Things To Do Near Indiana University
What to do near IU when you have an afternoon, a visiting family, or a bored roommate.
IU sits at the east end of Kirkwood Avenue and downtown sits at the west end. Almost everything worth doing is on that line.
Kirkwood Avenue and the Square
Kirkwood runs from the Sample Gates down to the courthouse square — restaurants, coffee, bookshops, bars and a run of local storefronts. It’s walkable end to end, and it’s where you’ll end up whether you planned to or not.
An hour that isn’t eating
We’re at 101 W Kirkwood Ave inside Fountain Square Mall, with three escape rooms and one outdoor mystery. It works for a visiting family, a floor of a dorm, a student org, or two roommates who are bored on a Tuesday. Students get 10% off with a valid ID.
Campus itself
Walking IU’s campus is worth an afternoon on its own. If you’re visiting a student, they will pretend this is boring and then narrate the entire walk.
Getting around
Park in the 4th Street Garage behind Fountain Square — $0.50 an hour, free on Sundays, with a pedestrian bridge straight into the building. Metered street parking downtown is $1.00 an hour and also free on Sundays.
Common questions
What is there to do near Indiana University besides campus?
Kirkwood Avenue and the courthouse square hold most of Bloomington's restaurants, shops and bars, plus Get Out: Bloomington's escape rooms at 101 W Kirkwood Ave inside Fountain Square Mall.
Is there a student discount?
Yes. High school and college students get 10% off with a valid ID. Book online in advance and show the ID when you pay in store.
Where do you park near Fountain Square?
The 4th Street Parking Garage directly behind Fountain Square is $0.50 an hour and free on Sundays.
Three rooms and an outdoor mystery.
Right inside Fountain Square on Kirkwood Avenue, a couple of minutes from campus.