Bloomington Road Trip - Advice Requested

What is the parking situation like?

You should be able to park in the Purple Lot north of the Stadium (it was $20 last time I went, not sure of the cost now)

Enjoy and Go Blue!

Traffic is really bad on that road going into Bloomington. Plan accordingly.

Not sure if you’re going with kids or if this is more of a family trip, but Kilroy’s is very very fun 

Bar-Nick’s English Hut. Probably no more Sink The Biz but solid spot 

Food-B Town is weak in the dining scene but Janko’s Little Zagreb is a solid classic steakhouse. 

Sit on the visitors side.  Parking is an adventure!!!

My overall favorite road game  stadium.  Several years ago, I got to meet Ron Bellamy's parents, who were sitting in the row ahead of me.. The fans are really nice.

Michaels Uptown Cafe also a good spot for dining. 

Been to Bloomington a numerous times more for basketball rather then football (my dad and grandpa are IU fans). Seating wise at the stadium, I’ve been like 10 rows up on the 20 and dont mind sitting higher for cheaper tickets. Caveat I haven’t sat in the corner sections and I’d wait closer til game day to buy. Food wise Nicks English Pub is an IU hotspot but the foods good and you’ll be fine. Next three are breweries Big Woods, Upland, and Switchyard all are great. Breakfast before the game I have no idea, I live like an hour and forty five minutes northeast so we just grab something quick on the way down. 

My daughter camped in Bloomington several years ago - and, it was a great college town - she enjoyed the camp - I enjoyed the town - restaurants - etc..  It's a nice, quaint, "downtown" - really adjacent to campus - and, the campus could be picturesque this time of year -with leaves changing colors.  You'll definitely want to walk around the campus - time permitting.

As another commenter noted - the traffic - and, there's been construction between Indianapolis and Bloomington for a while - I don't know if they have completed that construction yet, or not.  If it has - it will make the drive in quicker.

The campus is "pretty close" to the Stadium - which is a bit different than Michigan / Ann Arbor.  So walking around can be pretty easy.  The Hoosiers are extremely proud of their academics, and one academic area they are especially proud of is - the Kelley School of Business.  Undergraduate students take great pride in being a "direct admit" to Kelley - and, the high schools in our area send a number of student to IU every year.

Mother Bear's pizza is a spot that IU students "swear by".   It seems to be the favorite pizza spot on campus.   The Uptown Cafe and FARMBloomington were two restaurants we enjoyed - but, I don't know how crowded they are on game days.

Which direction will you be driving from?   (I bring this up - because, on your trip back home - if you'll be on I-65 going toward Chicago . northwestern Indiana) - I strongly suggest stopping in to Fair Oaks Farms - It's located on the southwest corer of exit 220 on I-65.  The Farmhouse is their "nicer" restaurant - farm to table - tv's in the bar area to watch games, etc.  The food is great - and, if you / members of your car - are fans of chocolate milk or ice cream - definitely sample them - or, bring a bit back with you in the car.

Parking passes are available on StubHub - as are tickets - but, as others noted - it might be easier and less expensive to just park locally on Saturday.

Have a fun and safe trip.  Go Blue!

We usually park at the North Central Church of Christ across from the stadium.  It's a nice parking lot, not over crowded and they ask for a donation.  Also they have the doors open for bathroom use.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/North+Central+Church+of+Christ,+2121+N+Dunn+St,+Bloomington,+IN+47408/Indiana+University+Memorial+Stadium,+East+17th+Street,+Bloomington,+IN/@39.1827536,-86.5289117,1178m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x886c6132c9170dad:0xaa26ad6d1e3da2e0!2m2!1d-86.5289756!2d39.1854679!1m5!1m1!1s0x886c66cc1c54621f:0x9b14fde5e5641040!2m2!1d-86.5256316!2d39.1808988!3e2

Bloomington native here. The stadium seems to sit in about a square mile of parking lots but getting out of them may be time consuming.  If you are rugged and the weather is good, I have had good luck parking downtown near bars etc and walking maybe a half hour.  I favor the Uptown or the Irish Lion although naturally they will be busy.

Pretty friendly crowd and the last game I attended there was BEER.

For future reference (as I won't be in Bloomington) I'd like to know what the "Burns Park" equivalents are in Bloomington. By that I mean neighborhoods with on-street parking that are maybe a mile+ from the stadium but beyond the $50 / $25 / $15 lots. TIA.

Beau - plan for cooler weather.  It looks like a high of 60 on Saturday - and, an overnight low in the 30's.  SO, based on arrival and game time (11 am CDT) - it might be chillier than you originally expected.

I'm taking my 5 year old son and driving up Friday night.  I'm not sure if it's always this hard to get a hotel there, but I just realized last night that this is Indiana's Homecoming! 

https://alumni.iu.edu/events/homecoming/index.html

I've been to a decent number of away games over the years, but I can't remember a team ever having us as a homecoming game!

Hotel rooms are popping up randomly so keep checking. I got one within walking distance of the stadium for $250 that a booked a few days ago - comes with free parking. You can get one now, it will probably be double that so keep checking for a cheaper option. Tripadvisor is always a great site to use because you can search using the map and see what hotels are available around the stadium. 

