Overview
Bloomington, pop. 77,000 (2010 census), is a city in the Midwestern state of Illinois in the United States of America, on the classic Route 66 highway across the country. With neighboring Normal, pop. 52,000 (2010 census), it forms a combined community of about 130,000 known locally as the Twin Cities. Illinois Wesleyan University is in Bloomington, and is not to be confused with Illinois State University in Normal.
5 sights · 8 things to do · 3 places to eat · 8 bars & cafés · 5 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Bloomington-Normal
David Davis Mansion
An elegant, ornate mansion that dates back to 1872.
McLean County Museum of History
Allows one to see the customs and work practices of settlers to McLean county, along with exhibits featuring residents such as Abraham Lincoln and Adlai Stevenson.
Miller Park Zoo
A pleasant place for a picnic and hosts a small but interesting zoo, with a good rain-forest exhibit.
Children's Discovery Museum
Full of hands-on exhibit for children. Features an agricultural exhibit, a clock tower and science exhibits.
Downtown Bloomington
The McLean County Courthouse, capped by a stately dome, serves as a landmark to identify the historic core of the city. Turn-of-the-20th-century buildings, many with interesting historical pasts, flank the courthouse squ…
McLean County Fair
A large county fair hosted on the McLean County Fairgrounds west of Bloomington-Normal.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 86°F; winter lows dip to about 18°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: May and Apr. (climate data from nearby Peoria)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- BMI Central Illinois Regional Airport at Bloomington-Normal, Bloomington/Normal — 4 mi away. Directions
- PIA General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport, Peoria — 39 mi away. Directions
- MDW Chicago Midway International Airport, Chicago — 111 mi away (major hub). Directions
The Central Illinois Regional Airport at Bloomington-Normal (BMI) has daily arrivals from Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Minneapolis, and Dallas, along with 4-times-a-week service from Orlando and Denver. A smaller airport, Peoria International Airport (PIA) is 45 minutes away and offers arrivals from additional cities. Parking is free at both airports.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $79–$88 a night (typical $86), from 4 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$120, mid-range ~$160, comfortable ~$250.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Downtown Bloomington, McLean County Museum of History, The Castle Theatre
- Lunch The Lucca Grill
- Afternoon Grossinger Motors Arena, Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts
- Dinner Avanti's Italian Restaurant
- Evening Rosie's Pub
Day 2
- Morning Children's Discovery Museum, Constitution Trail, Illinois Shakespeare Festival
- Lunch The Coffeehouse & Deli
- Afternoon Community Players Theatre, David Davis Mansion
- Evening Firehouse Pizza & Pub
Day 3
- Morning McLean County Fair
- Evening Fat Jack's Bar
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
The Bloomington-Normal area is in the heart of Central Illinois, approximately 125 miles southwest of Chicago, 155 miles northeast of St. Louis, and 64 miles northeast of Springfield, the State Capital. Bloomington is the County Seat of McLean County, the largest county in Illinois (approximately 762,240 acres). Interstates 39, 55 and 74 converge on Bloomington-Normal, as well as US Route 51, US Route 150 and State Route 9.
Bloomington-Normal is also serviced by four major railroad lines and Amtrak, as well as air transportation at the Central Illinois Regional Airport, one of the fastest growing airports in the country, which services commuter, corporate, and private aircraft.
The Twin Cities are located in one of the most productive agricultural areas in the nation, but the economy is diverse and well-balanced. In addition to the major manufacturers and industries, there are two universities, two hospitals, a convention center, two indoor malls, an outdoor outlet mall, and many banks and Savings & Loan Associations located in Bloomington-Normal. The metropolitan area continues to grow; in 2013, the city of Bloomington was the country's 11th-fastest growing city. New construction continues to enhance residential, industrial and commercial growth.
Get in
By plane
The Central Illinois Regional Airport at Bloomington-Normal (BMI) has daily arrivals from Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Minneapolis, and Dallas, along with 4-times-a-week service from Orlando and Denver. A smaller airport, Peoria International Airport (PIA) is 45 minutes away and offers arrivals from additional cities. Parking is free at both airports.
