Many years ago, an Indiana University visit brought me to Bloomington Indiana but I never left the campus, so it was fun to explore the city itself recently.Â
Bloomington is home to a vibrant college community, but still retains small town charm, and the thriving art, cultural and foodie scene make it a destination well worth visiting.
Visiting Bloomington Indiana
Monroe County Courthouse – This 105-year old courthouse with its stained glass ceiling and limestone walls defines the historic courthouse square in downtown Bloomington, so be sure to take a walk around and peek inside. It’s quite beautiful!
Monroe County History Center – I discovered this historical school house and museum as I walked around the Courthouse Square area. It was originally designated to educate African-American children during the years of segregation, and now has been turned into a Bloomington history center museum and genealogy library. It’s well worth your time to stop in. If you enjoy architecture, there are also some other beautifully designed buildings and churches in the area.
Pictura Gallery is just one example of the thriving art scene in Bloomington. Open since 2008, they have an impressive and always changing collection of photographic art. Currently on exhibit are photographs from the ultra talented Steve McCurry, who’s quite well known for his work in National Geographic magazine. The gallery also features up and coming artists.
B-Line Trail – Peppered with public art, the B-line trail is a peaceful, non-vehicle trafficked way to walk around Bloomington. I stayed in the Courtyard by Marriott and could either walk through the downtown streets or on the B-Line Trail to get to/from the hotel.
Fountain Square Mall – This historically housed shopping center is the cornerstone of the massive revitalization effort Bloomington has undergone successfully in recent years, and it features a unique variety of specialty stores.
Morton Street Shopping – between Courthouse Square and the B-Line Trail, there’s an array of locally owned shops.
A.Z. Vintage – Unique vintage furniture, housewares, clothing and accessories. The store specializes in mid-century modern, but everything from the ’40’s to the ’80’s can be found here.
Bloomington Antique Mall – Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it was originally the John R. Figg Wholesale Grocery Company and served as a distribution center for foodstuffs. It was converted to an antique mall in 1987, and now houses three floors of antique treasures.
Relish – This loft-like environment showcases an ever-changing curated collection of contemporary home furnishings, light and art objects as well the city’s most creative selection of women’s apparel and accessories. Big box stores ain’t got nothin’ on the fresh looks and finds in this independent marketplace.
Uptown Café has a funky, casual New Orleans vibe with its exposed brick walls and amazing artwork. It’s been a downtown fixture since 1976 and serves Cajun and Creole-style comfort food with bold flavors.
I ordered one of the house classics, Red Beans & Rice, and it tasted even better than what I’ve eaten in New Orleans.
FARM Bloomington serves locally sourced food with global influence, and the menu changes seasonally. We dined on gourmet farm-to-table everything!
I was there for a special event, so we were greeted by a juggler upon arriving and the restaurant and staff were bedecked in modern circus decor.
Oliver Winery
If you’d like to venture out beyond downtown, take a trip over to Oliver Winery for a tasting, some relaxation and a quiet stroll in the beautifully landscaped grounds. I don’t usually stray far from my Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay (which they had), but the other varietals were too alluring to resist.
I love when a college town proves itself to be much more than the university itself, and Bloomington Indiana does just that. It’s definitely worth visiting!
What are your favorite things to explore when visiting a new city?
Comments & Reviews
I never would have thought there was so much to do and see there. This makes me want to plan a little getaway there now!
I’ve never been to Indiana – thanks for the tour around, it looks lovely there!
It really does. It is such a quaint and charming city!
I’ve never been to Bloomington, only Indianapolis. Will make note of that cafe – we love trying out local restaurants when we travel!
I have never been to Indiana and didn’t even know what to expect to see in Indiana. Very interesting post. Now I need to figure out where Indiana is on the map.
It is an astounding place. Wonderful photos!
What a beautiful town. I enjoy checking out local restaurants and cafes for music and art.
Oh wow this sounds amazing, what some beautiful places to visit. x
There looks like a lot to do there! What a great town.
This looks like a fun adventure! Thanks for sharing 🙂
So glad you loved Bloomington! I grew up here, and even I keep discovering fun, new things to explore around here. Truly a hidden gem that I’m proud to call home!
Indiana sounds like an amazing place to visit. I would love to visit and do all these things someday.
Wow, what a beautiful place!! When I’m visiting other places, I like to go to the non-tourist areas and see what they are really about!! This looks like a vacation that I would love to take!
I have been to Bloomington once for a convention. I didn’t realize that there is so many cool things to see. I would love to see that Photographic museum.
I love trying new and authentic foods. Visiting a small eatery is a fun way to taste local favorites
Indiana has a lot of cool things to see and do. Thanks for sharing all this good info!
I’ve never been there – it looks like a great trip! Love the pictures!!
