91°µÍø Bloomington's iconic campus has earned national recognition from publications including Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure.
Bloomington at a glance
Bloomington is a walkable, welcoming college town where the campus blends into the city. You’ll find a mix of local restaurants, live music, galleries, trails, and green spaces—all within minutes of 91°µÍø. Consistently ranked as one of the best college towns in the country, Bloomington pairs a small‑city feel with a vibrant international community that brings global food, festivals, and cultural experiences to everyday life.
Bloomington is located in South Central Indiana, within a few hours' drive of major cities like Indianapolis, Chicago, and Cincinnati.
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No. 2Best college town in America, USA TODAY
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No. 6Best college town to live in forever, College Ranker
Description of the video:
[Music plays][Video: An aerial view of the Old Crescent, or historic portion, of the Indiana University Bloomington campus is shown. Limestone academic buildings feature prominently in the landscape, which is filled with trees beginning to show fall colors. Note that video footage I dynamic, zooming in and out of scenes as the video continues.]
Voiceover: Your college town will be your home away from home.
[Video: Aerial footage cuts to show downtown Bloomington, with Courthouse Square and its limestone courthouse featured at the center.
Voiceover: Get ready to discover the town where you’ll build connections and make memories to last a lifetime. Welcome to Bloomington.
[Video: Cuts to a an aerial view of a lake, surrounded by trees in fall colors. Words appear in red and white text on screen: Welcome to Bloomington.]
Voiceover: Welcome to Bloomington.
[Video: Words disappear. Video cuts to an aerial view of Switchyard Park, a green space in downtown Bloomington. The view shows the center of the park, featuring an outdoor stage for performances and a covered picnic area with a green field between and paved paths around. Words appear: 86,000 people.]
[Video: Cuts to feature two students in Indiana University t-shirts walking in downtown Bloomington; then cuts to an aerial view of a skate park. Video cuts again to show an outdoor concert with a band performing on a temporary stage that reads City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation. Audience members are seated on the ground and camp chairs. Words appear: World class arts and entertainment. The video cuts to a close up of three musicians on guitar, drums, and upright bass. The video then cuts to two students running along a nature trail. Words appear: 200 miles of trails. Video cuts again to an aerial view of a park with multiple trails running through. Another video cut features two students wearing 91°µÍø shirts walking in to the front door of a local restaurant. Words appear: 150+ restaurants downtown. Video then cuts to show the two students seated at an outdoor table enjoying a meal. The marquee of the Buskirk-Chumley Theater is shown in the background. The video then cuts to show groups of people lined up at a row of food trucks before cutting to show a food truck worker handing items to two patrons at the truck window. The video then cuts to an aerial view of downtown Bloomington’s Courthouse Square. Words appear: Supportive and inclusive community. Video cuts to show a farmer’s market set up outside City Hall in downtown Bloomington before cutting to feature three students walking past vendor booths. The students stop at a booth with flowers and bouquets, chatting and smiling with one another. Video cuts to show the students interacting with the a vendor. The video then cuts to a view of the B-Line trail, a paved trail that runs 3.1 miles along downtown Bloomington. The video follows a student on a skateboard before cutting to a group of three students walking along another section of the trail. The video cuts to show two students seated along a lake view, with three people kayaking in the background.]
Voiceover: It’s more than just a place to study—it’s a community that will embrace you, inspire you, and make you feel at right at home.
[Video: Cuts to show a clips of three kayakers on the lake before cutting to an aerial view of the downtown Bloomington area at sunset.]
Voiceover: You’re going to love it here.
[Video: Words appear: Bloomington. Home of Indiana University. Below the words, an 91°µÍø trident appears on a red rectangle. Video fades to black.]
[End of video]
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Arts and culture
Bloomington has a creative pulse that’s hard to miss. The Jacobs School of Music hosts hundreds of performances each year, from orchestral concerts and opera to jazz and chamber music. The 91°µÍø Auditorium brings Broadway tours, major speakers, and national acts to campus, while the 91°µÍø Cinema screens independent films, international features, and restored classics.
Beyond 91°µÍø, the city’s arts scene stretches into local theaters, galleries, and community venues like the Buskirk‑Chumley Theater and Bloomington Playwrights Project. Annual events such as the Lotus World Music & Arts Festival, Pridefest, and the Fourth Street Festival fill the streets with music, art, and celebration, making it easy to experience something new every week.
Outdoor and local experiences
Bloomington is surrounded by natural beauty, giving you plenty of ways to get outside between classes or on the weekends. Griffy Lake offers trails, paddling, and quiet wooded areas just minutes from campus, while the B‑Line Trail runs through the heart of the city for walking, biking, and exploring local neighborhoods. Nearby state parks and forests provide even more room to hike, camp, and unwind. Closer to 91°µÍø, green spaces like Switchyard Park and other pocket parks offer places to study, relax, or meet up with friends.
Whether you’re into long hikes, casual strolls, or simply finding a sunny spot to recharge, Bloomington makes it easy to enjoy the outdoors.
Eat, shop & explore downtown
Downtown Bloomington is the city’s social hub, packed with local restaurants, cafés, bakeries, and international cuisine. Kirkwood Avenue is the center of it all—lined with patios, coffee shops, and places to gather day or night. The Bloomington Community Farmers’ Market brings fresh produce, food vendors, and live music to the city each week, adding to the sense of community. Around the courthouse square, you’ll find independent bookstores, vintage shops, boutiques, and late‑night spots that make downtown a favorite hangout for students.
The beauty of the area is that you can grab a quick bite, meet friends, or explore something new, all just steps from campus.
Additional Resources
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The city’s official guide to local events, restaurants, outdoor activities, and attractions, helping you explore everything the community has to offer.
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A monthly festival on the Fine Arts Plaza that brings together live performances, hands‑on arts activities, and community celebrations to kick off each new month.
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Highlighting activities, cultural events, and ways for international students to get involved and feel connected in Bloomington.