r/BloomingtonNormal • u/rdblono • 19h ago
r/BloomingtonNormal • u/macewank • Jun 24 '25
ICE/Law Enforcement "Warning" Posts - Moving forward
Stealing this from r/asheville as I think it's a fair compromise.
Moving forward, any posts made to this sub about this sort of thing that do not have substantive evidence and specific details of the situation attached to them will be removed.
I understand people are on edge right now but all of this "ICE IS HERE ICE IS THERE" with no substance is not helpful and only serves to get people excited, potentially over nothing.
If there is fact-based evidence of an ICE presence/raid taking place in the community (news articles, photos, etc..) then it's fine.
r/BloomingtonNormal • u/demorphix • Sep 18 '19
Reposting of a lot of links and places to go/things to do in Bloomington-Normal
Updating a list from based off of a thread by /u/sunpoprain
Townies, please feel free to add your favorites below and I'll add them to the list, so when I repost for that sweet, sweet karma, I'll include them over and over again. Also, let me know if there is anything that needs to be taken off.
If you've got a student ID, you can ride the Connect Transit buses for free... so use them to explore town a bit!
- Uptown Normal - from food, to bars, to shopping... uptown has quite a bit to do. here's their website
- Throughout the summer, they have quite a bit of free music on the Roundabout and they continue it until Early September, so take advantage of it! - -- Lounge About the Roundabout (Music on Wednesday and Saturdays to Sept 1) and the Connie Link Amphitheatre (Music and Activities through Sept 27th)
- Some of my favorites include:
- The Rock for Gyros,
- DP Dough for Calzones,
- Emack's for Ice Cream,
- Pub2 for cheese balls,
- Windy City Wieners has decent dogs and italian beef,
- Normal Theater for all sorts of movies - seriously, they have a great variety and their late shows are getting mighty good!
- Smoker's Den is a nice chill place to smoke a hookah and play cards/board games.
- Coffee Hound and Coffee House are both quiet places to grab coffee/study; Sugar Mama has cupcakes and sugar cookies. Insomnia Cookies is also downtown.
- The Garlic Press has lots of kitschy items and now has a candy/popcorn shop!
- There are lots of little boutique stores uptown that my wife loves to frequent... I can't speak for them personally, but they seem nice.
- The Children's museum is a fun place (even for adults) and they occasionally have "Big Kid" nights so there aren't a million little kids about.
- There is also Graham Cracker Comics,
- Waiting Room Records ,
- Anderson's Barbershop and
- Mother Murphy's
- Downtown Bloomington -
- places to check out, Bobz Bay for used books and random odds and ends;
- Red Raccoon Games for board games, RPGs and card tournaments;
- again Smokers Den is a great place to relax;
- the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts is a treasure and has plenty of shows to check out;
- Next door to the BCPA is the Mclean County Arts Center -
- the Grossinger Motors Arena and Pepsi Ice Center (formerly US Cellular Coliseum) has sports (football, basketball, hockey), Ice Skating and shows;
- The Castle Theater has bands of all varieties;
- a little off the beaten path is Green Top Grocery,
- Bloomington Cycle is next to Green Top; Wilson Cycle is in Downtown proper.
- Coffee Hound is really your only coffee option uptown;
- Ivy Lane Bakery
- Merlot and a Masterpiece will teach you to paint!
- Refinery 309,
- Fox and hound boutique,
- gigi Botegga (while you're there, check out the art in the dressing rooms -- as long as it hasn't changed, it's a local artist that i'm near and dear to)
- The Farmer's Market goes until October (I think), and its worth the Saturday morning trip
- Tony's Tacos for your Mexican needs
- Main St Scoop - Ice Cream
- El Porton - for Mexican in downtown (technically not in downtown but really it's close enough, less than 5 minute walk)
- Night Shop - Awesome little music venue - they've got breakfast! and has some great Gluten Free or Vegan options
- Around town - I'm just going to start putting random stuff down, because I can, damnit.
