Places to visit in Bloomington, IN.
Bloomington, Indiana, is a great place to visit if you’re looking to find fun things to do. The city is located just southwest of Indianapolis and offers many options for visitors of all ages.
Bloomington is a university town with a wide variety of things to do. From world-class art museums and theaters to hiking trails, it’s easy to find something to keep you entertained. But, of course, its vibrant nightlife also has a lot to offer.
WonderLab Science Museum
If you’re in the market for an educational and entertaining day out with the family, the WonderLab Science Museum is worth a look. It is located in Bloomington, Indiana, and offers more than 25 permanent exhibits to keep your children entertained and educated. The best part is that admission is relatively inexpensive.
Not only does WonderLab offer an array of excellent science displays, but it also provides numerous outreach services to local schools, libraries, and civic organizations. As a bonus, visitors can also enjoy the perks of an outdoor garden.
This is the only museum in the region that does it. The WonderLab Science Museum is located in downtown Bloomington near Hyatt Place Hotel.
McCormick’s Creek State Park
McCormick’s Creek State Park is an excellent place for a day of fun in the sun. The park offers plenty of family amenities located just outside Bloomington, Indiana. You’ll find plenty of hiking trails, camping facilities, and even an Olympic swimming pool. The area is also home to several cultural events and attractions.
McCormick’s Creek State Park opened in 1916. It is the oldest state park in Indiana. A large part of the park is a limestone canyon with scenic waterfalls and a flowing creek.
Among the most popular attractions are the canyon and the falls. In addition, you’ll find many picnic areas close to drinking water and restrooms. There are also shelters with fireplaces.
Several picnic areas are located along the White River, where you can enjoy river fishing. If you’re looking for a more rugged experience, you can hike on the challenging Tecumseh Trail.
Lower Cascades Park
One of the most exciting parks in Bloomington is Lower Cascades Park. This park has many features, such as the water fountain, the Cascades Park trail, and the cascades. It is also the first park in the city to be developed, allowing visitors to enjoy the great outdoors.
Lower Cascades Park is a 68-acre public space smack dab in the middle of Bloomington. The City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department owns and operates the park. In addition to the park itself, the department manages Switchyard Park, Twin Lakes Recreation Center, and Cascades Golf Course.
Among the park’s numerous features, one of the most impressive is the dozens of trees that provide shelter from the summer sun. The park is also home to some wildlife. Those who are up for the challenge can go on a nature walk. Other amenities include a small creek and a playground.
Sample Gates
Sample Gates is a significant landmark in Bloomington, Indiana. The best part is that they’re located near a few cool places. There’s a fountain on the other side of the street and a nice view of Dunn’s Woods. You can also walk from the gate to the IU Visitors Center.
If you’re an Indiana University fan, you’ll want to check out the Sample Gates, the Eskenazi Museum of Art, and the new Jefferson Shreve Gateway. However, it’s also worth taking the time to explore the IU campus in the fall. After all, the campus is beautiful. And the buildings are limestone, making for an elegant campus.
IUPUI is currently working on a gateway for Michigan and West streets. As for the best place to photograph the Sample Gates, you can’t beat the Showalter Fountain. However, other photo ops exist, such as the famous Kirkwood Avenue and the campus’ swooping greens.
The samples may be old, but they still stand tall as a testament to the heyday of the mid-century university. This is also where you’ll find the IU Visitors Center, one of the state’s most iconic buildings. Not to mention the impressive IU Hall of Science, which houses the famous IU physics department.
Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center
The Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center in Bloomington, Indiana, is home to one of North America’s oldest Tibetan Buddhist centers. It is an ideal destination for a spiritual retreat and offers a wide range of classes and activities.
TMBCC was founded in 1979 by Thubten Jigme Norbu, a former high lama of Tibet who escaped the Chinese invasion and came to the United States for political asylum. He eventually became a professor of Tibetan Studies at Indiana University and helped to publicize human rights abuses in Tibet.
Aside from Tibetan Buddhism, the center is also active in Earth Care, a nonprofit organization that promotes moral responsibility for protecting all life. It has several outdoor landmarks, including a monastery building housing monks. In addition, there are meditation rooms and a visitors center.
Best Things to Do in Bloomington, Indiana
Places to visit in Bloomington, IN:
- WonderLab Science Museum
- McCormick’s Creek State Park
- Lower Cascades Park
- Sample Gates
- Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center