In the center of Illinois, Bloomington is a welcoming city with a diversified population. The city of Bloomington honors the history of Abraham Lincoln by preserving historic homes and providing a wealth of interpretative materials.
On its route from Chicago to Santa Monica, Route 66, commonly known as the "Main Street of America," passes through Bloomington.
Due to its significant historical significance, Bloomington honors its past and provides a variety of enjoyable activities. The McLean County Museum of History, located in the Old Courthouse building, is a fantastic first stop in Bloomington.
The wider Bloomington cultural district, which includes the Museum of History, offers numerous additional local attractions. The Bloomington Farmers' Market is nearby every Saturday during the spring, summer, and fall, and both the Castle Theatre and the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts are excellent venues for seeing a show.
It's impossible to discuss Bloomington without bringing up its northern twin city, Normal. Illinois State University, the Normal Theater, and a cultural "uptown" area are all located in this energetic neighbor, which enhances the attraction of the Bloomington-Normal neighborhood.
With our list of things to do in Bloomington, Illinois, you can make the most of your time.
1. McLean County Historical Museum
This cultural museum, which is housed in the historic McLean County Courthouse from the early 20th century, has two rotating galleries in addition to five permanent exhibits. There are more than 20,000 historical artifacts on display, including rare books, old documents, and a sizable photo collection. Abraham Lincoln's presence in the region is referenced in each exhibit as well as other historical events in McLean County.
Customers can learn more about the American Renaissance-style structure they are in by visiting an exhibit about the Old Courthouse itself. The Cruisin' With Lincoln on 66 Visitor Center, located on the main level of the museum, offers a helpful overview of the iconic road that runs through the city.
Every Tuesday, the museum gives free entrance and is open every day of the week.
2. the State Historic Site of David Davis Mansion
This three-story Victorian palace, which was built between 1870 and 1872, originally housed a well-known lawyer and close ally of Abraham Lincoln.
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David Davis served as a Supreme Court judge and a United States senator. His political success was largely attributed to his wife, Sarah Davis, a prominent local figure. Together, they built their legacy for future generations by spending their final years at this estate, also known as Clover Lawn.
The conserved home, which is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is open for tours from Wednesday through Saturday. 35 rooms decorated with ornamental art and antiques from the time period are included in the tours. There are guided tours offered from 9 am to 4 pm.
The city has scrupulously maintained Sarah's Garden, which provides a standalone incentive to visit and surrounds the old home.
The estate hosts seasonal festivities all year round, including antique car displays, garden tours, and holiday lighting. The community always enjoys the annual Glorious Garden Festival Garden Walk in the spring.
3. The Bloomington Center for the Arts
The Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts (BCPA), a pillar of the downtown cultural district and host to more than 500 events annually, offers a platform for regional performers and shows that are recognized nationwide. The 1,200-seat theatre offers a variety of entertainment, including Broadway musicals, special holiday events, and Summer Solstice Concerts.
The BCPA also presents a variety of arts instruction programs. Classes, lectures, and seminars are all part of the curriculum of the performing arts centers. The BCPA hosts auditions for the annual outdoor summer musical and sponsors the Miller Park Summer Theatre program for aspiring actors.
4. the University of Illinois State
The town of Normal, located immediately north of Bloomington, is defined by Illinois State institution (ISU), the state's first public institution. Since its establishment in 1857, the institution has also played a significant role in shaping Bloomington's culture.
The Quad, a beautifully maintained green space filled with students, pedestrians, and lots of trees, is the focal point of Illinois State University. ISU benefits from the aesthetic appeal, arboretum status, and classification as a Tree Campus USA provided by the thousands of trees and hundreds of species that make up the Quad and the rest of campus.
Sports events featuring the Illinois State University Redbirds are always entertaining, and many festival-style gatherings happen in The Quad all year long. The Gamma Phi Circus, the oldest collegiate circus in the nation, performs every April at the University Galleries, which are a major location for contemporary art in the Midwest.
The Normal area is popular with college students. Unique record stores, yoga studios, neighborhood restaurants, and The Normal Theater, a theater for independent films, may be found on the streets' vibrant pavement. The university also significantly boosts the area's appeal to younger people, which is particularly noticeable downtown on weekends.
5. The Castle Theatre,
The Castle Theatre is a restored theater from the past, located in downtown Bloomington just a few blocks from the McLean County Museum of History. The theater, which was built in 1916, enjoyed success as a cinema palace for many years before becoming vacant for a while. It underwent a significant restoration in 2003.