I have never been to Indiana, but sounds like when I make it out to bloomington I need to check out Oliver Winery! When I visit new places I like to buy jewelry as my souvenir, go horseback riding, take in museums, and I have been adding winery visits to that list of things to do while traveling as well! Thanks for the scoop!
I have never been there but now I want to go! I love visiting other states on random road trips.
I have never been there, but I would love to get there someday. Indiana is a beautiful place and there’s so much to do.
Wow. Looks like a great place to study. Filled with so much to see, I am sure this will be both an inside the classroom and outside amazing experience.
FARM Bloomington looks like somewhere my daughter would like to eat. As for me, I’m always down for Cajun food and historical sites!
Such a beautiful place ! Love all the old buildings!
That looks like a great place to visit! I love old school towns like that with the pavers and the older buildings. They feel so warm and fuzzy to me.
I love the buildings they have up north. They always just feel like they have so much history behind them and they are a pleasure to look at too. I’d like to visit Bloomington. I’d go hunt down Theresa if she was free and we’d blog together. 😉
I visited there as well when I was college searching. Obviously a different view in my 40’s
I grew up in chicago. I remember going to Indiana for the beaches.
What a cute town! I adore that garden. The next time we’re up that way again, I’ll be sure we stop there.
Wow, I didn’t realize there was so much to do in Bloomington! That’s not too far from where I live.
Wow looks like a nice little place to visit! I haven’t ever been to Indiana but think it would be a great little trip. The photos are very lovely!
This looks like a great place to visit. They have a lot to do and the food looks good.
When I check out new cities I love to explore eateries. I think eateries and parks are so much fun to try out and explore.
I’ve never been to Bloomington, Indiana, but I would love to take a road trip. The FARM Bloomington restaurant looks amazing!
Looks lovely! And I love the look of the restaurant (and the wine!)
What an amazing looking place to visit the Monroe County Courthouse and History Centre look like places I would just adore to nose around. x
Wow. You know, speaking honestly, I never think of any of those thing when I think of Indiana. I usually think of car racing. Thank you so much for sharing this! You’ve changed the way I see Indiana.
Did you get to try a pork tenderloin sandwich while you were there? That’s classic for southern Indiana!
My son is applying to IU for grad school — I hope he goes because Bloomington is one of my favorite cities EVER!
I had no idea Bloomington was so pretty and there was so much to do. The stained glass in the courthouse is just gorgeous.
What a great looking town. I have been through many Indiana towns, but never Bloomington. I will have to check it out one day.
I love finding new places to visit. These all sound great
I’ve never been to Indiana, but this looks like a place I’d check out.
We drove through Indiana recently on a road trip but I don’t think I’ve ever really spent time there. I love this list. So many great options no matter what people are interested in. Pinning and bookmarking!
Wow this looks like a beautiful city. Would love to visit and sample Farm one day.
I have such a weakspot for historical sites. I would love to hang out in the Monroe County History Center!
Beautiful! I never been to Indiana. We only travel around CA! I would love to visit, looks so peaceful , clean and interesting
What a beautiful place. Love all the architecture.
Your post makes me really want to visit. I love art but there isn’t a very big culture of art in my area.
You would find me at the gallery. And then to the winery. 😉
Sounds like a nice place to visit. The architecture is really pretty in the courthouse building!
Of course the food and dining experiences, but also the museums and any local favorites. Those are always great places to check out first.
I live just 3 hours from Indiana but have not toured much. When I travel I do a lot of research on line first and then make an itinerary. I hate to miss any important sites of interest.
Another place I’ve never been and hope to visit someday in the future.
My ex went to school there and always told me it was beautiful.
And that FARM place! Wow!
What an exciting travel destination! I am a sucker for a good museum of any kind, so I always find that to be an easy way for me to have some fun while visiting a new city.
I like looking at the art work when I visit a new place. The scenery and other landmarks too. Bloomington has a lots of ART exhibitions around the town.
It looks like a great place to soak up a little culture. The gallery looks just gorgeous.
Eating is always one of my favorite things to do when I visit a new town. It’s great to know where to start my culinary tour.
Loved meeting you there! Your photos are gorgeous and really capture the highlights of the city. Loved FARM!
It looks like a great city to visit. I had no idea there was so much to see and do. I think I definitely need to stop by the winery.
I agree it does look a great place to visit. I would live to check out the Oliver Winery.
This looks like the kind of place we’d love to spend some time walking around and gawking at stuff.
Looks like a fun weekend getaway! We are only a few hours away and will have to put this on our list.
Bloomington has a lot of historic places which is awesome for the kids. I think I’ll enjoy mostly in the farm, though.
What a beautiful city!! I didn’t realize there was so much history there! The B line trail looks amazing!
That looks like an awesome place to visit! I love how much history there is in Bloomington!
The winery seems interesting something I would want to do and the food tasty…College town has to have variety of food choices which it seems Bloomington Indiana has and you did a good job portrait to us.
