r/BloomingtonNormal Sep 18 '19

Reposting of a lot of links and places to go/things to do in Bloomington-Normal

91 Upvotes

Updating a list from based off of a thread by /u/sunpoprain

Townies, please feel free to add your favorites below and I'll add them to the list, so when I repost for that sweet, sweet karma, I'll include them over and over again. Also, let me know if there is anything that needs to be taken off.

If you've got a student ID, you can ride the Connect Transit buses for free... so use them to explore town a bit!

  • Uptown Normal - from food, to bars, to shopping... uptown has quite a bit to do. here's their website
    • Throughout the summer, they have quite a bit of free music on the Roundabout and they continue it until Early September, so take advantage of it! - -- Lounge About the Roundabout (Music on Wednesday and Saturdays to Sept 1) and the Connie Link Amphitheatre (Music and Activities through Sept 27th)
    • Some of my favorites include:
      • The Rock for Gyros,
      • DP Dough for Calzones,
      • Emack's for Ice Cream,
      • Pub2 for cheese balls,
      • Windy City Wieners has decent dogs and italian beef,
      • Normal Theater for all sorts of movies - seriously, they have a great variety and their late shows are getting mighty good!
      • Smoker's Den is a nice chill place to smoke a hookah and play cards/board games.
      • Coffee Hound and Coffee House are both quiet places to grab coffee/study; Sugar Mama has cupcakes and sugar cookies. Insomnia Cookies is also downtown.
      • The Garlic Press has lots of kitschy items and now has a candy/popcorn shop!
      • There are lots of little boutique stores uptown that my wife loves to frequent... I can't speak for them personally, but they seem nice.
      • The Children's museum is a fun place (even for adults) and they occasionally have "Big Kid" nights so there aren't a million little kids about.
      • There is also Graham Cracker Comics,
      • Waiting Room Records ,
      • Anderson's Barbershop and
      • Mother Murphy's

