Visit BN

04/24/2025

What is the Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor?

This two-day celebration stretches across 15 communities and 100 miles of the most iconic road in America, Route 66. Whether you're a history buff, a foodie, or just love a good road trip, there's something for everyone to enjoy along this historic road.

✨ What to Expect on your journey:

-Festivals & Live Entertainment: Each community brings its unique flair with car shows, music, and more!
-Shopping Galore: Explore antique fairs, craft markets, and treasure-filled yard sales.
-Historic Sites & Museums: Dive into Route 66’s rich history at free museums and photo-worthy landmarks.
-Delicious Eats: Treat your taste buds to local snacks, treats, and diner-style classics.

All 15 communities will have a commemorative coaster to pick up as a souvenir (See all 15 in the photo).

📱 Bonus Fun! Download the "Explore Illinois Route 66" app from the App Store or Google Play. Participate in the Passport Challenge by checking in at all 15 locations with special codes. Complete the route, and you’ll be entered to win a prize package worth $250+!

📅 Mark your calendars for the 18th Annual Illinois Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor Festival happening May 3-4, 2025! 🚗✨

💡 Pro Tip: Don’t forget your camera, snap a photo with Elvis, discover charming mom-and-pop shops, and soak in the good life in the slow lane.

More info, check out https://www.ilroute66redcarpetcorridor.com/home.html

Local updates, check out https://www.visitbn.org/route-66-red-carpet-2025/

Let’s make memories on the Mother Road! Will we see you there? 🌟

04/24/2025

Happy Earth Week 2025!
Join us in celebrating sustainable travel, local gems, and eco-friendly adventures right here in the Bloomington-Normal area! Let’s explore responsibly, support our community, and leave the world a little greener.

🙌 Give back BN West Bloomington Revitalization Project and Midwest Food Bank
What is Voluntourism?? Voluntourism combines travel with meaningful volunteer opportunities, allowing tourists to give back to the destinations they visit. Whether it’s participating in environmental clean-ups, teaching local skills, or helping with community projects, voluntourism fosters deeper connections, supports local communities, and leaves a positive impact. It’s a way for travelers to not only explore but also contribute to the well-being of the places they love. 🌍💚

📝 Be a part of something bigger! 🌍 Every little action helps keep BN green, feed, healthy & thriving. Join us at Midwest Food Bank for a volunteer day and make a difference. 💚

Where do you volunteer? Comment below!

📸 Image: Volunteers from Illinois State University at Midwest food bank and volunteers at West Bloomington Revitalization Project.

04/23/2025

This is the FIRST EVER INDOOR Ice Cross event in the United States! How cool is that?! Get your tickets today!

04/23/2025

Happy Earth Week 2025!
Join us in celebrating sustainable travel, local gems, and eco-friendly adventures right here in the Bloomington-Normal area! Let’s explore responsibly, support our community, and leave the world a little greener.

Slow Travel & Nature Friends of the Constitution Trail
📍 https://www.visitbn.org/visit/listings/state-parks-lakes-campgrounds/
📌 When's the last time you had a digital detox experience?
📍https://www.visitbn.org/visit/listings/agritourism/
📌 When's the last time you have taken a sunrise/sunset hike, birdwatching, and local outdoor activities.

📝Unplug, unwind, and reconnect with nature in BN. Whether it’s a peaceful morning at Comlara Park or an afternoon at Sugar Grove Nature Spaces, our green spaces are calling! Have you seen the 55+ miles of the Constitution Trail? Now is the time! 🌿

https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/690/COMLARA-Park-Interactive-Map
https://dnr.illinois.gov/parks/park.moraineview.html


📸 Image: Constitution Trail, Braffet Berry Farm & Orchard, Comlara Park, Evergreen Lake, Moraine View State Park

04/23/2025

Get ready for a weekend packed with fun, adventure, and excitement! Whether you're exploring outdoor activities, indulging in delicious eats, or enjoying live entertainment, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

For live music in the area this weekend, check out Blo-No's Rock Report. 🎼

Gather your crew, make those plans, and let’s make this weekend one to remember! 🥳

04/22/2025

Happy 10 year anniversary to the Cruisin' with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center at the McLean County Museum of History 🎊 Whether you’re tracing Abraham Lincoln’s footsteps and need a pair of socks with his likeness, or diving into Route 66 history...and want some swag to commemorate the journey, there’s always something new to discover.

Here’s to the first 10 years and to many more! If you haven’t been lately (or ever), this is your sign to go explore. McLean County Chamber of Commerce

04/22/2025

Pizza Payaa + White Oak Brewing = 🫶Your Thursday Plans! 🍕✨

Pizza Payaa at White Oak Brewing
📅Thursday, April 24, 2025
⌚️4:30pm-7pm
📍1801 Industrial Park Dr, Normal IL

04/22/2025

Happy Earth Week 2025!
Join us in celebrating sustainable travel, local gems, and eco-friendly adventures right here in the Bloomington-Normal area! Let’s explore responsibly, support our community, and leave the world a little greener.

🎨 Culture & Community Downtown Bloomington Farmers' Market
Step into the heart of BloNo! 🎭 Our community is full of passionate artists, musicians, farmers and makers. Come explore, shop local, and experience authentic culture!

When is the market? Every Saturday, 7:30am-12pm in Downtown Bloomington IL.
Opening day for the 2025 outdoor season is May 3rd! See you there!


