Soaking Up Summer in Bloomington, Indiana: A Local's Guide
Last updated March 2020
College towns are best in the summertime. You'd think they'd slow down in the summer but it's quite the opposite. Summer is the season of patios, festivals, and the farmers market. Plus, once the students leave you can always get a parking space, waits at restaurants aren't nearly as long, and you can enjoy the lake without hundreds of double-decker pontoon boats scooting around. If you're looking for a chill summer getaway, check out my guide to Bloomington in the summer.
Monroe Lake
Photos: Danielle Lucas
If I can't be on a beach with my toes in the sand and surfing the salty waves a big blue lake will do. I got hooked on paddleboarding when we lived in Hawaii and love having this huge lake ten minutes from town. If you don't have your own paddling gear check out IU Outdoor Adventure for rentals. They have a wide variety of gear and it's extremely affordable. Don't want to do the work? You can rent a pontoon or kayak for a day of cruising.
If you’re like me and want to have your own board on stand by, I have this one.
Other lakes in the area
Lake Lemon
Griffy Lake and Nature Preserve
Bloomington Farmers Market
The Bloomington Community Farmers' Market is the largest in the state and one of the most popular activities on Saturday mornings. I can't shop if I'm hungry so my first stop is usually Le Petite Cafe on the B-Line Trail for a bite; croque madame and crepes are my favorite. After a snack, meander through the market to do some shopping (and maybe some more eating) and enjoy the people watching. The Farmers Market is open from April-November.
Photo: Danielle Lucas
Cardinal Spirits
My favorite patio in town is Cardinal Spirits, hands down! It's right on the B-Line Trail making it easy to get to by bike and the perfect place to soak up some sunshine and enjoy a cocktail. If you're in Bloomington midweek, Tiki Tuesday is a must and they now offer a full dinner menu seven days a week and brunch on the weekends.
Upland Brewing Co.
Upland Brewing Company is the second oldest brewery in Bloomington and they have one of the best & biggest patios in town. During the school year it is packed consistently but in the summer, you can (usually) snag a spot. You can find me here on any given afternoon eating pulled pork nachos and drinking beer.
If and when you need a break from the sun, head next door to the sour brewery, The Wood Shop. They have about 10 sour taps and 10 specialty taps so it’s a fun place to try something new. If you’re not familiar with the sour brewing process, take a tasting tour ($10) and learn all about it. You’ll even get to sample beer straight off the foudre and see how the beer changes through the long aging process. The tasting tour is followed by a guided tasting with a staff member.
Brunch for Hours in Bloomington
Brunch in a college town is essential and Bloomington does it right.
Feast Market & Cellar is my favorite restaurant in town. The menu is crazy good and always changes. My ideal Sunday is sleeping in, then coffee, then biking to the restaurant in McDoel Gardens. The space is really unique because you’re basically dining in a beautiful wine cellar/bakery that happens to have a full menu. Take time to peruse the shelves and when you choose a bottle you'll pay wholesale prices.
The Hive is a perfect place for weekend brunch (til 2 pm) if you have a big group. The restaurant has counter service and there’s plenty of big tables so even if you have some stragglers, they can still join you and it doesn’t throw a kink in service. They also have a huge patio so grab a spot out there if you can handle the heat and want to see some cute dogs. They have a full bakery and known for monster-sized cinnamon rolls. My favorite dish is the Yoga Bowl, a big quinoa salad topped with avocado, savory granola, and a 7-minute egg. The other thing I love about this spot is that it pays a living wage so you don’t have to worry about tipping. They have beer and wine too if you need a little hair of the dog.
The Hive, Bloomington, Indiana
Camping in the Charles Deam Wilderness
When Ryan and I want to get away but don't have time for a big trip, we head to the Charles Deam Wilderness Area. They have miles of trails to explore and plenty of camping spots. This area seems to be less used than the state parks in the area so if you're looking for solitude, this is the place. For an even more remote camping excursion, try paddling to one of the lakeside camping spots not accessible by trails. For maps and more info click here.
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