Bloomington is only 50 mi (80 km) away from Indianapolis, among the hills and valleys of south-central Indiana. Downtown Bloomington is known for its historic Courthouse Square district, boasting Kirkwood Avenue with its cultural attractions, ethnic restaurants and trendy shops. Established in 1824, Indiana University offers a number of attractions for casual visitors such as museums, performance venues and athletic competitions, as well as the Indiana Art Museum and Mathers Museum of World Cultures, which takes visitors on a trip around the world through exhibits displaying objects from Australia to Zimbabwe. Hilltop Garden and Nature Center is also part of the university campus including a number of greenhouses and ponds. Other Bloomington highlights include Griffy Lake Nature Preserve, Lake Monroe and Hoosier National Forest, supporting outdoor activities such as hiking, waterskiing, kayaking, fishing and hot-air ballooning. For a cultural connection, the Tibetan Cultural Center highlights Tibetan society and history and also provides areas for meditation and relaxation.