Guidebook for Normal
Food Scene
Starbucks
307 Veterans PkwyClosest Starbucks to the home. No drive thru. In among mall buildings.
My favorite restaurant! Always bustling. Italian food. Eat in or carry out. Salads, entrees, desserts are great; too numerous to list. Friendly, too!
15 locals recommend
Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano
3010 E Empire StMy favorite restaurant! Always bustling. Italian food. Eat in or carry out. Salads, entrees, desserts are great; too numerous to list. Friendly, too!
Los Potrillos
201 Landmark DrGood Mexican food.
Essentials
Kroger
1550 E College Ave2 blocks away. Great food store for essentials.
Gold's Gym Express
1503 East College AvenueClosest gym to the house.
Walmart Supercenter
300 Greenbriar DrYour closest Walmart
Drinks & Nightlife
Uptown Circle
Uptown CircleDowntown hub for ISU students
Several bars clustered here. Popular place for ISU students and young adults
Downtown Bloomington Association
115 E Washington StSeveral bars clustered here. Popular place for ISU students and young adults
Parks & Nature
Nice zoo for kids. The park has playground equipment and picnic areas. Fishing is popular here.
27 locals recommend
Miller Park Zoo
1020 S Morris AveNice zoo for kids. The park has playground equipment and picnic areas. Fishing is popular here.
This former railway bed goes all through Bloomington-Normal in all directions. Find one 'finger' and see where you go! Hiking and biking
Constitution Trail
Constitution TrailThis former railway bed goes all through Bloomington-Normal in all directions. Find one 'finger' and see where you go! Hiking and biking
Arts & Culture
The most valuable house in Bloomington-Normal. Free tours every Monday 4-6 pm, Spring-Fall. Voted Best Wedding Venue in the area. Stroll the beautiful gardens. Listen to the Guide by Cell--I did the voice-overs;)
9 locals recommend
Ewing Cultural Center
48 Sunset RdThe most valuable house in Bloomington-Normal. Free tours every Monday 4-6 pm, Spring-Fall. Voted Best Wedding Venue in the area. Stroll the beautiful gardens. Listen to the Guide by Cell--I did the voice-overs;)
David Davis was Abraham Lincoln's friend. Tour his Victorian mansion. Always beautiful and interesting. Decorated at Christmas
19 locals recommend
David Davis Mansion
1000 Monroe DrDavid Davis was Abraham Lincoln's friend. Tour his Victorian mansion. Always beautiful and interesting. Decorated at Christmas
Best place to get a sense of Central Illinois and how it all started. Located in the old Courthouse on the Square in downtown Bloomington. Take a picture with President Lincoln!
12 locals recommend
McLean County Museum of History
200 N Main StBest place to get a sense of Central Illinois and how it all started. Located in the old Courthouse on the Square in downtown Bloomington. Take a picture with President Lincoln!
Shopping
Mainly a kitchen store but so much more! Wonderful lunches, teas, cheeses.
8 locals recommend
The Garlic Press
108 W North StMainly a kitchen store but so much more! Wonderful lunches, teas, cheeses.
Entertainment & Activities
When parents need a break and the kids are antsy, the cry often becomes, "Let's go to the Discovery Museum!" Fun, science, learning and exercise for children.
23 locals recommend
Children's Discovery Museum
101 E Beaufort StWhen parents need a break and the kids are antsy, the cry often becomes, "Let's go to the Discovery Museum!" Fun, science, learning and exercise for children.
ISU is fun in many ways. Theatre, sports, swimming, classes are a few offerings. Ask what's going on during your visit. Something may tweak your interest!
8 locals recommend
Illinois State University
100 N University StISU is fun in many ways. Theatre, sports, swimming, classes are a few offerings. Ask what's going on during your visit. Something may tweak your interest!