Guidebook for Bloomington
Food Scene
Little-known gem out in the middle of nowhere. Mr. Cook of Cook Industries has been putting money into some small-town local favorites to spruce them up and keep them around for decades to come. This little general store and eatery apparently has good food for breakfast. We haven't been, but we have been for ice cream many times. Nice tables to sit at outside in the middle of the town of about 10 buildings. We like to stop here on our way to or from the famous Tulip Trestle.
6 habitants recommandent
Yoho General Store
10043 East Tulip RoadLittle-known gem out in the middle of nowhere. Mr. Cook of Cook Industries has been putting money into some small-town local favorites to spruce them up and keep them around for decades to come. This little general store and eatery apparently has good food for breakfast. We haven't been, but we have been for ice cream many times. Nice tables to sit at outside in the middle of the town of about 10 buildings. We like to stop here on our way to or from the famous Tulip Trestle.
My favorite West Side nice restaurant. You'd never guess how nice the inside is from seeing the outside. It's like a little oasis hidden in a mini strip mall. There is now a sushi bar attached as well, but I don't eat sushi, so I can't review that. The food at My Thai is incredible. Amazing curries.
8 habitants recommandent
My Thai Cafe & Sushi Bar
3316 W 3rd StMy favorite West Side nice restaurant. You'd never guess how nice the inside is from seeing the outside. It's like a little oasis hidden in a mini strip mall. There is now a sushi bar attached as well, but I don't eat sushi, so I can't review that. The food at My Thai is incredible. Amazing curries.
Mother Bear's is an IU eating establishment classic. The downtown location is fun, but now you can experience the amazing flavors on the West side as well. Incredible pizza.
13 habitants recommandent
Mother Bear's Pizza West
2980 W Whitehall Crossing BlvdMother Bear's is an IU eating establishment classic. The downtown location is fun, but now you can experience the amazing flavors on the West side as well. Incredible pizza.
All along 4th Street find the best of Bloomington's extensive ethnic restaurants. From Indian to Thai to Tibetan and about everything else. Local guidebook here: http://www.magbloom.com/dining-out-towns/restaurant_row/
7 habitants recommandent
East 4th Street
East 4th StreetAll along 4th Street find the best of Bloomington's extensive ethnic restaurants. From Indian to Thai to Tibetan and about everything else. Local guidebook here: http://www.magbloom.com/dining-out-towns/restaurant_row/
Nice independent coffeeshop on B-line trail. Good ambience, nice outdoor seating and great drinks with some pastries available as well. Just what you want in a coffeeshop!
58 habitants recommandent
Hopscotch Coffee
235 W Dodds StNice independent coffeeshop on B-line trail. Good ambience, nice outdoor seating and great drinks with some pastries available as well. Just what you want in a coffeeshop!
Square Donuts
3866 W 3rd StWhat can I say, donuts! And square to boot. They say they don't cut corners.
Sightseeing
Tulip Trestle is a fun local spot you would never run across on your own. At construction, this was the longest train trestle in the US and 3rd longest in the world, at 2300' long and 157' high. It is still one of the longest in the country. Recently Green County has decided to make it easier to find with signs to point you on your way and then a fun little overlook when you arrive. If you're lucky, you may even get to see a train cross, which they still do a few times a day. Make sure you hit Yoho General Store for some food or ice cream on your way there or back.
http://www.visitgc.com/where-to-go/innovation/tulip-trestle/#.WKi4lhBT6hM
Tulip Trestle
Tulip Trestle is a fun local spot you would never run across on your own. At construction, this was the longest train trestle in the US and 3rd longest in the world, at 2300' long and 157' high. It is still one of the longest in the country. Recently Green County has decided to make it easier to find with signs to point you on your way and then a fun little overlook when you arrive. If you're lucky, you may even get to see a train cross, which they still do a few times a day. Make sure you hit Yoho General Store for some food or ice cream on your way there or back.
http://www.visitgc.com/where-to-go/innovation/tulip-trestle/#.WKi4lhBT6hM
Parks & Nature
This is the closest hiking spot and a fairly nice short hike. You start with a long metal staircase down to a small waterfall. At the bottom there is a wetlands area that used to be a water reservoir for Bloomington. Great wildlife watching. Parking is extremely limited, so sometimes we park along the road at the entryway of the subdivision across and up the road a bit.
18 habitants recommandent
Leonard Springs Nature Park
4685 S Leonard Springs RdThis is the closest hiking spot and a fairly nice short hike. You start with a long metal staircase down to a small waterfall. At the bottom there is a wetlands area that used to be a water reservoir for Bloomington. Great wildlife watching. Parking is extremely limited, so sometimes we park along the road at the entryway of the subdivision across and up the road a bit.
