From Towrs

Watterson Towers as seen a block away from US Highway 51 in Bloomington-Normal, 2010. Photo By: Brent Kampert

Watterson Towers and Marriott Hotel and Conference Center (Normal) as seen from College Ave. and Linden Ave. in Bloomington-Normal, 2010. Photo By: Brent Kampert

Bloomington-Normal's Illinois State University Skyline as seen from College Ave. and College Ave. Lot, 2010. Photo By: Brent Kampert

Watterson Towers (center-left) as seen from College Ave. Shopping Plaza near Veterans Parkway in Bloomington-Normal, 2010. Photo By: Brent Kampert

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Top 5 Featured Cities

Briefly

These 2 towns began to populate Central Illinois in the early 1850s. It started out as Bloomington and North Bloomington. The town to the north wanted a different name with the 1857 founding of Illinois State University. They came up with Normal. Bloomington soon had Illinois Weslyan University. The 2 towns began to populate as large towns. Soon Bloomington became a city, while Normal became a town. These 2 towns sit right in the middle of Central Illinois. Tall buildings arrived in the 1960s, due to students needing a place to stay and the growth of Chicago and it's suburbs 3 Hours away. In March and June of every year, the Special Olympics host 2 State Tournaments. The one in March is for Basketball, and the one in June is for Summer Games. These towns are still growing. Normal just built a hotel and conference center, while Bloomington has built more houses.

Architecture

Normal's Tallest Buildings

1. Watterson Towers
2. Hewitt Hall
3. Manchester Hall
4. Marriott Hotel and Conference Center (Normal)
5. Linkins Towers 1-3

Other Buildings

1. Horton Fieldhouse
2. Children's Discovery Center

Bloomington's Tallest Buildings

1. State Farm Headquarters
2. Old State Farm Building
3. Hampton Inn and Suites (Bloomington)

Bloomington-Normal Metro Area

Nearby Cities

• Peoria- This is not considered a suburb, but Peoria is 1 Hour west of Bloomington-Normal. Take I-74 west to the city, and you are in Peoria in 1 Hour.
• Springfield- This city is far from being a suburb of Bloomington-Normal. Take I-55/74 south to I-55 south to Springfield in 1 Hour and 30 Minutes, you are there, but if you continue to take I-55 down for 1 Hour, you are in St. Louis, Missouri. These are neat cities to take interest in, when you have the chance to do so.
• Chicago- Everyone at this point already knows Chicago is it's own city with suburbs spread out 1 Hour and 30 Minutes away from the city-center. So everyone should know Chicago is not a suburb of Bloomington-Normal, and neither is Bloomington-Normal a suburb of Chicago.

Suburbs

1. McLean
2. Woodfard
3. Alexandra
4. Le Roy

Transportation

From the North

Take I-55 or I-39 south to the I-55/I-39 junction west to US Highway 51.

From the East

Take I-74 west to Veterans Parkway.

From the South

Take I-55 or US Highway 51 north to I-74 west to US Highway 150.

From the West

Take I-74 east to I-55 east passed the I-55/I-39 junction to US Highway 51.