By Rita Agyei, MBA’24
When I decided to pursue my MBA, I had no idea that the town of Bloomington would be a place I would come to love. Within the first weeks of my arrival in Bloomington, I wondered what to do, when I wasn’t in class, so I decided to take daily walks to get familiar with my surroundings, and oh what beauty! Green lawns, well-paved roads, general calmness and tranquility. I knew I would love it; it has proven to be so much more. Here are some of my favorite things to do in Bloomington.
1. Go for a Walk!
Apart from my 10,000-step goal in line with the World Health Organization’s recommendation, the outdoors and landscape of Bloomington is my greatest motivation. Whether it is a walk on the B-line trail, a walk from my apartment to Aldi, or just checking out the stadiums and facilities at Indiana University, I am bound to have an encounter with nature (the squirrels and flowers are the real bonus)!
2. Learn a new sport at the IU Recreation Center
On my personal to-do list is to pick up a new sport. While my friends convinced me to learn pickleball, I was drawn to badminton. I will describe myself as a mid-rate tennis player so, badminton proved to be an equally competitive sport which came with relative ease. I also found a great badminton community that made it easier to find time to play despite my busy schedule.
3. Go for a hike.
If you love to hike, there are many trails in Bloomington. The Kelley Outdoors Club is a resource that helped me discover more hiking trails. My personal tip is that hiking trips are best done with friends (morning hikes are also a personal favorite).
4. Explore the Wine Scene!
If you are a wine lover, then Oliver Winery is only a few minutes from town. I am in love with their Cherry Moscato, which is literally to die for. If you are not a cherry Moscato fan, there is a great range of wines for you to choose from. You can schedule a wine tasting and learn more about the wine-making process and added benefits. It has the scenery for a perfect picnic with Instagram-worthy photos!
Bloomington has so much to offer… from musicals to opera shows, from candle making to pottery lessons—no matter what diverse cuisine—you can find it all here within the greater IU community.
The best way to fall in love with Bloomington is to roll up your sleeves and dive right in!