📸 Image: Downtown Bloomington Farmers’ Market

04/22/2025

Celebrate Earth Day with us! Enjoy free rides on all Connect Transit services all day Tuesday, April 22. Help the planet—skip the car and ride with us for free!

04/21/2025

04/21/2025

🎉 Huge thank you to Heartland Community College for the amazing tour of your event and meeting spaces!

We were blown away by the size, cutting-edge technology, and innovative design. These high-tech facilities are perfect for hosting meetings, conferences, and events of all sizes.

We can’t wait to spread the word and promote this incredible venue for upcoming gatherings. 🙌

04/21/2025

Happy Earth Week 2025!
Join us in celebrating sustainable travel, local gems, and eco-friendly adventures right here in the Bloomington-Normal area! Let’s explore responsibly, support our community, and leave the world a little greener.

🌿 Eco-Friendly BN Epiphany Farms
Did you know? 🍽️They are a fully working farm, focusing on regenerative farming techniques. At Epiphany Farms, they strive to build a healthy food system by supplying their 4 restaurants (within a 10-mile radius of the farm) and community. When you dine here, you’re supporting our local economy AND the planet. 🌎
Epiphany Farms is also recognized by Enjoy IL as an Illinois Made business. To Find more local IL Made Businesses, check out https://www.enjoyillinois.com/plan-your-trip/illinois-made/

📸 Image: Epiphany Farms
https://www.epiphanyfarmsestate.com/

04/18/2025

Ten Years of Kicks on Route 66!

Rev up your engines and mark your calendars! Cruisin' with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center is hitting a major milestone 🎊 10 years of welcoming road trippers, history buffs, and Route 66 travelers from around the globe.

📆Tuesday, April 22, 2025
⏰4 p.m. for a celebratory ribbon cutting, McLean County Chamber of Commerce
📍This gem, tucked inside the McLean County Museum of History at 200 N. Main St. in Downtown Bloomington IL

See you there!!

Cruisin' With Lincoln on 66 is a Route 66 and Abraham Lincoln themed Visitors Center and Gift Shop that celebrates Bloomington-Normal's rich, historical conn...

04/17/2025

🚨🚨🚨🚨VISITBN CALENDAR NEW EVENT ALERT! - DESTIHL's Epic Event Summer Lineup Just Dropped

Calling all adventure seekers and music lovers! DESTIHL has just unveiled an epic lineup for the TourBus Concert Series at DESTIHL Brewery and Summer Patio Sessions at DESTIHL Restaurant, running all summer long. 🎤 Picture yourself under the stars, enjoying live tunes with a cold craft beer in hand 🙌 pure magic!

But wait, there's more! Mark your calendars for the Spring Makers Market on May 18 and the ultimate road trip celebration, Hop on the Road: A Celebration of Route 66, on May 26 at DESTIHL Brewery. 🚗🎉

Whether you're a craft beer fan or simply love soaking up the patio atmosphere, DESTIHL is your go-to spot this season. 🍺✨Don't miss out 🫶Experience the best of Bloomington-Normal summer at DESTIHL Brewery and Restaurant! 🌟



📸IG@marksexton1966

04/16/2025

VisitBN Board Member Approved - Dang! That Hit the Spot: A Visit to Dang! Boba, Poke, & Banh Mi
by Justin Boyd

I know you’ve passed it a hundred times, just like I did, and well, today I decided to stop. On East Empire Street near Bloomington High School, Dang! Boba, Poke, & Banh Mi is a modern Vietnamese-inspired fast-casual restaurant that I finally got the chance to try.

With a gift card I’ve been holding onto for far too long, I stepped into the bright, welcoming remodeled space just before the lunch rush. The interior is clean with a minimalist vibe, with large windows surrounding the dining area, providing a spacious, open feel.

Now, let’s talk about the star of the show: the Classic Banh Mi (Thịt Nguội). This sandwich is a love letter to traditional Vietnamese flavors. Okay, I romanticized that a bit, and truthfully, I don’t know if I’ve had much Vietnamese food, but this sandwich was full of layered flavors. It’s stacked with Vietnamese ham, bologna, and Hong Kong-style BBQ pork—all brought together by their house-made pâté, which added a creamy richness and depth that elevated every bite and made me not miss the Hellman’s that usually accompanies my lunch sandwich.

The baguette? Absolute perfection. Golden and crisp on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside—a perfect vessel for the flavors it held. Pickled carrots added a zingy brightness, and fresh jalapeños brought just enough heat to wake me up without being overwhelming. I opted out of the cucumber (personal preference), but even without it, the sandwich delivered on crunch and freshness.

For my drink, I had to get adventurous because they didn’t have my usual Diet Coke or Dr Pepper, so I went with a mango peach tea. It was subtly sweet and just fruity enough without being what I would call juice. I skipped the boba this time (not really my thing), but for those who like to get adventurous, they have plenty of add-ins, and a full lineup of options to customize your drink.

I visited around 11:30 a.m., and while there were maybe three tables full in a large dining area, the takeout and drive-thru lanes were consistently busy.

Final Thoughts: Dang! is a fantastic addition to the east side lunch scene. It’s a breath of fresh air if you’re looking to break from Veterans Parkway or stray from the downtown/uptown staples. The food is flavorful, the atmosphere is clean and inviting, and the menu is diverse enough to warrant several return visits. Next time, I’ve got my eye on the poke bowls and maybe a cup of miso soup for good measure.

Highly recommend giving it a shot; I'm glad I did.