Exploring Champaign-Urbana

Exploring Champaign-Urbana
Arriving early? Leaving late? Check out these fun places to visit around our college town!

Restaurants

Watson’s Shack and Rail
211 N Neil St, Champaign IL 61820

Located in the heart of downtown Champaign. Specialties include fried and rotisserie-style chicken with Nashville Hot Chicken and Fried Chicken and Waffles being fan favorites. Famous for their unique adult slushies that change seasonally. Definitely a place to check out!

Huaraches Moroleon
805 Philo Rd, Urbana IL 61801

Small, authentic Mexican restaurant located in Urbana, IL. Beautiful patio seating, weather permitting. Offers three unique and tasty salsa and a wide array of Mexican dishes. 

Seven Saints
32 E Chester St, Champaign IL 61820

Located in the heart of downtown Champaign; a stylish, wood-trimmed, American tavern known for their creative sliders, delicious sandwiches, and wide array of drinks. 

Cowboy Monkey
6 Taylor St, Champaign IL 61820

Located in the heart of downtown Champaign, a stylish bar and Tex-Mex restaurant with live music in surroundings of polished wood and leather. 

Sakayana
403 E Green St, Champaign IL 61820

Inventive sushi, ramen, Japanese entrees, and sake are presented in a stylish space. Authentic, delicious food located right on campus. 

For your Caffeine Needs

Cafe Paradiso
801 S Lincoln Ave, Urbana IL 61801

Independent, locally-owned cafe that serves Intelligentsia coffee and espresso, pastries, fresh breads, and daily soups made from scratch. 

The Literary
122 N Neil St, Champaign IL 61820 

Located in the heart of downtown Champaign. Quiant, cozy, and aesthetically pleasing. Filled with books, brunch, and features a coffee/wine bar. 

Bake Lab
410 N. Lincoln Ave, Urbana IL 61801

High-level, inspiring pastry experience. Offering the most unique croissants, cruffins, desserts, and drinks in the CU area, a world of pure imagination. Delicious coffee and treats. 

Small/Local Businesses

Planted
16 E Washington St, Champaign IL 61820 

Located in the heart of downtown Champaign, Planted is a boutique plant shop with a variety of houseplants, planters, and gifts!

Bohemia
135 W Main St, Urbana IL 61801

Located in the historic Bennett Building in downtown Urbana, Bohemia is a unique boutique that features an eclectic blend of vintage home furnishings and decor, new women's apprel, gift items, and so much more. Bohemia showcases the work of over 20 local artists, featuring handmade jewelry and fine art. 

Art Mart
1705 S Prospect Ave, Champaign IL 61820

Art Mart offers well-designed, high-quality home decor, kitchen goods, toys, clothing and accessories, and unique gifts. Art Mart also contains a cute cafe with coffee, pastries, and sandwiches. Definitely a place to check out!

Jane Addams Bookstore
208 N Neil St, Champaign IL 61820

Located in the heart of downtown Champaign. Locally-owned, independent used bookstore that has been in business since 1984. With more than 70,000 titles in the shop it is hard to say they specialize in any particular subject, but they have a number of well-stocked sections that span fifteen separate rooms on three floors. 

Other Activities

Urbana Boulders
1502 N Cunningham Ave, Urbana IL 61802

Indoor rock-climbing facility. Great variety of bouldering routes and difficulty levels. Perfect for climbers of any experience level. Day pass is $18!

University of Illinois Ice Arena
406 E Armory Ave, Champaign IL 61820

Public skating for $9 (includes admission and skate rental). Check out the University's ice arena with some friends and enjoy a skate session. 

Alto Vineyards
4210 N Duncan Rd, Champaign IL 61822