Back Monroe County (www.visitbloomington.com) Restaurants Lodging Bloomington The home of Indiana University and Lake Monroe, Bloomington was named one of the "Top 50 Adventure Towns" by National Geographic Adventure Magazine. Its collection of eclectic restaurants and cafes makes Bloomington the nation’s "7th fastest-growing destination for culinary and wine enthusiasts" according to Orbitz Travel Research. From the world-renowned IU School of Music to the many art galleries sprinkled throughout town, Bloomington is truly an arts destination. Enjoy a variety of performances on the IU campus, including theatre, ballet, opera, and music, plus lots of non-university productions as well. Of course, Bloomington has plenty of popular culture as well, with several clubs offering live music, plenty of athletic events and lots of local festivals and special events. Indiana University www.indiana.edu 530 East Kirkwood Avenue, Suite 104 (Bloomington) 812-856-4648 Established in 1820 as the first state college west of the Allegheny Mountains, Indiana University has transformed over the years to a vibrant center of learning for students from all cultures and backgrounds. IU offers several nationally recognized programs for students of everything from music to medicine. Plus, IU offers a world of things to see and do for the casual visitor, including museums, performance venues, Big Ten athletics much more! Before you step onto campus, be sure to step into the Indiana University Visitor Information Center. Located in the Carmichael Center on the corner of Kirkwood and Indiana Avenues, the Visitor Information Center is the university's official front door. Here you can arrange a visit with the IU Office of Admissions, find maps and directions, get advice on hotels and dining, and obtain complete information about the IU campus and the Bloomington community. Information Center hours: Monday-Friday 9:30a-5:30p; Saturday 10a-4p; Sunday 12n-3p Lake Monroe Approx. 10 miles southeast of Bloomington Accessible from Highway 446 and Highway 37 812-837-9546 Lake Monroe is the state's largest inland lake. Built in 1965, there are 10,750 acres of water surface surrounded by several thousand acres of state and federally owned forest lands. Boating, fishing, water-skiing, and swimming are available in numerous locations. Camping is available at private, state and federal campsites or at nearby private campgrounds. Boat rental companies, bait shops and two resorts are located on the lake's shores. Several state recreation areas provide visitor information, nature centers and picnicking options. Oliver Winery www.oliverwinery.com 8024 North State Road 37 (Bloomington) 800-25-TASTE Indiana’s largest and oldest winery is located just north of Bloomington on State Road 37. Enjoy free tasting daily at their large tasting bar or picnic by the pond surrounded by beautifully landscaped grounds. Browse a wide selection of wine related gifts and accessories. Learn about the art of winemaking during a free weekend cellar tour. They also offer a delicious assortment of gourmet picnic foods. Hours: Mon-Sat 10a-6p, Sun 12p-6p; Tours every half hour: Fri-Sat 12p-4:30p; Sun 1p-4:30p. Lake Monroe Boat Rental www.lakemonroeboatrental.com Inside Paynetown State Recreation Area 6 miles south of East 3rd Street (Bloomington) 812-837-9909 Lake Monroe Boat Rental offers a wide variety of boats for rent, including: Double-Decker Party Boats, Pontoon Boats, Yamaha WaveRunners, Ski Boats, Fishing Boats, Canoes, Kayaks, Paddleboat, and Water Sport Accessories. Open three seasons, from April to November. Lake Monroe Boat Rental is always ready for your boating adventure, whether it's an early spring fishing trip, family summer vacation or fall cruise to view the stunning foliage. Conveniently located in the Paynetown General Store where you will find groceries, camping gear and delicious snacks. Fourwinds Resort & Marina www.fourwindsresort.com 9301 Fairfax Road (Bloomington) 812-824-BOAT (2628) Indiana’s complete boating center offering a wide variety of ways to enjoy Lake Monroe. Rent a boat - everything from kayaks to family pontoons to