Guidebook for Bloomington
Drinks & Nightlife
Good local bar about a mile away. Sand volleyball courts outside
Gill Street Sports Bar and Restaurant
3002B Gill StreetGood local bar about a mile away. Sand volleyball courts outside
"Jake ... from State Farm" works here. Popular bar with University students
10 locals recommend
Pub II
102 N Linden St"Jake ... from State Farm" works here. Popular bar with University students
The adult bar hangout in the heart of Uptown Normal. Very traditional Irish pub fare including Shepherd's Pie
14 locals recommend
Maggie Miley's
126 E Beaufort StThe adult bar hangout in the heart of Uptown Normal. Very traditional Irish pub fare including Shepherd's Pie
Ride the Nine Bloomington
503 N Prospect RdThe popular pool hall and bar combination in town
Popular after-work bar with a loyal following. Also a restaurant in the next room. Routinely voted the best wings in town
6 locals recommend
Schooners
810 E Grove StPopular after-work bar with a loyal following. Also a restaurant in the next room. Routinely voted the best wings in town
A good local sports bar (about a mile away) with Chicago dogs, good wings and pizza. A local hangout
Joe's Pub
3907 General Electric RdA good local sports bar (about a mile away) with Chicago dogs, good wings and pizza. A local hangout
Food Scene
Excellent bread; so-so Italian; well-known for their Gondola cold sandwiches (some of that excellent bread, ham, salami, cheese, lettuce)
9 locals recommend
Avanti's Italian Restaurant
407 S Main StExcellent bread; so-so Italian; well-known for their Gondola cold sandwiches (some of that excellent bread, ham, salami, cheese, lettuce)
Best Italian restaurant in town. Known for their Biaggi's Butter (garlic infused olive oil + Parmesan cheese + cracked pepper). Great topping for their amazing bread
15 locals recommend
Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano
3010 E Empire StBest Italian restaurant in town. Known for their Biaggi's Butter (garlic infused olive oil + Parmesan cheese + cracked pepper). Great topping for their amazing bread
CJ's Family Restaurant & Catering
Pretty good steak house
Cool restaurant/bar with a huge tree in the middle of it (they built the restaurant around the tree). Hip place to hang out
18 locals recommend
Medici in Normal
120 W North StCool restaurant/bar with a huge tree in the middle of it (they built the restaurant around the tree). Hip place to hang out
A popular hangout that, according to Mitsubishi Motors, exemplifies midwest living. They prominently included this site in a national TV commercial campaign
Carl's Ice Cream Factory
1700 W College AveA popular hangout that, according to Mitsubishi Motors, exemplifies midwest living. They prominently included this site in a national TV commercial campaign
Combination pizza joint (local favorite) plus outdoor fun - Mini Golf, batting cages, bumper cars. This place is fun!
8 locals recommend
Tobin's Pizza
1513 North Main StreetCombination pizza joint (local favorite) plus outdoor fun - Mini Golf, batting cages, bumper cars. This place is fun!
Located inside the old airport terminal, CJs has excellent food, especially Sunday brunch
CJ's Family Restaurant & Catering
Located inside the old airport terminal, CJs has excellent food, especially Sunday brunch
Shopping
Awesome local antique shop that attracts visitors from throughout the midwest. More than a dozen rooms chocked full of goodies .. nestled in a row of very old downtown buildings
A Gridley Antiques
217 E Front StAwesome local antique shop that attracts visitors from throughout the midwest. More than a dozen rooms chocked full of goodies .. nestled in a row of very old downtown buildings
Funks Grove Pure Maple Sirup Farm
A worthy stop along Old Route 66 for some genuine maple sirup
Sightseeing
Former home of David Davis, President Lincoln's campaign manager and later Supreme Court justice
19 locals recommend
David Davis Mansion
1000 Monroe DrFormer home of David Davis, President Lincoln's campaign manager and later Supreme Court justice
Arts & Culture
Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts
Host to various shows and performances
Home of the Illinois Shakespeare Festival -- a nice, often overlooked, outdoor treat in Bloomington/Normal
9 locals recommend
Ewing Cultural Center
48 Sunset RdHome of the Illinois Shakespeare Festival -- a nice, often overlooked, outdoor treat in Bloomington/Normal
Heartland Community College hosts the Challenger Learning Center where guests can immerse themselves in simulators of the Space Shuttle experience
Challenger Learning Center
1500 W Raab RdHeartland Community College hosts the Challenger Learning Center where guests can immerse themselves in simulators of the Space Shuttle experience
THE place to go in B/N for old skool theatre charm and Indie films. The Normal Theathre is a destination in its own right
8 locals recommend
The Normal Theater
209 W North StTHE place to go in B/N for old skool theatre charm and Indie films. The Normal Theathre is a destination in its own right
Home of our minor league baseball team. A brand new stadium where every seat is good and plenty to do on the concourse
6 locals recommend
Corn Crib Stadium
1000 W Raab RdHome of our minor league baseball team. A brand new stadium where every seat is good and plenty to do on the concourse
Entertainment & Activities
The must-visit site for kids when visiting Bloomington/Normal
23 locals recommend
Children's Discovery Museum
101 E Beaufort StThe must-visit site for kids when visiting Bloomington/Normal
Everything Else
Four Seasons II
2401 Airport RdFull service gym less than a block away
Upper Limits Climbing Gym
1304 W Washington StUpper Limits is the go-to place for indoor climbing.
Tipton Park is across the street and has the Constitution Trail running through it. The Trail runs 24 miles throughout the twin cities and is the home to walkers, runners and bikers alike
Tipton Park
2201 Stone Mountain BlvdTipton Park is across the street and has the Constitution Trail running through it. The Trail runs 24 miles throughout the twin cities and is the home to walkers, runners and bikers alike