  • Downtown Bloomington -
    • places to check out, Bobz Bay for used books and random odds and ends;
    • Red Raccoon Games for board games, RPGs and card tournaments;
    • again Smokers Den is a great place to relax;
    • the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts is a treasure and has plenty of shows to check out;
    • Next door to the BCPA is the Mclean County Arts Center -
    • the Grossinger Motors Arena and Pepsi Ice Center (formerly US Cellular Coliseum) has sports (football, basketball, hockey), Ice Skating and shows;
    • The Castle Theater has bands of all varieties;
    • a little off the beaten path is Green Top Grocery,
    • Bloomington Cycle is next to Green Top; Wilson Cycle is in Downtown proper.
    • Coffee Hound is really your only coffee option uptown;
    • Ivy Lane Bakery
    • Merlot and a Masterpiece will teach you to paint!
    • Refinery 309,
    • Fox and hound boutique,
    • gigi Botegga (while you're there, check out the art in the dressing rooms -- as long as it hasn't changed, it's a local artist that i'm near and dear to)
    • The Farmer's Market goes until October (I think), and its worth the Saturday morning trip
    • Tony's Tacos for your Mexican needs
    • Main St Scoop - Ice Cream
    • El Porton - for Mexican in downtown (technically not in downtown but really it's close enough, less than 5 minute walk)
    • Night Shop - Awesome little music venue - they've got breakfast! and has some great Gluten Free or Vegan options
  • Around town - I'm just going to start putting random stuff down, because I can, damnit.
    • Groceries - big box stories - Walmart (2 of them), Target, Hyvee, Meijer; slightly smaller - Jewel, Aldi, Schnucks, super small - Green Top Grocery, Fresh Thyme Farmer's Market
    • Restaurants - We have a metric f-ton of them in BloNo - We have a plenty of other non-chain establishments that I would HIGHLY recommend -
      • Flingers Pizza,
      • Kobe Hibachi grill,
      • Avanti's,
      • Green Gables and the Lake Road Inn,
      • Garden of Paradise,
      • Thai House,
      • Signature India,
      • Western Tap (great burgers),
      • Anju Above for sushi,
      • Fort Jesse Cafe. Amazing breakfast for an amazingly long wait (seriously set aside an extra 30 minutes)
    • Fusion Brew (Main and Dale) has (coffee/tea/bubble tea/slushies and has ample study space. Small parking lot though.
    • sports - There are plenty of intramural sports on campus, but there's also rec and competitive leagues all over town for softball, soccer, baseball - look them up on the city/town's parks and rec sites. We are also home to Upper Limits for rock climbing; we have 3 or 4 different disk golf courses; multiple golf courses; bowling at the pheasant lanes; lots of sand volleyball at Pheasant Lanes, Gill St, or the Wind Jammer; we also have dart and pool leagues as well.
    • Doughnuts - Grove St and Market St. bakeries are my favorite. Denny's Donuts is pretty tasty too. We also have Krispy Kreme and The Donut Experiment
    • Off the Beaten Path - if you like Nature, The ISU Horticulture Center is on Raab Rd. check it out. Also, the Constitution Trail is fantastic and can get you pretty much anywhere you want to go in town, its wonderful to walk or bike. Just North of Bloomington is Lake Bloomington and Comlara Park. South of Town is Funk's Grove and the Sugar Grove Nature Center. Radar Farms is also just north of town (off or Raab Rd) and is fun for an afternoon.
    • Non-Profits and ways to meet people - a tip from someone who has been through plenty in town - get involved, get active. meetup.com has plenty of spaces to meet people - there are LOTS of non-profits in town and they're all looking for help/volunteers. I'll go ahead and throw a plug in for the bnjaycees. **seriously** get involved involved in your community in whatever way you want or can.
    • Libraries -- You've got access to 3 libraries (4, if you count heartland community college's). The City/town's libraries come with a boatload of extra resources, like being able to rent movies, audio books, language courses, etc... and plenty of activies to do. and of course, they all have books.
  • A Note about cars - pay attention to where you are parking, the local tow companies are quick to tow you from unwanted lots or from downtown after around 7pm (not sure on that exact time). Bloomington Normal happens to be unique that they have Lots of police in the area - Bloomington PD and Normal PD are the most obvious. We are also home to ISU PD (which are State police), we also have the Mclean County Sheriff's department in town. So, pay attention to what you are doing and how fast you are going. All of them... and I mean ALL of them, love to give out DUI's - so do yourself a favor and don't drink and drive. We have plenty of cab services, we also have Uber and Lyft.... and again, I will mention Connect Transit. Also, In winter during blizzardy conditions, Town of Normal often issues parking bans for parked cars on the street until snow has been cleared. Jaywalking might get you a ticket, especially near the beginning of the semester
    • If you are looking for easy parking in downtown both parking garages (on Front st or Market st) are free to park on the weekends and after 6 pm. In Uptown the parking garage connected to Amtrak has free, anytime, one hour parking and is again free all weekend and after 6 pm on weekdays (you still have to take a ticket though).
  • Outdoors stuff:
    • Lake Bloomington
    • Evergreen Lake
    • Lake Clinton
    • Constitution trail
    • Refuge Food Forest
    • Sunnyside community Garden and food forest (haven't been, but the internets say its there)

The links I normally hit when I'm looking for stuff to do in around around town:

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--

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Graveyard of places that are no more since I started this list in 2017:

  • Fresh Market
  • Merry Ann's Diner for Breakfast foods,
  • Bonafide Thai~~~~
  • Babbitt's Books

r/BloomingtonNormal 6h ago

Mclean County Republican Auditor asked to resign by own party

56 Upvotes

This is freaking hilarious. This should have happened a LONG time ago, and the McLean County Board even tried to help this along by eliminating the position all together but the GOP was against that.

Now the GOP is saying they want the Auditor to resign, because she is incompetent (which she is, also looking at you Kathy Michael!!), but the GOP is also saying the Democrat board should have done something about this before now.

Well, well, well. I guess the GOP needs the Democrats to clean up the GOP’s mess, yet again. Sigh, NOW DO KATHY MICHAEL!!! Micheal is the most incompetent election commissioner ever, tons and tons of baggage. Connie Beard is a pathetic waste of skin.

https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2026-08-31/mclean-county-gop-calls-for-republican-county-auditor-to-resign


r/BloomingtonNormal 11h ago

Amtrak to Chicago

27 Upvotes

Hello! I’m moving from Nashville to Normal and I’m wondering how safe the Amtrak is. Is it realistic to take the train into Chicago or is that a bad idea?


r/BloomingtonNormal 3h ago

Local jobs where I can utilize my Class A CDL (unrestricted)?

