Tree-lined streets, independent cafés, and a lively arts scene give this college town an energetic but laidback atmosphere. Music, theater, and local culture are deeply woven into daily life, helped along by a large student population that keeps the city feeling youthful year-round.
Set in southern Indiana just southwest of Indianapolis, Bloomington is best known as the home of Indiana University Bloomington. For more than two centuries, the university has shaped the city’s identity, with its beautiful campus blending almost seamlessly into downtown.
B-Line Trail
A wonderful way to see yet more of the city and its scenic surroundings is to walk, run, jog or cycle along the B-Line Trail. Very popular with locals and tourists alike, it passes many of Bloomington’s main sights and connects several small parks, plazas and neighborhoods.
Stretching just over three miles in total, the multipurpose paved path was officially opened in 2009 as part of a project to rejuvenate downtown. Built atop an abandoned old railway line, it starts at the east side of Adams Street before slowly meandering its way to Country Club Drive where it joins up with the Bloomington Rail Trail.
Along the pretty route, you’ll find top attractions like WonderLab, the Community Farmers Market and Switchyard Park’s playgrounds and sports facilities. Benches, green spaces and public artworks also line the trail while countless coffee shops and eateries can be found nearby.
Indiana University
Covering a huge part of the city center, Indiana University has a lovely park-like layout with lots of green spaces lying amidst all its historic halls and college buildings. Its flagship campus has a very lively, youthful feel with concerts, sports events and art shows taking place all the time.
Since being founded in 1820, the prestigious public institute of higher education has had a profound impact on the growth, development and identity of Bloomington. Once past its iconic Sample Gates entrance, you’ll find beautifully maintained grounds and dozens of impressive old libraries, some art galleries and museums.
To learn all about the university and life on campus, make sure to take one of its daily tours. These take you past sites such as the Old Crescent historic district and even into some of the students’ halls of residence. At the Memorial Stadium, you can watch the Hoosiers college football team play with action-packed basketball games held at the Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
McCormick’s Creek State Park
A very peaceful and picturesque place to explore, McCormick’s Creek State Park can be found just twenty-five minutes drive northwest of downtown. Amidst its scenic confines, visitors can hike and horseback ride about with some fabulous fishing and camping also being on offer.
The oldest state park in Indiana, it was established back in 1916 to protect all its craggy limestone landscapes and pristine woods. Centered around the quiet creek and canyon of the same name, it has some fantastic waterfalls for you to hike to with other trails taking you by hidden caves or alongside the rambling river.
There is also an old quarry to stop by and a swimming pool, tennis courts and a recreation centre for guests to make use of. Much of its infrastructure was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the thirties with campgrounds and the cosy Canyon Inn providing outdoor lovers with accommodation should they want to spend longer in the park.
Buskirk-Chumley Theater
Just a stone’s throw away is the brilliant Buskirk-Chumley Theater which puts on all kinds of superb concerts and shows. Part of the Courthouse Square Historic District, the atmospheric old venue is a magical place to enjoy a performance with something new and interesting taking place all the time.
Originally opened in 1922 as a vaudeville house, it boasts some exquisite Spanish Mission Revival style architecture while a bright red neon marquee greets you at the entrance. Thankfully restored to its former glory in the nineties, its grand lobby and mezzanine areas now showcase some delightful Art Deco decor.
In the community theater’s intimate auditorium, you can watch everything from local ballet recitals and student stand-up comedy nights to concerts by big-name acts and shows by touring orchestras. Film festivals are also held here as are lectures, plays by local theater troops and Christmas specials.
Hoosier National Forest
If you’re looking to immerse yourself in nature and enjoy some exciting outdoor activities, then the humongous Hoosier National Forest is the ideal place to go. Within its vast, wild reaches amidst the rolling hills of south-central Indiana, outdoor aficionados can hike, bike, camp and rock climb with barely another soul in sight.
From Bloomington, it takes just over an hour’s drive to arrive at what is currently the only national forest in the entire state. Founded in 1961, it encompasses almost endless woodlands and rural areas with some pretty waterways also snaking their way about its karst landscapes.
Its untouched wilderness has more than 260 miles of trails for you to explore with horseback riding and wildlife watching being particularly popular pastimes. If you love views, head to the top of the Hickory Ridge Lookout Tower and gaze out over the forest’s gorgeous green canopy before you.
Monroe Lake
Not to be missed is massive Monroe Lake which offers up lots of fun watersports and outdoor recreation opportunities. Set just twenty minutes drive south of town, its scenic shores and sparkling waters are a very popular place to head, particularly during the sunny summer months.
The state’s largest inland body of water, the man-made reservoir was formed in the sixties following the damming of Salt Creek. Partly surrounded by the huge Hoosier National Forest, it has more than a hundred miles of sublime shoreline to explore with cozy campsites and sleek marinas dotted about alongside sandy beaches and verdant woodlands.
You can rent kayaks, pedalos and boats and paddle about the lake’s shimmering surface or go jet-skiing and windsurfing. Plenty of playgrounds and mini-golf courses also border the large reservoir as do hiking trails, fishing spots and family-friendly resorts.