Considered the "Gateway to Scenic Southern Indiana”, Bloomington is a charismatic university city at the heart of Monroe County. It boasts excellent museums and historic homes and sits on the doorstep of Hoosier National Forest.
Things to do in Bloomington
Admire the outstanding collection of works on display at Indiana University’s Eskenazi Museum of Art, whose triangular atrium was designed by world-renowned architect I.M. Pei. Ancient gold jewellery and tribal masks are showcased together with masterpieces by Monet and Picasso, as well as works by American abstract artists Stuart Davis and Jackson Pollock.
Be inspired by the hands-on science and nature exhibits at the WonderLab science museum, which features a giant Grapevine Climber and playful Bubble-Airium. Get your hands dirty in the Discovery Garden, witness the live animal exhibits and discover Indiana’s geological past through ancient fossils.
Get a taste of 19th-century life in Bloomington at the Wylie House Museum, a historic home built for Indiana University’s first president, Andrew Wylie. Tour its elegant rooms, which have been restored to their original condition, and admire period furnishings and family heirlooms.
Hit the trails of the Charles C. Deam Wilderness area, which features lush tracts of rainforest and dramatic karst landscapes within Hoosier National Forest. Its hiking and horse riding routes are dotted with the remains of a 19th-century settlement, including house foundations, old fences and cemeteries.
Getting around Bloomington
Indianapolis International Airport is located around one hour’s drive from Bloomington, with regular shuttles making the journey. Buses travel throughout the city, which is easy to explore by bicycle, thanks to designated paths.