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The McLean County Courthouse, capped by a stately dome, serves as a landmark to identify the historic core of the city. Turn-of-the-20th-century buildings, many with interesting historical pasts, flank the courthouse square. A visitor can find museums, banks, a legal and governmental center, residential living, a large artists' community, plus an assortment of specialty retail businesses and supportive services in Downtown Bloomington. There is an abundance of restaurants and a lively night scene.
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Allows one to see the customs and work practices of settlers to McLean county, along with exhibits featuring residents such as Abraham Lincoln and Adlai Stevenson.
A historic 1916 movie theater renovated and converted into a community hub for live music. The Castle Theatre features music artists of many different genres and levels of renown. Prices vary based on the show.
The Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts seats 1200 for stage plays, smaller concerts, and is home to the Illinois Symphony Orchestra. It is located in the entertainment district of downtown Bloomington, which attracts over one million visitors a year to restaurants, clubs, and venues that feature comedy and musical acts.
The Grossinger Motors Arena (formerly U.S. Cellular Coliseum) was opened in 2006 and features minor league indoor football (Bloomington Extreme & Bloomington Edge), basketball (Bloomington Drive), and ice hockey (Bloomington Prairie Thunder, Blaze, Thunder). Additionally, many well-known bands and artists come to perform. Additional events include ice racing, circuses, monster trucks, and similar attractions. Attached to the Arena is the Pepsi Ice Center, which hosts many amateur hockey and ice events. Public ice skating is also offered with skate rentals available.
An elegant, ornate mansion that dates back to 1872.
Upper Limits has over 20,000 square feet of climbing area. Built in a set of old grain elevators, this is a great indoor climbing gym. The climbing includes: 65-ft-tall silo routes, a 30-ft main room with plenty of overhanging climbing (including the Wave Wall with at least three lead-only routes), slab routes, a climbing cave, training area, 110-ft outdoor routes, and an outdoor bouldering area. Route difficulties ranges from 5.5 to 5.13-, with boulder from V0 to V6+.