Navigating Your New Community: Finding where to go and what to do
July 22, 2025
Welcome to IU Bloomington! We are thrilled to have you join our vibrant academic community and the beautiful Bloomington area. As the Executive Director of Community Engagement, it’s my pleasure to extend a warm welcome as you begin this exciting chapter.
IU Bloomington is not only a world-class institution for teaching and research, but also a deeply connected part of the local community. As you settle in, I encourage you to explore the resources available to help make Bloomington feel like home. The Visit Bloomington website is a great starting point, containing recommendations for restaurants, things to do, and local events, in addition to helpful general information about our community.
I encourage you to get outside and explore Bloomington’s award-winning parks (there are 32!), trails, pools, sports programs and complexes and Lake Monroe, the largest reservoir in the state. The Hoosier National Forest, complete with more than 200,000 acres of lush woodland, is the perfect place to hike, bike, and horseback ride. Bloomington also boasts a vibrant and diverse arts and culture scene with an eclectic mix of Midwestern values, international influences, and intellectual pursuits. Those elements are represented across the city and campus at places like the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center, Lilly Library, Buskirk-Chumley Theater, Eskenazi Museum of Art, and the hundreds of performances hosted by the world-renowned Jacobs School of Music.
Whether you’re looking for a neighborhood to call home, ways to get involved locally, or simply the best place for coffee downtown, let me know how I can help. We can work together to connect with local organizations, find the best school for your family, identify volunteer opportunities, and pencil events on your calendar.
I hope you find Bloomington as welcoming and inspiring as I do. Wishing you a smooth transition and a rewarding year ahead!
Rachael Jones McAfee
Executive Director of Community Engagement
Indiana University Bloomington