The Champaign-Urbana metropolitan area is located in east-central Illinois and is surrounded by large areas of fertile farmland. There is a significant presence of the University of Illinois in both cities, but they each have charming downtown areas to discover.
Originally two small farming communities, they have now merged into a diverse and growing metropolitan area. Despite its size, the place still maintains a welcoming small town atmosphere, with various events such as street festivals, farmers markets, and music concerts throughout the year.
While there are many activities to enjoy in Champaign and Urbana, most of the main attractions can be found on the expansive university campus that lies between the two cities. These attractions include historic sites, beautiful old buildings, art museums, sports venues, and more.
Additionally, there are numerous picturesque outdoor spaces and parks to explore. Despite being often overlooked, Champaign and Urbana are definitely worth a visit while traveling through the cornfields of the Midwest state.
12. University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
Apart from the two downtowns, much of life in the area centers around the extensive University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana campus. Vibrant with the energy of students attending classes and socializing, the campus is also home to many of the metropolitan area’s main attractions.
Founded in 1867, the campus is one of the great public universities in the United States. It encompasses approximately 650 buildings, a research park, and even an arboretum within its sixteen schools and colleges. Largely surrounded by greenery, the quads and pedestrian pathways are lined with impressive old buildings and historical landmarks.
While some buildings house classrooms, labs, or student accommodation, others host museums and cultural institutes. With both Memorial Stadium and State Farm Center located on the campus, there are always special events and sporting spectacles, contributing to the youthful and dynamic atmosphere of the place.
11. Virginia Theater
The Virginia Theater, a long-standing favorite among Champaign’s performing arts venues, showcases incredible films, phenomenal plays, and more. Its opulent Spanish Revival-style interior adds a memorable touch to concerts and shows held in this historic movie palace.
Situated in the heart of town, the vintage venue stands out with its striking Renaissance Revival facade. Built in 1921 and later renovated, its lavish lobby leads to an extravagant auditorium featuring an original Wurlitzer Theater Pipe Organ.
Thanks to its delightful decor, exploring their diverse schedule of films, plays, dance shows, and concerts is worthwhile to find something that piques your interest. A notable highlight is Ebertfest, an annual event screening about a dozen films with discussions and post-show panels.
10. Market at the Square
The Market at the Square is held every Saturday morning from May to October, regardless of the weather. It is located outside Lincoln Square Mall in downtown Urbana and has a wide variety of farmers and vendors selling many different things.
Since 1979, people from the area have been visiting the busy market to buy fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, cheese, and pie. The market has grown over the years and now has almost 200 stalls. It is a lively yet relaxed way to start your Saturday, with live music, food trucks, and pop-up cafes adding to the atmosphere.
While the focus is mainly on local food, there are also artisan stalls selling handmade art, clothes, jewelry, and more.
9. Spurlock Museum
The campus includes the Spurlock Museum, which has a remarkable collection of ancient artifacts from all over the world. The museum has about 50,000 objects and artworks that cover over a million years of human cultural history on six continents.
The museum’s history goes back to 1911, but it moved to its current building in 2002 after carefully packing up all its precious items. Inside the museum, you can see incredible works of art such as Japanese and Chinese wood carvings, old bronzes, jewelry, and magnificent marble sculptures.
These pieces come from different parts of the world, including Amazonian bark cloth and Mesopotamian cuneiform tablets, which are especially unique.
8. Japan House
Located on the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana campus, Japan House is a peaceful teaching facility unlike any other. It offers various activities such as Japanese tea ceremonies, ikebana classes, and calligraphy workshops in its serene gardens.
The teahouse itself has a long history, starting in 1964 when artist-in-residence Shozo Sato began teaching courses on Japanese art and culture. The current structure, which includes three tearooms, was built in 1998 to meet the demand for these courses and bring people closer to Japanese culture.
The gardens, featuring beautiful ponds and plants, were added a few years later with classic rock and water features. With its educational value and pleasing aesthetics, a visit to Japan House is a delightful addition to your tour of the town.
7. Memorial Stadium
The Memorial Stadium is a great place to watch a game. It is located in the southwest part of the college campus and has a combination of old and modern design elements. Outside of the stadium, tailgating is a popular activity.
The stadium was finished in 1923 and is dedicated to the memory of students from the university who died in World War I and II. Their names are engraved on nearly 200 pillars, and there are also statues and dedication plaques throughout.