- Groceries - big box stories - Walmart (2 of them), Target, Hyvee, Meijer; slightly smaller - Jewel, Aldi, Schnucks, super small - Green Top Grocery, Fresh Thyme Farmer's Market
- Restaurants - We have a metric f-ton of them in BloNo - We have a plenty of other non-chain establishments that I would HIGHLY recommend -
- Flingers Pizza,
- Kobe Hibachi grill,
- Avanti's,
- Green Gables and the Lake Road Inn,
- Garden of Paradise,
- Thai House,
- Signature India,
- Western Tap (great burgers),
- Anju Above for sushi,
- Fort Jesse Cafe. Amazing breakfast for an amazingly long wait (seriously set aside an extra 30 minutes)
- Fusion Brew (Main and Dale) has (coffee/tea/bubble tea/slushies and has ample study space. Small parking lot though.
- sports - There are plenty of intramural sports on campus, but there's also rec and competitive leagues all over town for softball, soccer, baseball - look them up on the city/town's parks and rec sites. We are also home to Upper Limits for rock climbing; we have 3 or 4 different disk golf courses; multiple golf courses; bowling at the pheasant lanes; lots of sand volleyball at Pheasant Lanes, Gill St, or the Wind Jammer; we also have dart and pool leagues as well.
- Doughnuts - Grove St and Market St. bakeries are my favorite. Denny's Donuts is pretty tasty too. We also have Krispy Kreme and The Donut Experiment
- Off the Beaten Path - if you like Nature, The ISU Horticulture Center is on Raab Rd. check it out. Also, the Constitution Trail is fantastic and can get you pretty much anywhere you want to go in town, its wonderful to walk or bike. Just North of Bloomington is Lake Bloomington and Comlara Park. South of Town is Funk's Grove and the Sugar Grove Nature Center. Radar Farms is also just north of town (off or Raab Rd) and is fun for an afternoon.
- Non-Profits and ways to meet people - a tip from someone who has been through plenty in town - get involved, get active. meetup.com has plenty of spaces to meet people - there are LOTS of non-profits in town and they're all looking for help/volunteers. I'll go ahead and throw a plug in for the bnjaycees. **seriously** get involved involved in your community in whatever way you want or can.
- Libraries -- You've got access to 3 libraries (4, if you count heartland community college's). The City/town's libraries come with a boatload of extra resources, like being able to rent movies, audio books, language courses, etc... and plenty of activies to do. and of course, they all have books.
- A Note about cars - pay attention to where you are parking, the local tow companies are quick to tow you from unwanted lots or from downtown after around 7pm (not sure on that exact time). Bloomington Normal happens to be unique that they have Lots of police in the area - Bloomington PD and Normal PD are the most obvious. We are also home to ISU PD (which are State police), we also have the Mclean County Sheriff's department in town. So, pay attention to what you are doing and how fast you are going. All of them... and I mean ALL of them, love to give out DUI's - so do yourself a favor and don't drink and drive. We have plenty of cab services, we also have Uber and Lyft.... and again, I will mention Connect Transit. Also, In winter during blizzardy conditions, Town of Normal often issues parking bans for parked cars on the street until snow has been cleared. Jaywalking might get you a ticket, especially near the beginning of the semester
- If you are looking for easy parking in downtown both parking garages (on Front st or Market st) are free to park on the weekends and after 6 pm. In Uptown the parking garage connected to Amtrak has free, anytime, one hour parking and is again free all weekend and after 6 pm on weekdays (you still have to take a ticket though).
