Normal, IL Road Trips

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.

1 Children's Discovery Museum, 101 E Beaufort St, ☏ +1 309 433-3444. Th F 9AM-8PM, Sa 9AM-5PM, Su 1-5PM. Full of hands-on exhibit for children. Features an agricultural exhibit, a clock tower and science exhibits. (updated Mar 2022) 2 David Davis Mansion, 1000 East Monroe Drive, ☏ +1 309 828-1084. W-Su 9AM-4PM. An elegant, ornate mansion that dates back to 1872. Suggested donation: adult $2/, child $1. 3 Downtown Bloomington, 106 W Monroe, ☏ +1 309 829-9599. 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. (updated Mar 2022) 4 McLean County Museum of History, 200 North Main St (Bloomington), ☏ +1 309 827-0428. M-Sa 10AM-5PM, Tu 10AM-9PM, also Sep- May: Su 1-5PM. 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. Adult $5, Senior $4, child or student free. 5 Miller Park Zoo, 1020 South Morris Ave (Bloomington), ☏ +1 309 434-2250, fax: +1 309-434-2823, [email protected]. Daily 9:30AM-4:30PM (closed Thanksgiving & Christmas).

1 McLean County Fair, 1106 Interstate Dr, ☏ +1 309 663-6497. August 3-7th 2022. A large county fair hosted on the McLean County Fairgrounds west of Bloomington-Normal. $7 entre fee for adults. (updated Mar 2022) 2 Illinois Shakespeare Festival, 48 Sunset Rd, ☏ +1 309 438-2535. 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. $25 for single entry ticket. (updated Mar 2022) 3 Constitution Trail, 100 E Phoenix Avenue, ☏ +1 309-454-9540. Open daily from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset. The Bloomington-Normal Constitution Trail is one of Central Illinois' most unique parks. This 50+ mile jogging, walking, cycling and rollerblading trail has become a hit with the community and visitors alike. (updated Mar 2022) 4 Upper Limits Climbing Gym, 1304 W Washington St, ☏ +1 309 829-8255. M-F noon-10PM, Sa Su 10AM-6PM. 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+. $18 for a day pass.

1 The Coffeehouse & Deli, 114 E Beaufort St (1 block East of ISU), ☏ +1 309 452-6774. Daily 7AM-6PM. 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. (updated Mar 2022) 2 The Lucca Grill, 116 E. Market St, ☏ +1 309 828-7521. M-Th 11AM-9PM, F Sa 11AM-10PM, Su 3AM-8PM. 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. (updated Mar 2022) 3 Avanti's Italian Restaurant, 407 S Main St or 3302 E. Empire St, ☏ +1 309 452-4436. M-Sa 10AM-9PM. 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. (updated Mar 2022)

1 DESTIHL Restaurant & Brew Works, 318 S. Towanda Ave. (at The Shoppes at College Hills), ☏ +1 309-862-2337. M-Th 11AM-9PM, F 11AM-10PM, Sa 9AM-10PM, Su 9AM-8PM. Amazing brewery with exceptional food created in a unique way by the chef. Definitely worth the prices. (updated Mar 2022) 2 Fat Jack's Bar, 511 North Main St, ☏ +1 309 821-9222. Su-Th 3PM-1AM, F Sa 3PM-2AM. 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. (updated Mar 2022) 3 Rosie's Pub, 106 E Front St, ☏ +1 309 827-7019. Tu W 11AM-11PM, Th 11AM-1AM, F Sa 11AM-2PM. Quaint atmosphere. Offers a high-priced food menu. 106 East Front Street, Bloomington. (updated Mar 2022) 4 Brewe-Ha's, 102 S Linden St, ☏ +1 309 452-7393. M 4-11PM, Tu-Th 11AM-1AM, F Sa 11AM-2PM, Su noon-7PM. (updated Mar 2022) 5 Firehouse Pizza & Pub, 107 E Beaufort St, ☏ +1 309 808-1597. M Tu 4-9PM, W-F 4PM-midnight, Sa 11AM-midnight, Su 11AM-9PM. (updated Mar 2022) 6 Maggie Miley's, 126 E Beaufort St, ☏ +1 309 808-1067. M-Th 11AM-1AM, F Sa 11AM-2AM, Su noon-1AM. (updated Mar 2022) 7 Pub II, 102 N Linden St, ☏ +1 309 452-0699. Tu-Th 11AM-1AM, F Sa 11AM-2PM, Su M 11AM-11PM. Enduring hangout near campus offering many TVs, pub grub & a beer garden for sports fans. (updated Mar 2022) 8 Medici in Normal, 120 W North St, ☏ +1 309 452-6334. Tu-Th 11AM-9PM, F Sa 11AM-10PM, Su 10AM-9PM. Bi-level restaurant & bar serving seasonal American fare, pizzas & over 30 drafts in a modern space. (updated Mar 2022)

1 Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Bloomington, 1 Lyon Ct, ☏ +1 309 829-8111. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. 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. $84 and up.. (updated Mar 2022) 2 Quality Inn & Suites Bloomington University Area, 1803 E Empire St, ☏ +1 309 662-7100. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. (updated Mar 2022) 3 Best Western Plus Bloomington East Hotel, 604 1/2 IAA Dr, ☏ +1 309 808-0628. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. $89 and up. (updated Mar 2022) 4 Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Bloomington-Normal West, IL, 923 Maple Hill Rd, ☏ +1 309 828-7177. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. $79 and up. (updated Mar 2022) 5 Hampton Inn & Suites Bloomington-Normal, 320 S Towanda Ave, ☏ +1 309 452-8900. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. $88. (updated Mar 2022)

The 1 Central Illinois Regional Airport at Bloomington-Normal (BMI IATA) 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 IATA) is 45 minutes away and offers arrivals from additional cities. Parking is free at both airports. 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. 2 Amtrak, 11 Uptown Circle (Uptown Station). Station hours 6:30AM-9:30PM daily, ticket counter closes at 9:15PM. 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.

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.