Enjoy a Weekend Wander Through the Twin Cities
bloomington, culture, mclean county,
You don’t have to be an out-of-towner to enjoy a two-day tour of McLean County’s Twin Cities. Visitors and residents alike will find plenty of opportunities to spend a relaxing weekend exploring Bloomington-Normal’s culture, nature, history and food. Here are some suggestions.
DAY 1
Start your day off with some locally roasted coffee and gooey, homemade cinnamon rolls at Kelly’s Bakery and Café. Or try the quiche Kelly’s bakes daily from local, free-range organic eggs.
After breakfast, you can walk, hike, bike or skate along the scenic Bloomington-Normal Constitution Trail – a 24-mile linear park open to non-motorized transportation. Find a downloadable map of the trail at www.cityblm.org under Departments: Parks and Recreation.
Then slow the pace a little and browse uptown Normal’s interesting assortment of shops and galleries. Illinois State University’s new student gallery joins a number of visual arts venues in this vibrant, up-and-coming regional destination.
Finish up your morning’s shopping at the Garlic Press, known locally as the authority on kitchenware and culinary gadgetry. For lunch, step next door into the Garlic Press Market Café and sample the specialty cheeses and seasonal, locally grown fare, such as fall harvest oven roasted root vegetables or sweet potato and ginger soup.
When evening arrives, experience the magic and nostalgia of a bygone era with a movie at the historic Normal Theater. The faithfully restored Art Deco picture palace shows classic, foreign, independent and documentary films. Afterward, enjoy dinner at DESTIHL Restaurant and Brew Pub. The new “American grill with an urban twist” offers fabulous food, such as the fish-and-chips with jalapeno tartar sauce and habanero-infused vinegar, plus seven original beers on tap.
DAY 2
Fuel up for another busy day with a hearty breakfast from CJ’s Restaurant, where selections from steaming pancakes to savory skillets will please the whole family.
Ever wonder what President Abraham Lincoln would do if he paid a visit to his old stomping grounds? For a unique perspective on local history, purchase the CD audio tour, Lincoln’s Bloomington and Normal, Illinois, from the McLean County Museum of History, and spend the morning following in Lincoln’s footsteps. Then explore the museum’s award-winning exhibits. Stay on history’s trail and visit David Davis Mansion, a beautiful must-see historic landmark.
For lunch, grab an authentic Chicago-style hot dog from Boo Boo’s Dawghouse, with locations in Normal and Bloomington, and make for the Miller Park Zoo. There you can see the animals, wander the zoo’s newest exhibit – Tropical America Rainforest – and watch the bears and big cats eat dinner.
Then, whether you’re a first-timer or an experienced climber, get an extreme thrill scaling the walls at Upper Limits Climbing Gym. When you’re done, take your extreme appetite to the Redfire Grille for a culinary thrill. Try the crusted catfish sandwich or pork loin with pineapple salsa and baby red potatoes.
Finally, before the curtain falls on your Twin Cities tour, take in a live performance at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts, where exciting concerts and theater productions take the stage almost every week.
Story by Carol Cowan
Photo by Jesse Knish
