Our Top Spots in Urbana-Champaign

Justine
Justine

Our Top Spots in Urbana-Champaign

Food Scene
16
ντόπιοι προτείνουν
Black Dog Smoke & Ale House
320 N Chestnut St
16
ντόπιοι προτείνουν
Just slightly out of town — this unsuspecting spot has delicious meals that are made with care.
The Wheelhouse
109 N Main St
Just slightly out of town — this unsuspecting spot has delicious meals that are made with care.
Authentic German food + beer that is worth the drive out of town.
Bayern Stube Restaurant
209 N Sangamon Ave
Authentic German food + beer that is worth the drive out of town.
Authentic Mexican food with the friendliest owners you've ever met working it all behind the scenes. Feels like you're in a family's home!
El Taco Tako Mexican Food
202 S Chestnut St
Authentic Mexican food with the friendliest owners you've ever met working it all behind the scenes. Feels like you're in a family's home!
Armando + his staff have brought C-U the greatest Mexican food. Check out their first location on First Street + Green and their one in downtown Champaign!
12
ντόπιοι προτείνουν
Maize Mexican Grill
60 East Green Street
12
ντόπιοι προτείνουν
Armando + his staff have brought C-U the greatest Mexican food. Check out their first location on First Street + Green and their one in downtown Champaign!
Classy drinks and classic meals in this old bank.
Old Bank Restaurant & Bar
201 E Center St
Classy drinks and classic meals in this old bank.
Female owned roastery inside of Flying Machine Avionics. Pick up a bag of her coffee for your stay!
Page Roasting Company
202 S 1st St
Female owned roastery inside of Flying Machine Avionics. Pick up a bag of her coffee for your stay!
Locally owned friends coffee/roasting team. This is what real coffee should taste like.
Flying Machine Avionics
202 S 1st St
Locally owned friends coffee/roasting team. This is what real coffee should taste like.
If you're looking for upscale Korean and sushi, try Miga for a night out.
Miga
212 North Neil Street
If you're looking for upscale Korean and sushi, try Miga for a night out.
The best ramen + sushi joint around. Check wait times before you go as it is a small restaurant and there's always a decent wait — especially during the school year.
Sakanaya
403 East Green Street
The best ramen + sushi joint around. Check wait times before you go as it is a small restaurant and there's always a decent wait — especially during the school year.
It is impossible to find another Chinese restaurant quite like Golden Harbor. Tables for 12. Get ready for huge portions + an epic menu selection.
7
ντόπιοι προτείνουν
Golden Harbor Authentic Chinese Cuisine
505 South Neil Street
7
ντόπιοι προτείνουν
It is impossible to find another Chinese restaurant quite like Golden Harbor. Tables for 12. Get ready for huge portions + an epic menu selection.
Is it May through October? And Saturday from 7AM-noon? Since 1979, Urbana's Market at the Square has been a mainstay for Urbana and the surrounding area by connecting the community with local growers and artisans. Shop one of the best selections of made- and grown-in-Illinois products including: produce, meat, dairy, honey, local beer and wine, flowers, handmade art and crafts, and more.
Urbana's Market at the Square
401 S Vine St
Is it May through October? And Saturday from 7AM-noon? Since 1979, Urbana's Market at the Square has been a mainstay for Urbana and the surrounding area by connecting the community with local growers and artisans. Shop one of the best selections of made- and grown-in-Illinois products including: produce, meat, dairy, honey, local beer and wine, flowers, handmade art and crafts, and more.
The newest restaurant to join the Sakanaya/Miga group, NAYA serves contemporary takes on Italian food. The classiest restaurant on the Champaign side of Campustown.
NAYA
212 E Green St
The newest restaurant to join the Sakanaya/Miga group, NAYA serves contemporary takes on Italian food. The classiest restaurant on the Champaign side of Campustown.
Melted raclette, fondue, and bread — oh my.
The Bread Company
706 South Goodwin Avenue
Melted raclette, fondue, and bread — oh my.
Yummy paletas + helados. Popsicles + ice cream. In almost every homemade flavor.
El Oasis
510 North Cunningham Avenue
Yummy paletas + helados. Popsicles + ice cream. In almost every homemade flavor.
