One of the perks of being an inspector for AAA is the opportunity to explore a new or interesting area. Indiana is a large part of my territory and one such area that I love traveling to is Bloomington and Brown County. Whether you want to take in the college town vibe of Bloomington or enjoy the natural setting of Brown County, this autumn season may be the perfect time to enjoy a weekend getaway.

Located about 50 miles southwest of Indianapolis, Bloomington is home to Indiana University and a lot of sports fans. Check the schedule for tickets for volleyball, soccer, field hockey or of course, football. If you’d rather watch the big game on TV, join locals at one of the many sports bars in the area like Scotty’s Brewhouse, a lively restaurant loaded with HD TVs and a menu that is so big it literally looks like a Sports Illustrated magazine.

If you’re planning a visit to Bloomington with a potential student, arrange a special campus visit. Others can take a leisurely walk around the tree-lined campus and stop in at one of the campus museums, like the IU Art Museum or the Lilly Library, home to a Gutenburg Bible and Shakespeare’s first folio.

To really feel a part of the campus life, stay at the Indiana Memorial Union Biddle Hotel, which is connected to the Student Union. This stately building offers all the contemporary comforts while being in the center of campus and within walking distance to the downtown area.

Bloomington is also a hot spot in Indiana for a food lover. The area is full of locally owned and independent restaurants, offering every kind of experience imaginable. The charming downtown area offers a variety of dining options located relatively close together, making it easy to grab a bite to eat after a day of shopping. Since Bloomington is surrounded by fertile farmland, most local restaurants make full use of their prime location and feature locally sourced ingredients and organic produce. To really get the ‘farm to table’ feel, try FARMbloomington, a restaurant with a menu that highlights each season’s bounty in a fun and funky atmosphere.

For a more upscale dining experience, make a reservation at Restaurant Tallent, a AAA Four Diamond rated restaurant, and enjoy well crafted New American cuisine prepared by a James Beard nominated chef. If you’re in the mood for something more exotic, then venture closer to the IU campus for a number of ethnic restaurants. For those that crave heat, try Esan Thai Restaurant and for the veggie lovers out there, make a stop at the intimate Anatolia Turkish & Mediterranean Cuisine.

Before you leave, make sure to enjoy a pint at Upland Brewing Company, offering local craft beers. If wine is more your style, then just up the road is Oliver Winery, where you can take a tour of Indiana’s oldest and largest winery (and of course sample some of the varietals).

I also like to venture east of Bloomington to Brown County and the town of Nashville. Nashville is a small arts haven, where artists and nature lovers reside to draw inspiration from their surroundings. The area is filled with unique shops and galleries, making it a perfect spot to mingle with local artisans and shop for wares. The small town setting promotes a slower lifestyle and it’s truly a place to while away an afternoon.

If you’d rather be out in nature, than just down the road is Brown County State Park, which offers serene woods and beautiful vistas of rolling hills. Hike, bike and explore the park, then come back to the peaceful atmosphere of the Artist Colony Inn, which features guest room furnished with handcrafted furniture and local art. The area also has a number of AAA Approved campgrounds, which are secluded yet still close to the heart of the town.

With so many different things to do and see in Bloomington and Brown County, it’s no wonder it’s a popular destination for those in the know.

Have you been to the area recently? If so, what were your favorite spots?