#BirdofMouth student blogger Steven Greeneberg is a sophomore mass media major.
Are you staying near Illinois State University for the summer, or even living on campus?
Whether you’re from the Chicago suburbs, downstate, or from the Normal area like me, there are a lot of fun things to do in Bloomington-Normal in the summertime. Sometimes you never know just how much there is to do until you see for yourself.
Pools near campus
One of my favorite parts about my summers in Bloomington are the pools. There are several pools to choose from, and with Anderson and Fairview being very close to Illinois State’s campus, there is plenty of room for everyone. One of my favorites is definitely Fairview. With a giant pool and five different slides, this is a great place to go during a hot summer’s day. Plus, swimming is a fun way to get in a workout.
Many different golf courses
Something else I’ve always noticed about “BloNo” is how much we love golf. There are two golf courses near the house I grew up in, and they are never empty! With four golf courses in different parts of town, there is always a new course to play. Even better, each course offers a different golfing experience, which is something unique to this town . You can even take lessons through the Town of Normal and Ironwood Golf Course if you’ve never played before.
Restaurants original to BloNo
Whenever I travel somewhere, I notice that different towns often have their own original restaurants. Going somewhere to eat with authentic food is one of my favorite things to do, and I can do it right here in town. From Lucca Grill’s famous pizza to Thai House’s curry dishes, there is always something new to try. Check out some of the best-rated restaurants in BloNo on Yelp.
Downtown Bloomington
We all know Uptown Normal, but Downtown Bloomington is another part of town that has many things to offer. With great shops, restaurants, and art galleries, this is a great place to enjoy an evening with friends. We also can’t forget that there are three concert venues downtown. The U.S. Cellular Coliseum, Castle Theatre, and Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts are all places I love going during the summer. Also Jazz Upfront, a jazz nightclub, recently opened featuring live jazz performances and performers from all over.
I’ve lived here my whole life, and I have to say Bloomington-Normal is a great place to be. There is always something to do in the summertime, so get out there and start exploring!
#BirdofMouth student blogger Steven Greeneberg is a sophomore mass media major. Read more #BirdofMouth posts.
