Looking for places to take photos for your first Instagram post as an IU student? Check out these Bloomington-favorites:
Sample Gates
Are you really an IU student if you haven’t gotten a photo in front of the iconic Sample Gates? Built in 1987, generations of IU students have posed in front Sample Gates for photos to celebrate milestones from their first day of classes to graduation. Of all the places on this list, Sample Gates is by far the most popular. While there are usually many people trying to take photos with the structure at any given moment, it’s worth a visit.
Rose Well House
The Rose Well House, located near the Indiana Memorial Union and in the Old Crescent area neighboring Dunn’s Woods, is another popular photo spot. The building, built in 1908, is one of the oldest structures on campus. Many students and alumni buy into the superstition that if you kiss someone in the Rose Well House at midnight on Valentine’s Day, you will be together forever. The Rose Well House has a Gothic stone and glass design and allows visitors to look into Dunn’s Woods while inside — features that make it a great photo location.
Luddy School of Informatics
While the exterior of the building might not show it, the staircase and top floor of the Luddy School of Informatics, located at 700 N. Woodlawn Ave., provide a great photo opportunity. The building's many windows means the lobby and upper floors are filled with natural light. When you walk in the front doors and look to the ceiling, you will see a sculpture made of different sensors and computing parts. This art piece, called the “sentient sculpture,” is sure to give your photo a unique touch.
Herman B Wells statue
Incoming IU students should also stop by the Herman B Wells statue at the pavilion near the Rose Well House and IMU for a photo. The life-sized bronze statue was built in honor of former IU president and chancellor Herman B Wells. Wells was monumental in transforming IU into the leader in research and academics it is today. He also pushed for racial equity and desegregating IU’s campus. In addition to taking a photo, be sure to shake Wells’s hand to have good luck during your career at IU!
B-Line Trail
If you love looking at art pieces and murals, the B-Line Trail is the perfect photo spot for you. The B-Line Trail — a paved running, biking and walking path — runs from Adams Street to Country Club Drive, a total of 3.1 miles. Along the trail, visitors can find various picnic tables, fountains, sculptures and murals. The murals are colorful backdrops for selfies or group photos.
Monroe Lake
Want the perfect sunset photo? Monroe Lake may be the ideal spot for you. Monroe Lake is Indiana’s largest land-bound body of water, and there are tons of beaches, trails and recreational areas to choose from. The lake is less than a 30-minute drive away from campus.
