloomington is to visit the Eskenazi Museum of Art. This museum is located at the Indiana University campus which is already a form of art itself. This unique museum is home to over 45,000 different artworks from all over the world. The Eskenazi Museum even features work by famous artists like Picasso and Monet just to name a few. The museum is spread across three floors which can all be accessed for free.
Visit Monroe Lake
Location: 4850 S. State Road 446 Bloomington, IN 47401
Just a short drive southeast of Bloomington is Monroe Lake, the largest inland lake in the state of Indiana. This lake is surrounded by plenty of forest area which creates the perfect environment for outdoor recreation. The Monroe Lake area is also home to four different nature trails, a nature center, and hunting grounds where you can partake in different activities. Visitors can enjoy from family-friendly activities including – fishing, hunting, paddle boarding, boating, swimming, waterskiing, picnicking, and camping on the park grounds. Monroe Lake is also a popular spot for nature enthusiasts year round and families during the summer time.
Explore the Indiana University Arboretum
Location: E 10th St, Bloomington, IN 47405
One of the most majestic things to do in Bloomington is visiting the Indiana University Arboretum. You can use it to study or just relax and enjoy the beautiful view of the plants at the arboretum. There’s also an awesome gazebo that overlooks the site and its walking/bicycle paths around the pond.
Visit the Oliver Winery
Location: 200 East Winery Road, Bloomington, IN 47404
Visiting the Oliver Winery is a pleasant experience everyone who lives or visits the area should enjoy. It’s the states top wine destination because of its great tasting drinks and remarkable landscape. This wonderful venue is full of green scenery that will leave you more relaxed than how you came in. There’s no surprise in why every bottle product produced at this winery comes out as perfect as it does. The winery produces a nice variety of wines and crafted shiner you don’t want to miss out on.
Tour the Rest of the Indiana University
Location: 107 S Indiana Ave, Bloomington, IN 47405
As we mentioned before, Indiana University is a piece of art altogether. Give this university a visit and discover insights about the student life and beautiful campus attractions. You can choose which tour you’d like to go on, whether it’d be the residence hall or anywhere else on campus. One thing is for sure, there is a special energy that flows throughout the premise that never goes away. You’ll love the gazing at beautiful Showalter Fountain.
Visit the WonderLab Science Museum
Location: 308 W 4th St, Bloomington, IN 47404
The WonderLab Science Museum is popular for its hands-on exhibits, displays, and exhibitions that inspire the minds of all its visitors through science and technology. It holds exhibits ranging from simple to exert level explanations for how things work in the world of science. The museum’s experts work on unique ways to enlighten the minds of its visiting community of all ages.
Visit the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center
Location: 3655 S Snoddy Rd, Bloomington, IN 47401
One of the oldest Buddhist centers in America, this cultural center proves to be a great place to learn about one of the most diverse cultures in the country. This center does a great job of preserving culture and heritage of Mongolia and Tibet through the sculptures, shrines, and other precious items. The Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center also shows of some of the most colorful scenes in the city you can admire and take memorable pictures of.
Visit Lower Cascades Park
Location: 2851 N Old State Rd 37, Bloomington, IN 47404
Lower Cascades Park is located in the northern side of Bloomington. This community park offers plenty of green lawn space for family activities throughout the year. The park also includes a very unique playground popular for families to bring their kids out for a day of fun. The park also becomes a jewel during the winter time as some of the cold weather conditions help create great areas worth capturing on camera.
Take Your Dog to the Ferguson Dog Park
Location: 4300 N Stone Mill Rd, Bloomington, IN 47408
Ferguson Dog Park is also located towards the north side of Bloomington. It serves as a haven for local dog owners who love taking their pets to the park. The park features two fenced areas, one for large dogs and one for small dogs. Ferguson Dog Park is the perfect spot to visit in case you’re looking for a place where your dog can interact with other canines.
Bike Around Wapehani Mountain Bike Park
Location: 3401 W Wapehani Rd, Bloomington, IN 47403
The Wapehani Mountain Bike Park is the best spot in town to experience the great outdoors to the max. There are plenty of mountain trails perfect for riding your bike or hiking for some good exercise. The park is also located near Weimer Lake, where you can enjoy a nice round of fishing or skipping some rocks in peace.
Have a Meal at Mother Bear’s Pizza
Location: 1428 E 3rd St, Bloomington, IN 47401
Mother Bear’s Pizza is popular amongst the college community for all the great tasting pizza and prices. This business has been serving the community for over 20 years and is still alive and going. This award-winning restaurant has a great environment where you can enjoy a cold beer and food with a group of friends.
Enjoy a Meal at Bub’s Burgers & Ice Cream
Location: 480 N Morton St, Bloomington, IN 47404
Are you looking for the best burgers in town? All of Bub’s burgers are served with natural ingredients that will melt perfectly in your mouth. This restaurant also has an ever-popular food truck that delivers some of the best American services in the state. You can enjoy from plenty of unique options including – elk burgers, grilled Mahi Mahi, and Portobello sandwiches. Just don’t forget to order some delicious milkshakes to go with your burger.
Check Out Big Woods Bloomington
Location: 116 N Grant St, Bloomington, IN 47408
Big Woods is a great restaurant to try out if you’re looking for a more elegant scene. The restaurant is surrounded by beautiful sceneries and serves great grub and some of the best beer in the area. Every meal at the Big Woods is full of a unique experience that cannot be duplicated anywhere else.
Explore the Nightlife in Bloomington
If you’re looking for some more thrilling things to do in Bloomington, try exploring what the night has to offer in the area. There are plenty of relaxed bars on the square where you can dine in with a group of friends and have a cold beer. There are also some great spots where you can enjoy live music or go dancing with a partner.