Travel to Bloomington, Illinois

Our location in the heart of Illinois at the intersection of Interstates 39, 55 and 74 makes getting here easy: we’re just a few hours from Chicago, St. Louis and Indianapolis.
There are many ways to get to the Bloomington-Normal area and our central location makes it easy to travel by plane, train or automobile.

Airports

The Central Illinois Regional Airport in Bloomington-Normal has everything you need and more in an airport.  In addition to air service to every corner of the globe, the Central Illinois Regional Airport offers free parking, a shuttle service, five car rental agencies inside the terminal (Hertz, Avis, National, Budget and Alamo), and two convenient dining options.

Rail Services

Amtrak services B/N on a daily basis with stops at the Bloomington-Normal (BNL) station located on E. Parkinson Street, just a few steps from Uptown Normal. Travel to and from B/N with ease on either the Illinois or Texas Eagle Service. For time and rate information please check www.amtrak.com.

Bus Services

A third transportation option is to travel to BN by bus. Burlington Trailways, Greyhound Bus Lines, Megabus, and the Peoria Charter Coach all operate daily bus routes through B/N. For times, rates, and to make reservations please check with the individual bus companies.

Parking Downtown

Parking is readily available throughout downtown.

  • On-street parking spaces are available for up to 90 minutes, Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM (unless otherwise posted). Refer to on-street signage for parking restrictions after 6:00 PM.
  • Market Street Deck (southeast corner of Market Street & Madison Street): 68 parking spaces on the ground level are available for free, once per day, for up to 4 hours, Monday through Friday. All 550 spaces in this deck are available for free unlimited parking on weekends starting Friday at 6:00 PM.
  • Lincoln Deck (southwest corner of Front Street & East Street): 800 parking spaces are available by the hour between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday ($1.00 per hour / $10.00 per day max). All 800 spaces are available for free unlimited parking after 6:00 PM on weekday evenings and all day on Saturday and Sunday!
  • Arena Deck (northeast corner of Olive Street & Lee Street): 250 parking spaces are available for free for up to 4 hours, Monday through Friday. All 250 spaces are available for free unlimited parking evenings and weekends. Special rates may apply for Arena events.

More information can be found on the City of Bloomington website

Hotel Information

Please visit the Bloomington/ Normal Area Convention and Visitors Bureau for a list of all the hotels in the area.

The Chateau Hotel

Enjoy the The Chateau Hotel and Conference Center is located at 1621 Jumer Dr, Bloomington, IL. 

To make your reservation by calling 309-662-2020.

Vrooman Mansion

Vrooman Mansion Bed & Breakfast

Bloomington own historic Vrooman Mansion Bed & Breakfast located at 701 E Taylor St, Bloomington

To make your reservation at the Vrooman Mansion call (309) 828-8816 or email them at information@vroomanmansion.com

Vrooman Mansion

Vrooman Mansion

Other Stuff to Do

Herb Eaton

Visit Bloomington/Normal

Bloomington/Normal Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

www.visitbn.org

The Bloomington-Normal area is a vibrant community, home to 167,699 people who exemplify the values of the Midwest and our remarkable quality of life. Our location in the heart of Illinois is at the intersections of 39, 55 and 74 and within two hours of Chicago, St. Louis and Indianapolis. Whether you are here for a weekend, attending an event or here on business, we hope you enjoy your visit and return often. We are proud of our Midwestern Hospitality.

Herb Eaton

Champagne British Car Festival Car Show

David Davis Mansion 1000 Monroe Dr Bloomington IL
Sunday, June 5, 2022 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

www.facebook.com/CBCF25

The Champagne British Car Show on beautiful Clover Lawn of David Davis Mansion, Bloomington, IL. More than 125 British cars are expected at this popular annual event, organized by members of the Illinois Flat Land British Car Club. Along with the usual influx of MGs, Triumphs, and Austin-Healeys, other British marques on display include Jaguar, Bentley, Cobra, Morgan, Lotus, Mini and Rootes.

Herb Eaton

The David Davis Mansion

1000 Monroe Drive Bloomington, IL 61701
Wednesday – Saturday: 9am – 3:30pm

www.daviddavismansion.org

The David Davis Mansion, completed in 1872, combines Italianate and Second Empire architectural features and is a model of mid-Victorian style and taste.

Known as Clover Lawn, it was the home of David Davis, the friend, mentor and campaign manager for Abraham Lincoln. As President, Lincoln appointed Davis as United States Supreme Court Justice in 1862.