personal watercraft units. A private beach, docking for your boat, floating convenience store, indoor/outdoor pool, restaurant, bar and other resort amenities are available. Reservations are recommended and can be made online. Wapehani Mountain Bike Park Off Weimer Road, between 2nd St. & Tapp Rd. (Bloomington) 812-349-3700 Thirty-four acres (approximately nine miles) of rolling single-track trails for mountain bike use and hiking. Riders must wear helmets and sign liability waivers before riding. Hoosier National Forest Just off Highway 446 on east side of road (Bloomington) 812-275-2987 This 200,000-acre National Forest encompasses nine counties in South-Central Indiana. There are over 230 miles of hiking, horseback and mountain biking trails in the Forest. Hunting, nature study, camping picnicking and scenic drives are all popular activities. Trails vary in difficulty and length. Campgrounds are located adjacent to large lakes and in conjunction with some of the trail systems. Five private horse camps are located adjacent to the forest. Vencel Hot Air Balloons www.tjvballoons.com 1115 North College Avenue (Bloomington) 812-331-0157 Oldest-running balloon company in area. One of the safest forms of flying to date. Flights run year-round. Reservations required at least two weeks in advance. No parties larger than four people per flight. Call for pricing. Lee Norvelle Theatre and Drama Center www.indiana.edu/~thtr 275 North Jordan Avenue (Bloomington) Indiana University theatre students present "The America Play" March 27, 28, 31-April 4 and "Oklahoma!" April 17, 18, 21-25. Summer Garden Walk Bloomington Held each year in June. Tour five residential gardens selected to represent the many aspects of gardening. Featured gardens change from year to year. Dillman Farm www.dillmanfarm.com 4955 West State Road 45 (Bloomington) 800-359-1362 All-natural fruit butters, preserves, jellies, salsas, mustards, BBQ sauces and fudge available for purchase. Tours available to view processing and products. Buskirk-Chumley Theater www.buskirkchumley.org 114 East Kirkwood Avenue (Bloomington) 812-323-3020 Listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Showcases regional and national acts throughout the year. Lake Lemon Marina www.lakelemonmarina.com North Shore of Lake Lemon 9554 E. Northshore Drive (Unionville) 812-988-9400 The Lake Lemon Marina offers daylight boat launching, wet and dry slips available seasonally, 24 hour fuel sales and an onsite convenience store with beer and wine sales, watersports equipment and laundry facilities. Dining Crazy Horse www.crazyhorseindiana.com 214 W. Kirkwood Avenue (Bloomington) 812-336-8877 Featuring a great wooden bar with a selection of micro-brews.. The menu is big: lots of salads, sandwiches and specials. The manager loves spicy food, so there's always something on the menu for the strong at heart. Grab a table on the front patio and you're set for the night. Appetizers are great - try the spinach artichoke dip or the ultimate nachos - there is plenty to share. If you're really hungry, go for the full dinner items featuring salads, veggies and the main course. Voted Bloomington's Best Bar selection with 175 spirits and over 80 beers. FARM Bloomington www.farm-bloomington.com 108 East Kirkwood Avenue 812-323-0002 Located in the historic Odd Fellows Building on Kirkwood Avenue, FARM Bloomington is one of the area’s newest dining options. You’ll find lunch, brunch and dinner proudly created with local and regional ingredients. Grab casual, homemade cuisine to go at FARM market, or swing by the FARM ride-by window if you’re in a hurry. The FARM bar offers drinks, small plates of Hoosier tapas and more and you don’t want to miss the Root Cellar music venue downstairs, presenting beer and bourbon along with blues and bluegrass. Janko’s Little Zagreb www.littlezagreb.com 223 West 6th Street (Bloomington) 812-332-0694 If you love steak, this is the place for you. A favorite hangout of several Indiana University sports teams, the food here is plentiful. As you enter, you can't help but smell the grilling of meat, barbecue ribs and chicken. Yugoslavian specialties