Bloomington travel guide
Bloomington Tourism | Bloomington Guide
You're Going to Love Bloomington
With a population of 76,610, Bloomington is a must-see destination in Illinois, United States. It is among the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Bloomington deserves at least 2 full days for you to see its main sights.
Where to Eat in Bloomington
If you’re looking for affordable options, Biaggi's - Bloomington (1501 North Veterans Parkway) and DESTIHL-Normal (318 Towanda Ave) are great picks.
When to visit Bloomington
Looking for warm weather? Then head to Bloomington in July, when the average temperature is 75.2 °F, and the highest can go up to 87.8 °F. The coldest month, on the other hand, is January, when it can get as cold as 19.4 °F, with an average temperature of 26.6 °F. You’re likely to see more rain in May, when precipitation is around 3.9″. In contrast, February is usually the driest month of the year in Bloomington, with an average rainfall of 1.6″.
How to Get to Bloomington
Plane
When flying to Bloomington, you’ll arrive at Bloomington-Normal (BMI), which is located 4 miles from the city center. Airlines that fly from the United States to Bloomington include Korean Air, Frontier and Allegiant Air. The shortest domestic flight to Bloomington departs from Denver and takes around 2h 12m.
Train
Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Bloomington. The train station in Bloomington is called Bloomington Normal, and is located 1.8 miles from the city center.
Car
Another option to get to Bloomington is to pick up a car rental from Chicago, which is about 119 miles from Bloomington. You’ll find branches of Kyte and Turo, among others, in Chicago.
Bus
The most popular bus station is Bloomington Normal - Greyhound Bus Station, located 0.4 miles from downtown Bloomington. Bloomington Pilot Travel Center is also a commonly used station, and is 1.3 miles from the city center.
Airlines serving Bloomington
Where to stay in Bloomington
If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Hampton Inn Bloomington West and Extended Stay America Suites - Bloomington - Normal.
Where to stay in popular areas of Bloomington
Most booked hotels in Bloomington
Renting a car in Bloomington
Renting a car in Bloomington costs $60 per day, on average, or $120 if you want to rent if for 2 days.
It’s generally cheaper to rent your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 10% cheaper than airport locations in Bloomington.
Expect to pay $3.90 per gallon in Bloomington (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $46.79 and $62.38. The most frequently booked car type in Bloomington is Mini (Chrysler Pacifica or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Economy rental cars (Chevrolet Spark or similar) are, on average, 47% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.
Best car rental deals in Bloomington
Compact SUV
4 Adults, 2 Bags
$36/day
Economy
2 Adults, 2 Bags
$36/day