What to do
BEAD (Bloomington Entertainment and Arts District) You'll find museums, galleries and performing-arts venues along with more than 90 restaurants and 100 shops in these 60 blocks. Make sure to stop for a handmade treat at Blue Boy Chocolate, a self-guided tour of the Beaux Arts courthouse anchoring the district, and a peek at local history at the Farmer House Museum. bloomington.in.gov
B-Line Trail A 3.1-mile converted railroad carries walkers, joggers, bikers, skateboarders and strollers from the woodsy north and south to the heart of town. Public art adds interest. bloomington.in.gov/b-line
B-Line Trail
Forests More than 230 miles of hiking, horseback and mountain bike trails traverse Hoosier National Forest’s 200,000 acres. fs.usda.gov/hoosier Or drop a fishing line or take out a rowboat in Yellowwood State Forest. state.in.us/dnr/forestry/4817.htm
Indiana University The Sample Gates form a gateway from campus to downtown. Take time to see both the I.M. Pei-designed Indiana University Art Museum (with a lighted totemthat glows rainbow colors at night) and the often-overlooked Lilly Library (displaying one of the world's 14 original Gutenberg Bibles and Ian Fleming's James Bond manuscripts). visitorcenter.indiana.edu
Indiana University
Most High Adventure Outfitters Let staff gear you up and lead you on an outdoor adventure via canoe, kayak or mountain bike. soilandwater.com/mosthigh
Oliver Winery One of Indiana’s best-known wineries pours generous tastings of their award-winning wines. For a bit of background, take the 20-minute tour of the winery. oliverwinery.com
The Tap Try to choose just one beer from 50 gleaming taps or off the list of 400. Weekends bring live music. Though this place is all about beer, you can order food from outside vendors to have it delivered to your table. thetapbeerbar.com
Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center For an introduction to Tibetan culture and artforms, schedule a tour or take the self-guided tour of the 108-acre grounds and its structures. tmbcc.org
Wonderlab Museum of Science, Health and Technology Kids learn how things like bubbles and solar power work with two floors of hands-on exhibits. wonderlab.org
Wonderlab Museum of Science, Health and Technology
Where to eat
FarmBloomington Its farm-to-table comfort food has garnered this restaurant a reputation as one of the best in Indiana. farm-bloomington.com
Mother Bear’s Pizza The affordable pizza is “just right” in a casual setting. motherbearspizza.com
The Runcible Spoon Cafe and Restaurant This coffee shop owes its long-standing popularity to basic meals served in a quaint setting. runciblespoonrestaurant.com
Sweet Grass Restaurant Strings of lights and fake palm trees set a laid-back feel perfect for BBQ. sweetgrassbloomington.com
Uptown Cafe Dine on food with a Cajun-Creole flair in an artsy setting. the-uptown.com
Where to stay
Biddle Hotel and Conference Center It’s all about the location at this spot on Indiana University campus. Choose from economy rooms to boutique suites. imu.indiana.edu/hotel