Visiting Bloomington is a great idea at any time of the year, but a slightly underrated time to visit is during spring break. With the majority of Indiana University's students away, B-Town becomes a little quieter, a little slower-paced, and much less crowded. For families with elementary-aged kids, Bloomington offers a rich experience full of fun activities. From nationally-acclaimed museums to indoor attractions for every type of kiddo, you won't want to miss out on making memories in B-Town this spring break.
A Budget-Friendly Getaway
Photo by Tim Street
While Bloomington is no ocean-side paradise or bustling metropolis, we offer a lot of cool activities and attractions, and for a fraction of the price of a major destination getaway. If you're budget-conscious or interested in visiting several more affordable destinations throughout the year rather than going big for one major vacation, Bloomington holds a lot of appeal. In addition to being a more affordable destination in general, we also offer a wide variety of free things to do, many of which are great for families.
Thrilling Indoor Attractions
Photo by Rachel Hawkins
B-Town is home to a long list of indoor attractions, many being particularly exciting for kids. For those who love gaming, LaserLite Laser Tag and IMU Bowling & Billiards are a must. Artsy kids will have a blast painting their own pottery at The Pottery House Studio, and especially active kiddos will enjoy Hoosier Heights & Urban Air Adventure Park. You can find even more indoor activities for kids here.
Education with a Fun Twist
Who says education has to be put on hold just because school's on break? Fun educational opportunities are abundant in Bloomington, two of the best being visits to the WonderLab Museum and the Eskenazi Museum of Art at Indiana University. The WonderLab Museum is an award-winning children's museum that features interactive science, health & technology exhibits, and the Eskenazi Museum houses internationally-revered works of art, including Monet & Picasso paintings, Renaissance masterpieces, and ancient artifacts. Learning outside of the classroom doesn't get much better than that!
Restaurants for Foodie Families
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Kids get a bad rep for being picky eaters, but you can be a foodie at any age! If your kids are adventurous eaters — and even if they're not — check out this list of family-friendly restaurants to plan where you'll eat during your stay. Restaurants of many types of cuisine are included, so there should be something that appeals to everyone!
Indoor Pool Time
Need we say more? Something about indoor pools is spectacularly magical & exciting to kids, and their heated nature is extra-appealing during the cooler months for both kids & adults alike. You can find a full list of family-friendly places to stay in Bloomington here — just be sure to make note of which options offer indoor pools.
