Graduate Programs
Life in Bloomington
Entertainment
Although you probably spend a lot of time in class and the lab, there are plenty of other things to do in Bloomington and the local area.
Calendars
There are several on-line calendars that can help you keep current with all the fun stuff happening in Bloomington at any given time.
Movies
Two main theaters offer showings of the major motion picture releases. Check with Kerasotes for showtimes.
- ShowPlace East -- 1351 College Mall Road -- 331-1979
- ShowPlace West -- 2949 W Third -- 323-0796
The Ryder Film Series shows second-run and art films at Bear's Place and the Fine Arts Building.
The Union Board hosts a film series at the IMU.
If videos are more within your price range, Bloomington has many video stores to choose from. Jerry Franke has compiled some vital stats and reviews of many of the local choices.
Museums
The Indiana University Art Museum is located on 7th Street. There are several permanent exhibits as well as temporary galleries. Admission is free. They are open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm and Sunday from noon to 5pm.
The Mathers Museum of World Cultures is located at 416 N Indiana. Exhibits rotate in all galleries. Admission is free. They are open Tuesday through Friday from 9am to 4:30pm and Saturday through Sunday from 1pm to 4:30pm.
The Monroe County Historical Society Museum is located at 202 E 6th. They feature a permanent pioneer log cabin exhibit as well as temporary exhibits. Admission is free. They are open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 4pm and Sunday 1pm through 4pm.
The Lilly Library is located on the Fine Arts Plaza on E 7th Street. Their exhibits of rare books and manuscripts vary throughout the year. Admission is free. They are open Monday through Friday from 9am to 6pm and Saturday from 9am to 1pm.
The Wylie House Museum is located at 317 E 2nd Street. The house recreates a home from the 1840s. Admission is free. They are open March through November on Tuesday through Saturday from 1pm to 4pm.
The John Waldron Arts Center is located at 122 S Walnut Street. It has several galleries and offers many courses in the fine arts. The galleries are open on Monday through Saturday from 11am to 5pm. The Art Center is open from Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
WonderLab is a hands-on science museum located at 308 W 4th Street, Bloomington, IN. Their hours are 2pm to 5pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays as well as 10am to 5pm on Saturdays.
Music
Bloomington has a lively music scene. Our nationally-renowned music school presents frequent concerts. Looking at their schedule, you'll find that they have events planned practically every day.
If you can't find something appealing on that schedule, you may be interested in who is playing the numerous music clubs in town. For live music, try Bluebird (216 N Walnut St. -- 336-2473) or Second Story (4th and College, upstairs -- 336-2582). If you're eager to kick up your heels, you can try one of the dance clubs: Bullwinkle's (2102 S College Ave. -- 334-3232), The Gathering Country Music Bar (5227 W Airport Rd. -- 825-2200), Mars Nightclub (419 N Walnut St. -- 332-6277). Local bands as well as acts from outside the area perform frequently.
Bloomington also hosts several music festivals throughout the year. The Lotus World Music Festival brings bands from around the world to town during the fall. Over the Memorial Day weekend fans of Medieval, Renaissance, and classical music can attend the Bloomington Early Music Festival.
If you are a music collector, Bloomington also boasts many music stores. Some reviews, courtesy of Jerry Franke, will give you tips on where to start your shopping.
Outdoors
If you enjoy camping, hiking, and other outdoor activities, you are in luck. Closest to home, the city maintains quite a few municipal parks. Indiana also has an extensive system of state parks and forests. Many of them are quite close to Bloomington. If you want a guided introduction to the local outdoors, IU Outdoor Adventures (first floor of the Union) offers trips, educational skills courses, and rental equipment. You can contact them at 855-2231 for a catalog and price list.
• Monroe Reservoir Recreational Areas
Follow SR 46 east of town. When you reach SR 446, head south. Lake Monroe has many places for boating, picnicking, and camping.
