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Great Places to visit in Bloomington Indiana
17
items I have lived in Bloomington for over 10 years now and these are the best recommended places from a local!
Map
Sections
5
Outdoor Activities
Restaurants
Other Food & Drinks
Arts & Entertainment
Local Favorites
Outdoor Activities
Bryan Park is an amazing park near downtown! They have plenty of open spaces as well as shelters and a public pool!
Bryan Park
Monroe Lake is also a favorite! They have plenty of rentals that you can have (pontoon boats, jet skis, kayaks), camping grounds and a beach area!
DNR: State Parks: Monroe Lake - IN.gov
If you’ve got little ones with you, Wonderlab is so much fun with plenty of things to do!
WonderLab Science Museum
Griffey Lake is an amazing place to go if you would like to spend some time outdoors! They have plenty of different hiking trails that you can go on as well as places to fish and rent kayaks, canoes and paddle boards!
Griffy Lake Nature Preserve
This is such an amazing park if you have kids! It even as a little creek area to play in as well as hiking trails and a waterfall!
Lower Cascades Park
I used to work here when I was in college and it is such an amazing pool! They have lap lanes, open swim area, a shallow kid pool and a diving well! They also offer swimming lessons! They have movie nights during the summer which is so much fun!
Indiana University Outdoor Pool (IUOP)
Restaurants
You can’t come to Bloomington without visiting Mother Bears at least once! Their pizza is amazing!
Mother Bear's Pizza - Visit Bloomington
My Thai is my favorite place for Thai food! Honestly any of the restaurants on 4th street near Kirkwood are great to explore!
My Thai
Ami is one of my favorite restaurants in town! They have lots of options of food such as sushi, ramen, rice bowls, bento boxes and more!
Restaurant Ami
Other Food & Drinks
If you are looking for a laidback chill bar to hang out, this is a great place to go. It has plenty of pool tables and darts to play. It’s a great bar if you are not into the party scene!
Video Saloon
This is also another great place to grab a drink that isn’t a party scene! They have lots of classic arcade games as well as console games that you can play for free!
The Cade
If you love gyros, this is THE best in town! They can usually be found on Kirkwood as well as food truck Fridays at switchyard park during the summer-fall!
Doner Kebab
Arts & Entertainment
You have to check out IU Auditorium if you are into seeing shows or musicals! It’s located right in the heart of IU campus
Indiana University Auditorium
If you love art galleries and love to support upcoming artists in the art program at IU this is a great place to go! All profits go back to the students in the school!
Grunwald Gallery of Art
IU cinema is a great place if you are a movie fanatic! They show all different kinds of films and have so many different events throughout the year that a fun for everyone!
Indiana University Cinema
Local Favorites
I grew up along this trail and loved it! It takes you by Sherwood Oaks park as well as Jackson Creek Park. There is a creek that runs along the trail that is fun for kids to play in and collect geode rocks!
Jackson Creek Trail | City of Bloomington, Indiana
If you are wanting some good teriyaki chicken or sushi on Kirkwood or a quick bite, this is the place to go!
Z & C Teriyaki & Sushi - Bloomington, IN | Hours, Reviews ...