Discover 15 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Bloomington (United States). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: McLean County Museum of History, Grossinger Motors Arena, and Miller Park. Also, be sure to include David Davis Mansion in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Bloomington (Illinois).
Table of Contents
McLean County Museum of History
Museum in Bloomington, Illinois. The McLean County Museum of History is an AAM accredited institution located in Bloomington, Illinois. It is the principal asset of the McLean County Historical Society, an Illinois nonprofit organization, which was founded in 1892 to study local history. The museum moved into its current location in 1991.[1]
Address: 200 N Main St, 61701-3912 Bloomington-Normal
Grossinger Motors Arena
Arena in Bloomington, Illinois. Grossinger Motors Arena is an arena in downtown Bloomington, Illinois. It is on the southwest corner of Madison Street and Front Street. The arena opened to the public on April 1, 2006.[2]
Address: 101 S Madison St, 61701-5000 Bloomington-Normal
Miller Park
Park in Bloomington, Illinois. Miller Park is a public park in Bloomington, Illinois, United States. It is in the southwest part of the city, on a large block south of Wood Street and east of Morris Avenue.
The park features a pavilion, an artificial lake, a zoo, softball fields, two war memorials, and a preserved steam locomotive, its tender (rail) and a caboose from the Nickel Plate Road which formerly served the area. The park also includes a mini golf course, sand volleyball courts and a playground.
During the warm weather of summer an outdoor theater provides productions for local people. On July 4 the park hosts a fireworks display which is launched over the lake.[3]
David Davis Mansion
Museum in Bloomington, Illinois. The David Davis Mansion, also known as Clover Lawn, is a Victorian home in Bloomington, Illinois that was the residence of David Davis, Supreme Court justice and Senator from Illinois. The mansion has been a state museum since 1960. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1975. In celebration of the 2018 Illinois Bicentennial, David Davis Mansion was selected as one of the Illinois 200 Great Places by the American Institute of Architects Illinois component.
Set in a residential neighborhood on Bloomington's near-south-side, the three-story yellow brick mansion comprises 36 rooms in an Italianate villa style. The mansion's lot includes an 1872 wood house, a barn and stable, privies, a foaling shed, carriage barn, and a flower and ornamental cutting garden. "Sarah's Garden", the Victorian cut flower garden, with original heirloom roses and perennials began restoration in 2001.[4]
Address: 1000 Monroe Dr, 61701-3333 Bloomington-Normal
Constitution Trail
The Constitution Trail is a multi-use rail trail located in Illinois. It occupies an abandoned Illinois Central Gulf Railroad corridor that runs through the 'Twin Cities' of Bloomington and Normal in McLean County, Illinois.
The trail, which is owned by the municipalities of Bloomington and Normal, is used by bikers, inline skaters, walkers, runners and skiers, and covers approximately 37 mi (60 km). of former railways. It features the Camelback Bridge in Normal, a site on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Its official opening was May 6, 1989. In 2000, the trail was officially named a "Millennium Trail" by the White House Millennium Council.[5]
Merlot and a Masterpiece
Classes and workshops, Museum
Address: 412 N Main St, 61701 Bloomington-Normal
Prairie Aviation Museum
Specialty museum, Museum
Address: 2929 E Empire St, 61704-5452 Bloomington-Normal
Herb Eaton Studio and Gallery
Art gallery, Museum, Shopping
Address: 411 N Center St, 61701-3910 Bloomington-Normal
Ames Library
Cafe, Library
Address: Ames Pl. E, 61701 Bloomington
Franklin Square
Historical landmark in Bloomington, Illinois. Franklin Square, or Franklin Park is located in Bloomington, Illinois, McLean County. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Franklin Square contains the homes of former Vice President Adlai Stevenson I and former Governor Joseph W. Fifer. In 1979 the square was designated as a local historic district. Located northeast of downtown Bloomington, the square encompasses the 300 and 400 blocks of E. Chestnut and E. Walnut streets and the 900 block of N. Prairie and N. McLean streets.[6]
McLean County Courthouse and Square
Courthouse. The McLean County Courthouse and Square is located in downtown Bloomington, Illinois. The site is on the National Register of Historic Places and encompasses the old McLean County Courthouse and the courthouse-facing sides of three downtown blocks. All 4 floors of the building are now occupied by the McLean County Museum of History for exhibits, collections storage, and offices. The historic buildings at the other side of the square were destroyed by fire in the 1980s. The Square is bordered by four Bloomington streets: Main Street, Center Street, Jefferson Street and Washington Street. The site was home to three previous courthouses before the current one was completed in 1903. The first courthouse at the site was built in 1831, and the second in 1836. The third was built in 1868, but suffered major damage from fire on June 19, 1900.[7]
State Farm Downtown Building
The State Farm Downtown Building, variously known as the State Farm Insurance Building or the State Farm Fire Building, is an Art Deco building in downtown Bloomington, Illinois. It served as the corporate headquarters for State Farm Insurance from its construction until 1974.[8]
Holy Trinity Church Rectory and Convent
Building. The Holy Trinity Church Rectory and Convent in Bloomington, Illinois, USA, has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1983. The Rectory and Convent Building is situated behind the art deco church on the site of the 1869 Holy Trinity Church, which was destroyed by a tornado before it was completed. A fire obliterated the church in 1932, but the church was financed, and recovery was quick. The finished Art-Deco building was completed in 1933 and opened in 1934. It still stands today.
The church's pipe organ was the last large instrument manufactured by the Hinners Organ Company of Pekin, Illinois (opus 3074, built in 1934). The resulting instrument served until 1989, when the Rodgers Organ Company replaced it with a three-manual hybrid instrument with 8 ranks of new pipes[9]
Scott–Vrooman House
Bed & breakfast in Bloomington, Illinois. The Scott–Vrooman House is a historic home in Bloomington, Illinois. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. It was the site of speeches from Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas.[10]
Pepsi Ice Center
Sport complex
Address: 201 S Roosevelt Ave, 61701-5784 Bloomington-Normal