Huaraches Moroleon has a cute little outdoor patio for margaritas + Mexican cuisine. Plus, they are one of the few restaurants in town that serve breakfast!
8
ντόπιοι προτείνουν
Huaraches Moroleon
805 Philo Road
8
ντόπιοι προτείνουν
Huaraches Moroleon has a cute little outdoor patio for margaritas + Mexican cuisine. Plus, they are one of the few restaurants in town that serve breakfast!
Terrific Indian food in downtown Champaign. Reasonable prices + big portions.
Kohinoor Indian Restaurant and Lounge
6 E Columbia Ave
Terrific Indian food in downtown Champaign. Reasonable prices + big portions.
Home cooked meals with delicious fried chicken plates. Don't forget to order yourself an apple dumplin' for dessert.
Apple Dumpling
2014 N High Cross Rd
Home cooked meals with delicious fried chicken plates. Don't forget to order yourself an apple dumplin' for dessert.
Do you like tamales? This spot has perfect veggie, chicken + pork ones.
Rick's Bakery
2018 South Philo Road
Do you like tamales? This spot has perfect veggie, chicken + pork ones.
Kaya + her team serve up a great cup of coffee and excellent home baked goods.
6
ντόπιοι προτείνουν
Hopscotch Bakery + Market
802 W John St
6
ντόπιοι προτείνουν
Kaya + her team serve up a great cup of coffee and excellent home baked goods.
Parks & Nature
13
ντόπιοι προτείνουν
Allerton Park & Retreat Center
515 Old Timber Road
13
ντόπιοι προτείνουν
Intense sculpture garden, lookout tower + long trails through the Prairie.
11
ντόπιοι προτείνουν
Meadowbrook Park
2808 S Race St
11
ντόπιοι προτείνουν
Intense sculpture garden, lookout tower + long trails through the Prairie.
Hessel has a wonderful assortment of play structures for children of all ages and a water splash pad. Places to grill out for families, too.
Hessel Park
1401 Grandview Dr
Hessel has a wonderful assortment of play structures for children of all ages and a water splash pad. Places to grill out for families, too.
If you're looking for a chill day at the pool or a paddleboat/kayak around the lake, check out Crystal Lake Park.
Crystal Lake Park
206 West Park Street
If you're looking for a chill day at the pool or a paddleboat/kayak around the lake, check out Crystal Lake Park.
The Kickapoo Rail Trail is a 24.5-mile trail that follows the former CSX (Conrail prior to CSX) railroad from East Urbana to Kickapoo State Park outside of Danville. It passes through the communities of Mayview, St. Joseph, Ogden, Fithian, and Oakwood. It is open to the public for hiking, biking, and other non-motorized uses.
Kickapoo Rail Trail
The Kickapoo Rail Trail is a 24.5-mile trail that follows the former CSX (Conrail prior to CSX) railroad from East Urbana to Kickapoo State Park outside of Danville. It passes through the communities of Mayview, St. Joseph, Ogden, Fithian, and Oakwood. It is open to the public for hiking, biking, and other non-motorized uses.
A lovely, quiet retreat around a large pond. There's a wide circular walking path around the lake and a more rugged path down to the Sangamon River.
Collins Pond Trail
2563 County Road 1200 North
A lovely, quiet retreat around a large pond. There's a wide circular walking path around the lake and a more rugged path down to the Sangamon River.
Arts & Culture
American architect, Max Abramovitz, designed Lincoln Center in NYC and our very own, Krannert Center.
Krannert Center for the Performing Arts
American architect, Max Abramovitz, designed Lincoln Center in NYC and our very own, Krannert Center.
KAM is the 2nd largest fine art museum in the state of Illinois. It houses the University of Illinois' art collection. Free entry!
6
ντόπιοι προτείνουν
Krannert Art Museum
500 East Peabody Drive
6
ντόπιοι προτείνουν
KAM is the 2nd largest fine art museum in the state of Illinois. It houses the University of Illinois' art collection. Free entry!
Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
1103 S 6th St
A sweet little nature center that children will love — with wooded trails nearby and a nature playscape that is unbeatable during great weather.
Anita Purves Nature Center
1505 N Broadway Ave
A sweet little nature center that children will love — with wooded trails nearby and a nature playscape that is unbeatable during great weather.
