Monday, June 19, 2023
The Ultimate Bloomington Bucket List
Categories: Outdoors, Indiana University, Arts & Culture, Live Music, Wine & Culinary
With incredible outdoor activities, a spirited sports community, a diverse culinary scene, and much more, Bloomington offers a bit of everything for everyone. The opportunities for entertainment, eats exploration, education, and exercise are seemingly limitless, but to get you started, we've put together a list of classic Bloomington activities everyone should partake in at least once to experience the very best of B-Town.
Looking for an Indiana University bucket list? Check out The Ultimate IU Bucket List.
Around Town
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Buy locally-grown produce and artisan baked goods at one of Bloomington's many farmers' markets.
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Capture Insta-worthy photos from atop one of downtown's parking garages — use #visitbtown in your post so we can share your shot!
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Follow our vintage shopping guide to see what sort of retro & antique treasures you can find.
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Have a restorative health experience like no other at the Bloomington Salt Cave.
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Head inside the Monroe County Courthouse and look up for an unexpected treat.
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Play classic arcade games and pinball at The Cade, then head upstairs for a game of darts or pool at the Video Saloon.
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Splash around Switchyard Park's spray pad on a hot day.
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Stroll downtown's B-Line Trail, stopping for a cup of coffee at Hopscotch Coffee and a photo in front of Artisan Alley's many murals.
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Take your kids to WonderLab Museum for a fun-filled day of science and technology.
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Watch an IU game and play a round of Sink the Biz at Nick's English Hut.
Arts & Culture
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Attend the annual production of The Nutcracker by the IU Jacobs School of Music at the Musical Arts Center.
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Admire ancient artifacts, Renaissance masterpieces, and contemporary works of art at the Eskenazi Museum of Art at Indiana University.
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Enjoy an off-Broadway production, nationally-touring concert, or evening with a prominent figure at the IU Auditorium.
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Experience music and culture from around the globe at the Lotus World Music & Arts Festival.
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Explore downtown while admiring local art during Gallery Walk.
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Laugh 'til your sides hurt during a stand-up comedy performance at The Comedy Attic.
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Learn about Buddhism and Tibetan culture at the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center.
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See a locally-produced play or musical by Constellation Stage + Screen
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Set eyes on George Washington's letter accepting the presidency, Shakespeare's First Folio, and millions more cultural & literary artifacts at the Lilly Library.
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Sing and dance at a concert at Bloomington's most iconic music venue, The Bluebird.
On Campus
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Attend The Greatest College Weekend's Little 500 bike races.
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Catch an IU sporting event, from football and basketball to baseball and volleyball — they're all exciting!
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Dip your toes in Showalter Fountain and Google the lore of the missing fountain fish.
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Have a picnic in Dunn Meadow.
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Kiss your significant other under the Rose Well House at midnight — it's one of the university's oldest traditions!
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Learn about the university's famed basketball history at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall and Cook Hall.
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Lie on your back with your legs propped against the side of the Eskenazi Museum of Art and watch the light totem change colors at night.
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See a film screening at the IU Cinema.
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Shake hands and take a selfie with Herman B Wells in Old Crescent — bonus points for selfies with Hoagy Carmichael and Ernie Pyle.
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Snap a photo of you and your crew in front of the iconic Sample Gates.
Outdoors
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Adventure through Beanblossom Bottoms Nature Preserve on their ADA-compliant boardwalk — look for frogs, birds, and other wildlife species.
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Climb the Hoosier National Forest's Hickory Ridge Fire Tower — don't forget your camera; a photo of the view is a must!
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Discover the Little Africa Wildlife Area at Lake Lemon and enjoy a catfish dinner at The Porthole Inn
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Enjoy a unique view of Monroe Lake and a delicious weekend brunch at Scenic View.
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Float above Bloomington from a hot air balloon — an outdoor B-Town experience like no other!
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Go hiking, canoeing, kayaking, or fishing at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve.
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Hike to the waterfall at Lower Cascades Park.
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Spend a day on Monroe Lake — go fishing, watch for bald eagles, take a swim, cruise around on a boat, try paddleboarding, and more!
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Treat the kids to a day of fun at Karst Farm Park — pack a picnic, enjoy multiple playgrounds, and splash around on the spray pad!
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Trek the one-mile trail at Leonard Springs Nature Park.
Wine & Dine
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Devour a slice of 'za at the beloved Mother Bear's Pizza.
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Discover a huge variety of authentic international cuisine on 4th Street.
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Eat like a local during your stay.
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Enjoy a wine tasting at Butler Winery and Oliver Winery.
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Experience Bloomington's famed steakhouse, Janko's Little Zagreb.
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Head to Switchyard Park during the warmer months for Food Truck Friday.
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Satisfy your sweet tooth with a scoop of Bloomington's best ice cream.
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Start your day with a mouthwatering meal at one of B-Town's best brunch spots.
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Treat yourself to Bloomington's finest cuisine.
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Wind your way through Bloomington's ale trail to experience all five of our breweries.
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Visit Bloomington Staff
Visit Bloomington continues to update previous blog posts to help give our followers a great experience.
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