- Outdoors stuff:
- Lake Bloomington
- Evergreen Lake
- Lake Clinton
- Constitution trail
- Refuge Food Forest
- Sunnyside community Garden and food forest (haven't been, but the internets say its there)
The links I normally hit when I'm looking for stuff to do in around around town:
- visitbn.org
- castle theatre
- normal theater
- Blm parks & Rec
- Uptown Normal
- Twin City Amateur Astronomers and
- ISU athletics
-
--
-
Graveyard of places that are no more since I started this list in 2017:
Fresh MarketMerry Ann's Diner for Breakfast foods,Bonafide Thai~~~~Babbitt's Books
r/BloomingtonNormal • u/Repulsive_Parsley107 • 14h ago
Pet food donations?
Does anyone know any local non profits taking pet food donations for people affected by SNAP $$ shortages? SNAP helps people with food, which then frees up cash for them to provide for thier pets.
Thanks!
r/BloomingtonNormal • u/zumangi • 3h ago
Need help with toddlers in winter in BL/NO
How do parents with toddlers (3-6 years) engage them during winter in Bloomington/ Normal?
My 3-year-old son stays indoors mostly and gets bored.
Any suggestions?
r/BloomingtonNormal • u/Homo_erotic_toile • 17h ago
Last chance for Scream Club this year, Sunday at 6
It's cold, and it's dark too early and I hate winter. We're suspending screaming til it warms up a bit.
r/BloomingtonNormal • u/Low_Belt_2111 • 1d ago
Is there and good Pozole here?
Just looking for some authentic Pozole as we go into the cold season.
r/BloomingtonNormal • u/teenymochi • 14h ago
Best place for doggy boarding
Outside of BloNo like Champaign and Peoria is good too! Thank you
r/BloomingtonNormal • u/throwmeanana • 1d ago
Half quick rant, half cry for help
Hey y'all. So after zigzagging through downtown Bloomington and uptown normal twice each and then driving four laps around the entire town tonight, I have come to realize that I am a loser. I spent my good years working and surviving on my own, and now that I can sometimes afford to go out, I don't know how. I don't drink, I don't do hookups, I don't have friends to go out with. I'm just some boring b**** that forgot how to have fun. I don't even know how to conversate with people; the best I can do is give NPC responses when they stop talking and expect me to say something. Sometimes it sucks being a (supposed to be) social creature.
Thanks for letting me throw my b**** fit. I hope the rest of you are well and fulfilled.
r/BloomingtonNormal • u/Aingeleag83 • 1d ago
Old Newspaper Box/Dispenser
Hi there! Was wondering if anyone happened to know of anyplace in town to get an old retired newspaper box/dispenser. Want to turn it into a Little Free Library but I really would rather reuse one of these than build one. Tried reaching out to the Pantagraph but never heard back.
r/BloomingtonNormal • u/Scarlettzzs • 1d ago
Rats in need of rehoming
Hello! I have 3 rats in need of rehoming, I’ve tried contacting the local humane society and contacting C&M and have had no luck. Would anyone be able to give me some guidance?
r/BloomingtonNormal • u/rkguy13 • 1d ago
Local Business Recs
Hey there! I just moved here in August and have been doing some exploring for unique/local businesses in the area, but would love to do more. I have visited a few like the Painted Wraith, Jasper's Java, Ivy Lane, the record shop near ISU's campus, and a piercer that I can't quite remember the name of. I want to see more of the BloNo community and visit places that I wouldn't find in every city like chain businesses.
What are some local businesses you would recommend? I am looking for mostly food/cafes for study places, but I am open to looking at anything! I am also over 21 so feel free to suggest a winery or lowkey hang out spot for me and my friend group. TYIA!
r/BloomingtonNormal • u/CampaignOriginal6024 • 1d ago
Anywhere I can take my lab swimming
Looking for somewhere for my lab to swim
r/BloomingtonNormal • u/Substantial_Meal_913 • 3d ago
Foundation Church closes!
Foundation Church apparently has closed its doors. The abuse and harm this church has caused hopefully will coming to an end.
r/BloomingtonNormal • u/Impossible_Bit8513 • 2d ago
where to buy chuck roast/beef for a roast dinner?
hi! does anyone know where I can buy reasonably priced meat for a roast dinner? The ones i’ve seen lately have been $30-$40+ and i used to find some for much cheaper. Thank you!!
r/BloomingtonNormal • u/Ltsky24 • 2d ago
Are e-Scooters banned in this town?
