Best Outdoor Activities Around Bloomington-Normal – Our Top Five

Flickr/njsnowdog

We all heard it growing up; mom got tired of us being in her way during the summer and would say, “Why don’t you go do something outside!”

You know she was right, when the weather is nice this time of year we really SHOULD do something outside. It’s good for the mind, body and spirit to be outdoors enjoying the day. So, here’s our top five suggestions of the best outdoor activities around the Bloomington-Normal area.

These activities can help you clear your mind and just enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Some of them can even help you get a little exercise, which is always good for your health. Sometimes just spending some time outdoors, whether by yourself or with family or friends can just lift your spirits and help recharge your batteries.

WALKING, JOGGING OR BIKING ON CONSTITUTION TRAIL

photo courtesy of constitutiontrail.org

One of the simplest outdoor activities you can do is just go for a walk. This outdoor activity requires very little effort but rewards you in many ways. Walking is good exercise that is low impact. You can go with friends or head out alone and make friends along the way. You can take in beautiful scenery of the landscape and animals outdoors. There are many places throughout the McLean Country area to walk, hike or ride a bike, but one of our favorites is The Constitution Trail right here in Bloomington-Normal. The Constitution Trail provides miles of scenery to enjoy throughout out two towns.

FRISBEE GOLF

Flickr/Bill Robertson

Frisbee Golf, or Disc Golf, is a great outdoor activity to do with family and friends. This form of golf does not require the purchase of expensive clubs to play and most anybody can throw a Frisbee. This is a great way to spend some quality time having fun with family and friends in an outdoor setting while getting a little exercise as well. The Bloomington-Normal Parks provide three different locations to play Disc Golf; Forest Park, Maxwell Park and PJ Irvin Park. Just a little north in Pontiac Disc Golf is playable at Chautauqua Park. The Bloomington-Normal Disc Golf Club website offers information about league play and tournaments as well as offering a free score sheet you can download.

BOATING

Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images

If you have your own boat, you know how enjoyable spending time outdoors on the water can be. If you don’t own a boat, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy time on the water as well. Many areas around the Bloomington-Normal area offer boat rentals. No matter whether your idea of boating is paddle boats, canoes or motor boats it’s a great way to spend some time enjoying the view. You can either just paddle your way around or find a spot to do a little fishing, either activity will be enjoyable. One of our favorite spots for both fishing or just taking in the outdoors visually is Evergreen Lake just north of town a few miles.

HORSEBACK RIDING

photo courtesy of Double L Outfitters LLC

One of the things I enjoyed most when I was young was horseback riding. My parents or an aunt or uncle would take me and my cousins out for trail ride a few times each summer. It was a great way to have a safe adventure and enjoy the outdoors at the same time. Throughout the area surrounding Bloomington-Normal are outfitters where you can take your kids (or get some friends together) and head out on your own mini-adventure a top a horse. One place we can suggest is the Morain View State Park just north of LeRoy and only a 15 minute drive from Bloomington-Normal. The folks at Double L Outfitters offer group trail rides around the park that includes Dawson Lake.

PICNIC

Flickr/Ed Yourdon

One of the best ways to get family and friends of all ages together outdoors is to plan a picnic. Everybody has to eat, and a picnic is a perfect way to serve that need and get some quality time with those who are important to you. The great thing about this outdoor activity is that you can combine it with other outdoor activities as well. Before and/or after the actual eating, you can incorporate other outdoor activities like playing Frisbee Golf (see above), softball, volleyball, miniature golf or any number of other fun sports. The kids can play at the playgrounds in the area (see our list of top Bloomington-Normal playgrounds). Everybody can even go swimming together at any of the great places in the area to swim.

Maybe you have other ideas of some great outdoor activities to do. If so, please feel free to share them with us through our Facebook comments tool below. Bottom line is to listen to what mom said and, “…go outside and do something.”