What to explore on Kirkwood By Lana Salahieh lsalahie@iu.edu
After a week of deadlines, a heavy course load and perhaps a lack of sleep, figuring out how to spend Friday night may be a challenge. For many students, Kirkwood Avenue offers the solution: a lively nightlife, various restaurants and shops and everything that lies in between. Kirkwood Avenue was named after Daniel Kirkwood, a former IU professor and astronomer. Kirkwood made significant contributions to astronomical science for his discovery of “Kirkwood Gaps.” To honor his legacy, IU constructed what we now know as Kirkwood Observatory, Kirkwood Avenue and Kirkwood Hall. Today, Kirkwood Avenue stands as a gathering place for students, staff and community members to unwind, socialize, eat and shop. There are many places to purchase IU merchandise in Bloomington. Tracks is a popular spot on Kirkwood. among students to buy apparel, music and gifts.
IDS FILE PHOTO BY ETHAN LEVY
Kirkwood Avenue is seen Sept. 12, 2020.
“What I enjoy most about working here on Kirkwood is witnessing school spirit through game day traditions, even while I’m working,” Erin Matos, IU junior and Tracks employee, said. The street’s personality differs during various points in the year. Matos feels the highest level of energy on game days.
“It’s really different seeing the two sides of Kirkwood, the hustling and bustling versus when school is out of session and the street is a calm and serene place,” Matos said. “The town outside of IU is so interconnected with the school that even during slow periods, SEE KIRKWOOD, PAGE 15
Explore Bloomington’s visitors centers By Braydyn Lents bglents@iu.edu | @LentsBraydyn
It is important to know the basic resources around Monroe County, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bloomington has lots of resources for planning a trip packed with activities. If you are from Bloomington, a visitor or an IU student, these resources in the town and on campus will help you get organized. The Bloomington Visitors Center resides on North Walnut Street. It’s a one-stop shop for
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information about Bloomington and Monroe County. They also have pamphlets about towns in the Monroe County area. Visitors can seek guidance on information about Columbus, Edinburgh, Indianapolis and Bedford. The staff can help direct visitors to community resources, give directions and inform on activities across the city. Anyone can grab a gift inside the Bloomington Visitors Center gift shop. For more information about the Bloomington Visitors Center, visit their website or call 812-
334-8900. The IU Visitors Center offers tours and provides services to prospective IU students and their families. The center specializes in providing Q&A sessions which can help students navigate the IU campus during the regular school year. During the summer time, the center is open for the general public. The IU Visitors Center – which is located inside Indiana Memorial Union – provides self-guided virtual campus tours, online links that track on-campus events, hotel res-
ervation opportunities, dining options and maps for directions and parking. The Visitors Center values providing information for all individuals. Anyone can grab a souvenir and find helpful resources. In addition, the IU visitors center hires paid IU student bloggers to write about anything from Lake Monroe to IU athletic venues on their website. For more information about visiting the IU Visitor Information Center contact iuvis@ iu.edu.
SOURCE CAMPUS VISITOR’S GUIDE | SPRING 2022
