Planning a visit to Bloomington

The Graduate Hotel is located at 210 E. Kirkwood Ave.

IDS FILE PHOTO BY HALEY KLEZMER

Where to stay and what to eat on your Bloomington trip

By Lexi Lindenmayer

lindena@iu.edu | @lexilindenmayer

Having your child be so far from home is a big adjustment, so why not go ahead and schedule a few Bloomington trips to come and visit them. While planning may sound stressful, we’ll make it very easy for you with many options for places to stay and eat.

Where to stay:

The Graduate is located at 210 E. Kirkwood Ave. This hotel is right off campus and just a quick walk away from Downtown Bloomington’s most beloved restaurants and shops.

In the middle of campus, Biddle Hotel is in the Indiana Memorial Union at 900 E. Seventh St. This recently renovated hotel includes a full-service and luxury suites to make your stay as comfortable as possible.

The Hilton Garden Inn is another great option to consider. Located at 245 N. College Ave., staying here will place you in the heart of Bloomington. Relax with comfortable accommodations just steps away from all the activities Bloomington offers.

Not feeling the hotel life? Consider renting an Airbnb in Bloomington. There are a variety of quality homes all across the city for you to choose from. Avoid the hotels all together and focus on spending time with your child.

Where to eat:

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so consider these options when visiting Bloomington. Village Deli is definitely a Hoosier favorite, as customers can get huge meals featuring pancakes, eggs, waffles, coffee cake and much more.

You could also check out Runcible Spoon for their specialty omelets and cozy atmosphere. Looking to just get a coffee and a fast breakfast? Try out Soma Coffeehouse and Juice Bar for a honey lavender latte and a banana nut muffin.

Need to stop somewhere easy for lunch in between all of your Bloomington adventures? Try eating at Dagwoods on South Indiana Avenue. This deli and sandwich shop is beloved by many as they serve gourmet sandwiches, quality wraps and specialty soups, all at a reasonable price.

If you are in the mood for a longer lunch, Uptown Cafe will definitely satisfy your hunger. This restaurant features fine dining, “American Casual” style. Take in the atmosphere and who knows, maybe you will get lucky and see Bruce Springsteen eating there.

There are countless dinner options around Bloomington. Big Woods is a great place to consider with a menu of craft food and beer. Sit outside to experience the nice weather or eat inside for a fun, rustic environment.

Social Cantina is another fun restaurant to check out. Serving everything from street tacos to quesadillas and of course, flavorful margaritas. Finally, Fourth Street contains restaurants serving international foods. Consider stopping in Siam House for Thai food or Taste of India for Indian food.