Mother Road in Bloomington-Normal
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BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL AREA OFFICIAL VISITOR GUIDE Hit the What’s New Mother Places and eateries p. 2 Worth the Trip Road Nearby attractions p. 24 p. 22 RT 66 RUNS THROUGH BN Welcome to BN! We are pleased you are visiting our delightful communities. We have put together the most up-to-date information on our area in this Visitor Guide. This guide includes the activities and entertainment that will enhance your experience while visiting. We are highlighting new attractions, local eateries, our Uptown and Downtown shopping areas, Route 66 nostalgia, and the finest hotels in Central Illinois. The Bloomington-Normal area is a dynamic community home to more than 173,000 people. We are proud to have State Farm Insurance, COUNTRY Financial, Illinois State University, Illinois Wesleyan University, and Rivian Automotive as our major employers. If there is anything our office can do to make your visit more enjoyable, please do not hesitate to contact us. Best Regards, Crystal Howard, President/CEO, Bloomington-Normal Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Crystal Howard Tari Renner Chris Koos President/CEO BNACVB Mayor of Bloomington Mayor of Normal The Visitor Guide is published annually by the BNACVB and is distributed locally and nationally throughout Facebook.com/VisitBN the calendar year. For advertising information or questions about theVisitor Guide, please contact our office. Visit_BN The BNACVB has made every attempt to verify the information contained in this guide and assumes no liability for incorrect or outdated information. The BNACVB is a publicly funded organization and does not @VisitBN evaluate restaurants, attractions, or events listed in this guide with the exception of our Hotel Standards Program. All information herein is based on materials submitted directly from the organization or business Youtube.com/BNACVB entity or through telephone surveys. Pinterest.com/VisitBN Funding is provided in whole or in part by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Bloomington-Normal Area Convention & Visitors Bureau 3201 CIRA Drive, Suite 201, Bloomington, IL 61704 Front Cover Photo Credit: 309.665.0033 Phone, 309.661.0743 Fax, VisitBN.org Manuel Crispin/PhotoPalma ©2021 BNACVB. All Rights Reserved. FEBRUARY 2021—15K What’s inside What’s New 2 We’re Instagrammable 4 It’s Showtime 6 The Gallery Scene 10 Must-See Museums & History 12 Get Outdoors 14 Parks 17 Time to Play 18 Golf Courses 21 The Highway Is Calling 22 Worth the Trip 24 Unique Shopping 26 Be Our Guest (Hotels) 28 Something’s Always Brewing 34 Local Eats 36 Community Information 46 Maps 50 1 What’s New! Bloomington-Normal is always booming with new places to go and new eateries to try! We’re eager for you to #VisitBN and explore these new attractions and restaurants! Wild Harvest Honey Farm Wild Harvest Honey Farm is a force to ‘bee’ reckoned with! This family-run boutique and farm, located just south of BN, has been the buzz of the area since they opened last year. Their mission is to educate people on the importance of bees in our environment. Suit up and head into an apiary where over 4 million bees are kept to see the inner workings of a hive. After this educational tour, check out the Farm’s Honey Tasting Bar which happens to be the largest in the Midwest! Inside the boutique, you can shop for all things honey— apparel, treats, décor, and of course, locally-made honey. 9122 Bucks Road, Heyworth, IL 61745 WildHarvestHoney.com, 779.903.3428 The Hangar Art Co. The Hangar Art Co., the newest addition to Downtown Bloomington, was founded by artists as a place to hang and support local and regional art, and features original works and installations by an ever-changing array of artists. The Hangar hopes to provide a new source of inspiration to visitors by hosting exhibitions, curated shows, educational events, and making art available to the community. 105 West Jefferson Street Bloomington, IL 61701 TheHangarArtCo.com, 309.319.8672 2 VISIT BN | VisitBN.org Brass Pig Smoke & Alehouse There’s just something magical about good barbecue! Brass Pig Smoke & Alehouse is bringing Bloomington- Normal the freshest, homemade, high-quality barbecue in the area. Their traditional smoking methods with today’s technology allows them to create perfectly smoked meats with so much flavor. With over 10 craft beers on draft and a bourbon Healthy Me! at the Children’s Discovery Museum list to pair with any dish, your dining experience will be unlike anything Play is the name of the game at the Children’s Discovery Museum! There are you have experienced before. Daily three stories worth of fun and adventure that you won’t find anywhere else. The features include ribs, cut-to-order array of exhibits is enough to keep curious children and playful grown-ups busy brisket, pulled pork, and delicious and happy for hours on end. CDM recently added a brand new 1,000-square foot homemade sides. You’ll have to exhibit called Healthy Me! Kids can role-play in an