Best Places to Visit in Bloomington

McKenna Love
IU Visitor Information Center
3 min readNov 14, 2022

If you find yourself in Bloomington, Indiana, these are some popular places that you must visit.

Greetings on Kirkwood

If you’re looking for a great place to purchase trendy IU gear, Greetings is the place to be. You can find anything from a cute two-piece set to IU’s traditional candy-striped pants. When you’re looking for the perfect tailgate outfit for football games or looking to break out a skirt for Little 500, be sure to go to Greetings because you are bound to find the perfect IU staple.

Pitaya

Pitaya may not be exclusive to Bloomington, but that doesn’t discount the fact that it is a pretty cool boutique! If you are looking for clothes that will make someone stop you mid-walk to ask where you bought your top, taking a trip to Pitaya will definitely be worth your while. Pitaya always has clothes that will keep you fashionable throughout the seasons.

BuffaLouies

BuffaLouies, a very popular restaurant among IU students and Bloomington residents. If you are searching for a place to watch an IU game and eat some phenomenal wings, BuffaLouies is the best restaurant for exactly that. But if you’re not exactly the wing type, do not fret, BuffaLouies sells a multitude of items, including salads, burgers, subs, just to name a few.

Uptown Cafe

Looking for a more upscale dining option here in Bloomington? Uptown Cafe is a very nice option. This is a Creole-Cajun restaurant, but if that is not your style, you can still find some traditional American cuisine on the menu.

Hartzell’s Ice Cream

This list wouldn’t be complete without some sort of sweet treat. Hartzell’s Ice Cream sells a variety of ice cream treats including soft serve, ice cream sandwiches, shakes, floats, you name it, Hartzell’s most likely sells it. If you find yourself in Bloomington with a sweet tooth, highly recommend checking out Hartzell’s Ice Cream.

The Runcible Spoon

Everyone always wants to know about this restaurant’s funky name. Their name is not the only thing that is intriguing about them. The Runcible Spoon is one of the best brunch spots in Bloomington, where breakfast is serve all day, but don’t worry, if you are not feeling breakfast, there are yummy lunch and dinner options too.

Bloomington Bagel Company

Do you love a good bagel? If your answer to this question is “Yes,” then this is the perfect spot for you. Bloomington Bagel Company has established four bagel shops in Bloomington. There are a wide array of bagels and cream cheese spreads, or “schmears,” as this shop calls them, to indulge in. If you are feeling traditional, they make some of the best plain bagels in Bloomington, or if you are feeling adventurous, you can go all out and get a bagel sandwich with as many toppings as you would like.

Bloomington, Indiana is not just the home of IUB. There are a so many options to choose from when it comes to dining options, places to shop, and fun activities. Whether you are here to visit a friend or family member or you find yourself here for a little road trip, Bloomington has something to offer everyone.

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