The perfect girlfriend’s getaway or mom’s mini escape is just an hour south of Indianapolis. Bloomington is a charming college town that has the perfect mix of culture, relaxation, great food, wine tasting and unique local experiences. You can spend the day exploring Indiana University’s beautiful campus, discover world-class art, sip wine at local wineries, or find some peace and quiet at a Buddhist cultural center. Not to mention Bloomington’s amazing dining scene! All of this adds up to a memorable getaway that’s not too far from home.

What to Do
in Bloomington, Indiana 

One of the great things about visiting a college town like Bloomington is actually going on campus and checking it out. Indiana University has a lot of things happening for students and non-students alike. Here are two places on campus that you should visit.

Lilly Library at Indiana University

The Lilly Library at Indiana University contains a treasure trove of rare books, documents and historical items. And best of all, it’s free and open to the public. Opened in 1960, the library began through the donation of J. K. Lilly Jr., whose collection formed the foundation of the library. Today, the Lilly Library has hundreds of thousands of rare books and millions of historical items. Part of the collection includes works by William Shakespeare, an early edition of The Canterbury Tales by Chaucer, and manuscripts by Indianapolis author Kurt Vonnegut.

Eskenazi Museum of Art at IU

Step inside the beautiful Eskenazi Museum of Art at IU, and you’ll immediately forget that you’re on a college campus! With three stories and seven galleries, the art museum is a popular place to explore art from around the world. The museum has more than 47,000 works of art, including paintings, sculptures, photographs and ancient objects. Visitors can see artwork by famous artists, like Pablo Picasso and Claude Monet. The museum is free and open to the public.

Wine Tasting at Butler Winery + Oliver Winery

Butler Winery

Oliver Winery

One of the largest wineries in the United States is right here in Bloomington. Oliver Winery is a great place to find fun and fruity sweet wines, but they also make their own dry reds and red blends. This is a great winery to just sit with a nice glass of wine and relax — there are lots of areas to spread out. Their massive, campus-like outdoor and indoor spaces are also family-friendly. You can enjoy wine tastings, explore the beautiful gardens, have a picnic or relax by the pond.

Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center

Probably one of the most unique spots around Bloomington is the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center. This peaceful place is dedicated to the people of Tibet and Mongolian Buddhist traditions, but it welcomes all visitors. The beautiful grounds are a great place for meditation and reflection, and feature traditional Tibetan architecture, prayer wheels and lots more. The center offers workshops, teachings, seminars and retreats to learn about Buddhist philosophy and Himalayan culture. But even if you just  walk around the grounds and explore, you will leave feeling better than you did when you arrived.

Eats + Treats
in Bloomington 

Uptown Cafe

A Bloomington favorite, Uptown Cafe is fine dining with a casual bent. The restaurant has a whole section dedicated to Cajun flavors, like Louisiana hot pepper chicken and shrimp & grits. But you’ll also find a nice selection of pasta, salads and desserts.

Village Deli

Breakfast all day is the big draw at Village Deli, as are their colossal pancakes that are as big as a plate. If you’re not in the mood for breakfast, you’ll find a full menu of American lunch and dinner classics, like burgers and sandwiches.

Malibu Grill

This California-inspired grill serves up everything from shrimp cocktail and ahi tuna to sandwiches, pasta and woodfired pizzas. Malibu Grill has been a Bloomington favorite since 1994!

The Elm

Amazing ambiance, amazing food. Handmade pasta is always available at The Elm, plus dishes with Asian flavors, like chicken karaage (pictured below), plus elevated American fare. Don’t miss their soft and tender milk bread, which comes with an apple butter spread. This is the place to branch out and try something new.

Where to Stay
in Bloomington

When you want to be centrally located to all-things fun, the Graduate by Hilton Bloomington is the place to stay. Located in downtown Bloomington, it’s just steps from Indiana University, so you get the college vibe everywhere you turn. And speaking of college vibe, every corner of the hotel is decorated in IU paraphernalia and nostalgia, so you’re surrounded by IU history and university spirit. Bonus: The hotel houses the Poindexter, an all-day spot that serves coffee and breakfast in the morning and cocktails at night.