Herb Eaton

Duncan Manor

1002 Towanda-Barnes Rd, Towanda, IL 61776
Duncan Manor is a private residence. We love visitors, but please reach out to schedule a time or confirm that there is a public event happening before you come by!

www.duncanmanorhouse.com

In 1866, cattle farmer and merchant William Duncan began building a towering brick manor outside of Towanda, Illinois…

150 years later, Dave and Randi purchased the property and began restoring the Manor to its former glory. The Manor has been given new life as a place for community, sustainability, and restoration in central Illinois.

The Howells have devoted the last 7 years to reclaiming prairie land and restoring Duncan Manor House & Gardens to create a sustainable hub for local business, art, community, history, culture and agriculture in central Illinois.

Herb Eaton

Eaton Studio & Gallery

411 N. Center St.
Shop Hours: Fri. 4–9pm; Sat. 9am–2pm; Sun: 12–2pm or by appointment

Herb Eaton

www.eatonstudiogallery.com

Welcome to the Circus of “Fear-Folly-Finesse” at Eaton Gallery. Bronze and stainless side show sculptures of horses, performers, drawings, and panel paintings of “He & She” performers; trapeze, clowns, jugglers, tightrope walkers and more. Exhibits on two floors of gallery and Eaton’s studio in an historic building.

Inside Out Art Co-op

Inside Out Accessible Art Co-op and Gallery

200 W. Monroe St.
Shop Hours: Fri. 10am–8pm; Sat. 8am–4pm

www.insideoutcoop.org

Bloomington’s only art cooperative with nearly 30 artists and a variety of mediums represented will be costumed and ready to play with steampunk-themed art and experiences added to our usual art offerings. We are a not-for-profit with a mission of promoting, teaching, and providing service through the arts.

The Hanger Art Co.

The Painted Wraith Curiosity Shoppe

106 W Monroe St
Shop Hours: Tues-Fri 11 am06 pm, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-3 pm

www.thepaintedwraith.com

Usually Unusual

We are a curiosity and oddity shop located in Central Illinois. You never know what types of items you might find; antique medical tools, original art, vintage funeral items, taxidermy, skulls, etc. We also carry loose leaf teas, bath bombs, jewelry, sage smudge sticks, candles and more.

The Hanger Art Co.

Bloomington Spiceworks

507 N. Center Street
Shop Hours: Tuesday – Saturday: 10am – 6pm, Sunday & Monday: Closed

www.bloomingtonspiceworks.com

Cooking with fresh-ground spices is the key to making your recipes pop. Spices in their whole form contain volatile oils. These oils are what gives the spices their trademark smells and tastes. These oils also tend to break down quickly when exposed to air. This is why freshly ground spices can make all the difference in a recipe. But don’t take our word for it. Come in and find out for yourself.

The Hanger Art Co.

The Hanger Art Co.

The Hangar Art Co.

105 W. Jefferson 
Shop Hours: Fri. 10am–8pm; Sat. 10am–6pm

thehangarartco.com

A place to hang and showcase the work of local & regional artist, creators, and collaborators

The Little Art School

The Little Art School

415 N. Main Street, Suites 3 & 4
Shop Hours: 

thelittleartschool.net

The Little Art School offers a variety of classes for all ages and abilities. Private lessons may be arranged on an individual basis. Now we have The Little Art Store downstairs, where you will find Fabulous Art Boxes with all sorts of themes and mediums.

Jody Baker-Wiley

La La Boutique featuring the work of Vintage Pipe Dreams

314 N Main Street

Shop Hours: Mon-Fri 11AM-6PM, Sat 9AM-4PM

La La Boutique is a mother/daughter owned boutique located in historic Downtown Bloomington. The boutique was started by Melanie Rust & Erika Zilm in June of 2020. They wanted to offer a shopping experience for women of all ages and sizes at moderate prices. In addition to carrying clothing ranging from XS-3X, they carry a few gift items as well as accessories.

Vintage Pipe Dreams , LLC was started in 2020 by Darrell Rust. He is a semi-retired physician and has had an interest in steampunk lamps and furniture for several years. He has made several lamps for family and friends. Last year he began building items for other people with similar interests and has been selling the lamps quite regularly on Etsy and through La La Boutique (owned by his wife and daughter, Melanie Rust and Erika Zilm). He has taken several custom orders as well as developed several pieces with themes (Chevrolet/Ford/Star Wars, etc.) Newest are furniture pieces with a steampunk theme. All items are on-of-a-kind as most parts are vintage/antique and are re-purpsosed in a new way.