2 Upvotes

I’m 18 and this past May I graduated high school and I got my CDL through the Nussbaum/Heartland/BCA joint partnership. Im wondering if anyone has any insight into jobs where I can utilize my CDL that are local to Blono and the surrounding towns. I can’t cross state lines until I’m 21 unfortunately. Thanks!


r/BloomingtonNormal 1d ago

The $400 million dispute: Why Rivian thinks its Normal properties are overvalued and overtaxed

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27 Upvotes

r/BloomingtonNormal 1d ago

Bloomington-Normal not immune from journalism and media cuts

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26 Upvotes

r/BloomingtonNormal 1d ago

LaHood is a Liar

79 Upvotes

I got a call from a number I didn’t know, Saturday night. Not sure what made me pick up, but I’m glad I did!

At first I thought it was a non-partisan survey but later realized that it was actually a “push poll” that LaHood had hired. Towards the end, the “questions” were very slanted in LaHood’s favor and the last “questions” contained outright lies about Paul Nolley.

Among the Nolley comments stated were that he wanted to raid senior’s savings, was not a friend of Israel and even suggested he would be using tax payer’s money to mutilate children.

I was disgusted by the end. However, each time I answered that I was strongly in favor of Paul Nolley. I apologized to the gal who was hired, for her being put in that position! She had a hard time understanding and speaking English, so I’m pretty sure LaHood didn’t even use a U.S. calling service 😳


r/BloomingtonNormal 1d ago

Punk/metal/hardcore scene around here?

19 Upvotes

Especially as of lately, I feel like there’s a lack of good local music (for my own taste) Although, I may not be looking in the right places. Just want some recommendations and to go to more local live bands!


r/BloomingtonNormal 1d ago

Freelance job: bringer of logs

2 Upvotes

Posting for a friend; I’ll get you their number.

Hi! I am hoping to add a nice big downed tree log to my front yard in Normal. I will use it for habitat for animals. With all the downed trees, I’m hoping someone would be able to bring one to me—I have seen many posted on FB marketplace for free and on the side of the curb, but it’s a little much for me to lift.

Specs requested: trunk (not a limb), at least 18 inches in diameter, and 4ish feet long. You must be able to move it into my yard approximately 10 feet from the street. Not beech (allergy). If you find some extra smaller trunk pieces that a kid could use to play on (very wide, but under 2 feet long), I would pay more.

If you have a truck, time, and a strong friend, hit me up!

Pay: negotiable, enough to cover gas and your labor.


r/BloomingtonNormal 1d ago

Amish market near town

0 Upvotes

Hi, I just stumble upon a TikTok video about Amish market that sells fresh produce, bbq chicken and ribs, etc. Is anyone know where or there is any Amish market nearby our town? I am just curious about it. Thank you in advance.


r/BloomingtonNormal 2d ago

Tumbling or some type of active class for an almost 2 year old

9 Upvotes

Are there any places in town that offer something like that for a 2 year old? All I've seen are three and up. He likes to climb and jump and so we thought tumbling would be good for him, any suggestions would be appreciated. TIA


r/BloomingtonNormal 2d ago

Are you more likely to go to Pop-Up Chicken with the new owner?

8 Upvotes

My Wife and I boycotted them while Aaron was owner. We love the restaurant and would like to eat there again but unsure who the new owner is.


r/BloomingtonNormal 1d ago

Lgbtq friendly renting in blono?

0 Upvotes

New to area currently looking for a rental home/condo/townhome but the choices are slim for my teacher budget. Does anyone know the deets on young american? Tbh it sounds like it is associated with Christian nationalism and/or turning points. I’m nonbinary and visibly queer so my first guess is to completely avoid their rentals??? Anyone rent from them or have info to share?


r/BloomingtonNormal 2d ago

Tattoo artists

2 Upvotes

Who are the best priced tattoo artists around here? Looking at a 9 word quote on the inner forearm. Just want to see what’s out there artists and pricing wise!


r/BloomingtonNormal 2d ago

Event Free Live Painting Arts Festival on 9/12!

