Allerton Park & Retreat Center

Allerton Park was the private estate of Robert Henry Allerton, who donated it to the University of Illinois in 1946. It features 1,500 acres of woodlands, formal gardens and more than 100 sculptures. The park is open to the public for hiking, picnicking, cross-country skiing and leisurely garden strolls.

CITY: Monticello

William M. Staerkel Planetarium

Do some star gazing at the second-largest planetarium in Illinois, located at Parkland College. More than 7,000 stars are projected onto the planetarium’s 50-foot dome. The Planetarium also features special children’s presentations and rock-and-roll light shows.

CITY: Champaign

Krannert Art Museum and Kinkead Pavilion

Located on the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign campus, Krannert is the second-largest fine art museum in Illinois, and places among the top tier of university art museums nationwide. The museum’s diverse permanent collection contains some 10,000 works of art, and represents the cultures of African, Asia, Europe and the Americas. In addition to its permanent collection, the museum features outstanding temporary exhibitions throughout the year.

CITY: Champaign

Ewing Cultural Center

Located on the wooded Sunset Hill estate of the late Hazle Buck Ewing, the Ewing Cultural Center encompasses the open-air Theatre at Ewing (summer home of the Illinois Shakespeare Festival), the elegant Ewing Manor (which is open for tours) and the beautiful Genevieve Green Gardens.

CITY: Bloomington

Assembly Hall

From rock shows to Broadway to family shows to Fighting Illinois basketball and much more, the Assembly Hall has hosted the top names in show business, as well as, numerous University and community events.

CITY: Champaign

Pollinatarium

The University of Illinois Pollinitarium is the first free-standing science center in the nation devoted to flowering plants and their pollinators. Its location in the midst of the Arboretum brings together flowers and pollinators physically and conceptually. Changing exhibits relate to world events and ongoing research on pollinators. Guests can explore beekeeping equipment, see live demonstrations and play interactive games. Because so much depends on pollination, the UI Pollinatarium is dedicated to increasing awareness and appreciation of pollination as a remarkable ecological partnership and an essential ecosystem service.

CITY: Urbana

Wandell Sculpture Garden

This unique, free outdoor sculpture garden sits among 22 acres of re-created Illinois tallgrass prairie in a 130-acre community park. Works from local and national artists grace the gardens. New sculpture is rotated every second or third year.

CITY: Urbana

Monticello Railway Museum

View various pieces of steam and electric railroad equipment. Offers vintage train rides on Sat. and Sun. May through Oct., as well as a number of special events throughout the year.

CITY: Monticello

Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts

Built in 1922 to house the original American Passion Play, the former Scottish Rite Temple is the centerpiece of downtown Bloomington's Cultural District. The Performing Arts Center has a 1,200-seat theater and 1,000-person ballroom.

CITY: Bloomington

Prairie Fire Glass

Blown glass - stained glass. Glass blown on site - Demos daily

CITY: Monticello

Boomerang Bar & Grill

This laid back local bar has pool tables, great food and no cover charge except when bands play.

CITY: Urbana

BlueLine Night Club

There's great bands and sophisticated atmosphere at the BlueLine Night Club in Downtown Bloomington!

CITY: Bloomington

IWU School of Theatre Arts

Four mainstage plays are performed annually, ranging from Shakespeare to musicals. Holiday events are held every season.

CITY: Bloomington

John Phillip Sousa Library and Museum

John Phillip Sousa's personal band music library, willed to the University of Illinois, is on display along with period band uniforms and musical instruments. Relive a time forgotten, when the sounds of marching band music filled a town on a lazy Sunday afternoon, when you step into this museum homoring a true "music man." FREE

CITY: Champaign

Community Players Theatre

The Community Players Theatre is committed to presenting quality theater at an affordable price. Call for current performances and tickets.

CITY: Bloomington

Crossroads Global Handcrafts

Crossroads Global Handcrafts is a respected outlet for fairly traded handcrafts and food products from around the world including handmade art objects, utilitarian items, textiles, baskets, carvings, jewelry, ceramics, premium coffees, tea and chocolate.

CITY: Bloomington

Japan House

Japan House and its gardens provide an important academic, cultural, and natural setting for promoting and appreciation of Japanese culture and related cultural concepts.

CITY: Urbana

Illinois Symphony Orchestra

The Illinois Symphony Orchestra performs diverse concerts for the communities of Springfield and Bloomington-Normal. Single tickets or affordable subscription packages are available.

CITY: Bloomington

The Loft - Bloomington

Enjoy this newly renovated martini bar with a wonderful atmosphere! No food served.

