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Outdoor Adventures in Bloomington

Bring your boat or rent one for days of fun. Whether you’re up for quiet times with a fishing pole or want to try your hardest to knock someone off a tube, you’ll find the lake just for you. You might also bring your clubs for a round at IU’s Pfau Course and pack your hiking shoes for the great nature parks.

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Boating, Fishing and Swimming

The Bloomington area is known for water fun. Monroe Lake is the largest one situated in Indiana, giving you plenty of room to find a quiet fishing cove or to make tons of waves. There’s a swimming beach on the west side of Monroe Lake at Fairfax State Recreation Area, also home to Fourwinds Lakeside Inn & Marina. Lake Lemon features 25 miles of shoreline and is one of Indiana’s most popular and productive fishing spots — check out the Little Africa Wildlife Viewing Area while you’re there. You can rent a kayak, canoe or paddleboard at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve, where there are hiking trails winding through the wooded ridges and ravines around the lake.

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Non-Water Outdoor Rec, Too

There are all kinds of reasons to get outdoors around Bloomington. Hoosier National Forest, covering 203,000 acres of land spreading across nine counties, is prime for camping, hiking, biking, horseback riding and birding in the lush forest. Tackle five miles of rolling single-track trails at Wapehani Mountain Bike Park. Leonard Springs Nature Preserve has caves, steep forested slopes and a wetlands area, great for bird watching. If greens and fairways are your idea of a day in nature, book a tee time at IU’s Pfau Course, designed by Steve Smyers and two-time major winner and Hoosier native Fuzzy Zoeller.

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Lift Your Spirits (Or Wine)

Cap off a day of outdoor fun by tasting the local wines and spirits. Indiana’s winery roots are at Oliver Winery, where they offer daily tasting of their fruit-forward wines, free weekend tours, picnic grounds and a gift shop. There’s even live music throughout the summer. Cardinal Spirits is a craft distillery, cocktail bar and kitchen rolled into one. Learn how they craft whiskey, vodka and gin during a tour and try their seasonal, shareable food made with local ingredients.

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Eat Like a Local

College towns have the best eats, right? Nick’s English Hut has been a go-to for over 80 years, offering market-driven American eats in their bi-level bar and restaurant. Try a Reuben, muffaletta or a grilled sub at Bloomington Sandwich Co. IU alums and everyone else have loved Mother Bear’s Pizza since it opened in 1973. No wonder it’s on everyone’s list of must-go places in Bloomington.

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See What People Are Doing Around Bloomington

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COVID-19 NOTICE: Indiana has entered the last stages of being back on track, but attractions, lodging, and food & drink destinations are opening back up at rates most conducive to the safety of their guests. Check the websites of the destinations you’re interested in visiting for their most up-to-date information. Please use personal discretion and follow the Indiana State Department of Health for COVID-19 related updates.

About this Road Trip

Boating, Fishing and Swimming

Non-Water Outdoor Rec, Too

Lift Your Spirits (Or Wine)

Eat Like a Local

Map Out Your Road Trip

Oliver Winery

Monroe Lake

Hoosier National Forest - Brownstown Ranger District

Trevlac Bluffs Nature Preserve

Lake Lemon

Leonard Springs Nature Park

Griffy Lake Nature Preserve

Wapehani Mountain Bike Park

Little Africa Wildlife Viewing Area

Fairfax State Recreation Area

The Pfau Course at Indiana University

Lake Monroe Village

Fourwinds Lakeside Inn & Marina

Candlewood Suites

Camping in Bloomington

Cardinal Spirits

Bloomington Sandwich

Nick's English Hut

Things To Do