Top 3 Outdoor Activities for Bloomington in the Winter
Some people don’t necessarily like to shut themselves in during the winter cold. Bloomington is just the town for those very people. Here’s the top 3 reasons why.
Hiking
The Bloomington Rail Trail and Clear Creek Trail in Bloomington offer a combined 4.4 miles of cross-country skiing possibilities, but for real adventure strap on your skis and hit the trails at Charles C. Deam Wilderness Area or Morgan-Monroe State Forest. Your chances of seeing wildlife increase significantly in winter since trees have shed their leaves and opened sightlines even in the densest forest. Add the thinnest layer of snow and deer, wild turkeys, rabbits, squirrels, and other woodland wildlife stand out against the white backdrop. Don’t forget to look up. Perhaps you’ll see owls, hawks, or even a bald eagle roosting on a tree limb. When it comes to bald eagles, there’s no better place than Monroe Lake south of Bloomington, where the majestic birds have staked out a winter home. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources launched its bald eagle restoration efforts at Monroe in 1985 and the species has become the poster child of the DNR’s Nongame & Endangered Wildlife Program.
Farmer’s Market
The Bloomington Community Farmers’ Market is one of the areas most beloved traditions. Every Saturday April – November over 100 local vendors sell a variety of foods and goods that are grown and or made in Indiana. You can shop for fresh fruits and vegetables, local dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese, eggs, fresh and/or frozen meats including beef, pork, poultry, and lamb. You can also find locally made salsa, jam, jelly, honey, maple syrup, relish, and vinegar. If you have a green thumb, make sure to explore the plant vendors that offer a variety of non-invasive plants, flowers, and herbs, and non-food products like beeswax, and bar soaps.
Downtown Shopping
Bloomington’s downtown area is the place to shop! From the Fountain Square Mall, to the bookstores, to the many, many restaurants on Kirkwood, 7th, 6th, and even 2nd Avenues, downtown has it all. Novelty and local artists shops are a big hit, as are the numerous music stores. Bicycling shops and crafts are a particular favorite. Shopping in downtown Bloomington isn’t something to miss.
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