Bloomington-Normal

Bloomington, pop. 77,000 (2020 census), is a city in the Midwestern state of Illinois in the United States, on the classic Route 66 highway across the nation. With neighboring Normal, pop. 52,000 (2020 census), it forms a combined community of about 130,000 known locally as the Twin Cities. Illinois Wesleyan University is in Bloomington and is not to be confused with Illinois State University in Normal.

The community is in the heart of Central Illinois, roughly 125 miles southwest of Chicago, 155 miles northeast of St. Louis and 64 miles northeast of Springfield and the State Capital. Bloomington is the County Seat of McLean County and the largest county in Illinois (roughly 762,240 acres).Interstates 39, 55 and 74 converge on Bloomington-Normal, as well as US Route 51 and State Route 9.

Bloomington-Normal is also serviced by four major railroad lines and Amtrak, as well as air transportation at the Central Illinois Regional Airport, one of the fastest growing airports in the nation, which services commuter, corporate and private aircraft.

The Twin Cities are located in one of the most productive agricultural areas in the nation, but the economy is diverse and well-balanced. In addition to the major manufacturers and industries and there are two universities, two hospitals, a convention center, two indoor malls, an outdoor outlet mall and many banks and Savings & Loan Associations located in Bloomington-Normal. The City of Bloomington is one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in Illinois with an estimated 20.25% increase in population between 1986 and 1995. New construction continues to enhance residential, industrial and commercial growth.

Travel to Bloomington-Normal

Fly to Bloomington-Normal

The Central Illinois Regional Airport at Bloomington-Normal GPS 40.483311,-88.914158 (IATA Flight Code: BMI) has daily arrivals from Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Minneapolis and Dallas, along with 4-times-a-week service from Orlando and Denver. A smaller airport, Peoria International Airport (IATA Flight Code: PIA) is 45 minutes away and offers arrivals from additional city's. Parking is free at both airports.

How to travel to Bloomington-Normal by car

Interstate highways 39, 55 and 74 converge on the south side of Bloomington and divide again on the north side of Normal.I-55 follows the historic route of Route 66 through central Illinois, except that Route 66 bypassed Bloomington-Normal on the east rather than on the west as the interstates do. Veterans Parkway the east-side bypass (formerly called "Belt Line Road", was renamed in the 1980s), was the Route 66 route in the immediate pre-Interstate period. Earlier, 66 passed through downtown Bloomington and into residential Normal. The route given in the Route 66 page reflects this original alignment, known as "Business 66" after Veterans Parkway was built.

Travel by train to Bloomington-Normal

Amtrak - 11 Uptown Circle 40.508866,-88.984342 Uptown Station - Opening Hours: Station hours 6:30AM Monday - 9:30PM daily, ticket counter closes at 9:15PM You can easily take an Amtrak train from Chicago or St. Louis, with five daily departures. Track improvements are now being constructed to offer high-speed rail service from Bloomington-Normal on a planned eight trains a day in each direction. The Texas Eagle / Sunset Limited long-distance train provides daily service to Dallas and tri-weekly service to Los Angeles. The Bloomington-Normal railway station is near the Illinois State University campus in Normal, in a combined facility with Normal's city hall and is the fourth busiest Amtrak station in the Midwestern United States behind Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Louis.

Travel by Bus to Bloomington-Normal

Greyhound buses serve Bloomington-Normal from Indianapolis, Chicago and St. Louis.
Peoria Charter runs buses to Bloomington-Normal from Chicago, Champaign-Urbana and Peoria (Illinois) | Peoria.

Get Around

Bloomington-Normal Public Transit System, . Busses cover most of the community. Downtown Bloomington is well walkable, but most shopping, etc., is on the eastern side of the towns and is best reached by vehicle or bus.

What to See

Children's Discovery Museum - 101 East Beaufort Street - ☎ +1 309 433-3444 Opening Hours: Tu, W, Saturday: 9AM Monday - 5PM: Thursday & F: 9AM Monday - 8PM; Sunday: 9AM Monday - 5PM; Also open M: 9AM Monday - 5PM in June–August $4 Full of hands-on exhibit for children. Features an agricultural exhibit, a clock tower and science exhibits.

David Davis Mansion 1000 East Monroe Drive 40.482222,-88.979722 ☎ +1 309 828-1084 Opening Hours: W-Sunday: 9AM Monday - 4PM Suggested donation: $2/1 (Adults/Children) David Davis Mansion - Bloomington Il David Davis Mansion3 An elegant, ornate mansion that dates back to 1872.

Illinois Shakespeare Festival Ewing Manor - 48 Sunset Road - ☎ +1 309 438-8110 +1 309-438-5806 Illinois Shakespeare Festival Considered has some of the best renditions of Shakespeare in the nation.

