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Bloomington is a college city of about 80,000 people in the wooded hills of southern Indiana, about 50 miles southwest of Indianapolis. Founded in 1818, it became home to Indiana University in 1820, and the university still shapes the city's character. The surrounding limestone quarries supplied stone for the Empire State Building and the Pentagon, and the city itself is full of handsome limestone buildings.
Indiana University's campus is often called one of the most beautiful in the country, with Gothic limestone halls, Dunn Woods, the Sample Gates and the Eskenazi Museum of Art, designed by I. M. Pei. The Jacobs School of Music is one of the best in the world and stages hundreds of concerts and operas each year, and IU basketball fills Assembly Hall with passionate fans.
Downtown, the historic Courthouse Square and Kirkwood Avenue are lined with restaurants serving food from around the world, shops and the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. The B-Line Trail runs through the city on an old railroad line, and Lake Monroe, Brown County State Park and the Hoosier National Forest are nearby for hiking and boating.
Indiana University Bloomington's campus is known for its limestone buildings, wooded Dunn's Woods and the Sample Gates entrance off Kirkwood Avenue. It is often named one of the most beautiful campuses in the US. Walk in from the Sample Gates, and visit in spring or fall for flowers or color.
Monroe County Courthouse is a Beaux-Arts limestone courthouse from 1908 at the center of Bloomington's square, topped by a copper dome and a fish-shaped weather vane. Shops and restaurants surround it. Walk around the square, and look for the holiday lights display in winter.
Eskenazi Museum of Art at Indiana University is housed in an I.M. Pei-designed building and holds a wide collection, from ancient art to works by Picasso and Monet. Its renovated galleries are bright and open. Admission is free, and you can see the highlights in about ninety minutes.
The Lilly Library at Indiana University is a rare books library open to the public, with treasures such as a Gutenberg Bible New Testament, early printed books, manuscripts and a large collection of mechanical puzzles. Exhibits change often. It is free; check its hours and current displays first.
Kirkwood Avenue links downtown Bloomington with the Indiana University Sample Gates, lined with restaurants, bars, coffee shops and stores. It is the main hangout street for students and locals. Walk it in the evening, and try one of the many international restaurants along the way.
Buskirk-Chumley Theater is a restored 1922 movie house on Kirkwood Avenue that hosts concerts, film festivals, comedy and talks. Its vintage marquee is a local landmark. Check the season schedule, and catch a show to see the historic interior, then grab dinner nearby.
The Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University is one of the top music schools in the country and presents more than 1,000 performances a year, including fully staged operas at the Musical Arts Center. Many recitals are free. Check its events calendar for concerts during your visit.
Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall is the home of Indiana Hoosiers basketball, famous for its steep stands, loud crowds and five national championship banners. Game nights are a major event in town. Book tickets early for Big Ten games, and look for the program's trophies in the halls.
The B-Line Trail is a paved urban trail along an old railroad line through downtown Bloomington, with public art, a farmers market plaza and links to restaurants. It is flat and easy for walking or biking. Use it to get between downtown spots, and stop at Showers Plaza on Saturday market days.
Lake Monroe is the largest lake in Indiana, a reservoir south of Bloomington with beaches, boat ramps, campgrounds and trails at Paynetown and Fairfax recreation areas. It is popular for boating and swimming in summer. Rent a boat at Paynetown, and pay the day entrance fee at the gate.
Griffy Lake Nature Preserve is a wooded preserve around a reservoir on Bloomington's north side, with hiking trails, a boathouse and canoe and kayak rentals in season. Birds and deer are common. Hike the lakeside trails, and rent a boat for a calm paddle on a summer morning.
Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center is a peaceful center south of Bloomington founded by the Dalai Lama's older brother, with a temple, stupa and prayer wheels on wooded grounds. Visitors may walk the grounds and join classes. Be respectful, keep voices low and follow posted guidance.
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