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Champaign is a city of about 90,000 people in east-central Illinois, forming a twin city with neighboring Urbana. It grew up around a railroad depot in the 1850s, and in 1867 the University of Illinois was founded here as one of the original land-grant colleges. Today the university, one of the largest and most respected public universities in the country, shapes the region.
The campus is centered on the Main Quad, with the Alma Mater sculpture, the Illini Union and the Foellinger Auditorium. Memorial Stadium, built in 1923, hosts Fighting Illini football, and the domed State Farm Center, once the largest edge-supported dome in the world, holds basketball games and concerts. The Krannert Center for the Performing Arts and the Krannert Art Museum are among the best university arts venues in the country.
Downtown Champaign has historic brick buildings with restaurants and bars, and the restored Virginia Theatre hosts films and Roger Ebert's Film Festival each spring. Campustown, along Green Street, is lively with students, and parks and trails offer green space amid the prairie.
The Main Quad is the green heart of the University of Illinois campus, framed by the Illini Union, Foellinger Auditorium and historic academic buildings. Students, frisbees and events fill it on warm days. Walk it end to end and see the Alma Mater statue nearby at Green and Wright streets.
The Virginia Theatre is a restored 1921 movie palace in downtown Champaign that hosts films, concerts, comedy and Roger Ebert's Film Festival, known as Ebertfest. Its ornate interior has been carefully restored. Check its calendar and catch a classic movie night or a live show to see the hall.
Memorial Stadium is the home of Fighting Illini football, opened in 1923 as a memorial to Illinois students who died in World War I, with names on its columns. Game days fill the campus with tailgates. Arrive early on a fall Saturday, and look at the memorial columns along the outside.
State Farm Center is the domed arena of Fighting Illini basketball, opened in 1963 and known for its saucer shape. It also hosts concerts and family shows. Basketball games are loud and lively, so book tickets early for big conference games and use the campus buses to avoid parking trouble.
Krannert Art Museum on the University of Illinois campus has a large collection of art from around the world, from ancient pieces to modern and contemporary works. It hosts changing exhibitions and talks. Admission is free, and an hour or two is enough to see the main galleries.
The William M. Staerkel Planetarium at Parkland College has one of the largest domes in Illinois, with star shows and full-dome films on Friday and Saturday nights. Live shows point out the stars visible over Champaign that week. Tickets are cheap, and shows can sell out, so arrive early.
Orpheum Children's Science Museum is in a historic 1914 theater in downtown Champaign, filled with hands-on science exhibits, a dinosaur dig and an outdoor play area for kids. It suits young children best. Combine a visit with lunch downtown, and check its hours since it is closed on some weekdays.
Prairie Farm in Centennial Park is a small city-run farm where kids can see goats, pigs, chickens, ponies and other farm animals in summer. It has a classic red barn and gardens. Admission is free and it opens in the warm months only, so check the season before going with small children.
Downtown Champaign is a lively area of historic brick buildings with restaurants, breweries, coffee shops, music venues and the Virginia Theatre. It has a busy food and nightlife scene. Walk Neil Street and Main Street in the evening, and look for summer outdoor events and patio dining.
Campustown is the busy student district along Green Street next to the University of Illinois, packed with cheap eats, bubble tea, bars and bookstores. It is lively during the school year and quieter in summer. Try one of the many Asian restaurants and walk to the Main Quad from here.
Hessel Park is a popular neighborhood park in south Champaign with large shade trees, a playground, a spray ground, walking paths and sports courts. It is a favorite for family picnics. Bring snacks and towels on summer days for the splash pad, and look for community events in the shelters.
Curtis Orchard on Champaign's southwest edge is a family farm with pick-your-own apples and pumpkins, a bakery with cider donuts, a corn maze and a petting area in fall. It is busiest on autumn weekends. Go on a weekday afternoon if you can, and buy cider donuts early before they sell out.
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