Empire Estate's Guidebook
Food scene
Great local eatery. They often have bands on the weekend nights. They also have slots. Just a few minutes from the house... could actually walk.
Cheeks Bar & Grill
1206 Towanda AvenueGreat local eatery. They often have bands on the weekend nights. They also have slots. Just a few minutes from the house... could actually walk.
Great food and Service and very reasonably priced! Just a few minutes from the house... could actually walk.
Times Past Inn
1216 Towanda AveGreat food and Service and very reasonably priced! Just a few minutes from the house... could actually walk.
This is my Popcorn Store... come see me and get a 10% discount. Just a few minutes from the house... could actually walk.
Donny B's Gourmet and Gifts
1220 Towanda AvenueThis is my Popcorn Store... come see me and get a 10% discount. Just a few minutes from the house... could actually walk.
DESTIHL Restaurant & Brew Works
318 S Towanda AveAmazing Food and Drinks.
Annie's Eats Carry-Out And Catering
606 N Clinton StLOVE this BBQ!!! Great food and service
Epiphany Farms Restaurant
220 E Front StAmazing food ... not your usual flare!
Ivy Lane Bakery
405 N Main StLove this local bakery in Downtown Bloomington... the sugar cookies are AMAZING!!!
Sightseeing
This museum for local history has a very grand location at McClean County Courthouse and Square, surrounded by historic buildings.
Noted for its towering dome, the Classical Revival courthouse is the third on this site, raised in 1868 and then extensively rebuilt after a fire in 1900.
All four stories are taken up by the museum with excellent, in-depth galleries looking into McLean County’s rich political and military history, immigration and Native American heritage, commercial and industrial history, as well as the intrinsic connection between the county and agriculture.
At the time of writing there was an acclaimed new exhibit exploring Lincoln’s work as an attorney in McLean County, his role in the anti-slavery movement and in the formation of the new Republican party in this state.
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McLean County Museum of History
200 N Main StThis museum for local history has a very grand location at McClean County Courthouse and Square, surrounded by historic buildings.
Noted for its towering dome, the Classical Revival courthouse is the third on this site, raised in 1868 and then extensively rebuilt after a fire in 1900.
All four stories are taken up by the museum with excellent, in-depth galleries looking into McLean County’s rich political and military history, immigration and Native American heritage, commercial and industrial history, as well as the intrinsic connection between the county and agriculture.
At the time of writing there was an acclaimed new exhibit exploring Lincoln’s work as an attorney in McLean County, his role in the anti-slavery movement and in the formation of the new Republican party in this state.
Everything Route 66! It's inside the McLean County Museum in Downtown Bloomington.
Cruisin with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center and Gift Shop
200 N Main StEverything Route 66! It's inside the McLean County Museum in Downtown Bloomington.
Sprague's Super Service Station
305 Pine StreetOn Route 66
In uptown Normal, this superb interactive museum is in a three-story building next to Bloomington-Normal Station.
The exhibits at the Children’s Discovery Museum are carefully designed to offer rewarding, open-ended and multilayered learning experiences for kids.
So this means that they can learn about healthy food choices at a market, drive a combine in the largest children’s museum agriculture exhibit in the country, scale the two-story Luckey Climber and let their creativity run free in the Art Studio.
The museum runs all sorts of early childhood programs, and also features the Innovation Station, where kids and families can encounter STEAM concepts through building, collaboration, experiments and plenty of fun.
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Children's Discovery Museum
101 E Beaufort StIn uptown Normal, this superb interactive museum is in a three-story building next to Bloomington-Normal Station.
The exhibits at the Children’s Discovery Museum are carefully designed to offer rewarding, open-ended and multilayered learning experiences for kids.
So this means that they can learn about healthy food choices at a market, drive a combine in the largest children’s museum agriculture exhibit in the country, scale the two-story Luckey Climber and let their creativity run free in the Art Studio.
The museum runs all sorts of early childhood programs, and also features the Innovation Station, where kids and families can encounter STEAM concepts through building, collaboration, experiments and plenty of fun.