McLean County Museum of History 200 North Main Street (Bloomington) 40.4796,-88.9937 ☎ +1 309 827-0428 Opening from Monday to Saturday: 10AM Monday - 5PM; Tu: 10AM Monday - 9PM; Also open Sunday: 1PM Monday - 5PM (Sept. - May) $5/4/Free (Adults/Seniors/Children & Students) McLean County Museum of History McLean County Courthouse and Plaza (7436726814) -QQQ7864 Allows one to see the customs and work trainings of settlers to McLean county, along with exhibits featuring residents such as Abraham Lincoln and Adlai Stevenson.

Miller Park Zoo 1020 South Morris Ave (Bloomington) 40.469,-89.0055 ☎ +1 309 434-2250 +1 309-434-2823 Opening Hours: Daily 9:30AM Monday - 4:30PM (Closed Thanksgiving & Christmas) $4.50/3.50/Free (Adults/Children 3-12 & Seniors 60+/Children under 3) Miller Park Zoo A pleasant place for a picnic and hosts a small but interesting zoo, with a good rain-forest exhibit.

Top Travel Tips

Bloomington is the county seat of McLean County (Illinois) | McLean County and the largest and most prosperous county in downstate Illinois farming territory and as such hosts the McLean County Fair, a particularly durable example of the county-fair genre. Fairgrounds are on the west side of town just off the interstate. Vast quantities of livestock on display, if you're into that sort of thing, with other Midwestern things to see/do/eat. Check locally for dates, typically in early August.
Most of Normal's activities revolve around Illinois State University (ISU) in one way or another. See the link under "Learn" for current information on what's happening at the university.
The well-reviewed Illinois Shakespeare Festival is associated with ISU and runs from late June until early August, with multiple performances of (usually) three of the Bard's plays. Performances are on the grounds of Ewing Manor in east Bloomington and can include pre-show picnics on the lush grounds. Tickets are $20 and up for one performance, with package deals and various discounts available.
Central Illinoit is not thought of as much of a place for hiking, to put it mildly, but a very pleasant and popular parkway for walking, biking and blading and the Constitution Trail, features almost 30 miles of trail throughout Bloomington-Normal, including a main trail that runs from southern Bloomington right into the commercial and campus area of Normal; other branches converge into downtown Bloomington and span from the east to west sides of that city.
Bloomington is home to one of the nation's best indoor climbing gyms, Upper Limits. Upper Limits has over 20,000 square feet of climbing area. Built in a set of old grain elevators, thit is a great indoor climbing gym. The climbing includes: 65' tall silo routes, a 30' main room with plenty of overhanging climbing (including the Wave Wall with at least three lead-only routes), slab routes, a climbing cave, training area, 110' outdoor routes and an outdoor bouldering area. Route difficulties ranges from 5.5 to 5.13-, with boulder from V0 to V6+.
The U.S. Cellular Colliseum was opened in 2006 and features minor league indoor football (Bloomington Extreme), basketball (Bloomington Drive) and ice hockey (Bloomington Blaze). Additionally, many well-known bands and artists come to perform. Additional events include ice racing, circuses, monster trucks and similar attractions.
The Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts seats 1200 for stage plays, smaller concerts and is home to the Illinois Symphony Orchestra. It is located in the entertainment neighborhood of downtown Bloomington, which attracts over one million visitors a year to restaurants, clubs and venues that feature comedy and musical acts.
A ball park constructed in 2010 on the Heartland Junior College campus is the home to the Normal Cornbelters minor league baseball team.
A number of festivals and the largest 4-H county fair in the United States are held in Bloomington-Normal. The Apple & Pork Festival and the Threshermen's Reunion in nearby Clinton and Pontiac respectively, draw almost 100,000 visitors in the summer months.
Outdoor recreation and boating is available at two city-owned lakes (Lake Bloomington and Comlara Park at Evergreen Lake) and Moraine View State Park, all within 20 minutes of the city limits.
Bloomington has three public golf courses and Normal and Illinois State University each offer one. There are several private golf clubs in or near Bloomington the most notable being Bloomington Country Club. Golf Digest has named the area as one of the five best places for golf in the United States.
Community Players Theatre 201 Robinhood Lane, Bloomington, IL 40.490727,-88.966490 Across from Eagle Station Post Office ☎ +1 309-663-2121 It is one of the oldest community theatres completely staffed by volunteers. Community Players has been able to present many shows shortly after their Broadway run and, on many occasions, presented the first amateur production of these shows in the United States. It is a not-for-profit community theatre dedicated to promoting the performing arts. Contact the Box Office (309/663-2121) or Website (www.communityplayers.org) for information about their current season.