By car
Interstate highways 39, 55 and 74 converge on the south side of Bloomington and divide again on the north side of Normal. I-55 follows the historic route of Route 66 through central Illinois, except that Route 66 bypassed Bloomington-Normal on the east rather than on the west as the interstates do. Veterans Parkway, the east-side bypass (formerly called "Belt Line Road", was renamed in the 1980s), was the Route 66 route in the immediate pre-Interstate period. Earlier, 66 passed through downtown Bloomington and into residential Normal. The route given in the Route 66 page reflects this original alignment, known as "Business 66" after Veterans Parkway was built.
By train
Go Amtrak
You can easily take an Amtrak train from Chicago or St. Louis, with five daily departures. Track improvements are now being constructed to offer high-speed rail service from Bloomington-Normal on a planned eight trains a day in each direction. The Texas Eagle / Sunset Limited long-distance train provides daily service to Dallas and tri-weekly service to Los Angeles. The Bloomington-Normal rail station is near the Illinois State University campus in Normal, in a combined facility with Normal's city hall. It is the fourth busiest Amtrak station in the Midwestern United States behind Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Louis.
By bus
- Greyhound buses serve Bloomington-Normal from Indianapolis, Chicago, and St. Louis. Also a contractor for FlixBus.
- Peoria Charter runs buses to Bloomington-Normal from Chicago and Peoria.
Place Burlington Trailways via Jefferson Lines
Contractor for Jefferson Lines. Serves from as far east as Indianapolis and as far west as the state of Washington. Also a contractor for Megabus, FlixBus, and Amtrak Thruway.
- ConnectGO connects Bloomington-Normal and rural McLean County.
By bicycle
- The Mackinaw Valley Trail links Peoria to Bloomington-Normal through Mackinaw.
- Illinois' Route 66 Trail runs through Bloomington-Normal from the northeast to the southwest. McLean County's own local Route 66 trail has improved the alignment in preparation for the Illinois segment of U.S. Bicycle Route 66. Adventure Cycling's Bicycle Route 66 mostly follows the latter.
Get around
- Connect Transit. Buses cover most of the community. Downtown Bloomington and Uptown Normal are well walkable, but most shopping, etc., is on the eastern side of the towns and is best reached by car or bus.
See
See Downtown Bloomington
The McLean County Courthouse, capped by a stately dome, serves as a landmark to identify the historic core of the city. Turn-of-the-20th-century buildings, many with interesting historical pasts, flank the courthouse square. A visitor can find museums, banks, a legal and governmental center, residential living, a large artists' community, plus an assortment of specialty retail businesses and supportive services in Downtown Bloomington. There is an abundance of restaurants and a lively night scene.
Do
Do Illinois Shakespeare Festival
The well-reviewed Illinois Shakespeare Festival is associated with ISU and runs from late June until early August, with multiple performances of (usually) three of the Bard's plays. Performances are on the grounds of Ewing Manor in east Bloomington, and can include pre-show picnics on the lush grounds.
Do Upper Limits Climbing Gym
Upper Limits has over 20,000 square feet of climbing area. Built in a set of old grain elevators, this is a great indoor climbing gym. The climbing includes: 65-ft-tall silo routes, a 30-ft main room with plenty of overhanging climbing (including the Wave Wall with at least three lead-only routes), slab routes, a climbing cave, training area, 110-ft outdoor routes, and an outdoor bouldering area. Route difficulties ranges from 5.5 to 5.13-, with boulder from V0 to V6+.
Do Grossinger Motors Arena
The Grossinger Motors Arena (formerly U.S. Cellular Coliseum) was opened in 2006 and features minor league indoor football (Bloomington Extreme & Bloomington Edge), basketball (Bloomington Drive), and ice hockey (Bloomington Prairie Thunder, Blaze, Thunder). Additionally, many well-known bands and artists come to perform. Additional events include ice racing, circuses, monster trucks, and similar attractions. Attached to the Arena is the Pepsi Ice Center, which hosts many amateur hockey and ice events. Public ice skating is also offered with skate rentals available.
Do Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts
The Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts seats 1200 for stage plays, smaller concerts, and is home to the Illinois Symphony Orchestra. It is located in the entertainment district of downtown Bloomington, which attracts over one million visitors a year to restaurants, clubs, and venues that feature comedy and musical acts.