Yesterday, I bought tickets off the official Indiana University Athletics website. 15 rows back on the 50 yard line for $85 each! When I go to away games, I always sit on the Michigan side - unless I splurge and get the club access, all-you-can-eat type ticket. Indiana has a few options for that, but I wanted to get tickets close to the field as this will be my son's first away game. 

Also - stubhub currently has a few tickets available that include parking passes. That might be a great option if you haven't purchased either yet. 

Good luck! 

If staying North of Bloomington,  I assume it's around Martinsville??" Come N Git it" is some of the best down home cooking around. About as mom and pop as it get. Byrums steakhouse is pretty decent.. If staying else where disregard. 

I have been to Bloomington several times - my entire family are IU alumni.

I can't really offer any insight as to parking at the stadium - I got used to parking at my sister's house and walking over. I do recommend staying away from the "official" stadium lots, however. Too expensive and unless you arrive very early it can be difficult to navigate.

I've sat just about everywhere in the stadium. The stadium itself is nothing special, decent enough view from just about any seats. Where you want to sit likely depends on your priorities (being with fellow UM fans, price, etc.). 

My biggest insights are food related:

1) Mother bear's is very good, but not essential. IU alum all swear by it. It's fine (I am admittedly a pizza snob).

2) Village deli is the "mainstream" breakfast spot. With good reason, it's excellent, but the major caveat that it can be a very long wait. I would suggest Runcible Spoon for breakfast/brunch. Admittedly I haven't been down there since 2014, but at the time it was the "secretly awesome breakfast place" that few people knew about. Odds are it may have the same waiting issue as Village Deli now.

3) Depending on the age of all the attendees, I strongly recommend Nick's for a good hangout/bar/non-Michigan game watching experience. Very fun. While "sink the biz" is likely no longer allowed, the Sink the Biz fries are a must.

4) Finally - Hinkle's hamburgers is basically the Blimpy burger of Bloomington. Very old school, they will probably yell at you for getting an order wrong, but delicious.

Bloomington is a pretty awesome college town, so enjoy!

I'm a native Hoosier and have been to every Michigan game at IU since I was old enough to go. You will be around PLENTY of Michigan fans during gameday. Anywhere you sit, you'll probably have a few Wolverine friends nearby. 

If you want to tailgate, the Purple Lot is still open to the public. It's considered a general admission lot and you do not have to buy a pass to use it. 

Even though I've been to the Michigan at IU game 12 times, I have no recommendations for restaurants. We have always tailgated and made our own food before and after the game. I'm of no help here. 

Have a blast and Go Blue!

I'm headed to Bloomington, Cannonball run style, leaving AA at ~530am.  That won't leave anything for pregame other than splitting a 6er and a sammich, from a travel cooler, with my travel buddy.  From what I've read, the many parking lots immediately around Memorial Stadium (IU ed.) are pre-sale and sold out, but there are many more surface lots just a bit farther out.

For seating it looks like 1/101, 2/102 are the visitors section.  I just bought a pair in 102 yesterday.  If you look for me, I'll be the one wearing ]v[AIZE.

GO BLUE!

If you get a chance, hit The Oliver Winery up on your way out of town. Fun little spot and good place to pick up some fun, cheap wine. 

Set your clock back 100 years.

If you imbibe, you can play Sink the Biz at Nick's English Hut!

If I was in town I’d offer you could park at my house and I’d drive you up to the stadium and drop you off. As far as parking, there is a church just to the east of the stadium North Central Church of Christ I think someone else mentioned. They take donations and keep their door open for you to use the restrooms. Very nice people.

There’s also a church to the north of the stadium Genesis Church, right across the street. Lots of people park there. Both lots usually still have parking at 9 am. By 10 am they are usually full. Right next to the Genesis church there is a big grassy field that IU usually lets you park at. Pretty steep hill, but luckily it shouldn’t be bad weather. When the weather is bad it’s a nightmare to get back out because it becomes very slick and it’s a steep uphill drive to get out. 

Traffic isn’t terrible if you’re getting in before 9 am. After it gets busier as it gets closer to the game. By 10 you might be waiting some in traffic. As far as where to sit, I’ve sat in just about every chair there and been to most Michigan games at IU. No matter where you sit, Michigan fans will be nearby. As you mentioned in the corner of the north side, so sections 101-103 and 1-3 are Michigan fans and parents of the players usually sit there. That’s where you’ll find the most Michigan fans. Sections 21-24 are student seating. They’ll be pretty rowdy for a big game with it being homecoming. This will be one of the best turnouts for their fans. 

Sounds like you got reservations to Little Jankos, pretty good, little pricey! Definitely worth a visit once a year! I know some others have mentioned Nicks and Kilroys for bars. Kilroys is decidedly a college bar. Definitely the kind of bar you can easily get into with a fake. 

Bars: Irish Lion (bar with a good selection of beers, some good duck, mussels, oysters, steaks, and other food) & Upstairs (popular bar near campus; haven't tried the food)

Restaurants: Uptown Cafe (American), Samira (Afghan), Taste of India (Indian), Le Petit Cafe (French)