Best of Normal, IL
The best restaurants, cafés, bars, shops and things to do in Normal, IL — mapped and organized by category.
About Normal
Normal is a town in McLean County, Illinois, serving as the smaller of the two principal cities in the Bloomington–Normal metropolitan area. It ranks as the state's seventh most populous community outside the Chicago region and hosts Illinois State University and Heartland Community College.
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McLean County Museum of History
Located at 200 North Main Street, the McLean County Museum of History is an AAM accredited institution and the principal asset of the McLean County Historical Society. The museum moved into its current location in 1991.
The McLean County Historical Society was founded in 1892 to study local history.
View details →The best of Normal
Best Hotels in Normal
26 places · Where to stay, from budget-friendly to boutique.
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Best Western Plus Bloomington East
Best Western Plus Bloomington East is a hotel located in the Old East Side.
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Comfort Inn
Comfort Inn is a hotel located in the Bloomington Heights neighborhood.
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Courtyard Bloomington Normal
The Courtyard Bloomington Normal offers lodging in the Old East Side.
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Fairfield Inn & Suites Bloomington
The Fairfield Inn & Suites Bloomington offers comfortable accommodations in the Bloomington Heights area.
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Hampton Inn & Suites Bloomington-Normal
Hampton Inn & Suites Bloomington-Normal is a hotel located in the Old East Side.
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Quality Inn
Quality Inn offers comfortable accommodations in Bloomington Heights.
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Ramada Limited Bloomington
Ramada Limited Bloomington is a hotel located in the Bloomington Heights neighborhood.
Best Restaurants in Normal
85 places · Where to eat, from neighborhood staples to standout kitchens.
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Alexander's Steakhouse
Alexander's Steakhouse offers a classic steak house experience in the Old East Side.
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Anju Above
Anju Above serves Asian and American dishes in the Cultural District.
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Bandana's Bar-B-Q
Bandana's Bar-B-Q offers hearty barbecue dishes in the Old East Side.
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BloNo Pizza Company
BloNo Pizza Company serves pizza in the Bloomington Heights neighborhood, offering a casual dining experience for locals and visitors alike.
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Bloomin Café
Bloomin Café serves breakfast and American cuisine on the Old East Side, offering a relaxed spot for locals to start their day.
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Epiphany Farms Restaurant
Epiphany Farms Restaurant serves American dishes in the Cultural District.
Best Cafés & Coffee in Normal
18 places · Coffee shops, roasters and casual spots to linger.
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Coffee Hound
Coffee Hound is a café located in the Old East Side, offering coffee shop services.
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Coffee Hound Roastery and Café
Coffee Hound Roastery and Café offers a relaxed coffee shop experience in the Cultural District.
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Lab Coffee
Lab Coffee is a coffee shop located in the Old East Side. It offers a relaxed atmosphere for enjoying brewed beverages.
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Lvl Up Coffee Bar
Lvl Up Coffee Bar offers a relaxed coffee shop experience in the Old East Side.
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Bloom Barista
Bloom Barista is a café located in the Cultural District that specializes in coffee shop fare.
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Lab Coffee
Lab Coffee is a coffee shop located in the Cultural District. It offers a variety of brewed coffees and a relaxed atmosphere.
Best Bars & Nightlife in Normal
29 places · Cocktail bars, pubs and where the night goes.
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DESTIHL Restaurant & Brew Works
DESTIHL Restaurant & Brew Works is a bar located in the Old East Side.
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Flinger's Pizza
Flinger's Pizza is a bar located in the Old East Side, offering pizza and wings.
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Keg Grove Brewing Company
Keg Grove Brewing Company offers a relaxed atmosphere for beer lovers in the Old East Side.
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Maggie Miley's
Maggie Miley's is a bar located on the Old East Side. It offers a relaxed atmosphere for drinks and conversation.
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DESTIHL Brewery & Beer Hall
DESTIHL Brewery & Beer Hall is a bar located in the Old East Side.
Best Things to Do in Normal
10 places · Museums, landmarks and the experiences worth your time.
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David Davis Mansion
The David Davis Mansion is a Gilded Age home that served as the residence of Supreme Court justice and U.S. Senator David Davis. It has functioned as a state museum since 1960.
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Grady's Family Fun Park
Grady's Family Fun Park in South Hill offers a variety of activities for visitors of all ages.
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McLean County Museum of History
Located at 200 North Main Street, the McLean County Museum of History is an AAM accredited institution and the principal asset of the McLean County Historical Society. The museum moved into its current location in 1991.
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Eyestone School Museum
Eyestone School Museum is an attraction located in the Old East Side.
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Miller Park Zoo
Miller Park Zoo sits within Miller Park, a public park in Bloomington, Illinois. The zoo is managed by the city's Parks and Recreation Department.
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Sprague's Super Service
Sprague's Super Service is a historic independent gas station on Route 66 in Normal, Illinois, located in the Old East Side neighborhood.
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Historic US Route 66 Sign
The Historic US Route 66 Sign in South Hill is a notable landmark.
Best Shops in Normal
37 places · Independent boutiques, bookstores and places to browse.
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Grace + Truth Collective
Grace + Truth Collective is a shop located in the Cultural District.
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Men's Wearhouse
Men's Wearhouse is a clothing retailer located in the Old East Side.
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Retrofit Culture
Retrofit Culture is a shop located in the Pone Hollow neighborhood.
Best Parks & Outdoors in Normal
86 places · Green space, gardens and room to breathe.
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East Detention Park
East Detention Park offers a quiet green space in the Old East Side, ideal for leisurely walks or a peaceful break from city life.
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Ewing Cultural Center
Ewing Cultural Center is a park located in the Old East Side neighborhood.
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Kelly Detention Basin
Kelly Detention Basin is a park located in the Old East Side.
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Angler’s Lake Park
Angler’s Lake Park is a public park located in the Pone Hollow neighborhood.
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Illinois State University Horticulture Center
Illinois State University Horticulture Center is a park located in the Old East Side.
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Underwood Park
Underwood Park offers a quiet green space in Old East Side, ideal for leisurely walks or casual picnics.
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Withers Park
Withers Park offers open green space for walking and relaxation in the Cultural District.
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