The David Davis Mansion, also known as Clover Lawn, is a Victorian home in Bloomington, Illinois that was the residence of David Davis, Supreme Court justice and Senator from Illinois.
19 (рекомендации местных жителей)
David Davis Mansion
1000 Monroe DrThe David Davis Mansion, also known as Clover Lawn, is a Victorian home in Bloomington, Illinois that was the residence of David Davis, Supreme Court justice and Senator from Illinois.
Ewing Cultural Center, located on the Sunset Hill estate of the late Hazle Buck Ewing, sits majestically on 6.5 acres of wooded landscape in Bloomington, Illinois. This beautiful estate, rich in local history, is preserved and elegantly maintained due to the generosity of donors who discovered a way to celebrate the area's culture, landscape, and nature. Ewing Manor, the Theatre at Ewing, and the Genevieve Green Gardens are the separate but closely linked properties of Ewing Cultural Center.
9 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Ewing Cultural Center
48 Sunset RdEwing Cultural Center, located on the Sunset Hill estate of the late Hazle Buck Ewing, sits majestically on 6.5 acres of wooded landscape in Bloomington, Illinois. This beautiful estate, rich in local history, is preserved and elegantly maintained due to the generosity of donors who discovered a way to celebrate the area's culture, landscape, and nature. Ewing Manor, the Theatre at Ewing, and the Genevieve Green Gardens are the separate but closely linked properties of Ewing Cultural Center.
Based in hangars and an outdoor air park here is a small but compelling fleet of aircraft, mostly from the second half of the 20th century.
Some of the standouts are a Bell Sea Cobra, an F-14 Tomcat, an A-4 Skyhawk and a UH-1H Iroquois. Check the website for details about Open Cockpit Days, when you can get behind the controls and test your skills on a Delta 880 simulator.
Prairie Aviation Museum
2929 E Empire StBased in hangars and an outdoor air park here is a small but compelling fleet of aircraft, mostly from the second half of the 20th century.
Some of the standouts are a Bell Sea Cobra, an F-14 Tomcat, an A-4 Skyhawk and a UH-1H Iroquois. Check the website for details about Open Cockpit Days, when you can get behind the controls and test your skills on a Delta 880 simulator.
There’s a fascinating piece of 19th-century Illinois life just southwest of Bloomington. Now a private historic house museum, the Funk Prairie home was built in 1864 by one Lafayette Funk as a wedding gift to his bride Elizabeth.
Remarkably the interior has retained many of the furnishings and decoration from the decade it was built and is brimming with interesting Funk family curios.
Lafayette Funk had a passion for natural history, and across 30 years he amassed an amazing collection of fossils, minerals and gems, and these are presented alongside corals, sea shells, Chinese soapstone carvings and Native American artifacts from Central Illinois.
Also on the tour is a barn packed with forgotten 19th-century agricultural tools from a time when mules and horses provided the power.
Funk Prairie Home and Gem and Mineral Museum
10875 Prairie Home LnThere’s a fascinating piece of 19th-century Illinois life just southwest of Bloomington. Now a private historic house museum, the Funk Prairie home was built in 1864 by one Lafayette Funk as a wedding gift to his bride Elizabeth.
Remarkably the interior has retained many of the furnishings and decoration from the decade it was built and is brimming with interesting Funk family curios.
Lafayette Funk had a passion for natural history, and across 30 years he amassed an amazing collection of fossils, minerals and gems, and these are presented alongside corals, sea shells, Chinese soapstone carvings and Native American artifacts from Central Illinois.
Also on the tour is a barn packed with forgotten 19th-century agricultural tools from a time when mules and horses provided the power.
