13 Top-Rated Things to Do in Bloomington, Illinois
Author Brad Lane explored the sights of Bloomington on a lengthy reporting trip throughout the Midwest and Illinois.
Bloomington is a diverse city in the heart of Illinois, 120 miles southwest of Chicago. Abraham Lincoln spent time here during his career, and the city celebrates that past with historic homes and tons of interpretive information. The "Main Street of America," also known as Route 66, runs through Bloomington on its way from Chicago to Santa Monica.
With its prominent place in history, Bloomington celebrates its past and offers many fun things to do. A great first place to visit in Bloomington is the McLean County Museum of History, housed in the architecturally impressive Old Courthouse building. This cultural district surrounding the Old Courthouse is also home to several of the city's top tourist attractions and things to do.
When talking about Bloomington, it's impossible not to mention Normal, Bloomington's twin city to the north. This vibrant neighbor to the north is home to Illinois State University, the Normal Theater, and a cultural "uptown" district among many other places to visit, adding even more appeal to the Bloomington-Normal community.
Enjoy your time sightseeing with our list of things to do in Bloomington, Illinois.
1. McLean County Museum of History
Housed in the early 20th-century old McLean County Courthouse, this cultural museum features five permanent exhibits and two rotating galleries. Over 20,000 historical objects are on display, ranging from rare books, historical papers, and a large collection of photos. Each exhibit relates to moments in McLean County history, including Abraham Lincoln's involvement in the area.
There's an exhibit about the Old Courthouse itself, where patrons learn more about the American Renaissance-style building they find themselves in. On the ground floor of the museum, the Cruisin' With Lincoln on 66 Visitor Center provides a good introduction to the historic highway that passes through the city.
The McLean County Museum of History hosts several classes and programs throughout the year. The museum is open six days a week and closed on Sundays. It's free to visit the museum on Tuesdays and $5 per person for the rest of the week. The museum is open throughout the year, except on major holidays.
Address: 200 North Main Street, Bloomington, Illinois
2. David Davis Mansion State Historic Site
Constructed between 1870 and 1872, this three-story Victorian mansion was once home to a prominent jurist and close ally of Abraham Lincoln. David Davis spent time as a Supreme Court Judge and United States Senator, with much of his political success connected to his wife, Sarah Davis, who was also an influential member of the community.
Now on the National Register of Historic Places, you can visit and tour the preserved David Davis Mansion Wednesday through Saturday. Tours include a preview of 35 rooms adorned with period antiques and decorative art. Guided tours are available between 9am and 3:30pm. The tour begins with a short introductory video to set the stage for history. Donations are suggested.
Surrounding the historic estate, Sarah's Garden has been tended to meticulously by the city and is reason alone to visit. Special events and seasonal decorations occur at the mansion throughout the year, including antique auto shows, garden walks, and holiday lights. The annual Glorious Garden Festival Garden Walk each spring is always a popular event in the community
Address: 1000 Monroe Drive, Bloomington, Illinois
3. Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts
The Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts (BCPA) is an anchor of the downtown cultural district and home to more than 500 events a year. It provides a stage for local artists and nationally acclaimed performances. A wide range of entertainment is experienced within the 1,200-seat auditorium, including Summer Solstice Concerts, Broadway shows, and special holiday performances.
The BCPA also hosts a varied arts education series. The curriculum at the Performing Arts Centers includes classes, lectures, and seminars. And for aspiring thespians, the BCPA sponsors the annual Miller Park Summer Theatre program and holds auditions for the annual outdoor summer musical.
Address: 600 North East Street, Bloomington, Illinois
4. Miller Park Zoo
Miller Park Zoo is a fun family outing near the center of the city with many chances to interact with animals. Residents at the zoo include pythons, tortoises, harbor seals, cockatoos, and rare red wolves.
The zoo is open seven days a week and provides low-cost admission for children and adults. Daily animal feedings are free with admission, and a special Junior Zookeeper program offers extended learning opportunities. And a special overnight program at the zoo offers a unique experience available for groups of 15 or more.
Other popular tourist attractions in Miller Park include mini-golf, war memorials, and an abundance of walking trails.
Address: 1020 South Morris Avenue, Bloomington, Illinois
5. Constitution Trail
The Constitution Trail mainly follows the route of the decommissioned Illinois Central Gulf Railroad and offers a vital community resource for getting around. This non-motorized path connects Bloomington and Normal and many destinations in the larger metropolitan area. Trailheads span both cities, offering many places to begin or end a journey.
Walking, bicycling, and using strollers are common ways to navigate the Constitution Trail. Much of the primary route is wheelchair-accessible and follows the flat path the train tracks created. Other designated branches of the Consitution Trail divert onto city streets with more variable trail conditions. It helps to study the map for the first time visiting.
6. Prairie Aviation Museum
The Prairie Aviation Museum showcases restored military and civilian aircraft alongside informative displays next to the Central Illinois Regional Airport. Within the museum itself, a rich history of air and space is told through various exhibits, including pilot simulators.
The most visible exhibits at the museum are parked on the grounds outside. Patrons to Prairie Aviation Museum can tour up to eight impressive aircraft and three helicopters on display. During special events, like "Open Cockpit Days," visitors can climb aboard these restored and loaned military vehicles, including jet fighters, an attack helicopter, and a twin-engine Cessna.