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11 Upvotes

Strong Towns Blono is hosting a free to attend live painting arts festival on Saturday, September 12th from 10 am to 4 pm at Normandy Village in Normal!

We will have Bay Area Mexicana food truck present, as well as music!

Professional artists who will be painting their sidewalk squares will also be vending prints, stickers, and other merch!

If you want to participate in the live painting, registration is $20 for the whole group. You get: one sidewalk square to paint on, brushes and supplies, paint, and a tote bag. Register to paint here: LINK

Facebook event page: LINK

VisitBN event page: LINK


r/BloomingtonNormal 3d ago

Looking for a new ob-gyn specializing in endometriosis surgery

14 Upvotes

Hi everyone! My ob-gyn was in Peoria and their office is closing. Does anyone have one they recommend here who specializes in endo/minimally invasive surgery?


r/BloomingtonNormal 3d ago

Event Community Naloxone (Narcan) Training with McLean County Recovery Oriented Systems of Care

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15 Upvotes

Event starts at 6:30 @ UUBN, doors open at 6:15 and you can stick around a bit after to talk to community organization/non-profit tables and talk to each other.

Join us for a free community naloxone administration training designed to help prevent opioid overdose deaths and build a safer, healthier community. Participants will learn how to recognize and respond to an overdose, administer naloxone (Narcan®,Padagis®), and connect individuals and families with local recovery resources and supports. Harm reduction saves lives. Through practical strategies such as overdose education, carrying naloxone, using fentanyl test strips, safe medication disposal, and connecting people to support services, we can reduce the risks associated with substance use and create more opportunities for recovery. Every life saved is another chance for treatment, healing, and hope. Participants will learn:

– The basics of opioids, fentanyl, and overdose risk factors.

– How to recognize the signs of an opioid overdose.

– The six-step overdose response plan.

– How to safely administer naloxone.

– Illinois Good Samaritan Law protections

– Local recovery, treatment, and support resources in McLean County.


r/BloomingtonNormal 3d ago

Fresh roasted whole coffee beans

12 Upvotes

Are there any establishments in town that sell bags of fresh roasted coffee beans that are good? I see some in Champaign and Peoria but nothing in town.


r/BloomingtonNormal 3d ago

Moving to BloNo

6 Upvotes

Where's the best places to look for a job?


r/BloomingtonNormal 4d ago

Good sandwiches around town

21 Upvotes

Heyo just recently moved here from Mass, just wondering if there's any local places around to get a good sub (not Jimmy John's, Subway, etc.)? Know it's a random question for this forum but google isn't giving me any help on this. Lotta good restaurants around here I've been to already but will appreciate any recommendations.


r/BloomingtonNormal 4d ago

Is FedEx extra terrible in BloNo?

15 Upvotes

I don’t seem to have any major issues with any other delivery company. Issues seem to consistently be with FedEx. Are any of you noticing the same thing?


r/BloomingtonNormal 4d ago

Who’s hiring college students right now?

7 Upvotes

I work with college students and have been tasked with putting together some current job openings for them to check out. Does anyone know of any places that are hiring right now that I could pass along?


r/BloomingtonNormal 4d ago

Any good places to buy office chairs?

5 Upvotes

I'm about to move into town and I was wondering if there was any good places in town/nearby where I could find a good office chair since I prefer to try them out in person before buying them


r/BloomingtonNormal 3d ago

Local businesses that allow small businesses to leave business cards? 👀

0 Upvotes

Anybody know of any local businesses around Bloomington-Normal that let small/new businesses leave business cards? 👀
I recently started my own mobile detailing business and I’m trying to get my cards out into the community. Looking for places with community boards, card holders, or anywhere that’s cool with local businesses leaving a few cards.
Drop some recommendations if you know of any! 🙏🏾


r/BloomingtonNormal 4d ago

No power east of McDonald’s by the Flat?

4 Upvotes

What happened? Drove past the area….