I just finished four years at Indiana University, and while I did almost everything I wanted to do during my time here, there are a few things I missed. Make sure you don’t make the same mistake with this bucket list:
- Tailgate before a football game: Listen, you don’t even need a car. My sophomore year my friends and I dragged a wagon full of chairs, a folding table, food and drinks to the tailgating fields and had a great time hanging out before the game.
- Go to a football game: The Hoosiers are flippin’ champs! Even if you just go to a non-conference game or you only go once, it will still be fun.
- Jump in Showalter fountain: During Welcome Week, many freshmen jump in the fountain, but I never did because people told me that I’d get ringworm. After graduation however, my friends and I all got into the fountain and none of us have ringworm. Take it from someone that was worried about the possibility and trust that you’ll be fine, so jump in the fountain.
- Eat at different restaurants on Fourth Street: There’s Thai, Burmese, Cajun, Greek, Tibetan, Indian and many more cuisines offered on Fourth Street. While there are many great options, if you can only try one, you have to eat at Siam House.
- Attend a basketball game: Our basketball teams may not be the talk of the town like they used to be, but people are excited about the transfers we have. Even if you go to a game and we lose, Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall is still an iconic place that you need to visit at least once.
- Visit Griffy Lake: Just a short drive from campus, Griffy Lake offers a quiet escape from town. I love to sit and watch the sunset behind the trees on the lake and if you’re interested in hiking, they also have many trails for you to try.
- Go shopping on Kirkwood: There are so many good shops, especially for IU gear. My personal favorite is Greetings, a store that offers lots of reasonably priced IU merch that’s perfect for a gameday outfit or adding a little school spirit into your home.
- Try Bruster’s Ice Cream: This is hands down the best ice cream in Bloomington. People might say Chocolate Moose this or Hartzell’s that — no. It’s Bruster’s all the way. Although it is way out on the east side of town past the mall, it’s so worth it. They do close for the winter, usually around Thanksgiving, and open back up right before spring break.
- Study in the Indiana Memorial Union’s South Lounge: This space has a cozy, quiet atmosphere, and during my time at IU, I loved sitting at one of the desks by myself and studying under a table lamp. Starbucks is right there too, so you can grab a snack or drink if you need something to get you through studying.
- Go to a men’s soccer game: The men’s soccer team doesn’t get the love they deserve. They have won eight national championships, the most of any sport at IU, and all regular-season games are free for students.
- Attend the women’s Little 500 race: I have found that the women’s race is so much more fun than the men’s. There is so much more energy at the women’s race. Everyone is so excited to watch their friends race, but at the men’s, they take it so seriously it seems like they’re forgetting to have fun. So, if you can only make it to one, go to the women’s.
- Take a photo in front of Sample Gates: You just have to. It’s iconic for a reason.
- Go to a group exercise class at the Student Recreational Sports Center: I wish I started going to SRSC classes sooner. My favorite was a cycling class, lit only by black lights. Not only are they completely free for students, but there are so many to choose from every day. The class schedule is available on the Recreational Sports website.
- Go to the bars once you turn 21: You need to, at least once, wake up super early for Breakfast Club at Kilroy’s or Upstairs, play Sink the Biz at Nick’s, go to a concert at the Bluebird, dance at the Jungle in Kilroy’s Sports, sing karaoke at Root Cellar and spend an afternoon soaking up the sun on Upstairs' patio.
- See a Broadway show at the IU Auditorium: I saw Les Misérables and Kinky Boots there. Both were phenomenal, and there are often student discount tickets. The 2026-2027 schedule has not been released yet, but it is usually released around the middle of May. All the shows and dates will be available on IU Auditorium’s website.
- Eat at BuffaLouie’s at The Gables: They really are worth the hype. Comedian Caleb Hearon even said he ate there before his event at the IU Auditorium in April. My favorite is the buffalo chicken salad, but with honey garlic sauce instead of buffalo.
This story was originally published in the Indiana Daily Student's 2026 Orienter.
