Bloomington-Normal

By plane

• Connect Transit. Buses cover most of the community. Downtown Bloomington is well walkable, but most shopping, etc., is on the eastern side of the towns and is best reached by car or bus.

• Children's Discovery Museum

  address: 101 East Beaufort St
  Full of hands-on exhibit for children. Features an agricultural exhibit, a clock tower and science exhibits.

• David Davis Mansion

  phone: +1 309 828-1084
  address: 1000 East Monroe Drive
  An elegant, ornate mansion that dates back to 1872.

• Illinois Shakespeare Festival

  phone: +1 309 438-8110
  address: Ewing Manor - 48 Sunset Road
  Considered has some of the best renditions of Shakespeare in the nation.

• McLean County Museum of History

  phone: +1 309 827-0428
  address: 200 North Main St (Bloomington)
  Allows one to see the customs and work practices of settlers to McLean county, along with exhibits featuring residents such as Abraham Lincoln and Adlai Stevenson.

• Miller Park Zoo

  phone: +1 309 434-2250
  address: 1020 South Morris Ave (Bloomington)
  A pleasant place for a picnic and hosts a small but interesting zoo, with a good rain-forest exhibit.

• Bloomington is the county seat of McLean County, the largest and most prosperous county in downstate Illinois farming territory, and as such hosts the McLean County Fair, a particularly durable example of the county-fair genre. Fairgrounds are on the west side of town just off the interstate. Vast quantities of livestock on display, if you're into that sort of thing, with other Midwestern things to see/do/eat. Check locally for dates, typically in early August.
• Most of Normal's activities revolve around Illinois State University (ISU) in one way or another. See the link under "Learn" for current information on what's happening at the university.
• The well-reviewed Illinois Shakespeare Festival is associated with ISU and runs from late June until early August, with multiple performances of (usually) three of the Bard's plays. Performances are on the grounds of Ewing Manor in east Bloomington, and can include pre-show picnics on the lush grounds. Tickets are $20 and up for one performance, with package deals and various discounts available.
• Central Illinois is not usually thought of as much of a place for hiking, to put it mildly, but a very pleasant and popular parkway for walking, biking and blading, the Constitution Trail, features almost 30 miles of trail throughout Bloomington-Normal, including a main trail that runs from southern Bloomington right into the commercial and campus area of Normal; other branches converge into downtown Bloomington and span from the east to west sides of that city.
• Bloomington is home to one of the nation's best indoor climbing gyms, Upper Limits. Upper Limits has over 20,000 square feet of climbing area. Built in a set of old grain elevators, this is a great indoor climbing gym. The climbing includes: 65' tall silo routes, a 30' main room with plenty of overhanging climbing (including the Wave Wall with at least three lead-only routes), slab routes, a climbing cave, training area, 110' outdoor routes, and an outdoor bouldering area. Route difficulties ranges from 5.5 to 5.13-, with boulder from V0 to V6+.
• The Grossinger Motors Arena (formerly U.S. Cellular Coliseum) was opened in 2006 and features minor league indoor football (Bloomington Extreme & Bloomington Edge), basketball (Bloomington Drive), and ice hockey (Bloomington Prairie Thunder, Blaze, Thunder). Additionally, many well-known bands and artists come to perform. Additional events include ice racing, circuses, monster trucks, and similar attractions. Attached to the Arena is the Pepsi Ice Center, which hosts many amateur hockey and ice events. Public ice skating is also offered with skate rentals available.
• The Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts seats 1200 for stage plays, smaller concerts, and is home to the Illinois Symphony Orchestra. It is located in the entertainment district of downtown Bloomington, which attracts over one million visitors a year to restaurants, clubs, and venues that feature comedy and musical acts.
• The Corn Crib, a ball park constructed in 2010 on the Heartland Community College campus is the home to the Normal CornBelters (formerly of the Frontier League 2010-18). In 2019, the CornBelters will transition into the Prospect League's Western Division.
• A number of festivals and the largest 4-H county fair in the United States are held in Bloomington-Normal. The Apple & Pork Festival and the Threshermen's Reunion in nearby Clinton and Pontiac respectively, draw almost 100,000 visitors in the summer months.
• Outdoor recreation and boating is available at two city-owned lakes (Lake Bloomington and Comlara Park at Evergreen Lake), and Moraine View State Park, all within 20 minutes of the city limits.
• Bloomington has three public golf courses, and Normal and Illinois State University each offer one. There are several private golf clubs in or near Bloomington, the most notable being Bloomington Country Club. Golf Digest has named the area as one of the five best places for golf in the United States.

• Community Players Theatre

  phone: +1 309-663-2121
  address: 201 Robinhood Lane, Bloomington, IL
  It is one of the oldest community theatres completely staffed by volunteers. Community Players has been able to present many shows shortly after their Broadway run and, on many occasions, presented the first amateur production of these shows in the United States. It is a not-for-profit community theatre dedicated to promoting the performing arts. Contact the Box Office (309/663-2121) or Website (www.communityplayers.org) for information about their current season.

• The Castle Theatre

  phone: +1 309-820-0352
  address: 209 East. Washington Street
  A historic 1916 movie theater renovated and converted into a community hub for live music. The Castle Theatre features music artists of many different genres and levels of renown. Prices vary based on the show.

• Illinois State University. Illinois State University is Illinois' first public university. The town of Normal grew up around this school, long a teachers college and formerly known as "Illinois State Normal University" (a "normal" school being one dedicated to educating teachers). It expanded enormously in the 1960s and is now a major university. The basketball program is strong, although most other sports are at the 1-AA ("sub-major") level. A trivium: the Watterson Towers complex on campus is, at nearly 300 feet high, the tallest college dormitory in the world.
• Illinois Wesleyan University. Considerably smaller and more selective than its neighbor, with strong liberal-arts programs. Illinois Wesleyan often appears on lists of the nation's best "regional" small colleges.
• Heartland Community College. Community college founded in 1991.

