Bloomington Travel and Things to Do Guide

Nestled in America's heartland, Bloomington, Indiana is a picturesque city, thanks in part to the rough limestone terrain and rolling hills that characterize this area of the Midwest. Home to Indiana University, Bloomington venues offer convenience (the city is 50 miles south of Indianapolis), global cuisine, an exciting downtown district and unique attractions ranging from the state's oldest winery to the only Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Center in the U.S. Bloomington is served by the Indianapolis International Airport, which sees more than 7 million passengers per year and offers nonstop and direct flights to more than 150 destinations. Bloomington visitors flying into Indianapolis International may use the Bloomington Shuttle Service, which offers nine daily trips between the airport and several Bloomington hotels. Once in Bloomington, visitors may board the Bloomington Transit Bus System, which runs 14 daily routes throughout the city, providing access to such sites as Indiana University and the Bloomington Monroe County Convention Center. Located in the city's downtown district, the Bloomington Monroe County Convention Center features 24,000 square feet of meeting space for up to 1,000 guests. In operation since 1991, the convention center is housed in a 1923 former Ford Model T assembly plant and showroom. The center features nine meeting rooms ranging from 805 to 2,600 square feet, as well as an 8,675-square-foot great room, with such amenities as free Wi-Fi, on-site catering and audio-visual services and free parking. The center is also located within walking distance of several downtown hotels and sits adjacent to the 117-room Courtyard by Marriott hotel.There is a wealth of Bloomington event venues to accommodate group functions and private events. Groups can gather at the celebrated Indiana University Art Museum, home to more than 40,000 objects representing nearly every art-producing culture throughout history. Private event spaces include the museum's outdoor sculpture terrace or I.M. Pei-designed soaring triangular atrium. For a step back in time, groups can take in a show or rent space at the historic Buskirk-Chumley Theater. Built in 1922 as a vaudeville and silent movie house, the theater has been beautifully restored to become one of the busiest community theaters in the U.S. Among popular Bloomington venues is Oliver Winery. Groups can partake in free tastings and production tours, walk the landscaped grounds or gather in the winery's timber frame tasting room and garden porch. Bloomington is also rich in global cuisine. A Bloomington favorite, the Irish Lion serves traditional Irish fare in a restored historic 1882 vintage brick tavern. Grazie! is a Bloomington Square Italian eatery known for its fun atmosphere and authentic Italian cooking methods, while Finch's Brasserie specializes in Mediterranean-American cuisine using local and organic produce, meats and cheeses.