The Michigan State Football Travel Guide: Indiana University

After surviving a weekend at Piscataway, the Michigan State Spartans are back on the road, facing the Indiana Hoosiers in Bloomington, Indiana.

If you’re traveling to Southern Indiana to watch the game, there are plenty of restaurants, bars, and attractions on and near the Indiana University campus.

The campus

Indiana University is one of the most historic universities in the Big Ten. Founded in 1820, Indiana is the third oldest in the conference, behind Rutgers University and the University of Michigan. The 200-year-old campus is full of iconic monuments.

Of course, for those heading to Hoosier State this weekend, Memorial Stadium, better known as “The Rock,” will be a central aspect of the trip. Don’t forget to take a look at the bow of the USS Indiana, a former US Navy battleship, which sits just outside the stadium.

It may be a good idea to park a little further than usual and walk around the Indiana campus on the way to the game.

“Just take a walk,” said Patrick Felts, Indiana student and multimedia football reporter at Indiana Daily Student. “I may be biased, but I don’t think there is a nicer campus on the face of the earth.”

The most iconic start of a walk through the Indiana campus begins at the Sample Gates, which guard the entrance to the oldest part of the university. It is a classic place to take photos for visitors and students. Just around the corner from the gates is Dunn Woods, a 20 acre parcel of land with winding brick trails leading through the forest. The Rose Well House, a limestone gazebo, is a campus landmark located in Dunn Woods.

There is a lot of unique architecture found throughout the campus. Eskenazi Museum of Art, – designed by the same architect who designed the Louvre in Paris, IM Pei – Lilly Library and Beck Chapel are just a few of the attractions on the Bloomington campus.

Bloomington

Indiana University teaches more than 80 languages – perhaps this is why Bloomington has such a diverse representation of cuisine from around the world.

Eighteen countries are represented by over 75 international restaurants across Bloomington, from Turkish to Thai clustered mainly on 4th Street.

Also, pro tip from Felts: if you find yourself in town during or after a night out at the bars and craving some sushi or teriyaki, Z & C Teriyaki & Sushi has you covered.

If you’re looking for a staple in Bloomington’s pizza scene, Mother Dipper Pizza is a local favorite.

“This is pretty much Indiana’s iconic restaurant,” Felts said.

Those looking to consume their daily calories in the form of alcohol can find plenty of bars on the streets of Kirkwood Ave., the Central Road and Bloomington’s busy artery. Kilroy’s is one of Bloomington’s most popular bars, especially among college students, Felts said.

Nick’s English Cabin is a more family-friendly bar that specializes in both alcohol and food, with Indiana clothing and imagery filling the walls and creating a true college dining experience. The bar is also known for “sink the biz,” a drinking game that features a bucket of beer and a floating mug.

Around town are plenty of parks and forests for those looking to get more in touch with nature in Southern Indiana. A short drive from campus is McCormick Creek State Park, Indiana’s oldest state park, with its waterfalls and hiking trails.

Not far from campus is also the 202,814-acre Hoosier National Forest, which is particularly scenic in mid-fall, Felts said. It’s a bit further, but Felts said Brown County State Park, the largest of Indiana state parks, also offers the opportunity to hike in the nature of the l ‘Indiana.