Top 15 Must-Experiences in Bloomington, Illinois

Situated in Central Illinois, Bloomington is a city with a population of 80,000, complemented by a metropolitan area that exceeds 160,000, largely due to the adjacent town of Normal. Renowned for its hospitality and quality of life, Bloomington is an appealing destination featuring excellent amenities, a rich historical backdrop, and an array of captivating attractions.

For individuals interested in Abraham Lincoln’s legacy, Bloomington was the residence of two of his notable supporters, businessman Jesse W. Fell and judge David Davis. Visitors can explore the splendid Victorian home of David Davis, and the historic McLean County Courthouse, which has been transformed into a museum featuring exhibits that highlight Lincoln’s connections to Bloomington.

Having grown up in Illinois with a passion for travel, I have frequented Bloomington multiple times. Below is a compilation of prominent attractions in Bloomington.

1. David Davis Mansion State Historic Site

David Davis, who served as a Supreme Court Justice from 1862 to 1877, significantly influenced 19th-century American history. In 1860, he worked as Abraham Lincoln’s campaign manager and played a vital role in securing his nomination for president at the Republican National Convention.

Davis (1815-1886) formed a close friendship with Lincoln over the years while presiding over the Illinois Eighth Circuit, where Lincoln practiced law.

After Lincoln’s assassination, Davis acted as the administrator of his estate. The Davis Mansion, constructed between 1870 and 1872, boasts an Italianate villa design, featuring 36 rooms, multiple outbuildings, and a beautifully restored garden.

It is advisable to join the available tour, which includes a visit to 20 rooms adorned with American Renaissance furnishings acquired by Sarah Davis, his wife of over four decades.

The estate also hosts various events throughout the year, including a garden festival in June and special gaslight tours during the Christmas season.

2. McLean County Museum of History

This local history museum is located in the majestic McLean County Courthouse, surrounded by historically significant buildings. One of the exhibits that stands out is dedicated to Abraham Lincoln, exploring his legal work in McLean County, his involvement in the anti-slavery movement, and his role in establishing the Republican Party in Illinois.

Recognized for its impressive dome, the Classical Revival courthouse, built in 1868 and extensively rebuilt after a fire in 1900, houses the museum on all four levels, featuring comprehensive galleries that delve into McLean County’s political and military history, immigration and Native American heritage, commercial and industrial development, as well as their agricultural connections.

3. Miller Park Zoo

Miller Park in Bloomington has hosted a collection of animals since 1891, evolving into a full-fledged zoo in 1900. The zoo expanded significantly in the 1990s and 2000s, doubling its area with new exhibits.

Visitors can explore indoor spaces like ZooLab, featuring exotic insects, meerkats, and parrots, as well as the historic Katthoefer Animal Building, which houses snow leopards, tamarins, snakes, and Sumatran tigers.

Outdoor exhibits include wallabies, red pandas, Galapagos tortoises, otters, alligators, Pallas’ cats, and a diverse range of birds such as eagles, hawks, greater flamingos, and hooded cranes. The greater park area offers numerous amenities, particularly in the summer, with features like a splash pad, mini-golf course, and a lake with paddle boats.

4. Constitution Trail

Bloomington and Normal collaborated to develop this 37-mile trail system, inaugurated in 1989, which traces the route of the former Illinois Central Gulf railroad, extending from Kerrick Road in Normal to Grove Street in Bloomington.

The trail includes 32 access points and seven branches, one of which follows US Route 66. Constitution Trail is popular among walkers, joggers, cyclists, and others, with nearby restrooms, shelters, benches, water fountains, and trash receptacles.

Additionally, there are historical markers along the way, including the Camelback Bridge in Normal, which dates back to 1862 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

5. Children’s Discovery Museum

Located in Uptown Normal, this exceptional interactive museum occupies a three-story building adjacent to the Bloomington-Normal Station. The exhibits at the Children’s Discovery Museum are designed to provide engaging, open-ended learning experiences tailored for children.

Children can explore healthy food choices at a market, operate a combine in the largest agricultural exhibit in any children’s museum in the nation, navigate the two-story Luckey Climber, and express their creativity in the Art Studio.

The museum also offers various early childhood programs and features the Innovation Station, where children and families can engage with STEAM concepts through collaborative activities, experiments, and enjoyable experiences. Allow several hours to fully appreciate the museum.

6. Funk Prairie Home Museum

A remarkable glimpse into 19th-century Illinois life can be found just southwest of Bloomington in Shirley. The Funk Prairie Home, a private historic house museum built in 1864 as a wedding gift from Lafayette Funk to his bride, Elizabeth, retains much of its original furnishings and decor from its era, showcasing the eclectic curiosities of the Funk family.

Lafayette Funk had a keen interest in natural history, amassing a diverse collection of fossils, minerals, and gems over 30 years, complemented by corals, seashells, Chinese soapstone carvings, and Native American artifacts from Central Illinois.

The tour also includes a barn filled with forgotten 19th-century agricultural implements from the time when horse and mule power reigned. Reservations are necessary.