Just walk in and experience all of its gorgeousness. If you have children + it's nasty outside, check out their fantastic playspace for the littles to run it all off, too.
Champaign Public Library
200 West Green Street
Just walk in and experience all of its gorgeousness. If you have children + it's nasty outside, check out their fantastic playspace for the littles to run it all off, too.
Located in the heart of downtown Urbana at the corner of Race and Green. Even if you are not a cardholder you can use the library (and check out). The UFL is home to The Champaign County Historical Archives. This room will support your research of local history and genealogy with both physical and online resources. There's also a coffee shop inside + a sweet little children's playscape.
Urbana Free Library
210 West Green Street
Located in the heart of downtown Urbana at the corner of Race and Green. Even if you are not a cardholder you can use the library (and check out). The UFL is home to The Champaign County Historical Archives. This room will support your research of local history and genealogy with both physical and online resources. There's also a coffee shop inside + a sweet little children's playscape.
Shopping
Independently owned boutique stocked with the best of women's shoes, clothing + accessory in the heart of downtown Champaign.
Circles Boutique
114 N Neil St
Independently owned boutique stocked with the best of women's shoes, clothing + accessory in the heart of downtown Champaign.
So many floors of books. You could get lost in here for hours.
Jane Addams Book Shop
208 North Neil Street
So many floors of books. You could get lost in here for hours.
Art Mart has been a staple of Champaign-Urbana for over a half-century. From the ever-expanding assortment of artisanal cheeses and meats; to the best selection of wine + beers and gifts.
7
ντόπιοι προτείνουν
Art Mart
1705 South Prospect Avenue
7
ντόπιοι προτείνουν
Art Mart has been a staple of Champaign-Urbana for over a half-century. From the ever-expanding assortment of artisanal cheeses and meats; to the best selection of wine + beers and gifts.
Sharing a space with a great vinyl shop, Dandelion has a dope selection of vintage wear.
Dandelion Vintage & Used
100 N Chestnut St
Sharing a space with a great vinyl shop, Dandelion has a dope selection of vintage wear.
Audiophiles and vinyl lovers shop here!
Exile on Main Street
100 North Chestnut Street
Audiophiles and vinyl lovers shop here!
More antiques than you might know what to do with them. Lots of local goods and variety from an assortment of vendors.
Antiques & More Staley Road
606 S Staley Rd
More antiques than you might know what to do with them. Lots of local goods and variety from an assortment of vendors.
A warehouse full of vintage treasures and local finds!
Captain Jack's Consignment
503 S Dunlap Ave
A warehouse full of vintage treasures and local finds!
Trinkets, baby gifts, women's clothing, designer furniture + more at this modern, friendly, and fun rolled spot into a shop.
checkered moon
1721 West Kirby Avenue
Trinkets, baby gifts, women's clothing, designer furniture + more at this modern, friendly, and fun rolled spot into a shop.
Bohemia is a unique boutique with vintage home decor, new women’s apparel and artist's creations with a vintage vibe right in the center of downtown Urbana.
Bohemia
135 W Main St
Bohemia is a unique boutique with vintage home decor, new women’s apparel and artist's creations with a vintage vibe right in the center of downtown Urbana.
Art supplies galore + more at this locally, female and artist owned store inside the Lincoln Square Mall.
art coop, inc
150 Lincoln Square
Art supplies galore + more at this locally, female and artist owned store inside the Lincoln Square Mall.
Find your retro home goods + clothing flair here!
Furniture Lounge
11 E University Ave
Find your retro home goods + clothing flair here!
I.D.E.A. Store will get your creative juices flowing. Located in downtown Urbana's Lincoln Square Mall — it is a nonprofit organization that fosters creativity, education, environmental stewardship, and community through reuse. All materials are donated by the community.
The I.D.E.A. Store
I.D.E.A. Store will get your creative juices flowing. Located in downtown Urbana's Lincoln Square Mall — it is a nonprofit organization that fosters creativity, education, environmental stewardship, and community through reuse. All materials are donated by the community.
Looking for a sweet plant to take back home with you or to cheer up those you're here visiting? Matthis at Plant Mode can help you pick the best one for the space.
Plant Mode
11 E University Ave
Looking for a sweet plant to take back home with you or to cheer up those you're here visiting? Matthis at Plant Mode can help you pick the best one for the space.