and a complete wine list add to this unique restaurant where groups are welcome. Grazie! www.grazieitalianeatery.com 108 West 6th Street 812-323-0303 Boasting an award-winning menu, an impressive Italian wine list, a gorgeous martini lounge featuring local jazz pianists and trios, Grazie! has earned its reputation as one of the best nights out that Bloomington has to offer. The martini lounge at Grazie! is the perfect venue for a cocktail before dinner or to end the evening with a night cap. Lennie’s Restaurant & Brew Pub www.lennies.bloomington.com 1795 East 10th Street (Bloomington) 812-323-2112Nestled on 10th Street across from the beautiful Indiana University campus, Lennie’s has been serving unique offerings for more than 15 years. Widely known for it’s award-winning chef, delicious food and hand-crafted ales, Lennie’s has become a favorite among locals, students, faculty and visiting dignitary. Nick’s English Hut www.nicksenglishhut.com 423 East Kirkwood Avenue (Bloomington) 812-332-4040 This establishment is an IU tradition beyond all others! Open since 1927, the building has a historical character much like the taverns of that day. Walk in the door and you'll find booths lining the walls, tables for groups in the back room and the "hump" room upstairs, perfect for larger groups. The menu offers a variety of sandwiches and burgers, pizza and stoms. They have specialty dinners including steak, chicken and pizza. Order a pound of beer and watch one of their 20 flat screen TVs in the newly remodeled Hoosier Room, featuring one of the largest bars in Bloomington. Scholars Inn Bakehouse www.scholarsinn.com 125 North College Avenue (Bloomington) 812-331-6029 This is the original gourmet Bakehouse, located in the heart of downtown Bloomington and featuring a wide variety of breads, pastries, sandwiches, salads, New York kettle-boiled bagels and specialty items. Watch the award-winning artisan-style breads being baked daily in the European hearth-stone oven. And if it's desserts you like, freshly baked pastries will send your taste buds soaring. Cookies, tarts, cakes and pies make the perfect afternoon treat as you sip from a list of wines and coffees. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Trojan Horse www.thetrojanhorse.com 100 East Kirkwood Avenue (Bloomington) 812-332-1101 The Trojan Horse Restaurant and Tavern has been a cornerstone of Bloomington since 1978. Almost as famous as the gyros and falafels is the view for the passers-by of the lamb and beef being carved on the spit. The "public view" kitchen was designed to give the same feel as the traditional Greek sandwich shops in Chicago, but The Trojan Horse still maintains Bloomington's small town, courthouse square atmosphere. Stop in for all your Greek and American favorites. Uptown Café www.the-uptown.com 102 East Kirkwood Avenue (Bloomington) 812-339-0900 Dishing out "Creole Attitude" since 1976, this New Orleans-styled eatery is renowned for big steaks, fresh seafood, Cajun gumbos, Etouffee and Barbequed Shrimp. Extravagant breakfasts feature their famous Cottage Cheese Pancakes, Eggs Benedict, Tchoupitoulas Hash and Eggs Sadou. Jazz and Soul music transport you to Bourbon Street: the Pub is fun and intimate. Serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch: a private room accomodates up to 50 guests. Restaurant Tallent www.restauranttallent.com 208 North Walnut (Bloomington) 812-330-9801 Restaurant Tallent is a unique culinary experience combining fresh, local organic ingredients, specialty wines and superior service. The combination of Old World culinary methods and Midwestern produce and meats results in a distinctly Indiana cuisine. Visit their web site for the current seasonal menu. Accommodations: Grant Street Inn www.grantstinn.com 310 North Grant Street 812-334-2353 A Summerhouse Inn www.asummerhouseinn.com 4501 East 3rd Street 812-332-2141 Wampler House Bed & Breakfast www.wamplerhouse.com 4905 South Rogers Street 812-824-2446 Scholar’s Inn www.scholarsinn.com 801 College Avenue 812-332-1892 Southern Comfort Bed & Breakfast www.southercomfortbandb.com 6056 East State Road 46 812-339-4344