7. Grossinger Motors Arena

Opened in 2006, this expansive multi-use facility rivals venues in much larger cities. The Grossinger Motors Arena accommodates 8,000 attendees for concerts and 5,500 for sports events, having hosted over 3 million visitors across its 15+ years of operation.

It is advisable to check the events calendar to stay informed about a diverse array of trade shows, concerts, motor sports events, family entertainment, hockey games, and various festivities including those for the St. Louis Carnivals and Chicago Cubs.

8. Bloomington Ice Center

Operated by the Bloomington Parks & Recreation Department and accessible year-round, this public ice rink is connected to the Grossinger Motors Arena but is managed independently.

The Bloomington Ice Center features a full-size ice sheet (200 ft by 85 ft) and offers open skate sessions, freestyle sessions, stick and puck activities, pickup hockey, skating lessons for all ages, and competitive hockey leagues.

Guests can enjoy a snack bar and skate rental services, along with the possibility of purchasing various skating and hockey gear, such as gloves, tape, socks, laces, and mouth guards.

9. Evergreen Memorial Cemetery

Close to 200 years old, Evergreen Memorial Cemetery traces its roots back to the early days of Euro-American settlement in this part of Illinois.

Spanning 87 acres and adorned with mature trees, the cemetery is an active burial place featuring winding pathways and numerous beautiful memorials.

It encompasses a diverse representation of Bloomington’s inhabitants, serving as the final resting place for various significant individuals, such as David Davis, along with cabinet members, senators, representatives, a Civil War general, and sports legends like early baseball icon Charles Radbourn.

The cemetery welcomes the public to explore its grounds and gain insight into Bloomington’s history.

10. Prairie Aviation Museum

Located adjacent to the Central Illinois Regional Airport on the east side of Bloomington-Normal, the airport provides year-round connections to major cities like Chicago, Orlando, and Atlanta.

Housed within hangars and an outdoor air park, the museum features a small yet fascinating collection of aircraft, predominantly from the latter half of the 20th century.

Notable exhibits include a Bell Sea Cobra, an F-14 Tomcat, an A-4 Skyhawk, and a UH-1H Iroquois. Check the website for updates on Open Cockpit Days, where guests can sit in the cockpit and experience the Delta 880 simulator.

11. 3rd Sunday Market

From May to October, numerous antiques, collectibles, and arts and crafts vendors converge in Bloomington for one of the largest monthly markets in the Midwest. This event occurs at the Interstate Center on the third Sunday of each month, attracting over 450 dealers from 17 states.

From 8 am to 4 pm, visitors can explore an array of items including furniture, vintage advertising, ceramics, lighting, historic appliances, baseball cards, stamps, coins, political memorabilia, toys, and contemporary crafts and garden products.

12. Downtown Bloomington Farmers’ Market

Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Historic Museum Square, this lively producer-only market operates every Saturday morning from May through November.

Patrons can purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, poultry, meats, eggs, cheeses, flowers, herbs, plants, sauces, and condiments, among other offerings.

The market also provides an excellent opportunity to engage with the individuals who grow, raise, and create these products.

In November, the market transitions indoors to the Grossinger Motors Arena, continuing on the third Saturday of each month until April.

13. Grady’s Family Fun Park

Offering a blend of entertainment options, this family activity center located in southeast Bloomington resembles a small amusement park. It features an assortment of carnival rides aimed primarily at younger children, along with go-karts, bumper boats, an arcade, and batting cages.

The highlight is undoubtedly the creatively designed mini-golf course, presenting intriguing challenges and distinct handcrafted details, including a replica of the Statue of Liberty. Grady’s Family Fun Park is also well-known for its pizza, which features a signature sweet tomato sauce. It is regarded as an excellent activity for families with children!

14. Tipton Park

This 50-acre community park on Bloomington’s east side integrates various facilities alongside significant parcels of native Illinois prairie.

A two-mile asphalt path allows visitors to enjoy the scenic landscape, passing exercise stations, a windmill, and a picnic shelter designed to resemble a traditional barn.

During the summer months, families are attracted to the spray park, which operates from mid-May to mid-September. Additional amenities include a basketball court, a children’s playground, a soccer field, and a softball diamond.

15. Illinois Shakespeare Festival

From late June to mid-August, Bloomington and Normal are home to a significant cultural festival showcasing the works of playwright William Shakespeare. The Illinois Shakespeare Festival takes place at both the outdoor Ewing Theatre in Bloomington and the Center for Performing Arts at Illinois State University. The Ewing Theatre is situated in a picturesque location designed by renowned landscape architect Jens Jensen.

Running since 1978 and produced by the College of Fine Arts and the School of Theatre and Dance at ISU, the festival generally presents three plays each season, comprising two works by Shakespeare and one by a contemporary playwright set in the same era. Recent seasons have featured productions like Henry V, The Winter’s Tale, Measure for Measure, Hamlet, Twelfth Night, and adaptations of Pride and Prejudice and Shakespeare in Love.