Entertainment & Activities
This has to be the coolest gem in central Illinois — it is about a 45 minute drive from our house and so worth it if you love pinball and arcade games!
Arcadia: America's Playable Arcade Museum
107 S Hamilton St
This has to be the coolest gem in central Illinois — it is about a 45 minute drive from our house and so worth it if you love pinball and arcade games!
Great spot to bring children to for a full day of activities. We travel all over the country + the Children's Discovery Museum is the best we've experienced by far!
6
ντόπιοι προτείνουν
Children's Discovery Museum
101 East Beaufort Street
6
ντόπιοι προτείνουν
Great spot to bring children to for a full day of activities. We travel all over the country + the Children's Discovery Museum is the best we've experienced by far!
Do you like escape rooms? These are some of our favorites here in Urbana.
Champaign-Urbana Adventures in Time and Space
123 W Main St
Do you like escape rooms? These are some of our favorites here in Urbana.
Catch a play at The Station Theatre — a small independent dramatics theatre located in downtown Urbana, Illinois. It was converted into a theatre from a Big Four Railway passenger station in 1967.
Station Theatre
223 N Broadway Ave
Catch a play at The Station Theatre — a small independent dramatics theatre located in downtown Urbana, Illinois. It was converted into a theatre from a Big Four Railway passenger station in 1967.
The William M. Staerkel Planetarium at Parkland College in West Champaign is one of the 37 major planetaria in the United States. Discover the universe at the second largest planetarium in Illinois, located on the campus of Parkland College. Catch a Pink Floyd fulldome light show!
William M. Staerkel Planetarium
2400 West Bradley Avenue
The William M. Staerkel Planetarium at Parkland College in West Champaign is one of the 37 major planetaria in the United States. Discover the universe at the second largest planetarium in Illinois, located on the campus of Parkland College. Catch a Pink Floyd fulldome light show!
Swim time!
Sholem Aquatic Center
2205 Sangamon Dr
Swim time!
Swim time — set inside of a lovely, expansive park with boating and kayaking.
Crystal Lake Park Family Aquatic Center
1401 N Broadway Ave
Swim time — set inside of a lovely, expansive park with boating and kayaking.
Getting Around
Champaign-Urbana, Illinois
The local way to get around town for $1.
Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District
1101 E University Ave
The local way to get around town for $1.
Essentials
Harvest Market is a grocery store, restaurant, bakery, deli, and a bar. Phew!
Harvest Market
2029 S Neil St
Harvest Market is a grocery store, restaurant, bakery, deli, and a bar. Phew!
This grocery is a cooperatively owned store in downtown Urbana's Lincoln Square Mall that promotes local and organic production, fosters conscious consumerism, and builds community. Though they are community-owned, membership is not required to shop in the store.
7
ντόπιοι προτείνουν
Common Ground Food Co-operative
300 South Broadway Avenue
7
ντόπιοι προτείνουν
This grocery is a cooperatively owned store in downtown Urbana's Lincoln Square Mall that promotes local and organic production, fosters conscious consumerism, and builds community. Though they are community-owned, membership is not required to shop in the store.
El Progreso has two locations (one in Champaign + another in Urbana). Find all of your Mexican food + drink needs here!
El Progreso
1017 W Bloomington Rd
El Progreso has two locations (one in Champaign + another in Urbana). Find all of your Mexican food + drink needs here!
Fully stocked oriental foods right in the heart of Midtown.
AM-KO Oriental Foods & Gifts
101 E Springfield Ave
Fully stocked oriental foods right in the heart of Midtown.
International food store in Midtown that sells a great variety of Korean, Chinese, and Japanese foods. Plus, they have roasted duck, fresh fish, hot bar, and packaged foods to go.
Fresh International Market
505 S Neil St
International food store in Midtown that sells a great variety of Korean, Chinese, and Japanese foods. Plus, they have roasted duck, fresh fish, hot bar, and packaged foods to go.
Their fresh baked sourdough, seeded baguettes are the best staple to start your day.
World Harvest International & Gourmet
519 E University Ave
Their fresh baked sourdough, seeded baguettes are the best staple to start your day.
All the variety of food from Africa you could hope for.
the best of africa's food store
208 W Griggs St
All the variety of food from Africa you could hope for.