The Castle Theatre - 209 East. Washington Street 40.479564,-88.992625 Head north on Main Street in downtown Bloomington. Turn right on to Washington Street. ☎ +1 309-820-0352 Opening Hours: 9AM Monday - 5PM, shows generally in the evening $10.00-50.00 A historic 1916 movie theater renovated and converted into a community hub for live music. The Castle Theatre features music artists of many different genres and levels of renown. Prices vary based on the show.

Study in Bloomington-Normal

Illinois State University, .Illinois State University is Illinois' first public university. The town of Normal grew up around this school, long a teachers college and formerly known as "Illinois State Normal University" (a "normal" school being one dedicated to educating teachers). It expanded vastly in the 1960s and is now a major university. The basketball program is strong, although most other sports are at the 1-AA ("sub-major") level. A trivium: the Watterson Towers complex on campus is, at nearly 300 feet high and the tallest college dormitory in the world.
Illinois Wesleyan University, 2.iwu.edu/home.shtml. Considerably smaller and more selective than its neighbor, with strong liberal-arts programs.Illinois Wesleyan often appears on lists of the nation's best "regional" small colleges.
Heartland Community College, . Community college founded in 1991.
Lincoln College-Normal lincolncollege.edu/normal 715 W, Raab RD - An extension of Lincoln College-Lincoln offering bachelors and associates degrees.

Shopping in Bloomington-Normal

Downtown Bloomington has shops, including some that sell beads, crafts, used books, used clothes and other funky items. For more mainstream shopping, most of what you want can be found on the stores lining Veteran's Parkway.

Ryburn Place - 305 Pine St., Normal - Opening Hours: 9AM Monday - 7PM We, 9AM Monday - 5PM Thursday - Sunday - Route 66 information and souvenir shop on the first floor of Sprague Super Service, a Tudor-Revival style building constructed in 1931 as a fuel station with the owner's and attendant's quarters upstairs. Route 66 t-shirts, postcards, books, memorabilia and the work of local artists: original watercolours and prints, photographs, handmade cards, hand-dyed silk scarves, hand-woven baskets, creative crochet.

Halal Restaurants & Food in Bloomington-Normal

The Coffeehouse & Deli | Web: k=blogcategory&id=44&Itemid=75 114 E Beaufort Street (Normal) - 1 block East of ISU ☎ +1 309 452-6774 Opening Hours: Monday - S, 7AM Monday - 10PM; Sun, 8AM Monday - 9PM A Vegetarian restaurant with many vegan options. Local art work is displayed on the wall and changes every few months. Live music and poetry slams are held during the evenings.

Lancaster's 513 N. Main Street - Bloomington ☎ +1 309 827-3333 - Standard (if eclectic) American cuisine. Dinner Monday to Saturday starting at 5PM (reservations advised).

Lucca Grill 116 E. Market Street - Bloomington ☎ +1 309 828-7521 Italian; a long-time community standard. Call for hours.

Avanti's Italian Restaurant - 407 South Main Street or 3302 E. Empire Street - Pizza, Pasta salads and sandwiches. Everything is good and affordable, no matter what, try the bread.

Taqueria El Porton | 901 N. Main. St. - ☎ +1 309-820-1625 Opening Hours: 9AM Monday - 9PM $ A family owned restaurant that serves the best Mexican food around. Enjoy authentic dishes as well as savoring drinks like a Mexican coke and a horchata.

All bars close at 1AM Sunday - Thursday 2AM Friday and Saturday, no smoking

Destihl - 318 S. Towanda Ave. - at The Shoppes at College Hills ☎ +1 309-862-2337 Opening Hours: 11-10 $ Amazing brewery with exceptional food created in a unique way by the chef. Definitely worth the prices.

Downtown Bloomington

The following downtown bars are all walking distance from each other...Townie populated.

Daddio's 527 North Main Street - Bloomington. Offers live music.

Fat Jack's 511 North Main Street - Bloomington. Offers live music, has a small, overcrowded dance floor where you can dance to current mainstream music, as well as a room for private functions.

Illinois Company: Offers live music and karaoke twice a week. Large! 102 North Center Street. Bloomington.
Loft: Upscale by Bloomington standards. Features live music. 220 East Front Street, Bloomington.
Mug Shots Grill: Live music, karaoke, DJ. 107 West Front Street, Bloomington.
Blueline: A classy, upscale venue. 602 North Main Street, Bloomington.
Rosie's: Quaint atmosphere. Offers a high-priced food menu. 106 East Front Street, Bloomington.

