12 Things to do in Bloomington, Indiana with Your Family

Recently we had the pleasure of spending a week in Bloomington, Indiana. I had never actually really spent time in the state of Indiana before, we’ve just passed through a couple of times on our way across the country. We were all really looking forward to exploring the ins and outs of this cute and artsy college town.

Bloomington, Indiana is home to the Indiana University (Go Hoosiers!) but it’s so much more than that. You can really tell that the residents take pride in their town’s history and culture. There are hidden gems and surprises around every corner and although the town is famous for its large university, it is very family-friendly, even to the point of including families in breweries. 

So after spending a very joyous week in Bloomington, Indiana here are our top picks of fun things to do with your family.

Go Camping

Ok, not just regular camping but make it an experience and stay at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Resort at Lake Monroe, just 20 minutes outside of town. It might be one of our favorite campgrounds we have stayed at. There are activities all day for kids and families (hello foam party- that’s one we haven’t seen before), for the early rising kiddos they have a flag raising in the morning where they can recite the pledge of allegiance with Yogi Bear and do morning stretches. Plus, the huge splash ground in the hot and humid summer heat was a huge hit with the kids. If you don’t have an RV or prefer not to tent camp no worries, there are many comfortable cabins for families to rent.

Eat Pancakes As Big As Your Head

I promise you, you do not want to miss out on breakfast or lunch at the Village Deli. My kids were delighted to order pancakes for lunch and to their surprise, it’s not a stack of pancakes- it’s one giant, super fluffy pancake. For an extra treat, we ordered them with chocolate chips and they were gobbled down in no time.

Visit a WaterFall

A little nature does everyone some good. Leonard Spring Nature Park is a great way to infuse a little green into your visit. The best part is, that the hike to the falls is quick and won’t take up your whole day. It’s a perfect mix in for any day to get your family outside for a bit. You can take the mile loop around that goes through trees and has viewing areas along the way and ends at a pretty little waterfall, or take the shortcut straight down to the waterfall. Either way, it is a fun time and the falls are pretty. I highly recommend bringing bug spray and advising children to stay on the path to avoid tall grass and potential ticks.

Bike The B Line Trail

If you want a fun way to see a lot of the city, then pack your bikes (or your walking shoes) and take a stroll or ride along the B-Line Trail. We loved seeing the variety of public art along the path and enjoyed looking at all of the beautiful old buildings Bloomington has around town.

Have Fun With Science at the WonderLab 

We have spent quite a bit of time at Children’s museums and Science museums over the years of family travel, but I will say that every single family member had a blast at the WonderLab. It’s perfect for kids and the kids at heart. The WonderLab makes science fun and brings it to life. I love that there are areas for toddlers and bigger kids, things to climb all over and everything is just good hands-on fun. I also love that it’s not too giant or overwhelming so you really feel like you can enjoy the various projects without feeling pressed for time. My favorite was definitely all the bubble play.

Stop by for a drink and a juice box

We don’t personally drink alcohol but we know a lot of families enjoy the opportunity to get a drink and bring their kids along in a family-friendly environment. Switchyard is a brewery that is pet-friendly and kid-friendly. They offer juice boxes and snacks such as cookies and chips that appeal to the younger ones. They even have board games such as Chutes and Ladders and Where’s Waldo to bring to the tables. It was the perfect stop on a hot day to get out of the heat and enjoy a cold beverage. They also do Parents and Pints once a month on Sunday where they turn the board room into a kid-friendly zone with toys and activities.

Cool off with a locals favorite ice cream spot

Hartzell’s Ice cream is an institution in Bloomington and the perfect place to stop in and get a treat. There are lots of delicious mixins and scoop options. The kids loved getting to choose their favorite flavors and toppings and of course, eating their giant scoop of ice cream. 

Enjoy a concert in the park

In the summertime, there are weekly free outdoor concerts in the peoples park in the heart of downtown Bloomington. It’s actually located right across the street from Hartzell’s Ice Cream so we let the kids get a cone and walked across the street and enjoyed the shade and live music. 

Grab A Slice

If you come to Bloomington it’s pretty well known that you need to stop by Mother Bear’s pizza. It’s a University favorite and one that students and alumni love to come back “home” to. We may not be alumni or current students but we all agreed it was some of the best pizza we have had in a long time and the atmosphere has a fun hometown feeling. Bring a sharpie to sign the wall and leave your mark.

Walk around downtown 

There is just something so special about strolling around the downtown areas of smaller midwest towns. They have an old-time feel yet they are vibrant and full of life. Bloomington does an excellent job of maintaining it’s historical downtown culture yet infusing it with new life. There are breweries, cafes, restaurants, charming shops and rich architecture and artwork. It’s worth dedicating some time to walk around and go where your heart takes you.

Eat at Upland Brewery

Whether you are looking for a good spot for dinner or a long lunch we highly recommend you include Upland Brewery to your list. The food is top-notch and the atmosphere can’t be beaten. It’s very family-friendly and we loved the kid’s menu options. There were the typical choices but there were also other options you don’t typically find on kids menus like fish and chips and hamburgers that looked as delicious as the adult versions. If it’s nice outside, the patio is a fun spot for families. It’s also fun for kids to get to see a working brewery even though they are not of age to drink.

What are some of your favorite things to do and see in Bloomington, Indiana?

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We were hosted by Bloomington, Indiana for our visit. All opinions are our own.