I’ve never been to Indiana, but Bloomington definitely sounds like it has a lot to offer visitors! I love the concept of FARM Bloomington! That definitely appeals to me!
The place has a lot of history. That is so intriguing to me! The statues you’ve pictured are beautiful!
This looks like a quaint and quirky little town! I love all the eat shops and restaurants!
Wow, what a fun place to visit. And a winery? That makes it all perfect for me 🙂 HA! Thanks for sharing…
Beautiful! My favorite things to visit are restaurants and cafes. I really like to take in the culture of a town/country through its foods. I love the old downtown areas as well, the historic areas. I could live there forever! Looks like you did just that and it was lovely to read you 🙂
I love Bloomington! My best friend went to college at Indiana! You brought back some great memories!
I’ve never been to Indiana, but these places look fantastic! I’d love to visit the History Center!!
What great places to visit. The architecture on those buildings are really amazing.
It looks like a beautiful place to visit. I love that museum
Looks like such a cool place to visit. Beautiful buildings, artwork, shopping, and food. Sounds like a place I want to go.
I would love to visit Indiana. Looks like wonderful places to visit.
There’s so much to do there! Looks like you had a great time!
Very nice picture and great coverage of your visit.
I have never been to Bloomington Indiana! I would love to go there one day and take my daughter.
Bloomington, Indiana actually isn’t too far from me! Thanks for this great little travel guide to Bloomington. I would love to visit the winery.
The new Orleans “Red Beans & Rice” dish is called stewed peas in Jamaica. I like the History Centre …I love looking at great architecture
The buildings are amazing! So beautiful. I hope to visit one day.
It looks gorgeous! I would love to visit someday!
I love all the architecture and art! But the wineries are calling my name the most 🙂
Nice pictures of the place. When visiting a new city, we love going to the downtown areas.
Totally agree, I love visiting down town areas. Looks like such a beautiful place to visit!
Breathtaking photos! I love finding fun places to visit with delicious food!
I have never thought of visiting Indiana, it looks gorgeous. When I go to a new place I always ask the locals for the best food joints, we never eat at chain restaurants while traveling.
I visited Bloomington many years ago and thought it was a lovely city. I would love to go back again. These pictures are gorgeous.
Wow so much fun stuff to do in Bloomington, Indiana! These pictures are so beautiful. Maybe next time we take a road trip or I’m on business up that way we can swing by to check it out.
This place is so pretty! There are so many sights to see. I have never been to Indiana before, so I guess I have to plan for the trip now. Love your pics!
What beautiful historic buildings they got there. The Monroe County Courthouse looks stunning, I’d love to visit Bloomington soon.
Some beautiful old buildings here. Food looks great too!
Love to visit Bloomington Indiana too. Seems like a really fine place to relax and unwind a little.
It looks like you had a fantastic trip! When I visit a new city one of the things that I enjoy the most is trying out all the favorite local restaurants.
That’s my favorite part also. I like to ask around for recommendations, but this time I know exactly where to go. Thanks, Liz!
I generally just like to walk around and observe for a day or two if I am in a city I have never been before. Once I have “cased” it out–I then start to visit the places that interested me.
I like to walk around, too, when I am visiting a new city. It’s easier to explore it that way.
I have a thing for old courthouses. Bloomington, Indiana looks like a great place to visit. I’ve never been, but would love to spend a weekend of two there.
Wow! The Monroe County Courthouse’s stained glass ceiling is amazing! B-Line Trail looks like so much fun! I’d love to see all those sculptures and street art.
Have never been there but it sure looks like a place I would like to visit. My favorite thing to do in a new city is to see if there are any factory tours. Love to do those.
Reading about your experience and seeing these photos makes me want to visit Bloomington, too! I am particularly drawn to the Courthouse and the Winery. 🙂
You snapped a ton of great stuff in the city. I love the winery and art in the city. Plus that courthouse ceiling looks gorgeous.
what a fun place t visit.i would love to go to the winery.
That courthouse is gorgeous! With the artwork, lovely walks, and good food this sounds like an amazing weekend trip!
My dad lived in Terre Haute and we visited him a few times but never made it past there. this looks like a great place to visit!
Such a nice place to visit with the family. the place looks that you have an peace of mind lol
This looks like a cool place to visit. I love looking at old historical buildings. I often wonder what an old building would tell us if only the walks could talk.
The downtown shops sound amazing too even if your just window shopping.
I’ve been to some parts of Indiana, but not Bloomington. The architectural features on the Monroe County Courthouse is really eye-catching!
Ive been to Indiana before but never Bloomington. It look very peaceful and beautiful!
Bloomington looks like a lovely town. Next trip through Indiana we will check it out. We love visiting unique small towns.
