One Day in Bloomington
If I declare Indiana University as the most attractive campus in the Big Ten, it will just lead to a nasty Internet fight wherein everyone with a degree from somewhere else will insist their buildings and environment is far superior. But ask Bloomington residents if they'd trade their college town for Lafayette, IN, or State College, PA, or Ann Arbor, MI, and you'll hear the resounding "No," all the way through the ACC, Pac 10, Big Sky, and SEC conferences. Sure, IU's campus has a state park character to it. But the rest of the town rocks when it comes to nature, activities, and eating as well.
You've stayed in chain names before. They're nice, but not necessarily original. Sleeping at the Union on the Indiana University campus offers the same amenities but with a location twist that's hard to beat off campus. Alumni are especially fond of this option, so it might be difficult to get reservations over Homecoming weekend in th... More >
You've stayed in chain names before. They're nice, but not necessarily original. Sleeping at the Union on the Indiana University campus offers the same amenities but with a location twist that's hard to beat off campus. Alumni are especially fond of this option, so it might be difficult to get reservations over Homecoming weekend in the fall, or when IU plays a big rival in Big Ten basketball (think Ohio State, Illinois, Purdue, Michigan State). I stayed here with my then-fiance's family when he graduated from the university, so I can assure you these rooms are much better than dorm space. And a lot quieter.
A little background to catch you up to speed: Kilroy's has been a bar favorite of IU students for decades. But the owners know you don't stop a good thing in motion, so they opened a second location with the same Kilroy's specials in a sports environment. Combining basketball and beer specials is always a hit in our town! The main leve... More >
A little background to catch you up to speed: Kilroy's has been a bar favorite of IU students for decades. But the owners know you don't stop a good thing in motion, so they opened a second location with the same Kilroy's specials in a sports environment. Combining basketball and beer specials is always a hit in our town! The main level is a Mecca of live and recorded music, flat screen televisions, arade games and food. (Don't leave without ordering the stuffed breadsticks.) Upstiars, you can dance the night away.
Combining basketball and beer specials is always a hit in our town!
Bars require ID to get in -- Cascades Park is available to kids of all ages. Previous generations know this place as an off-road place to duck off for a picnic, and still make the game at Memorial Stadium in plenty of time. Then in 2006, Bloomington's parks department waved its magic wand and turned Cascades Park into an amazing destin... More >
Bars require ID to get in -- Cascades Park is available to kids of all ages. Previous generations know this place as an off-road place to duck off for a picnic, and still make the game at Memorial Stadium in plenty of time. Then in 2006, Bloomington's parks department waved its magic wand and turned Cascades Park into an amazing destination for kids who don't want to sit still. It's now home to tower slides, rope towers, sit-and-spins, hanging monkey bars, saucer swings, and softball fields. If you can't shake out the sillies here, you can't unwind anywhere.
Let's face it: I could send you to the university's athletic Hall of Fame, but you'd be bored inside of 30 seconds. Not even I know all the names on those plaques, and I've been a fan for ... a while. Instead, head over to IU's Art Museum, where the visual smorgasbord begins with I.M. Pei's triangular atrium. Even as a student who didn... More >
Let's face it: I could send you to the university's athletic Hall of Fame, but you'd be bored inside of 30 seconds. Not even I know all the names on those plaques, and I've been a fan for ... a while. Instead, head over to IU's Art Museum, where the visual smorgasbord begins with I.M. Pei's triangular atrium. Even as a student who didn't give a flip about Pei, I enjoyed the sense of calm from this sunny location. Inside, you'll find everything from African art masks to works by Monet and Picasso. If you're pressed for time, go straight for The People's America photography exhibit and call it a day.
Water, baby. It's in short supply as a recreational tool in Indiana, but Bloomington is home to the state's largest lake. That translates to boat, tubing, skis and jetski rentals at the FourWinds Resort. Or, if speed isn't your thing, you can arrange for a private fishing guide to help you land the big catch. Lake Monroe is also a regi... More >
Water, baby. It's in short supply as a recreational tool in Indiana, but Bloomington is home to the state's largest lake. That translates to boat, tubing, skis and jetski rentals at the FourWinds Resort. Or, if speed isn't your thing, you can arrange for a private fishing guide to help you land the big catch. Lake Monroe is also a regional magnet for hikers and swimmers (the lake has two developed beaches).
| Then in 2006, Bloomington's parks department waved its magic wand and turned Cascades Park into an amazing destination for kids who don't want to sit still. |
If you want to impress with your scholarly bent, take Oliver Winery's tour offered at no charge every half hour during business hours. If you'd really like to plunge into the wonderful world of winemaking, call ahead to see if you can snag a spot on one of the limited Creekbend Vineyard tours, too. These limited jaunts are by appointment only, but the private wine tasting opportunity is well worth the planning and $50 fee. ... More
If you want to impress with your scholarly bent, take Oliver Winery's tour offered at no charge every half hour during business hours. If you'd really like to plunge into the wonderful world of winemaking, call ahead to see if you can snag a spot on one of the limited Creekbend Vineyard tours, too. These limited jaunts are by appointment only, but the private wine tasting opportunity is well worth the planning and $50 fee. Either way, chances are good you'll become a member of Oliver's wine club before you say good-bye.
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