FAQ: Bloomington Environment & Culture

Where is Bloomington?

Nestled in the hills of southern Indiana, Bloomington is within a day's drive of more than half of the population of the United States. It is a half of a day's drive or less to locations in Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Missouri.

How big is Bloomington?

Sixty thousand people live in Bloomington and 108,000 in Monroe County. Thirty-five thousand of these are students, many of whom vacate the campus during the summer months.

What is Bloomington like physically? Monroe County?

Bloomington and Monroe county are situated in beautiful forested rolling hills and farmland. In contrast to northern Indiana and Illinois, it is not flat here! (We have a fall bicycle tour called "The Hilly Hundred.") Located in the heart of the American Midwest, Bloomington is surrounded by state and national forests, state parks and other recreational facilities, which offer wonderful venues for hiking, camping, boating, swimming, fishing, horseback riding and more! Less than an hour from Bloomington, you can easily reach the Morgan Monroe State Forest, Hoosier National Forest, Brown County State Park, McCormick's Creek State Park, Spring Mill State Park, Griffy Lake, Lake Lemon, and Lake Monroe (the largest lake in the state). Bloomington and the surrounding countryside is decorated with colorful wildflowers year-round, and is especially renowned for the beauty of its autumn leaves.

A Chicago Tribune (August 17, 1997) article on Bloomington titled, "Campus Culture, Greenery Give Life to Indiana's Home" described Bloomington as a "charming city" and noted:

"This city in the heart of the rolling, rugged hills of south central Indiana certainly lives up to its name. Redbud, dogwood and lilac trees, daffodils and lilies bloom like mad throughout the area. The foliage peaks in mid-fall when the ash, oak and maple trees get together for a visually pleasing version of "Autumn Leaves."

What is the weather like in Bloomington?

Bloomington has four distinct seasons. Summer is warm and often humid, with average highs in the mid 80s, Early fall is crisp with an occasional rainstorm, average highs in the low seventies, November and December average highs in the 40s. Winter is generally mild (by Midwest standards!) with some, but usually not excessive, snowfall and average highs in the 30s and 40s. Spring is often rainy and windy, with average highs between 50-70.

What is the campus itself like?

The Bloomington campus of Indiana University is described in the book The Campus as a Work of Art as "one of the five most beautiful campuses in the nation." Its limestone buildings (remember the movie "Breaking Away"?) are situated among trees and woods. The campus is wooded, beautifully landscaped, and includes a meandering stream and an arboretum. The 20-acre area of campus known as the Old Crescent Historic District contains nine buildings built between 1884 and 1908 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. At the center of campus is Dunn's Woods, which features more than 80 varieties of trees.

Where is the campus in relation to the town?

The campus is in the northern part of the town, within the city limits and an easy walk to downtown and other shopping areas.

Do I need a car to live in Bloomington?

No. The university and city bus service is good, and many people walk to get to where they are going. Bicycling is also a popular way to get around.

Is Bloomington a relatively safe place?

Bloomington and IU boast a fairly low crime rate, but that doesn't stop the IU Administration from offering an outstanding number of safety programs including a Safety Escort Service which can be reached at 855-SAFE.

What cultural activities are available in Bloomington?

Bloomington bursts with cultural events thanks to an active arts community in town and the outstanding musical, theatrical and other artistic programs offered through the university. IU is especially known for its School of Music, and the Musical Arts Center on campus offers eight full-scale operas each year. The IU Auditorium, the IU Theater, the nearby Brown County Playhouse, and the John Waldron Arts Center in Bloomington give students a chance to see great performances without having to go all the way to Broadway.

The art museum on campus includes works from the major artistic traditions of the world. Along with the many small art galleries in town, Bloomington is a terrific place for students interested in the visual arts. The Mathers Museum houses a collection of local and international archaeological treasures.

With a tradition of featuring a diverse range of of musical styles, you can usually find as wide a variety of musical groups performing in Bloomington as you will find anywhere in the country. On any given night at the various clubs in town, you might hear anything from Bluegrass to Industrial. Every year the Bloomington Early Music Festival and the Lotus World Music Festival present opportunities for people to see performances of traditional music, from the European Renaissance to Zydeco. And before or after the show of your choice, you can dine in any number of cozy cafes, neighborhood coffee houses and ethnic restaurants, including Italian, Greek, Chinese, Japanese and Tibetan, among others.

What are some other ways that students can relax and enjoy themselves while in Bloomington?

Bloomington offers numerous recreational activities, both artistic and athletic, for students with all sorts of interests. Besides the 19 varsity sports on campus, you can participate in all kinds of intramural sports, from Ultimate Frisbee to Whiffleball to Euchre! The IU fitness center provides you with all sorts of fitness training, including strengthening exercises and aerobic activities. Bicycling is also a popular activity. Many local parks have running tracks for outdoor exercise, and there are three golf courses in the area, one owned by IU.

There are also a number of movie theatres in town, where you can catch the latest releases, as well as foreign films. And less than an hour from Bloomington, you can find a couple drive-in theatres, too!

What larger cities are within easy access to Bloomington?

Bloomington is within four hours of Chicago, Saint Louis, and Columbus. It is less than two hours from Cincinnati, Louisville, Kentucky, and only one hour to Indianapolis, the largest city and capital of Indiana, with a metropolitan area of more than one million people.

Who can I contact with other questions about living in Bloomington?

Feel free to contact the SLIS office if you have questions about living in Bloomington. If you have specific questions about on-campus living, you can e-mail the housing office at housing@indiana.edu. The Graduate Student Organization (GSO) can also provide information about living and studying in Bloomington. You may reach them at (812) 855-8747.