Great hiking and nearby restaurants... worth the hour drive
90 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Starved Rock State Park
2678 E 875th RdGreat hiking and nearby restaurants... worth the hour drive
Park with hiking, fishing, canoeing, anything outdoors... only a short 20 minute drive
9 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Comlara Park
13001 Recreation Area DrPark with hiking, fishing, canoeing, anything outdoors... only a short 20 minute drive
Fun Adventures
Rader Family Farms is a fourth generation working farm located in Bloomington - Normal, Illinois. We open a portion of the farm to the public in the fall, giving people the opportunity to spend a day outside and get a feel for agricultural life. Tons of outdoor activities like hayrack rides, a jumping pillow, apple cannons, acres of u-pick and fresh picked pumpkins, fresh made food, specialty coffees and drinks, live animals and so much more to help you make memories, just on the edge of Normal.
Located up few miles up the same road as Ropp Jersey Cheese so visit there too.
6 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Rader Family Farms
1312 Ropp RdRader Family Farms is a fourth generation working farm located in Bloomington - Normal, Illinois. We open a portion of the farm to the public in the fall, giving people the opportunity to spend a day outside and get a feel for agricultural life. Tons of outdoor activities like hayrack rides, a jumping pillow, apple cannons, acres of u-pick and fresh picked pumpkins, fresh made food, specialty coffees and drinks, live animals and so much more to help you make memories, just on the edge of Normal.
Located up few miles up the same road as Ropp Jersey Cheese so visit there too.
Local Vineyard that makes their own wine. Over 20 kinds to try. They often have bands and special events on the weekends. Only 30 minute drive.
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Mackinaw Valley Vineyard
33633 IL-9Local Vineyard that makes their own wine. Over 20 kinds to try. They often have bands and special events on the weekends. Only 30 minute drive.
Have a walk around and see first hand where your products come from. Our cheese manufacturing plant has a visitor viewing area, where you will see our cheesemakers hard at work. Take a stroll through the cow barn and visit some happy residents! Then be sure to shop at our retail store where we offer a wide variety of farm-to-fork products. All of our cheeses are available for purchase here, along with fresh cheese curds, beef, pork, chicken, natural jarred goods, hand dipped ice cream, candy, and local raw honey!
Located up few miles up the same road as Rader Family Farms so visit there too.
6 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Ropp Jersey Cheese
2676 Ropp RdHave a walk around and see first hand where your products come from. Our cheese manufacturing plant has a visitor viewing area, where you will see our cheesemakers hard at work. Take a stroll through the cow barn and visit some happy residents! Then be sure to shop at our retail store where we offer a wide variety of farm-to-fork products. All of our cheeses are available for purchase here, along with fresh cheese curds, beef, pork, chicken, natural jarred goods, hand dipped ice cream, candy, and local raw honey!
Located up few miles up the same road as Rader Family Farms so visit there too.
Visit Upper Limits Bloomington for a premier rock climbing Bloomington, IL gym and pro shop. The site boasts 65-foot silos, a 110-foot outdoor wall, and options for bouldering, auto belays, top-roping, lead-climbing, rock climbing, group classes, and more. Programs such as a youth climbing team, climbing camps, and team-building provide even more opportunity to explore the sport. Prices vary depending on your needs.
Day Pass: Access the gym for the day for $18 for adults or $15 for children.
Family Day Pass: A maximum of four members of the same household can enjoy Upper Limits for the day, complete with harness rentals, for $55. Upgrade to the Deluxe Family Day Pass for $75 to receive shoes and a chalk bag/belay device for each person.
12 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Upper Limits Climbing Gym
1304 W Washington StVisit Upper Limits Bloomington for a premier rock climbing Bloomington, IL gym and pro shop. The site boasts 65-foot silos, a 110-foot outdoor wall, and options for bouldering, auto belays, top-roping, lead-climbing, rock climbing, group classes, and more. Programs such as a youth climbing team, climbing camps, and team-building provide even more opportunity to explore the sport. Prices vary depending on your needs.
Day Pass: Access the gym for the day for $18 for adults or $15 for children.
Family Day Pass: A maximum of four members of the same household can enjoy Upper Limits for the day, complete with harness rentals, for $55. Upgrade to the Deluxe Family Day Pass for $75 to receive shoes and a chalk bag/belay device for each person.
