Looking down Kirkwood Avenue from the campus side of Sample Gates in Bloomington. (Photo by MCCVB)

Blossoming Bloomington

Southern Indiana Town Home To Big University, Ethnic Eateries, Cultural Charm

Head to the rolling hills of southern Indiana to Bloomington/Monroe County for some Hoosier Hospitality. Home to Indiana University, three lakes, two forests and a thriving downtown full of unusual shops, ethnic restaurants, and cultural activities of all kinds, you are sure to find your share of fun and adventure.

Bloomington has all of the luxuries of a large city, but still retains the charm of a small town.

Take a stroll through the Indiana University campus, home of the IU Hoosiers, with its stunning historic limestone architecture. Founded in 1824 as the first college west of the Allegheny Mountains, Indiana University has transformed from an outpost of knowledge in the wilderness to a vibrant center of learning for students from all cultures and backgrounds. IU offers several nationally recognized programs for students and a world of things to see and do for the casual visitor.

Be sure and stop at the IU Art Museum which is home to over 30,000 pieces of art and a unique building where there are no 90-degree angles. Or visit one of the largest student unions in the world, the Indiana Memorial Union, which features a 190-room hotel, a bowling alley, restaurants and much more. The Musical Arts Center is home to the longest continually running opera program in the Western Hemisphere, the IU Opera Theater, and is said to be "acoustically perfect." The IU School of Music is consistently ranked among the top in the country. The extraordinary beauty of the IU campus was noted by Thomas A Gaines in his book "The Campus as a Work of Art" where he ranked IU as one of the top five most beautiful campuses in the nation. The Jordan River runs alongside the union and through Dunn Meadow, a favorite spot for special events and taking a break.

The downtown Bloomington square offers a historically renovated shopping experience. The Fountain Square Mall offers one-of-a-kind retail establishments. Gourmet cooking shops, art galleries, music stores, and even a book store with resident felines are just a few of the unique shopping experiences you'll find downtown. The Bloomington Antique Mall is located in the former Tom Thumb Grocery building and offers three levels and over 100 well-organized booths.

Dozens of restaurants are situated in the downtown area and they range from Italian, Greek, and Japanese to Irish, French, and Tibetan. You won't go hungry in Bloomington. The focal point of downtown is the county courthouse built in 1902. Surrounded by shade trees and freshly manicured lawns, the Beaux Arts style limestone building provides the perfect setting for festivals and music events. Several clubs are within walking distance of the downtown area, ensuring an active nightlife with jazz, rock and roll, and alternative music selections.

Monroe County has several outdoor activities to delight visitors of all ages. Four area golf courses provide the public with high quality golfing at reasonable prices. If fishing and boating are your passions, head to Lake Monroe, Indiana's largest inland lake with 10,750 acres of water and 125 miles of shoreline. Plenty of room is available for swimming, boating, skiing, and fishing. Boat rentals are available at several locations around the lake and three public beaches are the perfect spot for fun in the sun. Surrounding the lake is the Hoosier National Forest. Nearly 7,000 acres of natural forest contributes to the aesthetic value of the area. Campers in the Lake Monroe area have many options ranging from private, state and federally run campgrounds. There are also two resorts located on the lake, offering both hotel and condominium accommodations including golf, boat rentals, tennis and dining facilities.

Griffy Lake is another favorite spot for outdoor fun. Located just minutes from downtown this 1,200 acre nature preserve offers canoes and rowboats for rent at the boathouse. Several trails are located on site, including two hiking trails and a nature trail laid out for the enjoyment of community walkers.

Bloomington also boasts two wineries and the first microbrewery in the region. Oliver Winery is the oldest and largest winery in the state, operating since 1972. Award-winning wines are produced here and the new tasting room is a wonderful place to sample some of their delicious selections and purchase from their assortment of breads, cheeses, crackers and summer sausages. With fabulous gardens set in a picturesque location near a pond, this is a great place for picnics. Butler Winery, with two area locations, specializes in wines made from Indiana grown grapes and offers tasting daily.

If wine isn't your thing, how about a brew? Bloomington features two local breweries as well, Upland Brewing Company is located close to downtown and features several local favorites as well as great local cuisine. In addition, The Bloomington Brewing Company offers many styles of beer and a wonderful atmosphere at Lennie's restaurant and the Brew Pub at Lennie's.

Don't just take our word for it, experience this great college town for a day, a weekend or even longer. You'll find so much more than you expect. Come on, breakaway from the ordinary‹you'll be glad you did. For more information on the Bloomington area or to receive your Bloomington Visitors Guide, contact the Visitors Center at 800-800-0037 or go online at www.visitbloomington.com.