How to Spend 1 Day in Bloomington, Indiana
Looking to spend a fun-filled day in Bloomington, Indiana? Make the most out of your 24 hours in this charming college town with this Bloomington 1 day itinerary.
From creating your own blown glass creation to making custom cookies at a local bakery to relaxing at Indiana’s largest winery, there’s plenty to do in Bloomington! Spend the perfect 1 day in Bloomington, Indiana with this itinerary.
1 Day in Bloomington Itinerary
Breakfast at The Village Deli
The Village Deli is a bustling diner that is a go-to Bloomington spot for breakfast and brunch. Start your day off with their all-day breakfast menu full of farm fresh eggs, giant pancakes, breakfast burritos, and more.
I recommend the Breakfast on a Bagel with Ham.
Get crafty at Bloomington Creative Glass Center
Bloomington Creative Glass Center offers glassblowing and glass fusing classes where you can make your own glass creations.
We did the Kilnwork/Fusing class where we made creations like picture frames, coasters, or bowls. I went for the picture frame.
Glass fusion is pretty simple: you just place small shards of glass on a larger piece (like a picture frame) in a design you want, and then the lovely people of BCGC will put it in the kiln for you to fuse the glass together.
At the end, you’ll get your one-of-a-kind creation that you can pick up later or have shipped to you.
Explore Downtown Bloomington
Downtown Bloomington is the heart of the city. There are so many different shops, restaurants, galleries, and art installations to enjoy.
See historic sites like the Monroe County Courthouse, Fountain Square, and the Buskirk-Chumley Theater.
Experience the arts and culture of Downtown by visiting galleries and local handmade shops. I was particularly drawn to The Library Bears, a public art installation of three bears made from Indiana limestone that sit in the Monroe County Library Plaza.
Lunch at Taste of India
Taste of India serves mainly Northern Indian cuisine, but it also serves Southern Indian cuisine and is the only place you’ll find this Southern cuisine in Bloomington.
I recommend the Lamb Tikka Masala and the Garlic Naan.
Dessert at Baked!
Stop by Baked! of Bloomington for a dessert of custom cookies. You get your choice of cookie dough, mid-ins, and toppings for the perfect cookie creation baked from scratch.
If you don’t want to create a cookie yourself, you can also pick from their “orphans” of pre-made cookies.
Relax at Oliver Winery & Vineyards
Oliver Winery & Vineyards is a beautiful winery set in a landscaped garden with a tasting room, patio seating, and a hillside picnic area. This is the oldest and largest winery in Indiana.
You can reserve a tasting or a picnic table, do a wine flight, take a tour of the winery, or just spend the afternoon with friends and a bottle.
We got a few bottles, reserved a picnic table, brought along some snacks, and had a great afternoon at the winery. Some of my favorite wines were their Blueberry Moscato, Peach Pie, and Apple Pie.
Play games at LaserLite
LaserLite is a laser tag and arcade that’s a fun way to spend an evening. They’re the only laser tag facility in Bloomington and one of the largest arcades in the area.
They have a laser tag course and arcade games like Fruit Ninja and Skee-ball.
Dinner at Riviera Maya Bloomington
Riviera Maya Bloomington is a Mexican restaurant serving up your Tex-Mex favorites from taco salads to burritos to fajitas.
I recommend a Mojito (as usual) and the Chimichangas.
24 Hours in Bloomington Map
Ready to spend a day in Bloomington, Indiana? Use the map below to plan out your trip!
I hope you have an amazing time exploring all Bloomington has to offer!
Where to Stay in Bloomington
Find the perfect place to rest your head on your trip to Bloomington, Indiana.
- Where I Stayed: The Goat Conspiracy Cabin
- Top Hotel: Springhill Suites by Marriott Bloomington
- Great Value: La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Bloomington
- Unique Stay: Fourwinds Lakeside Inn & Marina
More Indiana Itineraries
Looking for more things to do in Indiana? Check out these top posts:
- Things to Do in French Lick, Indiana: Weekend Guide
- 17 Best Things to Do in Evansville, Indiana
- 14 Best Restaurants in Evansville, Indiana
Ready to visit Bloomington, Indiana? Plan your trip with these tips.
- Book Your Flight: Find the cheapest flights using Skyscanner, my favorite flight search engine.
- Find Accommodation: You can find top hotels in Bloomington using Booking.com.
- Start Packing: Check out my packing list resources so you’re prepared for your trip.
Cheers!
Paige
When are you planning to spend 1 day in Bloomington, Indiana? Let me know in the comments!