Jody Baker-Wiley

Joann Goetzinger Studio and Gallery

313 N Main St, Bloomington
Shop Hours: Friday 5–8; Saturday 9–4; Sunday 9–2

Jody Baker-Wiley

Art Vortex Studio

101 W Monroe St., Suite 210
Shop Hours: Fri. 5–8pm; Closed Saturday

Angel Ambrose

Angel Ambrose Studios

101 W. Monroe St.
Shop Hours: Fri. 5–8pm; Sat. 9–2pm

Salvage Warehouse

Architectural Salvage Warehouse (Old House Society)

214 Douglas St.
Shop Hours: Fri. & Sat. 8am–5pm

www.oldhousesociety.org

The Old House Society’s Salvage Warehouse is a treasure trove of hard-to-find and unique restoration items. Scavenge the shelves for lamps, clocks and parts, vintage tiles, antique furniture items, fittings and hardware, bits and bobs. You truly never know what you’ll uncover here!

other-stuff-to-do_asahel-gridley-antique-shop

Asahel Gridley Antique Shop

219 E. Front St.
Shop Hours: Fri. & Sat. 10am–5pm. Stop in for coffee and cookies!

Asahel Gridley Antique Shop is the premier antique shop in the Bloomington/Normal area. The shop has been continually growing since 1993 and now consists of three store fronts with sixteen rooms. Each room offers a unique collection of specialized period items. A visit to Asahel Gridley Antique Shop is like traveling through history with stops in different periods of time. Come take a tour through time with us! Jim White & Andy Willits, Proprietors

Specs Around Town

Main Gallery 404

404 N. Main St.
Shop Hours: Fri. Noon–8pm; Sat. 10am–4pm

www.404maingallery.com

Our gallery represents over 40 local artists working in a wide variety of mediums: painting, ceramics, photography, mixed media, glass, jewelry. Stop in to view the amazing array of talent from right here in the Bloomington-Normal area.

McLean County Museum of History

McLean County Museum of History

200 N. Main Street (entrance at street level on Washington Street)

Museum Hours: Friday and Saturday: 9am until 5pm (closed Sundays)

www.mchistory.org

Revisit a time when footsteps echoed on mosaic marble floors and the bell tolled for thee. Turn your gaze to turn-of-the-century painted ceilings and original lighting fixtures as you wander the award-winning McLean County Museum of History’s five exhibits, research library, and beautifully restored courtroom.

NOTE: The Museum’s elevator will be out of service from April 17 through early July. Upper levels of the Museum will only be accessible by stairs during this time.

The Museum’s Cruising with Lincoln on Route 66 Visitors Center will be free to all participants at Cogs and Corsets: A Steampunk Happening. To access the Museum’s exhibits, regular admission is $5 per adult, $4 for adults 65 and over, and free for children and students with I.D.

McLean County Museum of History

McLean County Arts Center

601 N. East St.
Gallery Hours: Fri. 10am–5pm; Sat. 12pm–4pm

Pure Color: Illinois Prairie Pastel Society Juried Member Exhibition

In 2006, six Springfield, Illinois pastel artists joined together to form the Springfield Area Pastelists. By 2009 the group had grown to 20 members and formally organized as the Illinois Prairie Pastel Society, establishing By-Laws to guide the organization, and affiliating with the International Association of Pastel Societies. The Illinois Prairie Pastel Society celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2016 with over 40 members and seeks to expand public understanding of the medium. Works from the members will be juried and hung in half of the Brandt Gallery with a coordinating duo of oil paintings and pencil drawings in the other half of the gallery by Deana Moore Schoolcraft and David Stratton.

Specs Around Town

Specs Around Town Optical Boutique

317 N. Center St.
Shop Hours: Fri. 10am–8pm; Sat. 8am–4pm

www.specsaroundtown.com

The Specs Around Town window for Cogs & Corsets will take you back to yesteryear. Well worth the visit to peer into and take a step back in time! Artist, Crystal Weer, will have every inch beautifully decorated with Steampunk embellished hats,  chair, a vintage suitcase and even a beautifully lit tree with her hand crafted steampunk tags hanging from the branches. You’ll find the beautiful tags for sale within Specs and you may even spy a few steampunk-era glasses and goggles!

Illinois Tattoo Co.

Illinois Tattoo Co

Illinois Tattoo Co.

102 W. Market St
Shop Hours: Fri. Noon-8pm, Sat. Noon-8pm

www.illinoistattooco.com

Providing the community with the highest quality tattoos in Central Illinois. At this time we encourage appointments as walk-in times are very limited.