The 10 Best Free Things to do in Bloomington-Normal, Bloomington-Normal

Eaton Studio Gallery opened in 2000 in Historic Downtown Bloomington by local artist Herb Eaton-Pamala Eaton for showing and selling paintings, sculpture, drawings, and prints. Our goal is keeping the ARTS ALIVE and creating value in ART in our downtown community by exhibiting and selling new-rotated work monthly and hosting musical & theatrical events and art and cultural salon discussions.

Come visit the BEER NUTS® Company Store at the BEER NUTS® plant location for product samples, a plant video tour, or to pick up some nuts and merchandise to take home with you, wherever that may be! Ever wonder what's behind the success of America's Favorite Nuts? It's a story that begins with a lot of the attention to freshness, quality and detail that started way back in 1937. That's when Arlo Shirk and his father Edward G. Shirk purchased a small confectionery store in downtown Bloomington, Illinois and with it, the recipe for a special glazed peanut.Called the Caramel Crisp Shop, the business sold glazed nuts, popcorn, peanut brittle, caramel apples, and orange drink. The ancestors of today's BEER NUTS Peanuts were known as "Redskins" because they were prepared with their red skins intact. In 1940, at age 22, Edward Shirk's son, Russell, returned to Bloomington following his brother’s untimely death, to help manage the Caramel Crisp Shop. A stickler for quality, Russell personally monitored how every item in the store was prepared and served.In the early 1950's, the Shirks occasionally packaged "Redskins" for the National Liquor Stores in Bloomington. The product sold well under the label "Shirk's Glazed Peanuts." It was this small start and the persistence of Eldredge C. Brewster, a local potato chip and food distributor and a customer and supplier of the Caramel Crisp Shop that got things going. Shirk and Brewster teamed up as manufacturer and distributor to see how the product would sell, the first target being taverns and bars in the nearby community and surrounding areas. It was then that the product was officially dubbed "BEER NUTS" Peanuts and the now well-known trademark was registered. While Shirk produced the product in the basement at a new Caramel Crisp Shop location during off hours, Brewster began achieving market penetration through his potato chip distribution in Central Illinois. In a matter of months the product was available in Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Louis, and Indianapolis. BEER NUTS, Inc. continues to use the same unique formula for its special niche of products as they did back in 1937. All BEER NUTS® products are produced at the single 100,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Bloomington, Illinois, under the direction of the Shirk Family. With the same family commitment to freshness and quality since 1937, the family takes pride in the fact that the BEER NUTS® trademark brings smiles and instant recognition in all 50 states and several countries around the world.

Located off N. Veteran's Parkway and just minutes away from Interstate 55 (Exit 167) & Historic U.S. Route 66 is The Beer Hall at DESTIHL Brewery.This 6,700-sq. ft. facility within our production brewery complex features an exclusive menu of bold flavored, American-inspired pub fare that pairs well with our Beer Hall-exclusive releases of pilot, experimental & barrel-aged beers.

You can expect big flavors out of our lil brewery. With an emphasis on Hazy IPAs, Fruit Beers, Stouts, and even Sours. We brew what you want to drink! Check Untappd or our website for our current tap list. LIL BEAVER NOW SERVES FOOD! With a very talented executive chef, we have a full menu and a full kitchen, offering many options that pair great with our selection of brews. Food is available for dining in or to-go via pickup or curbside delivery. We are kid friendly, but no dogs allowed in the taproom due to county health code. Dogs are welcome in the grass area of the patio!

Eastland Mall features great shopping at stores like Aeropostale, American Eagle, Applebee's, Buckle, Hollister, Justice, Limited, Rogers & Hollands, Talbot's, Victoria's Secret and more.