Hours of operation vary throughout the year, and the museum and grounds are closed through January and February.
Address: 2929 East Empire Street, Bloomington, Illinois
7. Illinois State University
Illinois State University (ISU) is the oldest public university in Illinois and helps define the town of Normal, just north of Bloomington. The university has also been a key cultural element in Bloomington since its founding in 1857.
Illinois State University is centered around The Quad, a well-manicured green space lined with sidewalks, students, and an abundance of trees. Within the Quad and the rest of campus, thousands of trees and hundreds of species give ISU an aesthetic appeal, as well as an arboretum status and designation as a Tree Campus USA.
Illinois State University Redbird sporting events are always fun, and different festival-type occasions take place at The Quad throughout the year. The University Galleries adjacent to campus provide a premier venue for contemporary art in the Midwest, and the Gamma Phi Circus, the oldest collegiate circus in the country, displays their acrobatic prowess every April.
The town of Normal caters to the college crowd. Throughout the colorful streets are unique record shops, yoga studios, local restaurants, and an indie-movie house known as The Normal Theater. The university also gives the region a notable younger appeal, which is especially apparent downtown on weekends.
8. Evergreen Memorial Cemetery
Alongside a storied legacy, Evergreen Memorial Cemetery gives residents and tourists a very peaceful place to spend the day. Simply walking through the landscaped grounds is a fun experience, reading century-old headstones as you go and feeling the history that surrounds this natural space.
Numerous important figures and longstanding community members are buried in Evergreen Memorial Cemetery, a fact that is further memorialized every year during the Evergreen Cemetery Walk. Featuring costumed actors portraying a variety of characters from throughout McLean County's history, this nationally recognized event draws thousands of visitors every year.
The cemetery hosts several other events throughout the year, from spring cleanups to scavenger hunts. The cemetery is open throughout the year and free to visit.
Address: 302 East Miller Street, Bloomington, Illinois
9. The Castle Theatre
The Castle Theatre is a renovated performance house from the past, just a couple of blocks from the McLean County Museum of History in downtown Bloomington. Originally constructed in 1916, the theater flourished as a movie palace for many decades and sat unused for a few more, eventually receiving a massive restoration in 2003.
Today, the decadent interior that served as a movie theater is now a sleek concert venue at the heart of the city, offering evening entertainment and a rotating marquee of things to do at night.
The Castle Theatre is a popular stop for regional and emerging national musicians, bringing in a variety of genres, from country to indie and many things in between. Other performances at The Castle Theatre include stand-up comedians, storytellers, and benefit concerts.
Address: 209 East Washington Street, Bloomington, Illinois
10. Bloomington Farmers' Market
Offering a wide variety of homegrown goods and live music, the Bloomington Farmers' Market takes place every Saturday in historic Museum Square between May and October. Local growers and craftsperson sell their wares, and the community of Bloomington really fills out the space.
Fruits and vegetables, poultry and beef, and a variety of flowers, plants, and baked goods are at this producer-only farmers market. Museum Square also flourishes with the smell of made-fresh food ready to eat. Live music adds extra entertainment to the market every week, and the seasonality of the produce means there's something new to try with each visit.
Address: 401 North Morton Street, Bloomington, Illinois
11. Ewing Manor Cultural Center
The Ewing Cultural Center is located northeast of downtown off Towanda Avenue. This 6.5-acre estate includes a historic manor, open-air theater, and beautifully landscaped gardens. The Ewing Manor, itself, is a picturesque 1929 Channel-Norman mansion that provides a popular venue for large events and gatherings.
The grounds outside display immaculate gardens and a variety of open-to-the-public plaza areas for anyone to enjoy. The 430-seat outdoor theater is a popular performance spot in Bloomington, and among a variety of local engagements, the open-air stage and theater is also home to the annual Illinois Shakespeare Festival.
The Illinois Shakespeare Festival takes place throughout the summer, starting in June with performances throughout the week until September. The actors and Renaissance characters create a special experience, but Ewing Manor offers the perfect stage.
Address: 48 Sunset Road, Bloomington, Illinois
12. Normal Theater
Adjacent to Illinois State University, the Normal Theater is an iconic landmark of Normal's Uptown District. First opened in 1937, this historic theater was extremely popular before shutting down and falling into neglect. Receiving a major revitalization in 1994, the new Normal Theater is now the number-one spot in the community for classic, independent, and foreign movie showings.
Normal Theater is also a live-performance venue that hosts concerts, comedians, and special lecture series. It's also a central community venue for Normal and a vital cultural outlet for Bloomington, facilitating several neighborhood discussions and events. Much of the experience of attending a show at the Normal Theater, however, is the history that rings from inside the theater.
Address: 209 West North Street, Normal, Illinois
13. Ryburn Place at Sprague's Super Service
Commemorating the Historic Route 66 that runs through the region, Ryburn Place is a renovated rest area that now serves as an information center and gift shop. It originally opened to the public in 1931 as a gas station, cafe, garage, and overnight rest stop for travelers on Route 66. This Tudor-Revival building is now on the National Register of Historic Places.
Many signs of yesteryear remain at this city-owned landmark, including the iconic gas sign and pumps outside. Inside the renovated service station, memorabilia and interpretive information shed light on the Mother Road of the U.S. Highway System. This interesting roadside attraction is open Wednesday through Sunday except for major holidays.
Address: 305 Pine Street, Normal, Illinois