CITY: Bloomington

Veterans Point Memorial

25 tons of granite memorialize 1300 veterans from at least twenty-seven states with the message, "Freedom is not Free." Fifty Flags of Freedom fly the following holidays: Memorial Day, Flag Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Patriots Day, Veterans Day, and Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.

CITY: Clinton

Orpheum Children's Science Museum

The Orpheum Children's Museum, located in the 1914 Orpheum Theatre, is one of the finest buildings in downstate Illinois. Children of all ages are given the opportunity to learn science at their own pace in an informal setting.

CITY: Champaign

Steeple Gallery

We specialize in Americana, limited edition prints, custom framing, primitive antiques, gifts and decor. We are located in a 1906 vintage church.

CITY: Monticello

Laugh Comedy Club

Some of the nations best comedians grace the stage every week at Bloomington's ONLY Comedy Club! We offer low ticket prices, great food and drinks and under 21 is permitted to enter. Join us every Thursday for College Night! Shows are Thursday, Friday, Saturday!

CITY: Bloomington

Joe's Brewery

Serving only the finest bar food available, Joe’s is the home of the Super Bird and a great place to grab some tasty wings or burgers, as well as the best fish sandwich you’ll find anywhere. Joe’s continues to provide a high energy atmosphere only available on a college campus as well as great food at a reasonable price. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

CITY: Champaign

Parkland College Theater

The Parkland Theater, a flexible proscenium theater with 315 seats, is the performance home for many Parkland theatrical, choral, and instrumental groups. The theater is also used by community organizations, speakers, guest professional artists, and theater classes.

CITY: Champaign

Spurlock Museum

The Spurlock Museum celebrates the people of the world with feature galleries on Africa, Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, Europe, East Asia, Southeast Asia, and Oceania, the Americas, and the Ancient Mediterranean. Special facilities include a focus gallery for temporary exhibits, learning center, auditorium, and educational resource center.

CITY: Urbana

Ziemer Gallery

Featuring Watercolors of Larry Ziemer, plus other artists

CITY: Monticello

Beverly Cinema

Located in the heart of the shopping district take some time away from shopping, and come watch the latest premieres in the film industry!

CITY: Champaign

SoDo Theatre

A developing space for visual and performing artists and arts organizations. We are the home of Class Act Interactive, with classes and interactive experiences for children of all ages.

CITY: Champaign

Mulligans

Famous for Long Island Iced Teas! Always a packed crowd in Downtown Bloomington!

CITY: Bloomington

Framer's Market

Framer's Market is a full-service framing shop that has been designing custom frames and enhancing art since 1981.

CITY: Champaign

C.H. Moore Homestead

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this restored mansion and grounds whisk visitors back to the Victorian era. Once home to Clinton attorney Clifton H. Moore, visitors will enjoy tours and stories of the friend and law partner of Abraham Lincoln who one resided there. Home of the DeWitt County Museum.

CITY: Clinton

Anita Purves Nature Center

Located at the north end of Crystal Lake, this nature center is an environmental education facility that provides a natural resource for people interested in learning more about the outdoors.

CITY: Urbana

Prairie Aviation Museum

Highlights the History of Aviation from the Wright Brothers to Illinois Astronauts. View or take a ride in the restored DC-3, The National Historic Registry's only Flying Exhibit!

CITY: Bloomington

Country Junction

You are invited to shop the ever-changing collection of traditional crafts, folk art, candles, furniture, home accents, decorative accessories, and much more. Displayed in room design design settings. Country Junction treats you to an enjoyable shopping experience.

CITY: Clinton

J.T. and E.J. Crumbaugh Museum

This museum is located in the lower level of the Crumbaugh Library in Le Roy.The major displays include an 1890s re-creation of a child's room and a communications exhibit.

CITY: Le Roy

Funk Gem & Mineral Museum

Located at the Funk Prairie Home, this museum houses the largest single-owner display of rare gems, minerals, fossils and lapidary art in the state. Also view the agriculture exhibit, along with several antique sleighs and carriages.

CITY: Shirley

Galaxy 14 Cinema

The Galaxy movie theater features 14 screens, stadium seating, digital surround sound, full-service concessions and a mega screen.

CITY: Bloomington

Canopy Club

Canopy Club is committed to diversity in the entertainment it provides for its diverse patron base. The Canopy Club also strives to foster an environment of activism for positive social and environmental change through hosting various benefits and informational gatherings. In striving to achieve the highest level of entertainment, the Canopy Club prides itself on being able to offer entertainment for all walks of life. Whether you like rock, country, hip hop, jazz, funk, indie or anything in between, the Canopy Club has something to offer you. If you're a fan of live music and entertainment, the Canopy Club is your home in central Illinois! Come see live music at the Canopy!