Nice hikes not far out of town around a small lake. My favorite hike is on the east side of the lake, parking at the dam. You take Dunn Street out of town to reach that side. You can also rent canoes and kayaks on the other side of the lake for a fun alternative to hiking and a more up-close view of the lake:
https://bloomington.in.gov/documents/viewDocument.php?document_id=8325
82 habitants recommandent
Griffy Lake
Nice hikes not far out of town around a small lake. My favorite hike is on the east side of the lake, parking at the dam. You take Dunn Street out of town to reach that side. You can also rent canoes and kayaks on the other side of the lake for a fun alternative to hiking and a more up-close view of the lake:
https://bloomington.in.gov/documents/viewDocument.php?document_id=8325
Nice downtown walking spot to access multiple restaurants and shopping spots. Paved, 3-mile lit trail through downtown that used to be a railroad corridor.
23 habitants recommandent
B-Line Trail
B-Line TrailNice downtown walking spot to access multiple restaurants and shopping spots. Paved, 3-mile lit trail through downtown that used to be a railroad corridor.
Another paved walking or bike riding trail in Bloomington. This one is out in nature and pretty. There has been an attack in the past to a woman jogging alone. It has always felt safe to me with my kids in the afternoon, but I would caution against going alone. The following site will show you the 2 parking spots you can use along with other information:
https://www.traillink.com/trail/clear-creek-trail-(in)/
6 habitants recommandent
Clear Creek Trail
Clear Creek TrailAnother paved walking or bike riding trail in Bloomington. This one is out in nature and pretty. There has been an attack in the past to a woman jogging alone. It has always felt safe to me with my kids in the afternoon, but I would caution against going alone. The following site will show you the 2 parking spots you can use along with other information:
https://www.traillink.com/trail/clear-creek-trail-(in)/
Beautiful state park, great hiking, Wolf cave, waterfall. $5 IN resident state park entrance fee per vehicle, $7 out-of-state.
48 habitants recommandent
Parc d'État McCormick's Creek
250 McCormick Creek Park RdBeautiful state park, great hiking, Wolf cave, waterfall. $5 IN resident state park entrance fee per vehicle, $7 out-of-state.
Drinks & Nightlife
Great spot for a good drink at this local craft distillery. Specialty mixed drinks, sweet patio during the summer overlooking the B-Line trail, which is a nice walking path you can begin or end your evening on. Oh, and don't skip the ice creams made by local ice cream shop, Chocolate Moose, featuring Cardinal Spirits.
63 habitants recommandent
Cardinal Spirits Distillery & Restaurant
922 S Morton StGreat spot for a good drink at this local craft distillery. Specialty mixed drinks, sweet patio during the summer overlooking the B-Line trail, which is a nice walking path you can begin or end your evening on. Oh, and don't skip the ice creams made by local ice cream shop, Chocolate Moose, featuring Cardinal Spirits.
Arts & Culture
Interesting local spot no one has ever heard of, including locals. Over 100 sculptures by artists from around the world spread through the woods along about a 1-mile trail in the middle of nowhere. Catch some food or ice cream at Yoho General Store on your way.
https://www.sculpturetrails.com/
9 habitants recommandent
Sculpture Trails Outdoor Museum
6764 N Tree Farm RdInteresting local spot no one has ever heard of, including locals. Over 100 sculptures by artists from around the world spread through the woods along about a 1-mile trail in the middle of nowhere. Catch some food or ice cream at Yoho General Store on your way.
https://www.sculpturetrails.com/
Essentials
Great low-price grocery shopping. If you aren't familiar with Aldi, be prepared to pay a quarter to "rent" your grocery cart and bring bags along to bag your own groceries at the end. If you know of Aldi as a low-quality grocery store, be prepared for the new reincarnation of the store run by the brother of the owner of Trader Joe's. You will find specialty cheeses, and now lots of organic and gluten-free options.
13 habitants recommandent
ALDI
2035 Liberty DrGreat low-price grocery shopping. If you aren't familiar with Aldi, be prepared to pay a quarter to "rent" your grocery cart and bring bags along to bag your own groceries at the end. If you know of Aldi as a low-quality grocery store, be prepared for the new reincarnation of the store run by the brother of the owner of Trader Joe's. You will find specialty cheeses, and now lots of organic and gluten-free options.
Shopping
Ever heard of Half Price Books? This is the outlet for the entire Midwest. Amazing deals. Virtually every book is $3 or less and nicely organized as well.
Half Price Books Outlet
3120 W Susan DrEver heard of Half Price Books? This is the outlet for the entire Midwest. Amazing deals. Virtually every book is $3 or less and nicely organized as well.