With over 23,000 square feet of indoor trampolines and other amenities, this place is jumping! Altitude Trampoline Park Bloomington is a fresh, new entertainment option for families, groups, and individuals to have active fun.
Altitude Trampoline Park BLOOMINGTON, IL
1702 General Electric RdWith over 23,000 square feet of indoor trampolines and other amenities, this place is jumping! Altitude Trampoline Park Bloomington is a fresh, new entertainment option for families, groups, and individuals to have active fun.
Paved trail that runs miles throughout Bloomington Normal. The trail is where the railroad tracks used to be. You can run, bike, walk or rollerblade. Much of it is tree lined providing shade.
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Constitution Trail
Constitution TrailPaved trail that runs miles throughout Bloomington Normal. The trail is where the railroad tracks used to be. You can run, bike, walk or rollerblade. Much of it is tree lined providing shade.
Check out their website for area interests and events.
Bloomington-Normal Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
101 Cira DrCheck out their website for area interests and events.
Rivian Automotive LLC
100 Rivian MotorwayElectric cars are made here.... Call to set up tour
Iron Coyote is a 20,000 sq/ft challenge park offering a high ropes course with over 35 elements, 4 ninja warrior-style obstacle courses, harnessed climbing walls, a 60 ft. zip line, party rooms, a full-service cafe serving snacks, smoothies, and adult beverages, with an observation mezzanine to enjoy it all! Iron Coyote is where fun meets fitness, and has something to offer for all ages and abilities with general admission rates, monthly memberships, birthday parties, team-building events, field trips, and fitness classes for both children and adults!
6 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Iron Coyote Challenge Park
4113 Oakland AveIron Coyote is a 20,000 sq/ft challenge park offering a high ropes course with over 35 elements, 4 ninja warrior-style obstacle courses, harnessed climbing walls, a 60 ft. zip line, party rooms, a full-service cafe serving snacks, smoothies, and adult beverages, with an observation mezzanine to enjoy it all! Iron Coyote is where fun meets fitness, and has something to offer for all ages and abilities with general admission rates, monthly memberships, birthday parties, team-building events, field trips, and fitness classes for both children and adults!
Bloomington’s Miller Park has had a menagerie of some sort since 1891, and this became a full-fledged zoo in 1900.
In the 1990s and 2000s a host of new exhibits were added, more than doubling the zoos area.
For a brief summary you’ve got indoor spaces like ZooLab, with its exotic insects, meerkats and parrots, and the historic Katthoefer Animal Building, holding snow leopards, tamarins, snakes and Sumatran tigers.
Outside you’ll encounter wallabies, red pandas, Galapagos tortoises, otters, alligators, Pallas’ cats and a wealth of birds, from eagles, to hawks, greater flamingos and hooded cranes.
The wider park has no shortage of facilities, especially in summer when there’s a splash pad, mini golf course and a lake with paddle boats.
27 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Зоопарк Миллер Парк
1020 S Morris AveBloomington’s Miller Park has had a menagerie of some sort since 1891, and this became a full-fledged zoo in 1900.
In the 1990s and 2000s a host of new exhibits were added, more than doubling the zoos area.
For a brief summary you’ve got indoor spaces like ZooLab, with its exotic insects, meerkats and parrots, and the historic Katthoefer Animal Building, holding snow leopards, tamarins, snakes and Sumatran tigers.
Outside you’ll encounter wallabies, red pandas, Galapagos tortoises, otters, alligators, Pallas’ cats and a wealth of birds, from eagles, to hawks, greater flamingos and hooded cranes.
The wider park has no shortage of facilities, especially in summer when there’s a splash pad, mini golf course and a lake with paddle boats.
The facility offers ice skating lessons, public skating sessions, a comprehensive hockey program, learn to curl and curling leagues, skate rental and a concessions stand.
The Bloomington Ice Center is attached to the Grossinger Motors Arena and offers a variety of ice skating programs throughout the year. Some of the programs offered by the Bloomington Ice Center are: Learn to Skate classes for all ages, Learn to Play Hockey classes for all ages, Youth and Adult Hockey Leagues, Freestyle practice sessions, Stick and Puck, Pick Up Hockey, and of course, Daily Open Skate sessions.
