Our Top Spots in Urbana-Champaign

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Our Top Spots in Urbana-Champaign

Food Scene

BBQ heaven.
67 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Black Dog Smoke & Ale House
320 N Chestnut St
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BBQ heaven.
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.
Only open on Thursday for take out now! Authentic Mexican food with the friendliest owners you've ever met working it all behind the scenes. Feels like you're in the family's home.
El Taco Tako Mexican Food
202 S Chestnut St
Only open on Thursday for take out now! Authentic Mexican food with the friendliest owners you've ever met working it all behind the scenes. Feels like you're in the family's home.
Armando + his staff have brought C-U the most delicious Mexican food. Check out their first location on First Street + Green and their one in downtown Champaign!
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Maize Mexican Grill
60 East Green Street
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Armando + his staff have brought C-U the most delicious Mexican food. Check out their first location on First Street + Green and their one in downtown Champaign!
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.
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Flying Machine Avionics
202 S 1st St
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Locally owned friends coffee/roasting team. This is what real coffee should taste like.
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.
11 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Sakanaya
403 E Green St
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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.
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Golden Harbor Authentic Chinese Cuisine
505 S Neil St
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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.
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Market at the Square
401 S Vine St
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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.
Melted raclette, fondue, and bread — oh my.
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The Bread Company
706 S Goodwin Ave
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Melted raclette, fondue, and bread — oh my.
Yummy paletas + helados. Popsicles + ice cream. In almost every homemade flavor.
El Oasis
510 N Cunningham Ave
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!
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Huaraches Moroleon
805 Philo Rd
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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.
8 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Kohinoor Indian Restaurant and Lounge
6 E Columbia Ave
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Terrific Indian food in downtown Champaign. Reasonable prices + big portions.
Do you like tamales? This spot has perfect veggie, chicken + pork ones.
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Rick's Bakery
124 W Main St
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Do you like tamales? This spot has perfect veggie, chicken + pork ones.
Serve up a great cup of coffee and excellent home baked goods.
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Hopscotch Bakery + Market
802 W John St
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Serve up a great cup of coffee and excellent home baked goods.

Parks & Nature

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Allerton Park & Retreat Center
515 Old Timber Rd
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Intense sculpture garden, lookout tower + long trails through the Prairie.
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Meadowbrook Park
2808 S Race St
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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.
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Hessel Park
1400 Grandview Dr
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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.
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Crystal Lake Park Family Aquatic Center
1401 N Broadway Ave
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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 Rd 1200 N
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.
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Krannert Center for the Performing Arts
500 S Goodwin Ave
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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!
21 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Krannert Art Museum
500 E Peabody Dr
21 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
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 W Green St
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 W Green St
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.
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Circles Boutique
114 N Neil St
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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.
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Jane Addams Book Shop
208 N Neil St
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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.
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Art Mart
1705 S Prospect Ave
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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.
Audiophiles and vinyl lovers shop here!
8 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Exile on Main Street
100 N Chestnut St
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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.
Trinkets, baby gifts, women's clothing, designer furniture + more at this modern, friendly, and fun rolled spot into a shop.
Checkered Moon
2007 S Neil St
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!
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Furniture Lounge
11 E University Ave
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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
125 Lincoln Square
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
113 E Chester St
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.
Books and wine!
The Literary
122 N Neil St
Books and wine!

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!
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Children's Discovery Museum
101 E Beaufort St
23 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
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
302 N Broadway Ave
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 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 W Bradley Ave
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!
Sholem Aquatic Center
2205 Sangamon Dr
Swim time!
Swim time — set inside of a lovely, expansive park with boating and kayaking.
9 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Crystal Lake Park Family Aquatic Center
1401 N Broadway Ave
9 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Swim time — set inside of a lovely, expansive park with boating and kayaking.
Hop in a tube, kayak, or stand up paddle board and float down the River for the day!
Kickapoo Adventures
1 Clear Pond
Hop in a tube, kayak, or stand up paddle board and float down the River for the day!

Getting Around

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Champaign-Urbana, Illinois station
45 E University Ave
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The local way to get around town for $1.
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Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District (MTD)
1101 E University Ave
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The local way to get around town for $1.

Essentials

Harvest Market is a grocery store, restaurant, bakery, deli, and a bar. Phew!
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Harvest Market
2029 S Neil St
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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.
20 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Common Ground Food Co-operative
300 S Broadway Ave
20 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
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 1/2 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
306 W Springfield 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.