Top 10 Bloomington Attractions

Indiana University Art Museum

Stop by the IU Art Museum to view the many priceless & rare exhibits on display. From world-renowned architect I.M. Pei's soaring triangular atrium, to galleries filled with extraordinary works of art from all corners of the globe, the IU Art Museum is one of the foremost university art museums in the country. The museum's internationally acclaimed collections range from ancient gold jewelry and African masks to paintings by Claude Monet and Pablo Picasso. Over 30,000 objects representing nearly every art-producing culture throughout history our housed in the museum. http://www.indiana.edu/~iuam/iuam_home.php

Lilly Library

This internationally known rare book library contains nearly 400,000 books, over 100,000 pieces of sheet music, and more than 6,500,000 manuscripts. Materials in the Library range from major rare books such as the New Testament of the Gutenberg Bible (printed before 1456), the four Shakespeare folios, and Audubon's Birds of America, to famous individual manuscripts such as George Washington's letter accepting the presidency of the United States, Robert Burns's "Auld Lang Syne," and J. M. Synge's The Playboy of the Western World, to extensive special collections in a wide variety of fields. Exhibits vary throughout the year. On permanent exhibit is the Gutenberg Bible and Audubon's "Birds of America" prints. http://www.indiana.edu/~liblilly/

Kinsey Institute

Founded in 1947, this famous institute continues the work begun by the pioneering human sexuality researcher Alfred C. Kinsey, who’s life was recently portrayed in the acclaimed Hollywood movie Kinsey. The institute, which is located on the IU campus, promotes interdisciplinary research and scholarship in the fields of human sexuality, gender and reproduction. Check out the Gallery, which gives visitors the chance to see selected pieces from the institute's extensive collection of art, artifacts, and photographs. Recent exhibitions include The Fiction and Reality of 19th Century Sexuality and Erotica & Music: Works of Art from the Kinsey Institute Collection. Public tours are offered monthly, by reservation only. http://www.kinseyinstitute.org.

Tibetan Cultural Center

Dedicated to the people of Tibet, this Cultural Center, located on 90 acres just south of town, offers a relaxing and peaceful setting for meditation and reflection. The Tibetan Chortens here (2) are the only ones in the nation. The TCC was established to acquaint people with the history and culture of Tibet and to support Tibetans everywhere. Workshops, seminars, retreats and ceremonies relating to the Tibetan culture are offered throughout the year as well as weekly meditation sessions. Visitors can view a permanent sand mandala as well as the Chamtse Ling Temple, which In September 2003, was consecrated by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The Shrine room is magnificently decorated with traditional Tibetan Buddhist paintings and houses "The Room for Remembrance: Reflections of Tibet,” a pictorial history of modern Tibet. The grounds are open daily from 10 am - 4 pm. A self-guided tour map may be picked up from the mailbox across from the flagpole. http://www.tibetancc.com

Downtown Bloomington/Kirkwood Avenue

Encompassing 11 blocks, Downtown Bloomington is known for its historic courthouse square district with its rich assortment of cultural attractions, eclectic shops and restaurants. The beautiful landmark building, the Monroe County Courthouse, built in 1902, graces the area. A great place for a leisurely stroll, you’ll find numerous art galleries, dozens of unique shops, outdoor cafes and a wide assortment of restaurants to suit every taste and style, all within walking distance of one another. Check out vibrant Kirkwood Avenue which leads to the Sample Gates at the entrance of Indiana University. Nightlife Downtown includes fine dining, breweries, pubs and live music clubs.

Diverse Ethnic Dining

The multi-cultural attitude of Indiana University has spilled over into the local restaurant scene with a splash! From down-home Hoosier cooking to a plethora of ethnic cuisines, Bloomington has become a restaurant-lovers dream. African, Asian, Irish, Italian Mediterranean, Mexican, Moroccan, Tibetan, Thai, Turkish – you name it, Bloomington’s got it. Downtown boasts 89 restaurants all within walking distance of parking garages and favorite shops and attractions. Whether you're looking for a special place to go for dinner and drinks, a great cultural experience with international cuisine, or a more casual family style restaurant, you’ll find it in Bloomington.

Oliver Winery

Family owned and operated, Oliver Winery is Indiana's oldest and largest winery, growing grapes and making award-winning wines since 1972. Visit the large timber-framed tasting room for complimentary tasting of more than 15 varieties of wine, including Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, Shiraz, Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon. A wine shop features gourmet foods and wine-related gifts. Enjoy a picnic surrounded by beautiful gardens, a waterfall and pond. Visitors can take a tour of the winery’s production facilities, explore a vineyard up close and learn about the art and craft of winemaking. http://www.oliverwinery.com/main.html

Lake Monroe

Lake Monroe is the state's largest inland lake. Built in 1965, there are 10,750 acres of water surface surrounded by several thousand acres of state and federally owned forest lands. Boating, fishing, water-skiing, and swimming are available in numerous locations. Hiking and horse trails abound. Camping is available at private, state and federal campsites or at nearby private campgrounds. Boat rental companies, bait shops and two resorts with tennis and golfing are located on the lake's shores. Several state recreation areas provide visitor information, nature centers and picnicking options. http://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/properties/res_monroe.html

Hoosier National Forest

This 200,000-acre National Forest, in the hills of south central Indiana, provides a wide mix of opportunities and resources for people to enjoy. Rolling hills, back-country trails, and rural crossroad communities make this small but beautiful Forest a favorite! You’ll find over 230 miles of hiking, horseback and mountain biking trails of varying difficulty and length. Hunting, fishing, nature study, camping, picnicking and scenic drives are all popular activities. Campgrounds are located adjacent to large lakes and in conjunction with some of the trail systems. Five private horse camps are located adjacent to the forest. http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/hoosier/

Bloomington Antique Mall

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