ambulance, health clinic, and come see for yourself as to why this hospital setting. This exhibit is the perfect combination of education and fun! new barbecue restaurant is the talk Explore, imagine, create, and play at the Children’s Discovery Museum while of the town. you’re here. 602 North Main Street, Bloomington, IL 61701 101 East Beaufort Street, Normal, IL 61761, ChildrensDiscoveryMuseum.net, 309.433.3444 BrassPigSmokehouse.com, 309.585.2978 TopTracer Range at All Seasons Golf Learning Center Let’s see your best shot at All Seasons Golf Learning Center! All Seasons has revolutionized their golf range with TopTracer Range. It’s a video game and golf all wrapped into one fun experience! Track your shots, improve your skills, or even play games with family or friends. The Golf Learning Center has partnered with their adjoining neighbor, BloNo Pizza Co. to bring visitors pizza and drinks directly to their bays. Your dining experience in Bloomington-Normal just got a whole lot more fun! 1304 Cross Creek Drive, Normal, IL 61761, AllSeasonsGLC.com, 309.829.GOLF VisitBN.org | VISIT BN 3 We’re Instagrammable! Ewing Manor @_wheresclairenow Children’s Discover Museum, @jdaniel3223 Theo’s Microcreamery in Uptown Normal @theosmicrocreamery Evergreen Lake at Comlara Park Rader Family Farms Miller Park Zoo @yalonsoh @amy.humbles16 @cvbcrystal 4 VISIT BN | VisitBN.org Share your memories with us using #VisitBN Historic Normal Theater @kaleighf Lincoln Bench at McLean County Museum of History @the_milz_ David Davis Mansion Moraine View State Recreation Area @happyhoyt @sincerelymidwest Sugar Grove Nature Center @meryl.brown VisitBN.org | VISIT BN 5 it’s Showtime! Our historic theaters and music venues never fail to amaze audiences with theater, dance, singing, and live music. Find your favorite genre, gather your friends and family, and catch a great show! 6 VISIT BN | VisitBN.org Bloomington Arena Register of Historic Places, visitors The Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts ArtsBlooming.org can expect an authentic cinema viewing. 209 West North Street, Normal, IL 61761, NormalTheater.com, 309.454.9722 Outdoor Theater When the sun is shining and temperatures start rising, outdoor performances come to life in BN. The Connie Link Amphitheatre regularly hosts summer concerts, plays by local theatre companies and area high schools, and movie nights. Arrive at the entertainment early and wander the Constitution Trail as different paths intersect at the Amphitheatre. Grab a blanket, chairs, and some good The Bloomington Center shows, bull riding, and the circus are friends and enjoy a night under the for the Performing Arts additional performances that fill the stars listening to music, theatre arena with endless entertainment. performances, or a classic film. The Bloomington Center for the 101 S. Madison St., Bloomington, IL 61701, The Miller Park Bandstand is Performing Arts presents national GrossingerMotorsArena.com, 309.434.2782 also home to a variety of fun, summer and international touring artists, performances. From the Summer Broadway shows, and comedians. Theatre performances to many This venue is the centerpiece of The Castle Theatre Music Under the Stars events, Miller our Cultural District. Built in 1921, Located in Downtown Bloomington, Park is filled with family-friendly this historic building presents the Castle Theatre is a majestic and entertainment. The free concerts hundreds of performances and ornate venue that hosts a variety regularly feature top local musicians community events each year. See for of concerts in a more intimate that range from traditional Irish yourself the architectural wonders manner. The Castle hosts anyone to Classic Rock. While you’re here, of the BCPA by taking the exclusive from hardcore rock to laid-back it’s worth a trip to the bandstand to Behind-the-Scenes Tour. Visitors bluegrass. Rich in architectural enjoy a classic, BN summer night! can see the renowned “Green Room details, this venue is the perfect link Artist Wall,” explore the sub-stage, to Bloomington’s past, present, and Connie Link Amphitheatre: 621 S. Linden St., enjoy the beautiful Neo-Classical future. 209 East Washington Street, #1, Normal, IL 61761, Normal.org, 309.454.9540 interior design, and more during this Bloomington, IL 61701, TheCastleTheatre.com, Miller Park Bandstand: 1020 S. Morris Ave., 600 North East Street, Bloomington, 309.820.0352 tour. Bloomington, IL 61701, ArtsBlooming.org, IL 61701, ArtsBlooming.org, 309.434.2777 309.434.2777 Normal Theater Bloomington Arena Get the classic cinema experience The Connie Link Amphitheatre Standing as Bloomington-Normal’s at the historic Normal Theater. Normal.org largest concert venue, Bloomington Originally opening in 1937, this Arena brings in national touring was the first movie theater in BN, acts that are worth coming to see! built specifically for sound films! It From Carrie Underwood and Luke has been completely restored to its Bryan to Rod Stewart and ZZ Top, original Art Deco-style making it a The Arena hosts big-name artists beautiful place to enjoy a film.