Bloomington, IN (WCIA)
For those looking for a magical Midwestern getaway this holiday season, Bloomington, Indiana is a small Midwestern town that offers all the feel of a cozy small town with big holiday magic: think charming happenings in town home, traditional decor, warm comforting food and wine, winter wildlife, beautiful outdoor scenery, and more.
Here’s why this college town destination looks like the set of a Hallmark vacation movie:
Festive and friendly cuisine: With more than 350 restaurants, Bloomington is a small town that offers big, bold flavors thanks to its international food scene. Fresh, seasonal dishes are available all year round, and winter is no exception. Visitors can expect festive fare at the city’s restaurants. With artisan cafes, bakeries and restaurants, there is something delicious to discover. Popular winter bites include a ginger and molasses sandwich cookie or a sweet potato, zucchini and goat cheese pie from Two Sticks Bakery, or a Santa-shaped sugar cookie or a plum donut from Rainbow Bakery. For something tasty, Big Woods Bloomington’s Holiday Feast Burger, Cranberry Brown Sugar Meatballs, is a must. There’s also Cajun Meatloaf, Seafood Gumbo, or Uptown Cafe’s Pot Roast. Taste of India is another fantastic place to warm up with hearty flavors – their authentic curry, tikka masala and vindaloo dishes are some of the best international plates in town.
Making Spirits Shine: Cardinal Spirits, Bloomington’s only distillery, offers a few holiday-themed cocktails every year, this year being their Spiked Eggnog, Cider House Yules and Miss Mint cocktails. Made with artisanally distilled liquors, their cocktails are as beautiful as they are delicious. Switchyard Brewing Co. offers a Chocolate Cherry Stout and Winter Wheat, in addition to a few other seasonal releases. Function Brewing offers an Oatmeal Stout and Lennie’s is bringing back its Java Porter during the winter months. Don’t miss Upland Brewing Co.’s line of Teddy Bear Kisses beers, featuring bourbon barrel, orange peel and toasted coconut flavors. The Tap also makes its coffee-flavored Midnight Fuel Stout available to the masses every winter.
A hidden home away from home for vacation: For those who need more space than a traditional hotel, and many of whom still opt for private accommodations like Airbnb and VRBO, Bloomington is home to several unique vacation rentals and low-key like the hidden Red Rabbit Inn, an architecturally designed secluded cabin; the luxurious Scholars Inn Keep; The Mongolian Tibetan Buddhist Cultural Center yurts which offer three fully equipped retreat yurts and several retreat rooms on the second level of the cultural center building. A perfect fit for spiritual retreats or anyone seeking solitude and reflection; many others.
Winter Hiking: The beauty of snowfall on the southern Indiana landscape cannot be underestimated. If you’re looking to explore Bloomington’s natural wonders, check out some of the area’s best winter hiking at places like Lower Cascades Park, Griffy Lake Nature Preserve and the Bloomington Rail Trail. The Bloomington Rail Trail and Clear Creek Trail in Bloomington offer a combination of 4.4 miles of cross-country skiing opportunities, but for a real adventure, strap on your skis and hit the trails of the Charles C. Deam Wilderness Area or the Morgan-Monroe State Forest. Check out the 5 best winter hikes here.
Here to stay is the new bird. Your chances of seeing wildlife increase dramatically in winter since trees have lost their leaves and opened up sightlines in even the densest forest. When it comes to bald eagles, there’s no better place than Lake Monroe south of Bloomington, where the majestic birds have made a winter home. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources began bald eagle restoration efforts in Monroe in 1985, and the species became the poster child for the DNR’s Nongame & Endangered Wildlife program.
Seventy-three eaglets were released in Monroe over a five-year period in the late 1980s with a goal of 50 breeding pairs. This threshold was crossed in 2008, causing bald eagles to be removed from the state’s endangered species list. Today, more than 300 nesting sites are scattered across Indiana, with Monroe as the main hub. Golden eagles, rare in Indiana, are occasional visitors. Learn more here.
Best time to buy game tickets: Bloomington is well known for being home to one of the best college campuses in the United States: Indiana University. IU is also known for its varsity sports. An insider tip: Winter and the holiday season are one of the best times to buy tickets to its popular basketball games. It’s also a great time to buy souvenirs and holiday gifts for the IU fans in your family.
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