Bloomington campus

The PolNet 2013 Conference will be held on the campus of Indiana University, located close to downtown Bloomington, Indiana, about 50 miles south of Indianapolis, Indiana. A comprehensive Bloomington Visitor’s Guide will be included with your conference check-in materials or you may request one online at http://www.visitbloomington.com/ .

Scenic

The IU Bloomington campus is a magnificent blend of traditional and modern architecture set in a landscaped environment.  Walkways meander alongside streams, through woods and along tree lined paths.  We invite you to preview some of the scenes that await you by taking a virtual campus tour .

Culturally Rich

IU Bloomington’s cultural offerings will surprise you with an impressive art museum, a full opera and symphony season, a non-circulating library of rare books and manuscripts and a museum of world culture….and that is just on the campus.  The community of Bloomington is alive with art and music – international, classical, jazz, bluegrass, early and popular music. To obtain information about events which are occurring during the meeting, check the Events Calendar at: http://indianapublicmedia.org/events/

Local Time and Weather

Bloomington is located in the Eastern Time Zone. At the time of PolNet 2013 Conference Bloomington will be operating on Eastern Daylight Time, the same time as New York City and the East Coast of the United States, and one hour ahead of Chicago.

June weather is generally warm but comfortable with daytime temperature in the mid 80’s and nights in the low 60’s. It is also a time of year where some rainfall can be expected. Indoor meeting rooms are air-conditioned and often require a light sweater or jacket.

Dining in Bloomington

There are many pleasant pubs, restaurants and coffee houses located a short walking distance from campus.

  • Kirkwood Avenue is a main street leading from campus to downtown Bloomington.  Along Kirkwood you will find many casual eating options.
  • 4th Street is renowned for its unusual and unusually large selection of ethnic restaurants –Indian, Italian, Moroccan, Thai, Burmese, Mexican, Cajun, Korean and featuring authentic Tibetan cuisine.

  • Downtown Bloomington – a variety of eateries ranging from California-style coffee shop to sports bars to cafes to a long-standing Greek restaurant.  Downtown Bloomington has two establishments – each with master chefs who have established national and international recognition for their culinary expertise.

Museums and Special Exhibits

  • The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender and Reproduction (http://www.kinseyinstitute.org) The unique history, collections and research of the Kinsey Institute have established it as a leader internationally in scholarship, teaching and service in sexuality, gender and reproduction. Self-guided tours are available during normal working hours. Visitors may view the Kinsey Art Gallery Monday through Friday 2:00 – 4:00pm.

  • IU Art Museum (artmuseum.indiana.edu)
    Designed by I.M. Pei, the building itself is a work of art.  Galleries include Western Art, Ancient and Asian Art, Africa, Oceaniana and the Americas, and Special Exhibitions.  Excellent gift shop.

  • Lilly Library (libraries.indiana.edu/lilly-library)
    View rare and historic books, manuscripts and letters, as well as an extensive collection of mechanical puzzles.

  • Mathers Museum of World Cultures (mathersmuseum.indiana.edu)
    Travel the world from Australia to Zanzibar without leaving Bloomington.

  • Grunwald Gallery of Art (www.fa.indiana.edu/~sofa)
    Enjoy contemporary art by nationally known artists and IU’s own students.

  • Jordan Hall Greenhouse (http://www.bio.indiana.edu/faculty/facilities/greenhouse.shtml)
    IU Biology provides space to grow plants that serve the teaching and research needs of the Department.  The greenhouses contain many plants from around the world, which are grown in conservatory rooms open to the public.

  • Kirkwood Observatory (www.astro.indiana.edu/kirkwood.shtml )
    Observe the skies on a summer evening.  Check web site for schedule.

Performing Arts

  • Jacobs School of Music (www.music.indiana.edu)
    Attend an opera, recital concert, band performance from a world class school of music performed by world class musicians.

  • Department of Theatre & Drama (theater.indiana.edu/about)
    Experience award-winning classics and bold new premieres on three different stages and at the summer theatre in Nashville, Indiana (20 miles from the Bloomington campus)