5 Spring Activities to Do In and Around Bloomington

After a semi-harsh winter, spring is finally here! Daffodils are coming up, the fresh mulch has been laid, and the flowers are being planted. Campus is ready for the warmer weather, and so is Bloomington. Here are some spring activities to do in and around town.

Sports: The warmer weather beckons Hoosier fans back outside. Spring football practice has commenced, and Memorial Stadium will be hosting a special scrimmage called the Cream and Crimson Game. Spectators are welcome to attend this free event and watch the IU football team play. The game is on Saturday, April 14 at 12 p.m.

IU Baseball and Softball are in full swing, so be sure to catch a ball game.

IU Men’s and Women’s Tennis is also in season. There are matches all throughout April. Here are the men’s and women’s tennis schedules.

The Great Outdoors: Bloomington is a city full of trails and nature waiting to be explored. Lower Cascades Park, located just minutes north of campus, provides a short getaway from the stresses of school. It has walking and hiking trails, a creek, and even a small waterfall. If you’re looking for more of a road trip, take a tour of the caves at Bluespring Caverns Park. The Caverns open for the season on March 16. Visit the website for more information. If you’d rather stay above ground, take a trip to the Amy Weingartner Branigin Peninsula Preserve on Lake Monroe. The peninsula has a trail a little over 2 miles long.

Exploring Arts and Culture: Art, in all its various forms, is never in short supply in Bloomington. For the film seekers, the IU Cinema will be hosting a lecture with filmmaker Mira Nair on April 12. They will also be showing five of her films, including Monsoon Wedding and Queen of Katwe. For those who enjoy dance, Jacobs School of Music is putting on a production of West Side Story at the Musical Arts Center. For dates and ticket information, visit the website. For those interested in witnessing a Native American tradition, the IU First Nations Powwow will be on Saturday, April 7. Drop by Dunn Meadow to observe this all-day (and free) cultural event.

Seeing Stars: Kirkwood Observatory is opening for the season on March 21. Located next to Baier Hall on the southwestern edge of campus, the observatory dates all the way back to 1900. Go to an open house to see the telescope and other technology used. To see open house dates, visit the IU Astronomy Department website. Sometimes they cancel public hours due to cloud coverage, so check out their Twitter for the latest event updates before you go.

Did Someone Say Food?

Good news! The Bloomington Farmers’ Market will be returning Saturday, April 7, starting at 8 a.m. Food Truck Fridays will also be back in April.

Try local staples like La Poblana Taco Truck and Rasta Pops.The food trucks will park in the First United Methodist Church parking lot from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m every Friday.

Take advantage of the warmer weather and go explore what this town has to offer!