The Ultimate Bloomington, Indiana Weekend Travel Guide
Somewhere between walking the grounds of a Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Center, devouring sweets at an all-vegan bakery and scootering down a few miles of a car-free multi-use trail you realize Bloomington, Indiana isn’t your typical midwestern town.
And that’s what makes this college town a perfect weekend getaway. Here’s a travel guide to Bloomington, Indiana with recommendations on things to do, what to see and where to eat and drink.
Bloomington, Indiana Weekend Travel Guide
Hunt for murals on a scooter along the B-Line – The B-Line is a multi-use trail that travels 3.1 miles throughout the city. You can hop on it at any spot and enjoy the journey.
Visit the Farmer’s Market
There are markets all throughout the year for fresh produce and homemade treats.
Travel Across the World at the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center
This was such an unexpected and unique experience. We explored the grounds and then enjoyed a tour inside the cultural center. You can even stay here overnight in a yurt and try guided meditations and more.
Brewery Hop
With a bevy of breweries to choose from there is something for everyone whether you’re a fan of ales, stouts, IPAs or even sours.
A few to try are: Switchyard Brewing, Function Brewing and The Tap Brewery.
Jordan Hall Greenhouse
Hop into this greenhouse for a quick and FREE self-guided tour. You’ll find flowers of all sorts, cacti and more.
The Comedy Attic
This comedy spot is often on Top 10 lists and has had some of the most well-known comedians perform here, like Amy Schumer, Hannibal Buress and more.
Outdoor & Nature Activities
Our visit to Bloomington was a rainy one, unfortunately. It started right after we left the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center and was pretty much steady until we left.
We still had a blast, but missed out on some other outdoorsy activities. It is definitely a place where you can get out and enjoy nature and I imagine the city is stunning in changing colors during the fall season. Here’s some outdoor activities to check out:
Rent a canoe or kayak at Griffy Lake Boat House
During the warmer months you can get on the water at Griffy Lake and canoe, kayak or stand-up paddle board on the water.
Hike the one mile loop trail at Leonard Springs Nature Park
Leonard Springs Nature Park is located just southwest of the city and offers 95.5 acres to explore. You can see so much with the Leonard Springs Trail that runs just over a mile long. During your hike you’ll explore wetland, two caves, Shirley Springs and more.
See the views at Hickory Ridge Fire Tower
The Hickory Ridge Fire Tower is a fire lookout tower offering great views for anyone brave enough to climb the 133 steps. You’ll be 110 feet in the air and able to see all over. It’s a popular spot amongst local students venturing over from the Indiana University campus.
Visit Monroe Lake
Monroe Lake has over 11,000 acres of water and offers all sorts of activities including camping, swimming, fishing, hiking, boating, beaching and more.
Places to Shop in Bloomington, Indiana
Caveat Emptor Used Books
Explore used and rare books! In my opinion, books make amazing souvenirs and you can find something unexpected here.
Get lost in the stacks because there’s really something for everyone down the aisles.
Address: 112 N Walnut St, Bloomington, IN 47404
Gather
And just next door from Caveat, you can find Gather. It’s also perfect for souvenir shopping. This store was my jam. It had cute gift-able items like homemade soaps, candles, air plants and loads of stickers and pins.
I was also a big fan of their statement tees. And make sure to check out their socials, because they also host pop-up events on occasion.
Address: 116 N Walnut St, Bloomington, IN 47404
Goods for Cooks
As the name says, it’s full of items for the chef or home cook. Goods is the place to treat yourself to a kitchen or home item that feels curated and unique, such as a tea set shaped like a kitty.
And it’s a great spot to get a special gift for someone. Whatever you’re looking for just stop in this store. The staff was friendly and ready to help you find whatever you needed.
The store is located just a block over from the others on this list. That’s one thing I adored about Bloomington – it’s so walkable!
Address: 115 N College Ave, Bloomington, IN 47404
Where to Eat in Bloomington, Indiana
Irish Lion
Go for the Blarney Puff Balls which were little pillowy nuggets of cheese. Enjoy an Irish cocktail and take in the surroundings.
Mother Bear’s Pizza
This one is easy. Get the pizza! Mother Bear’s is spacious and great for groups and I love all the “graffiti” on the walls.
Social Cantina
For street tacos and margaritas! I would also recommend checking out Social for brunch.
Lennie’s
For the Ahi Tuna Salad and sandwiches! Lennie’s is home to the Bloomington Brewing Company so you’ll also find a great selection of craft beers.
Anyetsang’s Little Tibet
I told you there’s a lot of variety in this city! Stop here for some momo’s.
Sweets and Treats to Try
Rainbow Bakery
An all-vegan bakery! We had the cinnamon rolls at the bakery and took some donuts to go.
Hartzell’s Ice Cream
All the ice cream! This spot is right beside the Bloomington mural too, so you can get a sweet treat and enjoy the view. They have some classic flavors, but I personally loved the vegan (dairy-free) options.
Soma
You can get a specialty coffee here, but I recommend a smoothie or juice made fresh!
Where to Drink
Needmore Coffee Roasters
For when you need a caffeine fix! Needmore is a woman-owned business that gives back to the community and the environment. The coffee is certified organic and fair or direct trade.
They donate used coffee grounds to local farmers and gardens and fund a lunch program in Nicaragua as well as provide in-kind donations to other nonprofits. Clearly, it’s coffee you can feel good about drinking and it doesn’t hurt that it tastes delicious too.
Irish Lion
I mentioned Irish Lion above for it’s food, but this would also be a great spot to kick back and savor a whiskey sample or Irish cocktail.
The Orbit Room
For games and some live music entertainment.
Switchyard Brewing
We enjoyed a flight and a glass of wine at Switchyard while hiding from the rain. The brewery had plenty of games and loads of tables to sit and chat with friends, plus lots of pups to pet!
The Cade
I love an arcade bar and the one in Bloomington didn’t disappoint. My favorite part is all the games you can enjoy sitting at your booth in addition to all the classic arcade games around you. Plus, the bartenders were super friendly!
Oliver Winery
About a 15-minute drive or Uber outside of the city you can find Oliver Winery. You can enjoy tastings, picnics and even spend the entire day here with the staff sharing their recommendations on what to enjoy.
If you’re visit runs over a weekend, it’s absolutely worth carving a few hours to spend on the grounds here, sipping wine and enjoying views.
Where to Stay in Bloomington, Indiana
The Hilton Garden Inn puts you right in the middle of downtown Bloomington and in walking distance to almost all of my recommendations. The hotel is cozy and quiet.
There was a conference or event being held at the hotel the weekend we visited so while it was busy, it didn’t feel like it to us. The front desk staff was friendly and accommodating. My favorite part is that we were able to sleep well all night without hearing a peep from other guests.
My visit to Bloomington was sponsored by Visit Bloomington with gift cards to some local vendors. As always, my guide, opinions and suggestions are all my own.
Follow along for more Bloomington, Indiana adventures on Instagram with #VisitBtown, #BtownExplorer and @VisitBtown & @CaseyLaVie
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