The Ultimate Bloomington Bucket List

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

• Buy locally-grown produce and artisan baked goods at one of Bloomington's many farmers' markets.

• Capture Insta-worthy photos from atop one of downtown's parking garages — use #visitbtown in your post so we can share your shot!

• Follow our vintage shopping guide to see what sort of retro & antique treasures you can find.

• Have a restorative health experience like no other at the Bloomington Salt Cave.

• Head inside the Monroe County Courthouse and look up for an unexpected treat.

• Play classic arcade games and pinball at The Cade, then head upstairs for a game of darts or pool at the Video Saloon.

• Splash around Switchyard Park's spray pad on a hot day.

• Stroll downtown's B-Line Trail, stopping for a cup of coffee at Hopscotch Coffee and a photo in front of the many murals or sculptures along the way.

• Take your kids to WonderLab Museum for a fun-filled day of science and technology.

• Watch an IU game and play a round of Sink the Biz at Nick's English Hut.
   

Arts & Culture

• Attend the annual production of The Nutcracker by the IU Jacobs School of Music at the Musical Arts Center.

• Admire ancient artifacts, Renaissance masterpieces, and contemporary works of art at the Eskenazi Museum of Art at Indiana University.

• Enjoy an off-Broadway production, nationally-touring concert, or evening with a prominent figure at the IU Auditorium.

• Experience music and culture from around the globe at the Lotus World Music & Arts Festival.

• Explore downtown while admiring local art during Gallery Walk.

• Laugh 'til your sides hurt during a stand-up comedy performance at The Comedy Attic.

• Learn about Buddhism and Tibetan culture at the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center.

• See a locally-produced play or musical by Constellation Stage + Screen

• Set eyes on George Washington's letter accepting the presidency, Shakespeare's First Folio, and millions more cultural & literary artifacts at the Lilly Library.

• Sing and dance at a concert at Bloomington's most iconic music venue, The Bluebird.
   

On Campus

• Attend The Greatest College Weekend's Little 500 bike races.

• Catch an IU sporting event, from football and basketball to baseball and volleyball — they're all exciting!

• Feel the spray of Showalter Fountain and Google the lore of the missing fountain fish.

• Have a picnic in Dunn Meadow.

• Kiss your significant other under the Rose Well House at midnight — it's one of the university's oldest traditions!

• Learn about the university's famed basketball history at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall and Cook Hall.

• 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.

• See a film screening at the IU Cinema.

• Shake hands and take a selfie with Herman B Wells in Old Crescent — bonus points for selfies with Hoagy Carmichael and Ernie Pyle.

• Snap a photo of you and your crew in front of the iconic Sample Gates.
   

Outdoors

• Adventure through Beanblossom Bottoms Nature Preserve on their ADA-compliant boardwalk — look for frogs, birds, and other wildlife species.

• Climb the Hoosier National Forest's Hickory Ridge Fire Tower — don't forget your camera; a photo of the view is a must!

• Discover the Little Africa Wildlife Area hiking loop at Lake Lemon and enjoy a catfish dinner at The Porthole Inn

• Enjoy a unique view of Monroe Lake and a delicious weekend brunch at Scenic View.

• Float above Bloomington from a hot air balloon — an outdoor B-Town experience like no other!

• Go hiking, canoeing, kayaking, or fishing at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve.

• Hike to the waterfall at Lower Cascades Park.

• Spend a day on Monroe Lake — go fishing, watch for bald eagles, take a swim, cruise around on a boat, try paddleboarding, and more!

• 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!

• Trek the one-mile trail at Leonard Springs Nature Park.

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Wine & Dine

• Devour a slice of 'za at the beloved Mother Bear's Pizza.

• Discover a huge variety of authentic international cuisine on 4^th Street.

• Eat like a local during your stay.

• Enjoy a wine tasting at Butler Winery and Oliver Winery.

• Experience Bloomington's famed steakhouse, Janko's Little Zagreb.

• Head to Switchyard Park during the warmer months for Food Truck Friday.

• Satisfy your sweet tooth with a scoop of Bloomington's best ice cream.

• Start your day with a mouthwatering meal at one of B-Town's best brunch spots.

• Treat yourself to Bloomington's finest cuisine.

• Wind your way through Bloomington's ale trail to experience all five of our breweries.