Do Community Players Theatre
It is one of the oldest community theatres completely staffed by volunteers. Community Players has been able to present many shows shortly after their Broadway run and, on many occasions, presented the first amateur production of these shows in the United States. It is a not-for-profit community theatre dedicated to promoting the performing arts. Contact the Box Office (309/663-2121) or Website (www.communityplayers.org) for information about their current season.
Buy
Downtown Bloomington has shops, including some that sell beads, crafts, used books, used clothes and other funky items. For more mainstream shopping, most of what you want can be found on the stores lining Veteran's Parkway.
Shop Ryburn Place
Route 66 information and souvenir shop on the first floor of Sprague Super Service, a Tudor-Revival style building constructed in 1931 as a fuel station with the owner's and attendant's quarters upstairs. Route 66 t-shirts, postcards, books, memorabilia and the work of local artists: original watercolors and prints, photographs, handmade cards, hand-dyed silk scarves, hand-woven baskets, creative crochet.
Shop Shoppes At College Hills
The Shoppes at College Hills is an open-air lifestyle center anchored by Von Maur, and Target. The exciting blend of retailers and restaurants includes more than 25 specialty stores like Bath & Body Works, Chico's, Beauty Brands, DESTIHL Restaurant, Francescas, LOFT, Yankee Candle, and more.
Shop Downtown Bloomington Farmers Market
The Downtown Bloomington Association Farmers’ Market is a producer-only market offering a wide array of farm products — including vegetables, fruits, cheeses, pork, beef, free-range poultry and eggs, flowers, plants, herbs, and more grown and produced by the individual selling these items.
Eat
Eat The Coffeehouse & Deli
A vegetarian restaurant with many vegan options. Local art work is displayed on the wall, and changes every few months. Live music and poetry slams are held during the evenings.
Eat The Lucca Grill
The Lucca Grill was established in 1936 by brothers Fred and John Baldini and was named for their hometown of Lucca, Italy. Located on Historic Route 66, customers enjoy the delicious thin-crust pizza as much as they appreciate the ornate tin ceiling and antique mahogany bar.
Eat Avanti's Italian Restaurant
Avanti's Italian Restaurant cooks and serves home style pasta, pizza, and sandwiches that are available through dine-in, carry-out, delivery and in the banquet room. Avanti’s trademark is wonderful, fresh Italian bread which is prepared and baked in the restaurant kitchen.
Drink
Drink DESTIHL Restaurant & Brew Works
Amazing brewery with exceptional food created in a unique way by the chef. Definitely worth the prices.
Drink Fat Jack's Bar
Bloomington. Offers live music, has a small, overcrowded dance floor where you can dance to current mainstream music, as well as a room for private functions.
Drink Rosie's Pub
Quaint atmosphere. Offers a high-priced food menu. 106 East Front Street, Bloomington.
Drink Pub II
Enduring hangout near campus offering many TVs, pub grub & a beer garden for sports fans.
Drink Medici in Normal
Bi-level restaurant & bar serving seasonal American fare, pizzas & over 30 drafts in a modern space.
Sleep
Stay Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Bloomington
Guest amenities include a complimentary hot breakfast buffet each morning and an evening reception each Wednesday. Each guest room includes a queen size bed, microwave, refrigerator and wet bar or full kitchen, 25" television, hairdryer, iron, ironing board and a full size sofa sleeper, plus complimentary high-speed Internet access. For enjoyment, our indoor swimming pool and patio area as well as our exercise facility are available for all guests.
Go next
- Lake Bloomington and Evergreen Lake are two man-made lakes north of town that offer fishing, camping, and boating opportunities.
- If you're doing the Route 66 tour northbound, the next significant bit of Americana is in the small town of Pontiac, which hosts the annual "Thresermen's Reunion" tractor pull event and is home to the Route 66 Association Hall of Fame & Museum and other similarly themed tourist attractions. Southbound, stop in McLean at the Dixie Truckers Home, a prototypical (and, according to some, the nation's first) truck stop.
Nearby
McLean
City / town · 15 mi away
El Paso
City / town · 4 listings · 18 mi away
Atlanta
City / town · 18 listings · 20 mi away
Chenoa
City / town · 18 listings · 23 mi away
Washington
City / town · 7 listings · 26 mi away
Lincoln
City / town · 18 listings · 30 mi away
East Peoria
City / town · 33 mi away
Pontiac
City / town · 12 listings · 33 mi away
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