Guidebook for Bloomington

Sara
Guidebook for Bloomington

Food Scene

58 locals recommend
Hopscotch Coffee
235 W Dodds St
58 locals recommend
41 locals recommend
Feast Market & Cellar
407 W Patterson Dr
41 locals recommend
Excellent local market April-November every Saturday morning.
58 locals recommend
Bloomington Community Farmers' Market
401 N Morton St
58 locals recommend
Excellent local market April-November every Saturday morning.
Reported to be haunted... but actually just a nice spot for breakfast or lunch. The drive out is beautiful. Popular stop for many bikers.
24 locals recommend
Story Inn
6404 IN-135
24 locals recommend
Reported to be haunted... but actually just a nice spot for breakfast or lunch. The drive out is beautiful. Popular stop for many bikers.
Very reliable Afghani restaurant with an affordable lunch buffet.
31 locals recommend
Samira Restaurant
100 W 6th St
31 locals recommend
Very reliable Afghani restaurant with an affordable lunch buffet.
Nice stone oven-baked pizzas with a rotating selection of local beer. Often chilly - so bring a layer if needed.
15 locals recommend
King Dough
15 locals recommend
Nice stone oven-baked pizzas with a rotating selection of local beer. Often chilly - so bring a layer if needed.
Nice place to grab a coffee and pastry and hang-out/work.
15 locals recommend
Crumble Coffee and Bakery
1567 S Piazza Dr
15 locals recommend
Nice place to grab a coffee and pastry and hang-out/work.

Drinks & Nightlife

Excellent cocktails and reliably good food.
97 locals recommend
Uptown Cafe
102 E Kirkwood Ave
97 locals recommend
Excellent cocktails and reliably good food.
Inclusive space with wacky entertainment several times a month. Trigger warning: lots of glitter and unicorns.
18 locals recommend
The Back Door
207 S College Ave
18 locals recommend
Inclusive space with wacky entertainment several times a month. Trigger warning: lots of glitter and unicorns.
Popular destination for live acts. Great place to see an up-and-coming band.
16 locals recommend
The Bishop
123 S Walnut St
16 locals recommend
Popular destination for live acts. Great place to see an up-and-coming band.
Quintessential townie bar with frequent karaoke. Don't wear your nicest outfit.
The Office Lounge & Liquor Store
3900 E 3rd St
Quintessential townie bar with frequent karaoke. Don't wear your nicest outfit.

Entertainment & Activities

Large cat rescue center with daily tours. About 45 minutes from Bloomington. Great place to see cats up close!
One of the best comedy clubs in the country. A must-visit if you love comedy!
30 locals recommend
The Comedy Attic
123 S Walnut St
30 locals recommend
One of the best comedy clubs in the country. A must-visit if you love comedy!
IU runs an excellent film program. Many directors are on campus every year and give public talks along with viewings.
21 locals recommend
Indiana University Cinema
1213 E 7th St
21 locals recommend
IU runs an excellent film program. Many directors are on campus every year and give public talks along with viewings.
Naughty but nice collection of erotic art from throughout the ages. IU is well-regarded for the Kinsey Institute!
Kinsey Institute
150 S Woodlawn Ave
Naughty but nice collection of erotic art from throughout the ages. IU is well-regarded for the Kinsey Institute!
Beautiful drive to a touristy small town near Bloomington.
85 locals recommend
Nashville
85 locals recommend
Beautiful drive to a touristy small town near Bloomington.
10 locals recommend
Griffy Lake Boat Rental
3400 N Headley Rd
10 locals recommend
10 locals recommend
Exotic Feline Rescue Center
2221 E Ashboro Rd
10 locals recommend

Sightseeing

Western entrance to Indiana University. Close to Memorial Union and walking paths on campus.
29 locals recommend
Sample Gates
29 locals recommend
Western entrance to Indiana University. Close to Memorial Union and walking paths on campus.
Nice park with limestone benches, and two covered shelters available for rental via the city as well as a large play area for children.
13 locals recommend
Lower Cascades Park
2851 Old State Rd 37
13 locals recommend
Nice park with limestone benches, and two covered shelters available for rental via the city as well as a large play area for children.
Small town about 50 minutes from Bloomington - on the historic register for its collection of modern architecture and public art.
6 locals recommend
Columbus
6 locals recommend
Small town about 50 minutes from Bloomington - on the historic register for its collection of modern architecture and public art.

Shopping

Excellent place to pick up unique antiques, collectable furniture and ephemera.
The Warehouse
1525 S Rogers St
Excellent place to pick up unique antiques, collectable furniture and ephemera.
Second-hand women's clothing - lots of shoes and jewelry at this location. Money goes to help clothe women in need of business attire.
My Sister's Closet
414 S College Ave
Second-hand women's clothing - lots of shoes and jewelry at this location. Money goes to help clothe women in need of business attire.
Second-hand shop good for clothing, antiques and other oddities.
Vintage Vogue by GW
422 E Kirkwood Ave
Second-hand shop good for clothing, antiques and other oddities.
Good spot for electronics, office supplies and furniture from the university. Can sometimes find unique pieces at good prices
Indiana University Surplus Stores
3050 E Discovery Pkwy
Good spot for electronics, office supplies and furniture from the university. Can sometimes find unique pieces at good prices

Essentials

Decent grocery with very good bulk and apothecary sections.
9 locals recommend
Fresh Thyme Farmers Market- Bloomington IN
3600 W 3rd St
9 locals recommend
Decent grocery with very good bulk and apothecary sections.
Excellent cheese selection.
78 locals recommend
Kroger
1175 S College Mall Rd
78 locals recommend
Excellent cheese selection.