Bloomington Travel Guide

Located deep within the heart of Central Illinois, Bloomington is only 125 miles from Chicago. It has a population of 76,000 people and a reputation for its festive celebrations and friendly family-oriented neighborhoods.

Things to Do in Bloomington

Dotted with trees and open fields, Bloomington offers virtually every physical activity that you can think of. Visitors can enjoy a jog or bike ride along the 40-mile long Constitution Trail, play baseball in Tipton Park or tennis at Bloomington Tennis Center, work up a sweat at Anytime Fitness, or go for a swim in the pool at Holiday Park.

History lovers go wild for the chance to visit the Mclean County Museum of History, Prairie Aviation Museum, David Davis Mansion State Historic Site, and the Evergreen Memorial Cemetery. The Eaten Studio Gallery is the ideal place for art fanatics to purchase their new favorite painting or original sculpture. Meanwhile, Eastland Mall is the go-to spot for those with a passion for shopping, as it offers a variety of stores including American Eagle, Applebee's, and Victoria's Secret.

Best Places to Stay in Bloomington

Bloomington is a city that welcomes its guests with open arms and encourages them to stay a while with its luxurious (and tempting) vacation rentals. Some rentals are located downtown for those who want to be in the heart of the city, while others are on the outskirts and surrounded by country views. With rentals ranging from deluxe three story homes to quaint forest cabins, there's a rental for everyone.

Best Time to Visit Bloomington

The best time to visit Bloomington is the spring. During the spring months, there are fewer crowds and the flowers in the surrounding countryside come into full bloom.

Food in Bloomington

A few of the most beloved eateries in the city include Thai House of Bloomington, Ephesus Restaurant, Baxter's American Grille, and Garden of Paradise, all of which offer ethnic cuisine and authentic dishes.

Best Events in Bloomington

Each year Bloomington hosts the Halloween at the Mansion event, which has children of all ages lining up to receive tasty treats and candies off of the doorstep of the David Davis Mansion. The Once Upon A Holiday event is also popular with guests, as it features live music, readings of holiday stories, food, and live window vignettes.

Things to Do for Families in Bloomington

Families looking to burn off excess energy before embarking on a long car ride home can make their way to Altitude Trampoline Park. The facility offers extreme dodge ball, foam pits, trampoline basketball, dunk lanes, monkey bars, and a battle beam. It also offers a kid's zone for younger guests. Miller Park Zoo is another fun family attraction, featuring dozens of beautiful creatures such as Sumatran tigers, reindeer, flamingos, red pandas, and Galapagos tortoises. It also has a number of informational exhibits.