Visitor Information

Visitor Policy

Illinois Wesleyan University is deeply committed to providing a safe educational environment for its students, faculty, staff and visitors. It is the policy of IWU to maintain an academic community which is open and accessible to our students, faculty, staff, local community, and invited guests. Members and guests must remember that the University is private property. Persons who violate University policies, regulations, or rules, or who pose a threat of harm or risk to the safety and security of the University community or property may be advised to leave and a trespass warning may be given. The University, consistent with applicable State law, retains the right to restrict access to University property due to safety concerns relating to our students, faculty, staff and visitors.

Parking

All campus parking is free of charge.

After 5 p.m. and on weekends, visitors may park in any campus lot. On weekdays between 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., visitors should only park in designated visitor lots & parking spaces to avoid ticketing & towing. You will find parking lots on our interactive campus map and our printable campus map .

Hotels

Best Western—IAA Drive

604 ½ IAA Drive, Bloomington, IL 61701
Rate: 15% below the lowest published price (updated 7/12/2022)
Method: Call 309-808-0628 and ask for the IWU rate.
Includes: breakfast, complimentary shuttle (7 mile range, request if needing larger group or further distance accommodations), internet access
95 rooms, with 3 Jacuzzi suites and ~35 King rooms; carpet, bathroom tubs; no pets

Bloomington-Normal Marriott Hotel & Conference Center

201 Broadway, Normal, IL 61761
Rate: $139 (plus tax) with parking and internet included (updated 1/6/2023)
Method: call 309-862-9000 and ask for the IWU rate
Includes: parking, shuttle, wireless internet access

Courtyard Marriott, Bloomington-Normal

310A Greenbriar Drive, Normal, IL 61761
Main Line: 309-862-1166
Method: Use the IWU Link to book special rate or use special code T6418 (about 10% discount); can also call hotel directly (updated 10/20/22)
Includes: wireless internet, indoor gym, indoor pool, and mini-fridges; some suites have large room balconies; indoor bar/restaurant area in lobby
Near Walmart and Veteran’s Parkway, located next to the Comfort Suites

DoubleTree by Hilton

10 Brickyard Drive, Bloomington, IL 61701
Rate: $111 (plus tax) (updated 7/12/2022) —excludes city-wide sell out weekends (call to confirm)
Method: call 309-664-6446 and ask for the Wesleyan rate
Includes: breakfast and wireless internet access

Eastland Suites

1801 Eastland Drive, Bloomington, IL 61704
Rate: 15% off the lowest available rate (depending on how full the hotel is) (updated 7/15/2022)
Method: use the code #GoTitans online (https://eastlandsuitesbloomington.com/) or over the phone (309-662-0000)
Includes: breakfast, complimentary airport shuttle, complimentary Wi-Fi access, free parking

Extended Stay America

1805 S Veterans Pkwy, Bloomington, IL 61701
Method: use the Hotel Link and enter corporate rate EAILY if needed (15% discount, larger discount for longer stays)
Includes: full kitchen, on-site guest laundry facilities, and wireless internet access

Hampton Inn and Suites—Shoppes at College Hills

320 S Towanda Ave, Normal, IL 61761
Rate: $125 (plus tax) for a standard room, $135 for a suite (updated 9/7/22)
Method: call 309-452-8900 and give corporate code 2665580 or go to this link
Includes: hot breakfast, pool/fitness area, fridge/microwave in each room, wireless internet access

Holiday Inn Bloomington

8 Traders Circle, Normal, IL 61761
Rate: $95 (plus tax) (updated 7/12/2022)
Method: call 309-862-0101 and reference IWU or use the Hotel Link and corporate rate code 27748
Includes: breakfast, complimentary shuttle, complimentary internet access, on-site restaurant, free parking

Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Normal

1715 Parkway Plaza Dr, Normal, IL 61761
Rate: $99.95 plus tax (2 Queens), $109.95 (King Executive) plus tax (updated 10/2022)
Method: call 309-862-1600 and ask for the IWU rate IPEJ9
Includes: Free breakfast, wireless internet access, parking, fitness center, pool/hot tub

Hyatt—Uptown Normal

200 Broadway Avenue, Normal, IL 61761
Rate: from $139.00 (plus tax)
Method: Use the IWU Link or call 309-454-9288 and ask for the IWU rate
Includes: internet, parking, fitness center, pool; also has a full-service Starbucks on property

Attractions

Bloomington-Normal Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

Travel

Driving Directions

Get directions on Google Maps

Campus Map

From Chicago, IL (Approximately 130 miles) Take I-55 South to Veterans Parkway South (Business 55 - exit #167). Proceed about 4 miles and turn right onto Route 9 (Pekin West exit). Travel about 2 miles to Park Street and turn right.

From Madison, WI (Approximately 200 miles) Take I-39/90 South to Rockford, IL and continue on I-39 South. Turn onto Route 51 South (Business Exit #2) and turn left at the end of the ramp. Proceed about 6 miles to Emerson Street and turn left at the light. Turn right onto Franklin Street, left on Beecher Street, and then right on Park Street.

From Indianapolis, IN (Approximately 165 miles) Take I-74 West to Route 51 (North Business Exit #135). Travel about 2 miles to Veterans Parkway North (Business 55 Chicago) exit. Proceed about 3.5 miles, turn left onto Route 9 (Pekin West Exit). Travel about two miles to Park Street and turn right.

From Peoria, IL (Approximately 40 miles) Take I-74 East to I-55 North (Chicago Exit #127). Follow to Route 51 South (Business Exit #165A). Proceed about 3 miles to Emerson Street and turn left at the light. Turn right onto Franklin Street, left on Beecher Street, and then right on Park Street.

From St. Louis, MO (Approximately 160 miles) Take the Veterans Parkway exit (Exit #157A-B/I-55-BL N/I-74/US-51/Veterans Parkway/Decatur/Indianapolis), and proceed and take ramp to US-51 Br N/Main St/Chicago. Turn left (heading north) onto S. Main Street (US-51-BR N). At a corner where there is Walgreens and Kroger, turn right onto Emerson Street. Turn right onto Franklin Street, left on Beecher Street, and then right on Park Street.

Other Ways to Get Here

Getting to IWU is super easy. Take a train, plane, or bus!

Bloomington-Normal is home to more than 30 public electric vehicle charging sites, including two Level 2 chargers at Illinois Wesleyan's Minor Myers, jr. Welcome Center (which houses the Admissions Office)--the first building in Bloomington to be LEED certified by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Peoria Charter Coach Company serves central Illinois and the Chicago areas.
Greyhound serves the entire Midwest and the country with daily departures.

In Bloomington-Normal, Connect Transit bus routes connect the airport and train station to campus.

Bloomington's (BMI) Central Illinois Regional Airport (CIRA) is just minutes from campus and has 6 nonstop flights to/from: Atlanta (ATL), Chicago (ORD), Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP), OrlandoSanford (SFB), Tampa/St.Pete (PIE). Nearby airports include Peoria (PIA) (45 miles), Chicago O'Hare (ORD) and Chicago Midway (MDW) (app. 120 miles). Find commercial flights daily at the Central Illinois Regional Airport (BMI), (309) 663-7383. Taxi service and rental cars are available at the airport. Bus service is available from O'Hare and Midway Airports to the Bone Student Center at Illinois State University, one mile north of the IWU campus.

Bloomington/Normal is on Amtrak's Chicago-to-St. Louis route. The Amtrak (BNL) station is one mile north of IWU campus at 11 Uptown Circle, Normal, IL (309) 862-2000

Bathrooms on Campus

A map of all-gender restrooms can be found here.

Wheelchair accessible restrooms can be found in the Memorial Center.