CITY: Urbana

A.L. Van Den Bergen Statue " Abraham Lincoln"

This bronze statue was originally dedicated in 1931 to commemorate Lincoln's "Fool the People" speech.

CITY: Clinton

Virginia Theatre

Since 1921, The Virginia Theater has been a landmark in the business district of Champaign and in the history of the region. For 75 years, the 1,525 seat theater has offered entertainment as a vaudeville house, legitimate theater, and movie house. The historic theater plays host to Roger Ebert’s Ebertfest Film Festival every spring.

CITY: Champaign

Flood Plain Forge Blacksmith

Blacksmithing, as well as artistic and functional iron work, is performed in this smithy that was erected in 1928.

CITY: Farmer City

The Art Theater

The Art Theater is located in the heart of Downtown Champaign and has been entertaining moviegoers since 1913. A true historical fixture, the Art Theater screens independent films and serves up locally grown popcorn, baked goods from local bakeries and a great selection of wines, beers, soda and more!

CITY: Champaign

Act Your Age - Champaign Urbana

A young out-of-work actor does research for the role of an old man by spending time in a nursing home, where he learns to respect the elderly and ponders his own life choices.

CITY: Champaign

Museum of the Grand Prairie

The Museum of the Grand Prairie has an extensive collection interpreting 19th and early 20th century life in east-central Illinois. Two floors of exhibits present architecture, trades and occupations, decorative arts, and childhood and domestic life of the time. The Discovery Rom offers hands-on opportunities for children to interact and learn about the residents of the Grand Prairie. Educational programs are offered for all ages throughout the year.

CITY: Mahomet

Illinois Wesleyan University Merwin Galleries

The galleries display rotating exhibits created by Illinois Wesleyan University students throughout the school year.

CITY: Bloomington

Woodlawn Cemetery and Civil War Soldiers Plot

The first burial at Woodlawn Cemetery was that of a Union Soldier in 1861. The plot is the resting place for over 80 Civil War Soldiers. An interpretive sign provides history of the plot and a listing of the soldiers buried there. Also located here are Civil War era cannons. Several others buried outside of the Civil War Soldiers plot were contemporaries of Abraham Lincoln.

CITY: Clinton

Cinema Gallery

The landmark Busey’s Hall/Princess Theater in downtown Urbana is home to Cinema Gallery, representing over 50 professional artists of the Midwest. Media on display are ceramics, drawings, glass, mixed media, paintings, sculpture, and studio furniture. The gallery also hosts 7 special shows each year.

CITY: Urbana

Hoop Dreams - University of Illinois

This Oscar-nominated documentary follows the lives of two inner city Chicago youths as they pursue their dreams of becoming basketball stars. The movie filmed extensively around Chicago's Cabrini Green public housing complex, as well as at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

CITY: Urbana

Wind Water & Light Gallery

Located in historic Lincoln Square Mall next to the Framer's Market, this store features all sorts of arts from paintings, sculptures, and pottery works. Stop in and just browse, or perhaps purchase one of these fine pieces of art.

CITY: Urbana

Boltini Lounge

Charming and elegant. Sophisticated liquor selection, light gourmet menu and outdoor patio.

CITY: Champaign

Sheeba - University of Illinois Campus

This heartwarming family film centers on a city boy from New York City who moves to the country to live with his grandfather and befriends a loyal dog named Sheeba.

CITY: Champaign

Champaign County Historical Museum at the Cattle Bank

The museum is located in the oldest commercial building in Champaign County, the beautifully restored Cattle Bank, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. Exhibits showcase more than 150 years of Champaign County's people, events, architecture and lifestyles. A feature of the museum is the 19th century dry goods store and businesses. The museum has a gift shop and publishes the Champaign County Historical Quarterly.

CITY: Champaign

Union School House

Built in 1865, Union School served rural Logan County for over 80 years. More than a museum, Union School is a hands-on learning center. Local history is displayed in old photographs and memorabilia. A year-round interpreter is available to enhance the visitor experience.

CITY: Clinton

Simpkins Military History Museum

The personal collection of Gary Simpkins includes artifacts from the Civil War, Spanish-American War, World War I and II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Cold War and Desert Storm.

CITY: Heyworth

Krannert Center for the Performing Arts

A professional laboratory for the University of Illinois dance, theater, opera, and music departments. The center also hosts nationally renowned artists and is home to the Champaign-Urbana Symphony.

