Bloomington's Entertainment and Arts District (BEAD) features various restaurants, shops, galleries and public art displays.

Friday

Arrival: Hotel Check-In—Check in to your hotel; if you’re wondering where to stay, check out this list. If you’re eager to step out of the box, try one of our quaint bed and breakfasts, or an outdoor cabin adventure.

Dinner: Nick’s English Hut—Kick off the weekend at one of the local establishments, Nick’s English Hut (423 E. Kirkwood). A Bloomington tradition for over 80 years, Nick’s offers delicious food specials and refreshing local brews.

Evening Activity: Watch a live performance—With over 16 live music venues and 10 performance theatres, you will find world-class entertainment.

 

Saturday

Breakfast: The Farm Bloomington—Enjoy brunch at the Farm (108 E. Kirkwood), an eatery serving local produce and meat.

Morning Activity: BEAD’s Market District—Peruse local bookstores and Vintage Phoenix, Bloomington’s comic book store (between 6^th and 7^th streets on Walnut). Choose from a variety of unique reads to spend your afternoon with!

Lunch: Anatolia Turkish Restaurant—Start sampling the variety of ethnic food Bloomington offers! Anatolia Turkish Restaurant (405 E. 4^th Street) creates fine Turkish cuisine paired with their award-winning bread.

Afternoon Activity: Indiana University Art Museum—Enjoy the IU Art Museum’s (1133 E. 7^th Street) extensive collection of artwork. Be sure to shop at Angles, the museum’s café and gift shop!

Dinner: Upland Brewery—Continue the weekend fun at Upland Brewery (350 W. 11^th Street). Arrive between 3pm and 5pm and get a tour of the brewery. Be sure to pair your meal with one of their locally crafted brews for a true taste of Bloomington.

Evening Activity: Bloomington’s nightlife is world-class—stroll down Kirkwood Avenue to sample any one of the great bars in the area.

 

Sunday

Breakfast: Scholar’s Inn—Indulge in the champagne brunch offered at Scholar’s Inn (717 N. College) only on Sundays for a tasty start to your day.

Morning Activity: Explore any one of Bloomington's parks, offering activities from nature trails to frisbee golf courses.  Read the list of parks and trails here to find what suits your interest!

Lunch: Shanti Authentic Indian Cuisine—Try a delicious Indian meal at Shanti Authentic Indian Cuisine (221 E. Kirkwood). The garlic naan is out of this world!

Afternoon Activity: Oliver Winery—Head out to Oliver Winery (8024 State Road 37), Indiana’s oldest and largest winery. Learn about the art of wine production on a special winery tour, and enjoy the free wine tasting.

Dinner: Max’s Place—Stop by Max’s Place (108 W. 6^th Street) to try the pizza that Macolm Abrams, Editor and Publisher of Bloom magazine and long-time New York resident, describes as the best pizza he’s ever eaten. Stick around to enjoy the featured local musicians at no cover charge.

 

Monday

Breakfast: Soma Coffee House and Juice Bar—Start your day with a homemade vegan-friendly baked good and a handcrafted espresso drink at Soma (322 E. Kirkwood) before your workout at the TLRC.

Morning Activity: Twin Lakes Recreation Center—Sweat out your morning at Bloomington’s state of the art recreation center (1700 W. Bloomfield) while the kids enjoy Kids Cove, a separate area for the little ones' own fitness activities.

Lunch: Anyetsang's Little Tibet Restaurant—Sample one of the most flavorful ethnic restaurants in Bloomington. Anyetsang's Little Tibet Restaurant (415 E. 4th Street) offers Tibetan, Thai, and Indian dishes.

Afternoon Activity: Continue celebrating Bloomington's hub of Tibetan culture by visiting the Tibetan Cultural Center at 3655 S. Snoddy Road.

Dinner: Puccini's La Dolce Vita—Taste the flavor of Italy with a delightful meal at Puccini's (420 E. 4^th Street).

Evening Activity: Indiana Memorial Union—Check out Indiana University’s Memorial Union, and engage in any one of the various activities happening in the center of campus. From movies to bowling to special events, everyone will find a fun time at the IMU.

 

Tuesday

Breakfast: Butch’s Grillacatessen and Eatzeria—Experience the taste of New York with an authentic east-coast bagel here in Bloomington, at 120 E. 7^th Street.

Morning Activity: City Hall Atrium Art Gallery—check out the monthly art exhibit in City Hall’s atrium (401 N. Morton). A different local artist is featured every month, and don’t forget to check out the permanent installations outside of the building, including the limestone fountains and B-Line Trail sculptures.

Lunch: Siam House—Voted the best ethnic restaurant in Bloomington, the Siam House (430 E. 4^th Street) offers delicious Thai food. Try their lunch buffet to sample all of their specialties.

Afternoon Activity: Farmer's Market—Visit the Tuesday Farmer's Market by Bloomingfoods at 6th and Madison streets to discover all of the locally-grown, farm-fresh products during the summer months.

Dinner: Finch’s Brasserie—located near the Sample Gates at 514 East Kirwood, Finch’s Brasserie offers a Mediterranean-American menu made with local produce, meats, and cheeses.

Evening Activity: Enjoy Bloomington's sunset by walking the B-Line trail, Bloomington’s path through several thriving economic corridors. The trail begins west of City Hall (401 N. Morton) and extends to the intersection of Second Street and Rogers.

 

Wednesday

Breakfast: Village Deli—Try a ginormous pancake from the Village Deli (409 E. Kirkwood), or enjoy any other great entree to get your day started.

Activity: Monroe Lake—Spend a day at Monroe Lake with its great hiking and camping opportunities!

Lunch/Dinner: Bloomingfoods—Make sure that you stop by Bloomingfoods (419 E. Kirkwood) before you leave to pack your picnic with delicious local and organic options while enjoying Monroe Lake's natural beauty.

 

Thursday

Breakfast: Bloomington Bagel Company Locally owned and boiled, Bloomington Bagel Company (113 N. Dunn) offers a great selection of bagel and schmear flavors.

Morning Activity: BEAD—Be sure to check out Bloomington’s Entertainment and Art’s District in downtown Bloomington. From unique retail shops to live entertainment, BEAD provides visitors with a truly authentic Bloomington experience.

Lunch: Café Pizzaria—Taste Bloomington’s first pizzeria that offers the first Midwestern version of the Stromboli sandwich, located at 405 East Kirkwood.

Departure: Say goodbye to Bloomington by stopping at Mather's Museum of World Cultures (416 N. Indiana Avenue) to find another great place to explore on your next trip!