The opulent space that was formerly a cinema theater is now a chic performance venue in the middle of the city. The Castle Theatre is a well-liked destination for local and up-and-coming national artists, attracting acts from many different genres, ranging from country to indie and many others in between. The Castle Theatre also hosts benefit concerts, storytellers, and stand-up comedians.
6. Farmers' Market in Bloomington
The Bloomington Farmers' Market takes place every Saturday in storied Museum Square between May and October and features a large selection of locally produced items and great music. Local farmers and artisans sell their items, while the Bloomington community completely fills the venue.
The farmers market sells a range of fruits, vegetables, livestock, chicken, plants, flowers, and baked products. Additionally, Museum Square is alive with the aroma of freshly prepared cuisine.
Every week, live music brings additional entertainment to the market, and because the produce is seasonal, there is always something fresh to sample.
7. Miller Park Zoo
Miller Park Zoo, a great family adventure with lots of opportunities to interact with animals, is located close to the city's heart.
A Queen Anne house in Bloomington Illinois, built in 1886 pic.twitter.com/s70kKiye1m
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The zoo's permanent inhabitants include rare red wolves, harbor seals, cockatoos, tortoises, and pythons. The cost of admission includes free daily animal feedings, and a unique Junior Zookeeper program provides opportunities to learn about animals and zoo operations.
The zoo offers overnight programs for groups of 15 or more, which offer a distinctive experience. There are also many walking routes, a mini-golf course, and war memorials in Miller Park.
The zoo offers inexpensive admission to both adults and children seven days a week.
8. Evergreen Memorial Park
Evergreen Memorial Cemetery offers locals and visitors a wonderfully tranquil setting to spend the day in addition to a rich history. It's enjoyable to simply stroll through the beautifully planted grounds, reading century-old grave markers along the way and taking in the history that surrounds this unspoiled area of land.
Evergreen Memorial Cemetery is home to many notable people and stalwart members of the community, a fact that is further remembered each year during the Evergreen Cemetery Walk. This renowned annual festival, which has costumed players portraying various personalities from throughout McLean County's history, draws thousands of tourists each year.
9. Standard Theater
The Normal Theater, which is next to Illinois State University, is a well-known landmark in Normal's Uptown neighborhood. This historic theater, which first opened in 1937, enjoyed great popularity for many years until closing and becoming dilapidated. The Normal Theater underwent a significant rehabilitation in 1994 and is currently the community's top venue for watching international, independent, and classic films.
In addition to live performances, the Normal Theater also hosts comedy shows, concerts, and unique lecture series. Additionally, it serves as a key cultural hub for Bloomington and a hub for neighborhood gatherings and discussions in Normal. But the history that echoes from within the Normal Theater makes going to a show there a particularly memorable experience.
Prairie Aviation Museum 10.
The Prairie Aviation Museum, which is close to the Central Illinois Regional Airport, features preserved military and commercial aircraft along with educational exhibits. A rich history of aviation and space is told within the museum through a variety of exhibits, including pilot simulators.
The museum and gardens are closed in January and February. Hours of operation change throughout the year.
The museum's exterior grounds are where the most noticeable exhibits are parked. Up to eight spectacular aircrafts and three helicopters are on display for visitors to see at the Prairie Aviation Museum. Visitors can board these refurbished and loaned military vehicles, including as jet fighters, an attack helicopter, and a twin-engine Cessna, during special occasions like "Open Cockpit Days."
11. Cultural Center Ewing Manor
Northeast of the city's core, along Towanda Avenue, is where you'll find the Ewing Cultural Center. A historical manor, an outdoor theater, and exquisitely designed gardens are all part of this 6.5-acre estate. The Ewing Manor is a charming 1929 Channel-Norman estate that serves as a well-liked location for sizable events and gatherings.
The grounds outdoors feature spotless gardens and a number of public plaza spaces that are available for use by anyone. The 430-seat outdoor theater is a well-liked venue for performances in Bloomington, and in addition to hosting a number of local events, it also hosts the annual Illinois Shakespeare Festival.
12. Sprague's Super Service's Ryburn Place
Ryburn Place, a rebuilt rest area that now doubles as an educational resource and gift shop, honors the region's Historic Route 66 route. This Tudor-Revival structure, which was first made available to the public in 1931 as a gas station, cafe, garage, and overnight rest stop for travelers on Route 66, is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
This city-owned relic still bears many remnants of the past, such as the recognizable gas sign and the outside pumps. Memorabilia and educational materials inside the refurbished service station provide insight into the U.S. Highway System's Mother Road. Except for important holidays, this intriguing roadside sight is open from Wednesday through Saturday.