CITY: Urbana

Soma Ultralounge

Talk about setting the mood. With an atmosphere flushed with warm reds and bathed in caramel and gold lighting, the mood at Soma is always one of urbane expectation. Anything can happen here, and it does.

CITY: Champaign

Smith Memorial Hall

Live Perforamance Musical Theater located on the University of Illinois campus in one of the many historical buildings on the Quad. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, Smith Memorial Hall features a 900-seat recital hall, a popular venue for student and faculty solo and ensemble performances. Chamber Music and Harpsichord recitals are held in the Smith Memorial room.

CITY: Urbana

Bentley's Pub

This traditional pub in Downtown Champaign is off the beaten path and likes it that way. A great selection of beers and a crowd of regulars keep this bar hopping. Live music weekly.

CITY: Champaign

Kanfer Photography Gallery

Larry Kanfer is a premier photographer of the Midwest landscape with a gallery and photography studio in Champaign, Illinois.

CITY: Champaign

Madeline's Confectionary Arts Studio & Gallery

Learn all about the world of art by enrolling in an arts class taught by professionals, or shop around for that special piece of art or photography at this multi-purpose festival of the arts.

CITY: Urbana

Griggs Street Potters

Come see some of the best pottery in the Midwest and East Central Illinois at Griggs Street. Either just browse around, or purchase what you like and enjoy it all the time as apart of your lives.

CITY: Champaign

High Cross Art Studio

The primary purpose is to provide an environment which fosters artistic excellence and creative growth of the individual artists working there.

CITY: Urbana

Flower Corner & Country Church Craft Mall

A full-service florist specializing in weddings. The Flower Corner invites you to call and set up an appointment to speak with one of their designers for your special day! They also carry a large assortment of crafts, candles, quilts, pictures, wooden signs, and furniture.

CITY: Clinton

The Laughing Kat

Located in the residence of local artist Frannie Thompson, this shop features all types of handmade creations. Her fine assortment of fused glass and beads, paintings, jewelry, sewing and purses awaits you.

CITY: Clinton

International Galleries

International Galleries was first established over thirty years ago in the heart of campus. We are proud of our long history in this community and look forward to continuing to serve our friends and neighbors here in Urbana-Champaign.

CITY: Urbana

Station Theater/The Celebration Company

The Station Theater, located in the historic 1899 Penn Central Train Station, is home to the Celebration Company. The theater provides live productions all year round meant to inspire, educate, and challenge. Performances range from musicals to classical experimental.

CITY: Urbana

With Honors - University of Illinois

This dramatic comedy centers on a Harvard student who befriends a homeless man and learns some valuable life lessons. The graduation scenes were filmed at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign campus, with U of I students playing many of the graduates. The college's turn-of-the-century Foellinger Auditorium was disguised to look like Harvard for the movie shoot.

CITY: Urbana

Glass FX

The Glass FX Gallery offers an ever-changing display of decorative glass for sale. Our artists create beautiful works of art to last well into the future.

CITY: Champaign

Heartland Gallery

Heartland Gallery specializes in contemporary Irish art and Celtic art and crafts. As a small performance venue, Heartland Gallery has hosted many events including concerts by internationally-known musicians such as Dublin harpist/singer/songwriter Claire Roche, master of the Celtic harp and spoken-word artist Patrick Ball, legendary Irish piper Paddy Keenan, and Scottish singer/songwriter/guitarist Jim Malcolm. The gallery also hosts local and national storytellers, actors and other performing artists including Irish and Scottish dancers.

CITY: Champaign

Twin Groves Wind Farm

Located on the wind-swept Bloomington Moraine in eastern McLean County, Twin Groves Wind Farm offers 396 megawatts of affordable, pollution-free wind energy, enough to meet the annual energy needs of about 118,000 homes. Learn more about this exciting new facility with a farm tour.

CITY: Ellsworth

Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center

The Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center fosters the creation and distribution of media, art, and narratives emphasizing underrepresented voices and perspectives and promotes empowerment and expression through media and arts education.

CITY: Urbana

McLean County Arts Center

The McLean County Arts Center presents approximately twelve exhibitions yearly, including the annual Holiday Treasures exhibition and the annual Amateur Competition and Exhibition which for over 85 years has showcased the best amateur artists from the region. The Center also offers art classes, artist lectures, art workshops for children and adults and associated performing and literary arts presentations. The community is also offered opportunities to purchase or rent artwork through the Center's Sales & Rental Gift Gallery.

CITY: Bloomington