The Bloomington Ice Center has a snack bar, skate rental and lockers for customer convenience.
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Bloomington Ice Center
201 S Roosevelt AveThe facility offers ice skating lessons, public skating sessions, a comprehensive hockey program, learn to curl and curling leagues, skate rental and a concessions stand.
The Bloomington Ice Center is attached to the Grossinger Motors Arena and offers a variety of ice skating programs throughout the year. Some of the programs offered by the Bloomington Ice Center are: Learn to Skate classes for all ages, Learn to Play Hockey classes for all ages, Youth and Adult Hockey Leagues, Freestyle practice sessions, Stick and Puck, Pick Up Hockey, and of course, Daily Open Skate sessions.
The Bloomington Ice Center has a snack bar, skate rental and lockers for customer convenience.
Mixing a bit of everything, this family activity center in southeast Bloomington is like a small amusement park.
There’s a handful of carnival rides here, mostly aimed at the youngest visitors, as well as go karts, bumper boats, an arcade and batting cages.
The high point though is definitely the mini golf course, which has been creatively designed, with interesting challenges and lots of little handmade details, not least a Statue of Liberty replica.
Grady’s Family Fun Park is famed for its pizza, which has a signature sweet tomato sauce.
10 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Grady's Family Fun Park
1501 Morrissey DrMixing a bit of everything, this family activity center in southeast Bloomington is like a small amusement park.
There’s a handful of carnival rides here, mostly aimed at the youngest visitors, as well as go karts, bumper boats, an arcade and batting cages.
The high point though is definitely the mini golf course, which has been creatively designed, with interesting challenges and lots of little handmade details, not least a Statue of Liberty replica.
Grady’s Family Fun Park is famed for its pizza, which has a signature sweet tomato sauce.
Mass VR - Bloomington
4 Currency DrVirtual Reality, Escape Rooms and Arcade
Visitors can play competitive paintball games in a post-apocalyptic themed arena with barrels and other structures with Urban Warfare. The facility also hosts paintball laser tag, a paintless alternative to paintball.
Urban Warfare Paintball
10424 East 1400 North RoadVisitors can play competitive paintball games in a post-apocalyptic themed arena with barrels and other structures with Urban Warfare. The facility also hosts paintball laser tag, a paintless alternative to paintball.
Bloomington's Twin City Lanes is a retro styled bowling alley that features synthetic lanes and electronic scoring, and hosts open bowling as well as tournaments and league play. The alley also has a full bar.
Twin City Lanes
1006 East Lincoln StreetBloomington's Twin City Lanes is a retro styled bowling alley that features synthetic lanes and electronic scoring, and hosts open bowling as well as tournaments and league play. The alley also has a full bar.
Shopping
Here to satisfy your low cost second hand needs. Art, antiques, retro clothing, curios and much more
Located right across the street... tell them you're staying at the Airbnb and they will give you a discount.
The Flea Thrift
1236 East Empire StreetHere to satisfy your low cost second hand needs. Art, antiques, retro clothing, curios and much more
Located right across the street... tell them you're staying at the Airbnb and they will give you a discount.
Great Thrift Store... Karen is the owner and a friend of mine... mention you are staying at the Airbnb and get a discount on your purchases.
Etc. Shoppes & Storage
1804 North Towanda Barnes RoadGreat Thrift Store... Karen is the owner and a friend of mine... mention you are staying at the Airbnb and get a discount on your purchases.
Family owned business buying and selling new, gently used, & vintage furniture as well as antiques in the heart of Historic Downtown Bloomington since 2009.
Ivy Lane Bakery is across the street so stop in and get one of those amazing sugar cookies!
Neighborhood Thrift Store
406 N Main StFamily owned business buying and selling new, gently used, & vintage furniture as well as antiques in the heart of Historic Downtown Bloomington since 2009.
Ivy Lane Bakery is across the street so stop in and get one of those amazing sugar cookies!
