Before European-American settlers arrived, the area now known as Bloomington was occupied by the Kickapoo tribe. Starting in 1822, the town grew slowly and was a hub for nearby farmers. The city gained recognition in 1854 as the location for the famous Lincoln-Douglas presidential debates. At the beginning of the 20th century, railroads and highways drove further growth. Today, Bloomington is home to almost 79,000 residents.
Located a short drive from Chicago, Bloomington gives visitors plenty to see and do during their stay. If you go to Bloomington in August, you can enjoy the festivities at the McLean County Fair. Also in August, Sample for a Cure is a craft beer event that supports St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. For great beer, food and entertainment in September, Oktoberfest will not disappoint you. In addition, the famed Route 66 passes through Bloomington and offers roadside attractions. Other points of interest include the David Davis Mansion, the Children’s Discovery Museum, the Miller Park Zoo, Constitution Trail and Casey’s Garden Shop.
Bloomington is a short drive from the small towns of Champaign, Normal and Mackinaw. While you are in the area, you can explore Ambucs Park, Aikman Wildlife Adventure, the Wandell Sculpture Garden and Meadowbrook Park in Champaign. In Normal, you will find Waterson Towers, which are distinctive as the largest dormitories in the world. Mackinaw is known for its Mack-Ca-Fest Farm Days and its winery.
Campgrounds Near Bloomington, Illinois
Kentuckiana Kampground is located in nearby Mackinaw and offers spacious pull-through RV sites with full hookups. Here, you can enjoy facilities for bocce, basketball and shuffleboard. The two stocked ponds are ideal for fishing. Playgrounds, an entertainment venue, a dog walk area, winter storage and bathrooms with showers are also on-site for you to enjoy during your stay. Sites with full hookups are available for $36 per night.
The Spring Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area is a 1,300-acre park near Tazewell that sits directly on the Illinois River. There are two separate campsites here that accommodate both tents and RVs. There are 70 primitive sites at Pine Campground, which is located on Spring Lake. Oak Campground is also located on the lake and has 11 sites. This is an excellent spot for RVers who want to enjoy fishing, hunting and hiking during their trip. The daily rate is $37.
Prairie Pines Campground is conveniently located in Rantoul, where you can visit several restaurants and shops. At the campground, you will find 95 RV sites with full hookups. This area, which is open between April and October, offers a playground, well-maintained grounds, restrooms with showers and a laundry facility. The nightly rate is $30, and weekly and monthly rates are available as well.
State Parks Near Bloomington, Illinois
Weldon Springs State Park is relatively small, covering only 550 acres. However, it offers beautiful landscapes and year-round recreational options. The area boasts a pristine, spring-fed fishing pond with a dock and a boat launch. Bluegill, bluehead, sunfish, largemouth bass and other fish are caught here regularly. There are 2 miles of hiking trails as well as picnic tables and the Veterans Point Memorial. In the winter months, ice fishing, sledding and cross-country skiing are popular. Wildlife viewing is great year-round.
While you are in Illinois, take time to visit Big Foot Beach State Park, which is located on the pristine shores of Lake Geneva. This serene park is open for year-round fun and boasts mature shade trees and lush grasslands. Big Foot Beach State Park is the perfect spot for swimming, picnicking, canoeing, kayaking and fishing during the summer months. Its 5-mile trail system is popular for hiking in the summer and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter.
Shabbona Lake State Park’s natural beauty and abundant recreational opportunities can be enjoyed by taking a short drive from Bloomington. At the park, you will find the 318-acre Shabbona Lake as well as 1,550 acres that boast wildflowers and woods. Approximately 15 acres of the park are designated as a protected nesting area for ducks and geese. During your visit to this state park, you can have fun with picnicking, hunting, wildlife viewing and hiking.
National Sites Near Bloomington, Illinois
Take time to tour the Lincoln Home National Historical Site, which is in Springfield and just over an hour from Bloomington. This site is home to the only private residence that Abraham Lincoln ever owned. Visitors to the site can tour the home, as well as two other historic houses. The 4-acre park is also home to a visitor center.
History buffs and train enthusiasts will want to take the two-hour and 25-minute drive to Chicago to visit Pullman National Historical Park. The park features a former planned community designed by engineer and industrialist George Pullman, who improved railroad travel with his train cars. Pullman built the community to provide housing for his employees. Today, you can explore the historic houses and other structures in the park.
George Rogers Clark National Historical Park commemorates the 1779 surrender of British troops at Fort Sackville near present-day Vincennes, IN. American Colonel George Rogers Clark led the capture of the fort, which established United States claims to the frontier, which was up to that point under British control. Visitors to the park can learn more about this important event and explore various buildings in the area.
National Forests Near Bloomington, Illinois
Outdoor adventures await you at several national forests within driving distance of Bloomington. South of the town, the 289,000-acre Shawnee National Forest boasts a wide range of stunning landscapes. In addition to the forested lands, you can appreciate the grandeur of marshy wetlands, craggy ridges and large canyons. Several of the most popular destinations in the area are Jackson Falls, Bay Creek Lake, High Knob Lookout, Cedar Lake and Garden of the Gods. Miles of hiking trails wind through the Shawnee National Forest, and these trails are also suitable for backpacking and horseback riding.
North of Bloomington, the Huron-Manistee National Forest encompasses more than 540,000 acres in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. This massive area offers nature hikes, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing on its Manistee River Trail. Several waterways are popular among locals and visitors for fishing and boating. You can also make the hike up Briar Hill. As the highest peak in the region, Briar Hill provides spectacular views of the forest in all directions.
Ozark-St. Francis National Forest is located a short drive from Huron-Manistee National Forest. On 1.2 million acres, it is home to several large lakes, mountain streams and a forest of hardwood trees. Deer, bear and many other species thrive in this area, so you may spot a great variety of wildlife as you hike along the forest’s miles of trails. Some of these trails are suitable for ATVing, horseback riding and mountain biking. Designated areas are open for hunting. Other fun possibilities include boating, floating, kayaking, fishing and cave touring.
