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Bloomington-Normal Ranked Among Best Places in the Nation

The community beyond Illinois Wesleyan's campus has much to offer while you're in school and when you graduate.

But don't just take our word for it. The Twin Cities of Bloomington-Normal have been ranked among the best places in the nation:

  • Top 100 Best Places to Live in the U.S. (Also among the best in Illinois and Top 10 in the Midwest) — Livability (2025)
  • #1 Most Affordable City in Illinois (Top 10 in the U.S.) — Livability (2024)
  • #2 best metro area in the nation to live, work and have fun – Smart Asset (2023)
  • Top 10 Most Livable College Towns - Strategistico (2022)
  • Among "30 Small College Towns with Great Quality of Life" – Best Choice Schools (2020)
  • #1 Top City for Recent College Graduates – PennyGeeks.com (2019)

 

The Best of Blo-No

Drone image of Illinois Wesleyan's campus

College Town

In addition to IWU, Bloomington-Normal is also home to a public university and community college, making this a strong college town with lots of opportunities for students!

Downtown Bloomington small businesses

Downtown Bloomington

Just a 10 minute walk from Illinois Wesleyan's campus is Downtown Bloomington - home to numerous local restaurants, small businesses, art galleries and the McLean County Museum of History. During the summer, Downtown Bloomington hosts several outdoor concerts and the weekly Farmer's Market every Saturday.  

Mural in Uptown Normal

Uptown Normal

Uptown Normal is located a little over a mile north of IWU's campus, making it another easily accessible BloNo favorite for IWU students to visit. Uptown Normal is home to small businesses, local restaurants, the Children's Discovery Museum and Uptown Station (transportation center including Amtrak and several bus companies). Throughout the year, Uptown Normal hosts numerous festivals such as Make Musical Normal, Sweet Corn Circus and Sugar Creeks Art Festival. 

Two people riding bicycles on Constitution Trail in Uptown Normal

Constitution Trail

The Constitution Trail consists of 50+ miles of trail perfect for walking, jogging, cycling and rollerblading. The trail can easily be accessed by IWU's campus at both Empire Street and Emerson Street. 

Learn more about the Constitution Trail. 

Students dancing during IWU Senior Prom at the Castle Theater

Live Events

Bloomington-Normal is home to several live events venues such as the Grossinger Motors Arena, Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts, Castle Theater, Ewing Cultural Center, and many other smaller venues. See what's happening around town at the Bloomington-Normal Area Convention and Visitors Bureau events calendar.