Bloomington / Normal Day Trip

There are so many options for taking a trip to the Bloomington/Normal area, including stops along the way! Enjoy, and leave a comment with your favorite activities!

Children’s Discovery Museum  

101 E. Beaufort, Downtown Normal  309-433-3444 This is a quick drive (50-60 minutes) from the Springfield area, and an outstanding museum for kids of all ages. For younger kids the museum has a wonderful water play area, climbing play area and a fun grocery store. There are several permanent and rotating hands-on exhibits for older kids.

How to get there:

• Drive (just 50-60 minutes from the Springfield Area)
• You can also take the Amtrak train which drops you off just behind the CDM! Bring your own snacks or enjoy several eating spots within walking distance. Don’t miss the ice cream/coffee shop next door or dine at several restaurants nearby. The CDM also is a great place for end of year school parties, field trips, birthday parties and special events.

Miller Park Zoo

1020 South Morris Avenue, Bloomington

This is a nice-sized zoo with inhabitants including a Sumatran tiger, river otter, Galapagos tortoise, Amur leopard, reindeer, sea lion, red pandas, lemurs, bald eagles, and red wolves. The Zoo features many large exhibits such as a Wallaby WalkAbout, ZooLab, Children’s Zoo, Animals of Asia, and the Katthoefer Animal Building.

Eyestone School Museum

Here’s your chance to show the kids a one-room, old-fashioned school house that offers wooden desks, McGuffey Readers, slates, and a coal stove. Call ahead to make a reservation to visit this museum. 108 N. Adelaide Street, Normal, IL.

Funk Prairie Home and Gem & Mineral Museum

On the way home, or on the way, stop in Shirley, Illinois for a FREE guided tour of our historic 1864 Family Home, Gem & Mineral Collection, and 1860’s Machinery & Barn. The home is the restored 1864 residence of Illinois State Senator, co-founder and director of Chicago’s Union Stockyards, and cattle-king of Illinois, Lafayette Funk. It includes historic memorabilia and antiques of the Funk Family. Hear an original working Victrola, or see the first-ever electric kitchen island. The Gem & Mineral Museum features the Hall of Gems & Minerals with its dazzling display of many rare and beautiful stones, and an artifact room with early examples of Native American culture. Reservations required. 10875 Prairie Home Lane, Shirley, IL.

Arcadia and Pinball Paradise

This low-cost family-friendly arcade is a super fun stop on your way to or from Bloomington/Normal. Admission is free. Arcadia gets new games rotated in regularly from their collection of over 1500 games. Arcadia displays the most memorable, entertaining pinball and video games from the 80s and 90s.  Their sister arcade, Pinball Paradise, is across the street. Your family can bond while experiencing the near-forgotten excitement of a real game arcade.  This is the closest thing to a real, old-fashioned arcade as possible so that you can show your kids the magic you experienced in an arcade.  No ticket machines, no wristbands, no cashless card scanners….just a change machine and a pocketful of quarters! 107 S. Hamilton St., McLean, IL

You can learn more about the area here: Bloomington-Normal Convention & Visitors Bureau or call 1-800-433-8226 to request a Visitor Guide