• Lincoln College-Normal

  address: 715 W, Raab RD
  An extension of Lincoln College-Lincoln offering bachelors and associates degrees.

• Ryburn Place

  address: 305 Pine St., Normal
  Route 66 information and souvenir shop on the first floor of Sprague Super Service, a Tudor-Revival style building constructed in 1931 as a fuel station with the owner's and attendant's quarters upstairs. Route 66 t-shirts, postcards, books, memorabilia and the work of local artists: original watercolours and prints, photographs, handmade cards, hand-dyed silk scarves, hand-woven baskets, creative crochet.

• The Coffeehouse & Deli

  address: 114 E Beaufort St (Normal)
  A vegetarian restaurant with many vegan options. Local art work is displayed on the wall, and changes every few months. Live music and poetry slams are held during the evenings.

• Lancaster's

  address: 513 N. Main St
  Standard (if eclectic) American cuisine. Dinner M-Sa starting at 5PM (reservations advised).

• Lucca Grill

  address: 116 E. Market St
  Italian; a long-time community standard. Call for hours.

• Avanti's Italian Restaurant

  address: 407 S Main St or 3302 E. Empire St
  Pizza, pasta, salads and sandwiches. Everything is good and cheap, no matter what, try the bread.

• Taqueria El Porton

  address: 901 N. Main. St.
  A family owned restaurant that serves the best Mexican food around. Enjoy authentic dishes as well as savoring drinks like a Mexican coke and a horchata.

• Destihl

  phone: +1 309-862-2337
  address: 318 S. Towanda Ave.
  Amazing brewery with exceptional food created in a unique way by the chef. Definitely worth the prices.

Downtown Bloomington

• Daddio's

  address: 527 North Main Street
  Bloomington. Offers live music.

• Fat Jack's

  address: 511 North Main Street
  Bloomington. Offers live music, has a small, overcrowded dance floor where you can dance to current mainstream music, as well as a room for private functions.
• Illinois Brewing Company: Offers live music and karaoke twice a week. Large! 102 North Center Street. Bloomington.
• Loft: Upscale by Bloomington standards. Features live music. 220 East Front Street, Bloomington.
• Mug Shots Bar and Grill: Live music, karaoke, DJ. 107 West Front Street, Bloomington.
• Blueline: A classy, upscale venue. 602 North Main Street, Bloomington.
• Rosie's: Quaint atmosphere. Offers a high-priced food menu. 106 East Front Street, Bloomington.

Uptown Normal

• Brewe-Ha's Bar and Grill

• Firehouse Pizza & Pub

• Maggie Miley's Irish Pub

• Medici

• Pub II

• Pub II: Good for earlier fun, but later on it gets a bit crowded. Offers upbeat sportsbar atmosphere with ample seating.
• Killarneys Pub: Irish Bar themed, with the stout atmosphere of any Irish pub!
• Lunkers Tavern: Great eats and a good atmosphere, Lunkers is inexpensive and enjoyable.
• Medici:A visual experience, this restaurant-bar offers a two tiered atmosphere and a breezy sundeck.

Other

• Kegler's Pub, 804 North Hershey Road. Small bar, homey atmosphere. Offers karaoke on Thursday, Friday, and Saturdays. Part of Pheasant Lane Bowling Center (within the same building).
• Shooter's Lounge, 503 North Prospect Road Suite 304. Large bar, wide selection of food. Karaoke. Has a large room for playing pool.
• Slick Rick's Motor City Lounge, 907 East Oakland Avenue. Biker bar.
• Windjammer's Lounge, 2303 Stern Drive. Features karaoke twice a week.

• Comfort Inn Bloomington Hotel

  address: 50 Brock Dr
  Located at exit #160A of Interstate Highways 55 and 74. Also at this exit are a multitude of restaurants: fast food, not so fast food, and some 24-hour food. Walk to McDonalds or Cracker Barrel, or drive merely minutes to other popular eateries.

• Econo Lodge Bloomington Hotel

  address: 403 Brock Dr
  Real value and convenience for both business and leisure travelers. Secure Online Reservations.

• Hawthorn Suites Bloomington

  phone: +1 309 829-8111
  address: 1 Lyon Court
  Guest amenities include a complimentary hot breakfast buffet each morning and an evening reception each Wednesday. Each guest room includes a queen size bed(s), microwave, refrigerator and wet bar or full kitchen, 25" television, hairdryer, iron, ironing board and a full size sofa sleeper, plus complimentary high-speed Internet access. For enjoyment, our indoor swimming pool and patio area as well as our exercise facility are available for all guests.

• Quality Inn & Suites Bloomington Hotel

  address: 401 Brock Dr
  Located on the East side of the intersection of Illinois Highway 9 and Interstate 74 and 55 on the West side of the city. Full service restaurants and shopping are in the immediate area. Truck and bus parking is available.

• Best Western University Inn

  address: 6 Traders Circle

• Country Inns & Suites Bloomington Normal West

  address: 923 Maple Hill Road

• Hampton Inn & Suites

  address: 320 South Towanda Ave

• Lake Bloomington and Evergreen Lake are two man-made lakes north of town that offer fishing, camping, and boating opportunities.
• If you're doing the Route 66 tour northbound, the next significant bit of Americana is in the small town of Pontiac, which hosts the annual "Thresermen's Reunion" tractor pull event and is home to the Route 66 Association Hall of Fame & Museum and other similarly themed tourist attractions. Southbound, stop in McLean at the Dixie Truckers Home, a prototypical (and, according to some, the nation's first) truck stop.

Fredddie