Uptown Normal

Brewe-Ha's Grill ,
Firehouse Pizzas & Pub ,
Maggie Miley's Irish Pub ,
Medici ,
Pub II

Party

All bars close at 1:30, no smoking allowed

Pub II: Good for earlier fun, but later on it gets a bit crowded. Offers upbeat sportsbar atmosphere with ample seating.
Killarneys Pub: Irish Cafe themed, with the stout atmosphere of any Irish pub!
Lunkers Tavern: Great eats and a good atmosphere, Lunkers is affordable and enjoyable.
Medici:A visual experience, this restaurant-bar offers a two tiered atmosphere and a breezy sundeck.

Other

Kegler's Pub, 804 North Hershey Road. Small bar, homey atmosphere. Offers karaoke on Thursday, Friday and Saturdays.
Shooter's Lounge, 503 North Prospect Road Suite 304. Large bar, wide selection of food. Karaoke. Has a large room for playing pool.
Slick Rick's Motor City Lounge, 907 East Oakland Avenue. Biker café.
Windjammer's Lounge, 2303 Stern Drive. Features karaoke twice a week.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Bloomington-Normal

Bloomington-Normal - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Bloomington-Normal, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Bloomington-Normal. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Bloomington-Normal and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Bloomington-Normal. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Bloomington-Normal. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Bloomington-Normal: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Bloomington-Normal.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Bloomington-Normal: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Bloomington-Normal, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Bloomington-Normal.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Bloomington-Normal, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Bloomington-Normal, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Bloomington-Normal and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Bloomington-Normal, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Bloomington-Normal, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Bloomington-Normal without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Bloomington-Normal is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Bloomington-Normal.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Bloomington-Normal is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Bloomington-Normal, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Bloomington-Normal Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Bloomington-Normal

eHalal Group Bloomington-Normal is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Bloomington-Normal. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Bloomington-Normal.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Bloomington-Normal ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Bloomington-Normal. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Bloomington-Normal, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Bloomington-Normal are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at info@ehalal.io

Ramadan Celebrations in Bloomington-Normal

Ramadan 2025 in Bloomington-Normal

Ramadan concludes with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which may last several days, usually three in most countries.

The next Ramadan shall be from Friday, 28 February 2025 to Saturday, 29 March 2025

The next Eid al-Adha shall be on Friday, 6 June 2025

The next day of Raʾs al-Sana shall be on Thursday, 26 June 2025

The next day for Mawlid al-Nabī shall be on Monday, 16 September 2024

Muslim Friendly Hotels

Comfort Inn Bloomington Hotel 50 Brock Dr - ☎ +1 309 828-6000 +1 309 829-4325 - Located at exit #160A of Interstate Highways 55 and 74. Also at this exit are a multitude of restaurants: fast food, not so fast food and some 24-hour food. Walk to McDonalds or Cracker Barrel, or drive merely minutes to other popular eateries.

Econo Lodge Bloomington Hotel 403 Brock Dr - ☎ +1 309 829-3100 +1 309 827-4716 Real value and convenience for both business and leisure travelers. Secure Online Reservations.

Hawthorn Suites Bloomington ☎ +1 309 829-8111 One Lyon Court. Guest amenities include a complimentary hot breakfast buffet each morning and an evening reception each Wednesday. Each guest room includes a queen size bed(s), microwave, refrigerator and wet bar or full kitchen, 25" television, hairdryer, iron, ironing board and a full size sofa sleeper, plus complimentary high-speed Internet access. For enjoyment, our indoor swimming swimmingpool and patio area as well as our exercise facility are available for all guests.

Quality Inn & Suites Bloomington Hotel 401 Brock Dr - ☎ +1 309 829-7602 +1 309 827-4716 - Located on the East side of the intersection of Illinois Highway 9 and Interstate 74 and 55 on the West side of the city. Full service restaurants and shopping are in the immediate area. Truck and bus parking is available.

Best Western University Inn | 6 Traders Circle - Check-in: 3PM Monday - 11AM / Check-out:

Country Inns & Suites Bloomington Normal West | 923 Maple Hill Road - ☎ +1 309 828-7177 $79-129 Check-in: 3PM / Check-out: 12:00

Hampton Inn & Suites | 320 South Towanda Ave - ☎ +1 309 452-8900

News & References

More Muslim friendly Destinations from Bloomington-Normal

Lake Bloomington and Evergreen Lake are two man-made lakes north of town that offer fishing, camping and boating opportunities.
If you're doing the Route 66 tour northbound and the next significant bit of Americana is in the small town of Pontiac, which hosts the annual "Thresermen's Reunion" tractor pull event and is home to the Route 66 Association Hall of Fame & Museum and other similarly themed tourism attractions. Southbound, stop in McLean at the Dixie Truckers Home, a prototypical (and, according to some and the nation's first) truck stop.