Bloomington/Normal Travel Information
Bloomington, population 64,808, and Normal, population 45,386, make
up a twin city area intersected by three interstate highways. The area
has an agricultural, manufacturing and industrial economy and is home
to two higher education institutions, Illinois State University (ISU)
in Normal and Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington. The
ISU campus houses three art galleries and the area’s top entertainment
venue, Braden Auditorium, which hosts national acts. Downtown
renovations in both cities are providing more shops, restaurants and
attractions. In downtown Bloomington, the 1920s Bloomington Center for
the Performing Arts hosts more than 400 events year round and the
McLean County Arts Center showcases international, regional and local
artwork. Normal’s Children’s Discovery Museum features hands-on
exhibits and visitors can catch a movie in the restored 1930s Normal
Theater. Shopping centers include the Shoppes at College Hills,
Factory Stores, and Eastland Mall. Other entertainment options include
eating some locally made Beer Nuts snacks at the Beer Nuts and
Bloomington Sale Barn, watching horse races from across the country at
Bloomington off-track betting facility, getting an up-close view of a
plane at the Prairie Aviation Museum or watching the animals at Miller
Park Zoo. The David Davis Mansion State Historic Site, the restored
1872s Victorian home of the Lincoln advisor is also open for
tours. Bloomington and Normal are located 125 miles southwest of
Chicago and 64 miles northwest of Springfield. They are accessible via
Interstate Highways 39, 55 and 74. A variety of national hotel chains
are available in both cities.
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