Enjoy a Spring Getaway to Bloomington

Photo credit: Visit Bloomington

It’s fun to take a break in Bloomington any time of year; however, there’s something truly special about being there as the city wakes from its winter nap. The beautiful blooms that inspired B-Town’s name are on full display, restaurant patios reopen, music is in the air and the weather is perfect for outdoor adventures.

Home to Indiana University’s flagship campus, Bloomington benefits from the intellectual, creative and cultural energy that comes with being a major college town. The city enjoys a robust arts scene, a wealth of international restaurants and world-class collegiate athletics. Not only is IU considered one of the nation’s leading research universities, the campus also is widely recognized as one of the most beautiful in America.

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Whether you’ve been before or this is your first visit, it’s hard to beat springtime in Bloomington.

Photo credit: Visit Bloomington

1. The Sporting Life

There’s a hint of madness in the March air as the Indiana University faithful prepare for the Big Dance. Perennial favorites, the men’s basketball team has made 40 NCAA Tournament appearances since 1940. As the weather warms, the basketball hardwoods give way to home runs and hot dogs at the Bart Kaufman Field. IU Athletics makes it easy to get in the game with the latest info and schedules for all Hoosier sports on their website. In April, don’t miss the Little 500, known as “The World’s Greatest College Weekend,” when 25,000 spectators and top cyclists descend on Bloomington for the iconic bike race at Bill Armstrong Stadium.

Photo credit: Nathan Lambrecht

2. Traveling the B-Line

Why worry about parking when the B-Line Trail makes it easy to navigate the city by foot or bike? The 3.1-mile urban trail stretches north to south from Adams Street to Country Club Drive. Enjoy the sights and sounds of Bloomington with four plaza areas, public art and numerous attractions along the route. The B-Line offers easy access to the Bloomington Community Farmers’ Market (Saturdays, April through November), WonderLab Science Museum and Switchyard Park, as well as dozens of locally owned cafes, galleries and shops.

See more: Make Memories This Summer on the South Shore Brewery and Winery Trails

Photo credit: Nathan Lambrecht

3. Find Your Zen

Take a break from a busy day of sightseeing with a calming visit to the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center. The beautiful monastery sits on 90 acres with workshops, retreats and teachings related to East Asian culture. Weekend guided tours include the Kumbum Chamtse Ling Temple and grounds as well as insight into Buddhist iconography and Tibetan works of art, including sand mandalas and intricate butter sculptures – a typical Tibetan Buddhist artistic visual impact made from mainly butter and other mineral pigments.

Cox Arboretum; Photo credit: Nathan Lambrecht

4. Tour IU

You don’t have to be a student to appreciate Indiana University. Enter the 1,860-acre campus through the magnificent Sample Gates at the intersection of Kirkwood and Indiana and stop at the Visitor Information Center for a self-guided walking tour map with key highlights. Don’t miss the Cox Arboretum, an 11-acre oasis featuring native trees and non-native plantings with walking trails, a pond, a gazebo, the Metz Carillon Tower and scenic picnic spots.

Photo credit: Brad Feinknopf/Eskenazi Museum Of Art

5. Artistically Inclined

While on campus, be sure to visit the Eskenazi Museum of Art. Designed by architect I.M. Pei, the building itself is a work of art. The museum houses more than 45,000 objects and artifacts from ancient Greek pottery to modern paintings by European masters, including Pablo Picasso and Claude Monet.

Photo credit: Zach Dobson/Visit Bloomington

6. Let the Music Move You

Bloomington’s vibrant music scene never skips a beat. The beautifully restored historic Buskirk-Chumley Theater plays host to a wide array of performing arts programming from music and comedy to theatrical and dance productions. Downtown spots known for live music include The Bluebird Nightclub, underground Blockhouse Bar and The Bishop. The Cosmic Songwriter’s Club, which spotlights local musicians sharing original works in a monthly series, is planning a three-day festival in May. The following month, Granfalloon brings together musicians, writers, artists and performers for an annual event inspired by creative legend and renowned Hoosier author Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

See more: Asante Art Institute Builds Global Citizens Through the Power of Creativity

Photo credit: Visit Bloomington

7. Get in the Swing

The mild spring weather suits golfers to a tee. Hoosier native Fuzzy Zoeller helped design The Pfau Course at IU. Since opening in 2020, the challenging par-71 course has garnered multiple accolades, including being ranked as one of the top five campus courses in America by Golfweek. For the casual golfer, Taylor’s Par 3 offers a great option for beginners, family outings or practicing the short game. Play all day for a flat rate or pop in any time after 9 a.m. with no tee time required.

FARMbloomington; Photo credit: Nathan Lambrecht

8. Feast of Flavors

International influences enhance Bloomington’s foodie reputation. FARMbloomington on Kirkwood infuses local foods with global flavors under the direction of Chef Daniel Orr. Enjoy breakfast, brunch and lunch specials, including “fourth-generation biscuits” and bison burgers. For dinner, innovative menus reflect the seasons with small plates that change daily. Top off the evening underground by dancing the night away in the Root Cellar Lounge. A couple of blocks east, B-Town’s Fourth Street Restaurant Row features dozens of ways to savor exotic flavors. Locally owned bistros showcase traditional dishes from Burma, Greece, India, Korea, Tibet and Thailand, just to name a few.

Photo credit: Anna Powell Teeter/Cardinal Spirits

9. Local Nightcap

Located on the B-Line Trail, Cardinal Spirits sources local ingredients to expertly craft whiskey, vodka and gin, along with a selection of canned cocktails. With a focus on the full experience, guests can tour the distillery, indulge in OMG Fries, a Cardinal Burger or Tofu Tacos and bring it all home with a tasting flight.

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