It sounds like you had an amazing time in Bloomington. I have never been to Bloomington Indiana but it looks like they have awesome things to do there for sure. Monroe County History Center would be beautiful to see. Oliver Winery and Vineyard would be awesome to visit.
Looks like I need to visit soon. Need a getaway, love exploring new cities and restaurants.
I have always been obsessed with all styles of architecture. I would be in heaven taking photos at the courthouse.
That looks like a great place to visit. That food looks amazing and I have always wanted to go to a vineyard!
I’ve only been to Indiana once for a wedding. I would love to check out Blooington sometime with some friends. Great pics
We drove through there on our road trip to Chicago. Unfortunately, we did not have a lot of time to sightsee.
The red beans with rice looks truly delicious! This is such a beautiful place to visit, hope we can explore someday.
Thanks for sharing your tips. It looks like a stunning town to visit, such pretty sights
looks like a really great area to visit. i used to be close to there but never went.
I love visiting new towns; especially their downtown areas. They usually have a lot of need architecture, history, shops and eating places.
What a great list of places to visit. That court house looks incredible.
I was actually in the area recently. Was very impressed, it is a very nice place to visit.
Hehehehe is it bad that I’ve never heard of Bloomington Indiania lol…. Sounds like a fun place though! So much to do.
I love all the historical buildings and their architecture. It is a beautiful place.
Looks like you had a really fun trip to Indiana!! I just love the public art pieces on the trail 🙂 So fun & colorful!!
Bloomington isn’t that far from me! Thanks for sharing these great places to visit while in Bloomington.
I love anything that involves nature or some walking/hiking space when visiting a new place. Looks like a beautiful place to go and see.
Gosh, what a cool town! I love the B-Line trail and all the fun outdoor artwork. Every town should have a walking trail for tours.
You hit all of the things I look for in a city I am visiting! Beautiful outdoor spaces, good food, and some history!
I love Bloomington! I have toyed with the idea of relocating there because of the art and music scene. I highly recommend going to The Owlery the next time you visit there. They have the best “I can’t believe it’s vegan” food!
This would be an amazing experience for my husband. He loves art and architecture and trying new foods.
Bloomington, Indiana sounds and looks like a lovely place. I’ve never been to Indiana – will have to plan a road trip 🙂
That’s great that you got to go back and explore this time. My favorite thing to do in a new town is always explore the food. I love to eat.
Thank you so much for sharing your tips. They are greatly appreciated. We have a friend that also lives in Indiana. I hope to visit them someday.
What a beautiful looking town – and gorgeous architecture. The food at Farm looks so fresh and colourful.
I have never been to Bloomington, but would love to visit after seeing this beautiful pictures & learning more about the locations all around. The Monroe County Courthouse looks absolutely beautiful & the Pictura Gallery is just amazing too.
Beautiful town….Farm Bloomington looks like my kind of place. The food looks delicious!
Looks like a fun place to visit, thanks for sharing!
The Monroe County Courthouse is absolutely stunning! FARM Bloomington sounds like a wonderful place to dine. It is awesome that they change their menu seasonally so that they can maintain a farm-to-table philosophy. Love that!
Bloomington looks like a great place. I would love to go on the B-line trail and look at all the art work.
The street shopping looks like a fun place to be!
The courthouse looks amazing. Great list of places to visit. I’ll save it for when I am next in Bloomington, Indiana.
When I visit a new city I always try to get the locals opinions on places to eat. They tend to have the best insider info. That bowl of Red beans and rice looks amazing!
I’m headed out to Indiana in two weeks! Maybe I’ll take an extra days to check this area out, it looks gorgeous!
Wow, lots of history in Bloomington! I also try to seek out new eateries when we travel to new places. I seem to remember the food mostly. lol
I always like to visit new cities. I hadn’t heard much about Indiana before but it seems worth the trip!
Bloomington and its rich culture and artsy bent is a town after my heart. I love Steve Curry’s work and I glimpsed that famous Afghan girl photo in the mix… I have been reminded again about how much more there is to see when we travel within the US… Great photos and report Liz! 🙂
I would certainly be checking out the shopping! Looks liek a wonderful place to go.
Those places look gorgeous to visit. I think I’d stop in the winery!
That garden looks amazing, so does the food! I’d love to wander there then stop by the restaurant for locally sourced food!
So many of those places look like they’d be amazing to visit! I would especially love the Pictura Gallery- I’ve always been really into photographs.
I always love checking out a new vineyard! Looks like a great place to visit!
Wow you were right next to me. I’m actually up north in Greenwood. I’ve only been to Bloomington one time and that was when I first visited, I’ve been meaning to go back. We actually went to Wonderlab, which is a great Discovery Museum for kids and we stopped by the mall out there. I’m definitely going to have to go back now and look at the courthouse and the winery. I always find it fun visiting new places and discovering the hidden gems.