Staying another day in Bloomington? These are some of our favorite places to visit

Carol Kugler, The Herald-Times
·4 min read

For those who decided to stay another day after Monday's solar eclipse, there are plenty of options if you're looking for something to do.

Here's a list of some of our favorite places to visit:

Learn about solar eclipses over Bloomington

Want to learn more about solar eclipses? The Monroe County History Center, at 202 E. Sixth St., has an exhibit "Bloomington Total Solar Eclipses — 1869 & 2024." The center is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is $2 for adults, $1 for kids. The exhibit compares the scientific, social and pop cultural responses to eclipses that happened 115 years apart.

Get you fill of IU athletics history

You don't have to be a Hoosiers fan to enjoy a visit to Cook Hall in the lobby entryway of the practice building next to Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, 1051 E. 17th St. The facility is home to the Pfau Shine Legacy Court, a museum and exhibit space that has photographs, trophies and other items celebrating IU teams, especially basketball. If the doors are open, check it out. Usually only the lobby area is open to the public.

Visit one of the largest student unions in the world

Another amazing IU building to check out is the Indiana Memorial Union at 900 E. Seventh St. The limestone building faces Campus River and Dunn Meadow and has restaurants (The Vault Pub, Tudor Room, The Globe, Lantern, The Mix, Starbucks, Quarry Pie Co., Whitfield Grill and Sugar and Spice Bakery), a bowling alley, billiards, bookstore and lots of rooms — including one with a fireplace and several with statues. Amazing artwork is displayed throughout.

Take the kids on a science-based field trip

Nora Armie smiles as her large bubble pops during BubbleFest at WonderLab Science Museum on Saturday, June 17, 2023.
Nora Armie smiles as her large bubble pops during BubbleFest at WonderLab Science Museum on Saturday, June 17, 2023.

Didn't take your kids to WonderLab Museum of Science, Health and Technology for the eclipse? It's worth a visit. From a special toddler and preschool area to hands-on exhibits and up-close chances to learn about snakes and fish, it's a great place to learn and play. Tickets are $14.50 per person for non-members. Hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday. It's at 308 W. Fourth St.

Catch a Hoosiers baseball game

Watch Bloomington High School North's Sam Klein, now with Ball State, take on Indiana University's baseball team at 6 p.m. April 9 at Bart Kaufman Stadium. The Hoosier team is 16-14 overall right now and 1-2 in the Big Ten conference.

Walk or bike through a park and downtown Bloomington

If outdoors is where you want to be, you can walk or bike along the B-Line Trail through Bloomington. You'll walk or bike past houses, businesses, restaurants and can travel through Switchyard Park. The trail connects with several others, including Bloomington Rail Trail to the south at Country Club Drive (with parking at West Church Lane and West Country Club Road). If you walk the Rail Trail south, you'll connect with the Clear Creek Trail, which can be accessed on the north side along West Tapp Road and also at West That Road.

Spend the day playing disc golf and more at local parks

Bloomington and Monroe County have great parks, from Karst Farm Park, 2450 S. Endwright Road, on Bloomington's west side to Switchyard Park and Bryan Park in the city limits. Karst Farm has a disc golf course, trails and picnic shelters. Switchyard Park, 1601 S. Rogers St., has basketball courts, a skate park, picnic areas, dog parks and a kids' playground. Bryan Park, 1020 S. Woodlawn Ave., has a kids' playground, trails, picnic shelters, basketball courts and tennis courts. There are other city parks worth checking out, too: bloomington.in.gov/parks/parks.

Get in touch with nature at Griffy Lake or Lake Monroe

Griffy Lake Nature Preserve features multiple trails that circle the reservoir.
Griffy Lake Nature Preserve features multiple trails that circle the reservoir.

Like to hike, boat or fish? Head to either Griffy Lake Nature Preserve on Bloomington's north side (3595 N. Headley Road) or to Lake Monroe, which offers several recreation areas where you can do everything from rent a kayak or pontoon boat to hiking trails that give views all around the lake. Griffy Lake's boathouse opens for the season on April 6. Griffy Lake also has a loop trail around the lake and fishing piers. Lake Monroe is Indiana's largest man-made lake and has Paynetown, Fairfax, Allen's Creek, Cutright, Moore's Creek, Salt Creek, Pine Grove and Crooked Creek state recreation areas. You can have a picnic, take a walk, rent a kayak or pontoon boat or fish from the bank or a pier. (Make sure you have an Indiana fishing license, please.)

Contact Carol Kugler at ckugler@heraldt.com

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Best places to visit in Bloomington, Indiana