College Town Charms and Antiques Abound in Bloomington, Indiana

If your idea of a perfect trip includes captivating scenery, culture, a good coffee shop, and some great antique shopping, consider heading to Bloomington, Indiana.  It’s a vibrant college town full of attractions and some pretty impressive antique shopping among the brick sidewalks and romantic old buildings.

The campus itself is amazingly picturesque. Local limestone has been quarried in the area since the 19th-century, evident in the beautiful stone buildings on campus. Enter the Sample Gates, the ceremonial entrance to Indiana University’s campus, and head to the Old Crescent area where some of the buildings are approaching 200 years old.

IU is a major university, with big-school amenities including dozens of museums and cultural venues. There are always plenty of free activities, including more than 1,000 free musical events on campus each year. If you’re a sports fan, IU is part of the “Big 10.” Hoosier traditions run deep, so consider timing your visit to catch a football or basketball game and enjoy the buzz.

Off-campus, Bloomington’s walkable downtown is rich in its own history, filled with authentic dining options, craft spirits, and eccentric little shops selling merchandise hard to find elsewhere. That includes several antique shopping options within walking distance of each other. The largest is the Bloomington Antique Mall, housed in an old grain building adjacent to the popular B-Line walking/biking trail downtown. The two-story building is nicely restored, now home to over a hundred dealers.

Three other antiques venues are short walks from the mall.  Head two blocks south and you’ll find The Garrett, in a stunning limestone Victorian home known as the Batman House. Two floors of antiques, stacked almost to the ceiling, originated with the owner’s family and a retiring antique dealer’s collection. Their offerings include the state’s largest collection of lamps, shades, and lamp accessories. You’ll also find an extensive collection of rocks and minerals that stem from the lifelong passion of the owner’s late husband.

An easy five-minute walk leads to Jeff’s Warehouse, featuring mid-century modern and retro merchandise covering two floors of a 50s-era retail building. Four blocks north, there’s Landlocked Music with its impressive collection of vintage vinyl.  If vinyl isn’t your thing, you can also shop 8-tracks and cassettes, a nice collection of vintage stereo gear, and pieces of “mod” decor.

Just a short drive across town is the Westbury Antique Mall located just off state route 37 at the northwest edge of the city. It has 250+ vendors selling everything from primitives and painted furniture to coins and glassware. Not far away is the Hoosier Trading Post (currently open by appointment only), an eclectic business with a nice inventory of antiques, primitives, and the occasional vintage firearm alongside more modern merchandise.

The surrounding countryside is home to a half-dozen other antique shops, malls, and some alluring flea markets – many spread along State Route 46 running through Brown County State Park and the nearby village of Nashville, Indiana.  A must-see is the Exit 76 Antique Mall about 30-minutes east on Interstate 65. It’s the sister to the Bloomington Antique Mall – and with over 600 vendors, is one of the largest antique malls in the Midwest.

When your appetite calls, take time to experience some of the popular IU eateries like Nicks’ English Hut, which is a great spot for experiencing the college vibe, particularly on game days.  Mother Bear’s Pizza has served the campus community for over 45 years. For breakfast, try the Village Deli, serving pancakes as big as your head.

If you enjoy craft spirits, Bloomington offers everything from award-winning wines to locally-made IPAs. Upland Brewery’s 12 taps pour everything from lagers and traditional ales to wood-aged sour ales. Switchyard Brewing Company starts each day as a co-working space offering their own coffee and teas along with Wi-Fi and plenty of space to plant a laptop.  Later, enjoy any of their 14 rotating micro-brews or choose from a selection of ciders and wines. Oliver Winery, one of Indiana’s best-known wine brands is located five-minutes out of town. It’s ranked among Wine Business Monthly’s top 50 wineries in the U.S. and Travel + Leisure’s top 25 wineries to visit in the country.  Tours are available daily.

There’s enough to do in Bloomington to last a weekend or a week. Whether antique shopping or the college town vibe ultimately calls your name, you’ll find the combination a memorable trip.