In Brief - Bloomington/ Normal, IL

TIME ZONE: Central
AREA CODE: 309
FOUNDED: Bloomington: 1831; Normal: 1865
POPULATION: Bloomington: 74,184; Normal: 52,799
GET AROUND: Bloomington-Normal Public Transit System (bus)
AIRPORT: Central Illinois Regional Airport
WEBSITE: bloomingtonnormalcvb.org  

BY THE NUMBERS

21 astronauts born and/or raised in Illinois who are honored at the Prairie Aviation Museum in Bloomington

3 cows in the "AgMazing" exhibit at the Children’s Discovery Museum in Normal

40 types of cheddar cheese at Normal’s Ropp Jersey Cheese Store. Visit after exploring the farm grounds.

110 height (in feet) of the outdoor climbing wall at Bloomington’s Upper Limits Indoor Rock Gym

CULTURE CALENDAR

A PASSION FOR DETAIL: THE ARCHITECTURAL LEGACY OF A.L. PILLSBURY
Through Jan. 12
At the McLean County Museum of History, Bloomington
Thirty-two churches, 104 schools, 17 banks: These are just some of the nearly 700 buildings known to be designed by Pillsbury, most of which are located in Bloomington/Normal. After checking out the watercolors and renderings, head outside to see some of them for yourself. www.mchistory.org

GLORIOUS GARDEN FESTIVAL
June 17-18
At the David Davis Mansion, Bloomington
During this annual event, visitors can meander through Sarah’s Garden, named for the wife of David Davis, Abraham Lincoln’s mentor. Usually only open by appointment, it’s home to at least seven original plants dating back to 1872. www.daviddavismansion.org

NEWS FLASH

Happy Birthday to Zoo! •This year marks the 120th anniversary of the opening of Bloomington’s Miller Park Zoo, home to reindeer, red pandas, gibbons and other furry creatures. www.millerpark. zoo.org + Hit the Road • As of last December, the area is home to two Route 66 Wayside Exhibits that tell the story of the Mother Road’s significance and impact on the community. You can find them at Bloomington’s McLean County Museum of History and Sprague’s Service Station in Normal. www.illinoisroute66.org