All the seats and suites in the stadium provide excellent views of the field, and there are many concession stands available. The atmosphere in the stadium is amazing, making it a truly unforgettable experience to watch the Fighting Illini play there.
6. Meadowbrook Park
Meadowbrook Park is a great place for people who love nature and the outdoors. It is located in south Urbana and covers a large area. The park has beautiful woods, wetlands, and many different paths to explore. There is also a big playground and sculpture garden for visitors to enjoy.
The park is located at the southern edge of the city, and it protects a large area of restored prairieland. There are paved paths that go through the tall grass, and along these paths, you can see about twenty sculptures made by local artists. The sculptures are unique and interesting, and they make great subjects for photos.
In addition to walking on the park’s scenic trails, you can also visit its sensory garden and historic old farmstead. And if you just want to relax, you can have a picnic in the park and enjoy the peaceful countryside views.
5. Champaign Public Library
In the middle of the city, there is a very important cultural place called the Champaign Public Library. It is a great resource for the community because people can use the internet, borrow books, and have meetings there.
The library has a really big collection of books, about 420,000! It first started as a small book club in 1868, but now it is a big library that many people use.
The library building was made in 2008 and it has big open spaces, quiet rooms to have meetings, and a cool section for teenagers to hang out and a cafe for people to relax, study or have coffee. The library also organizes many classes, talks, and workshops for the community throughout the year.
4. Krannert Art Museum
The Krannert Art Museum is a fascinating place to visit because it covers a wide range of art, from ancient Egypt to contemporary photography. Many people consider it one of the best university museums in the United States.
It is located just a short distance from Memorial Stadium on the Champaign-Urbana campus.Since it opened to the public in 1961, the museum’s collection has been constantly growing. Today, it has over 11,000 paintings, photos, sculptures, and prints on display in its galleries. This makes it the second-largest fine arts museum in Illinois.
The museum specializes in pre-Columbian, Asian, and twentieth-century artworks.In addition to classical Greek and Roman works, visitors will also find Andean textiles, African headwear, abstract American paintings, and ancient archaeological findings. This diverse range of art makes the Krannert Art Museum a truly unique experience.
3. State Farm Center
Located near Memorial Stadium is the State Farm Center, a popular sports and entertainment venue in the area. This large indoor arena hosts both the men’s and women’s basketball teams of the Fighting Illini, as well as well-known performers.
With its unique dome and captivating night lighting, the futuristic appearance of the stadium resembles a flying saucer. Originally called Assembly Hall, the stadium was constructed in 1963 by Max Abramovitz, an alumnus of the university. The stadium’s grand dome provides an intimate yet thrilling atmosphere for the fast-paced basketball games.
In addition to supporting the Fighting Illini and their enthusiastic student cheering section called the ‘Orange Krush,’ visitors can also enjoy remarkable concerts. Renowned artists like Elvis Presley, U2, and The Rolling Stones have graced the stage of this venue over the years.
2. Downtown Champaign
Downtown Champaign is the heart and soul of the town, offering a wide range of attractions, places to eat, and entertainment options. Despite its small-town ambiance, the area is full of fun and interesting things to experience, making it easy to explore on foot.
During the summer, you can enjoy outdoor dining as cafes and restaurants extend their seating to the sidewalk. Along the leafy streets, you’ll find a variety of shops, including comic book stores, antique shops, a brewery, fashion boutiques, and local bookstores.
In addition, there is a vibrant nightlife to discover, with other lively areas like Campustown and Downtown Urbana nearby. The presence of beautiful old brick buildings adds to the pleasant atmosphere, making it a great place for leisurely walks. You can also find historic theaters and a few museums along the blocks.
Downtown Champaign is always bustling with concerts, community events, and cultural festivals, ensuring there is never a dull moment.
1. Crystal Lake Park
Crystal Lake Park is a beautiful and peaceful place located in Urbana. It is covered with mature urban woodland, making it a picturesque spot. The park offers a variety of outdoor activities and has many attractions and amenities. It is considered the crown jewel of the Urbana Park District and was established in 1907.
You can enjoy picnic areas, playgrounds, and fishing piers around Crystal Lake. The park also has playing fields, hiking and biking trails, an outdoor swimming pool, and a sand volleyball area. Additionally, you can explore the stunning Busey Woods and visit the Anita Purves Nature Center.
For some water fun, you can swim and splash at the family-friendly aquatic center in the park.