Shoppes at College Hills
314 Towanda AveOutdoor mall
Eastland Mall
1615 E Empire StPick up some of the items you may have forgotten to bring. Just. a few blocks from the house... easily walkable.
Dollar General
1209 Towanda AvenuePick up some of the items you may have forgotten to bring. Just. a few blocks from the house... easily walkable.
From May to October, hundreds of antiques, collectibles and arts and crafts vendors show up to Bloomington for one of the biggest monthly markets of its kind in the Midwest.
Taking place at the Interstate Center on the third Sunday of the month of course, the 3rd Sunday Market brings more than 450 dealers from 17 states.
3rd Sunday Market
1106 Interstate DriveFrom May to October, hundreds of antiques, collectibles and arts and crafts vendors show up to Bloomington for one of the biggest monthly markets of its kind in the Midwest.
Taking place at the Interstate Center on the third Sunday of the month of course, the 3rd Sunday Market brings more than 450 dealers from 17 states.
Entertainment
Great Entertainment... check out their website for schedule of events.
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Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts
Great Entertainment... check out their website for schedule of events.
Community Players Theatre
201 Robinhood LaneLocal Theatre. Just a few minutes from the house... could actually walk
Indoor Football, Hockey and Concerts... check out their website for schedule of events.
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Grossinger Motors Arena
101 S Madison StIndoor Football, Hockey and Concerts... check out their website for schedule of events.
From the end of June to mid-August Bloomington and Normal play host to a major cultural festival performing the works of William Shakespeare.
The Illinois Shakespeare Festival takes place at Bloomington’s outdoor Ewing Theatre, as well as Illinois State University’s Center for Performing Arts.
The former is in a beautiful spot, on an estate laid out by the Prairie Style landscape architect, Jens Jensen.
The festival has been going since 1978, and is produced by ISU’s College of Fine Arts and the School of Theatre and dance.
In a revolving rep there are usually three plays during the season, two by Shakespeare, and one by a modern playwright but in a period setting.
Illinois Shakespeare Festival
48 Sunset RdFrom the end of June to mid-August Bloomington and Normal play host to a major cultural festival performing the works of William Shakespeare.
The Illinois Shakespeare Festival takes place at Bloomington’s outdoor Ewing Theatre, as well as Illinois State University’s Center for Performing Arts.
The former is in a beautiful spot, on an estate laid out by the Prairie Style landscape architect, Jens Jensen.
The festival has been going since 1978, and is produced by ISU’s College of Fine Arts and the School of Theatre and dance.
In a revolving rep there are usually three plays during the season, two by Shakespeare, and one by a modern playwright but in a period setting.
The Castle Theatre is a live music venue that has served the area for decades after originally opening in 1916. The theatre hosts both local and national artists from a variety of music genres like blues, jazz, and alternative rock.
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Замковый театр
209 E Washington StThe Castle Theatre is a live music venue that has served the area for decades after originally opening in 1916. The theatre hosts both local and national artists from a variety of music genres like blues, jazz, and alternative rock.
Opened on November 17, 1937 with an original seating capacity of 691, the Normal Theater is owned by the Town of Normal, Illinois and is operated as a non-profit movie theater devoted to showing classic, independent and foreign films in an historically restored, Art Moderne movie palace. It has been completely restored and is open Thursdays through Sundays weekly.
8 (рекомендации местных жителей)
The Normal Theater
209 W North StOpened on November 17, 1937 with an original seating capacity of 691, the Normal Theater is owned by the Town of Normal, Illinois and is operated as a non-profit movie theater devoted to showing classic, independent and foreign films in an historically restored, Art Moderne movie palace. It has been completely restored and is open Thursdays through Sundays weekly.
Gym Workout
Planet Fitness
1615 East Empire StreetGym close to the house
Breweries
Lil Beaver Brewery
5 Finance DrLocal Brewery
DESTIHL Brewery & Beer Hall
1200 Greenbriar DrKeg Grove Brewing Company
712 E Empire St