- Salt Creek (dam) -- Boat launching
- Moore's Creek -- Boat launching, picnicking, public boat mooring, boat rental, campground
- Fairfax -- Boat launching, beach (closest thing to one you will find here), picnicking, motel, public marina
- Paynetown -- Boat launching, beach, picnicking, public boat mooring, boat rental, campground
- Cutright -- Boat launching, picnicking, boat rental
- Allen's Creek -- Boat launching, hiking, primitive camping
- Hardin Ridge -- Boat launching, hiking, primitive camping, picnicking, beach, boat rental
- Pine Grove -- Boat launching
- Crooked Creek -- Boat launching, primitive camping
• Brown County and Brown County State Park
East of town on SR 46 on the way to Nashville. Brown County State Park has camping, fishing, hiking, the Abe Martin Lodge, naturalist service, picnic areas, recreational buildings, saddle horses, and swimming pool.
Brown county is considered by many to be the most beautiful area in the state for fall foliage. Nashville is the center of Brown county and tourists come from all over to view the leaves and shop. Weekdays are recommended to avoid the traffic.
The Brown County Playhouse (Box office on Van Buren in Nashville -- 988-2123) should not be missed. This company puts on wonderful performances at reasonable prices.
• Yellowwood State Forest
East of town off SR 46. Primitive camping, hiking, fishing, and saddle horses. This is a very quiet park.
• Morgan-Monroe State Forest
North of town off SR 37. Camping, picnicking, four small lakes, hiking, shelter houses, and a fire tower worth climbing.
• McCormick's Creek State Park
West of town, just outside of Spencer, off of SR 46. Camping, pool, picnicking, hiking, cabins, saddle horses, and a nice waterfall.
• Spring Mill State Park
South of town down SR 37 near Mitchell. Rental boats, camping, fishing, hiking, inn, picnicking, saddle horses, caving, pool, and a working flour mill. A nice place for a day outing. Bring your flashlight for the caves!
Sports
The activity you pay as a grad student grants you an automatic membership to the two main athletic facilities on campus. The Student Recreational Sports Center (SRSC) is located at the corner of Union Street and Law Lane. They have 10 racquetball courts, 4 squash courts, 5 basketball/volleyball courts, a track, 3 multipurpose gyms, and a 50-meter olympic swimming pool and diving well. The Health, Physical Education, and Recreation (HPER) Building is located on 7th Street next to the Art Museum. They have 12 racquetball courts, 10 basketball/volleyball courts, a track, 3 multipurpose gyms, 6 squash courts, and a 25-meter pool. Many fitness classes, club sports, intramural sports, and other activities take place at both facilities. For more information, contact the Division of Recreational Sports.
If you like to watch sports, you'll find plenty of opportunities to do so with Indiana Athletics. Most athletic events are free to students with a Student ID, but football and basketball require tickets.
There are also several community athletic groups that might interest you:
The local ice rink is Frank Southern Center (1965 S Henderson -- 349-3740). They are open from October 15 through March 30.
If you are interested in bowling, you can try the Bowling Center at the Union, or one of the two bowling alleys in town: Classic Bowling Lanes (1421 Willis Drive -- 332-6689) or Suburban Lanes (2634 N Walnut -- 332-9345).
If miniature golf is more your speed, you can choose from Putt-Putt Golf (233 S Pete Ellis Drive -- 339-3276) or Putter's Park (4747 W SR 46 in Ellettsville -- 876-8447).
Theater
On campus, the IU Auditorium hosts theater and music productions from the national circuit.
Off campus, you will find all manner of cultural events at the newly renovated historic Buskirk-Chumley Theater. The Brown County Playhouse in neighboring Nashville offers several plays each year. The Bloomington Playwright's Project also stages community theater productions. Finally, keep an eye open for fliers advertising plays at Bloomington High School South and Bloomington High School North.
If you are an opera fan, Bloomington can also accommodate your interests. The IU music department produces several every year. You can scroll through the Music Department schedule for those dates.
Volunteering
There are lots of places in Bloomington that would love your volunteer help.
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