Looking forward to visiting Bloomington for the first time in a few weeks for the Rutgers game with a few buddies. Appreciate any advice you might have on hotel, tailgating spots before the game, spots for food and drinks, and other must-sees while in town. We will also be driving into Chicago on Sunday to take in the Bears game. Any suggestions there also greatly appreciated. Thanks and look forward to getting into town!!
Depending on what you like:
1. Wandering Old Campus:
The Chamber of Commerce "photo op" spot of IU is at the corner of Kirkwood and Indiana. It's called The Sample Gates, built by the Sample Family.
Looking east, into "Old Campus":
Looking west, toward downtown, down Kirkwood:
At the Gates, looking east into campus, Third Street is to your right, 7th Street is to your left. Wander the woods and paths between them. Third street is lined with academic buildings and Greek houses. The paths go behind them. 7th street has Dunn Meadow and The Little Jordan River. The Union Building (go in and wander - bookstore on second floor). The Showalter Fountain and an Art Museum and the Indiana Auditorim is at the end of 7th.
(I park at the Union Building and wander around the area.)
2. Nicks. Looking downtown from the Sample Gates, Nicks English Hut is on the right 1.5 blocks west. Greatest pizza/beer/sports joint ever. I apologize for the bums and methheads in the little park at the first corner. Bloomington is progressive.
3. Gables. Half a block south/left from the Gates is The Gables, where Hoagy Carmichael hung out, and where George Taliafero and Herman Wells integrated Bloomington for IU students.
4. Between 7th and 10th is an Arboretum. Our original Memorial Stadium was there. The Little 500 was there. The library (which people claimed was so big it was sinking) and the Business School are at the corner of 10th/Fee Lane/Jordan Avenue. Fee and Jordan both have more Greek houses. Jordan also has IU concert venues and School of Music. At Third and Jordan - Bears and Mother Bears. Pizza joints. Folks fight about which is best.
5. Game day. Memorial Stadium and Assembly Hall sit between 17th Street and what locals call "the Bypass" - highway 45/46. The whole area is parking and tailgating, it the best tailgate area is across 17th in the grass/tree lots. The Student Debauchery Contest is at the corner of 17th and Fess. The rest is families, alumni and visitors of all kinds. 17th gets very full of traffic for an hour or so before games. Be in the lots 2 hours early for less car stress.
Others have other suggestions.
Dinner in Bloomington is hard to advise. Too many good choices.
Hotels gouge football fans. Sorry. If 37 was not under construction, I'd advise staying in Indy (requires a post-game designated driver).
I'd advise non-37 routes between Indy and Bloomington on game day.
65 to Columbus and 46 is a pretty drive - but Leaf Lookers and CRaft Fair attendees can make the drive slow. 70 to 231 to 46 has been popular too. Both are extra miles but fewer minutes.
Southern Indiana is rustic. Enjoy.