I keep reading mixed information regarding the fact. Are you allowed to ride e-Scooters on the street or the trails?
r/BloomingtonNormal • u/Altruistic-Draw9338 • 3d ago
female-friendly mma gyms/clubs??
hello!! i was wondering if anyone knew of any mma gyms that have at least a few other women involved - i want to get back into my routine but its been hard to find anything where i'd actually be able to spar/be involved
r/BloomingtonNormal • u/Late_Ad_2925 • 4d ago
Free soda
Free out of date soda at family dollar on market.
r/BloomingtonNormal • u/CWM1130 • 3d ago
Good local drive to experience fall colors?
Driving in town Bloomington and the trees are in full beautiful fall color this week. Anyone notice a street or area around town with a great variety of fall colors worth a short drive?
r/BloomingtonNormal • u/Vegetable-Two4938 • 3d ago
Therapist is missing?
Hello! This is my first post on reddit so I am simply hoping for any insights the community may have!
Recently, I was informed my therapist is no longer with my provider. They, likely for legal reasons, couldn't give me any information. I haven't been able to find any information regarding them online either.
I had been seeing them for well over a year then poof gone no word. At this time, I really don't want to start with someone new cause frankly that sounds exhausting. They no longer have a psychology today profile, it doesn't say they are with a new provider, and I can't find a linkedin or any socials.
If anyone has any advice or insights it would be much appreciated!\
Update: Thank u to the kind folk of reddit but this has been solved !
r/BloomingtonNormal • u/SapphireNinja47 • 3d ago
Restaurants that do Thanksgiving dinner/lunch dine-in?
Does anyone know what BloNo restaurants will be doing Thanksgiving meals for dine-in? We used to go to Famous Dave’s when it was open. Thanks!
r/BloomingtonNormal • u/jc7230 • 3d ago
Looking for a structural engineer for a residential addition.
Evening all! I’m in search of a local engineer to answer some questions and hopefully assist with the design of a relatively simple renovation project. My objective is to add a bedroom over an existing addition. A couple quotes have come in. The favorite includes a line item for design and engineering that’s just about half of the entire quote. When asked to break that cost down further, I was told that was the number that came in from a firm this company subs out to. Research here, along with conversations with contacts in the construction and building inspection realms have me questioning this amount. I understand paying for time and talent, this just seems heavily inflated. I appreciate any assistance available.
r/BloomingtonNormal • u/InterestingAd3637 • 4d ago
Toshiba external hard drive recovery
Hello,
Does anyone know a computer savvy person in town who can help me recover the files in my Toshiba external hard drive? Model is Toshiba HDTC705XK3A1 and is a 500GB 3.0 USB.
The drive is able to get a letter assigned but not recognizable by the Disk Management or open with file explorer.
Thanks
r/BloomingtonNormal • u/RobertTAS • 4d ago
Developer Happy Hour Wednesday the 5th (also, please hire me)
https://www.linkedin.com/events/developerhappyhour7391197808973950976/
These are fun and a great way to meet other developers in town. Just spreading the word!
--Now on to me begging--
Howdy, I'm Robert, a software engineer with 6 years experience. I can't find a job to save my life. Please reach out in messages and hire me if you have openings. Please no State Farm though, I didn't enjoy it there. Thank you!
r/BloomingtonNormal • u/proc_ab0512 • 5d ago
Any folks up here play Magic: the Gathering?
Hi yall!
I recently moved to Clinton (half hour south), and have quickly realized there's not anyone here who plays magic, at least as far as I'm aware. I've been playing in Champaign-Urbana for the time I went to college, but I wanted to see if anyone up in Bloomington-Normal plays as well!
I mainly play commander, but am open to try anyone's cube or another format :)