2013 Travel Guide
Enjoy Illinois App
Showing 1-96 of 341 items
Blind Pig Brewery
Located in downtown Champaign, Blind Pig brews its own craft beers. With its beautiful wood interior, casks full of local brews and friendly locals, this bar is a must-see. When the weather is nice, venture outside and enjoy the large outdoor beer garden.
CITY: Champaign
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
Tanger Outlet Center
Factory outlet mall with over 40 brand name outlets. Shop Coach, Harry and David, Reebok, Nike, Gap, Bass, Polo Ralph Lauren, Old Navy, Bath and Body Works and much more! Check out our monthly special events, coupons and sales. Tanger Outlet Center is conveniently located off of I-57, exit 212 in Tuscola. Locations nearby include Champaign and Amish Country.
CITY: Tuscola
Hardy's Reindeer Ranch
The North Pole has moved to Central Illinois. Try your luck at the 6+ acre corn maze, the Grand Prix style race track, pick a pumpkin or a Christmas tree (depending on season), stop by the fascinating gift shop and, of course, see the reindeer!
CITY: Rantoul
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
Kickapoo State Park Campgrounds
Kickapoo has two major campgrounds for tent and trailer camping, with 184 sites. About half the sites have electrical hookups, two shower buildings are available to all campers and a sanitary dump station is available. Campers occupying electrical sites are required to pay for the availability of electricity even if the service is not used. A limited number of walk-in sites are available for primitive campers. The shower buildings are closed by November 1 (may be earlier if bad weather) and reopen May 1 (may be earlier - weather depending).
CITY: Oakwood
Cowboy Monkey
Nightlife Bar for casual chatting with friends and family. Dining options during the day as well as full service bar during dining hours.
CITY: Champaign
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
Urbana Indoor Aquatic Center
The Indoor Aquatic Center has a recreational and competition pool, a beach-like entry and a water playground.
CITY: Urbana
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
Alto Vineyards Tasting Room
Alto Vineyards' retail wine shop and tasting room offers custom gift baskets, gourmet foods and local artwork. Indoor and outdoor seating offers a place to relax with a glass of Alto's finest. Alto's original location is situated in Alto Pass, on the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail.
CITY: Champaign
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
UI Arboretum
See a beautiful collection of gardens, flowers and habitats at this University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign arboretum. Visitors can experience nature's four seasons in a single setting.
CITY: Urbana
Prairie Farm
Traditional farm animals such as sheep, pigs, horses, and goats are featured at prairie farms. The farm offers tours in addition to a petting area.
CITY: Champaign
Bath & Body Works -- Tanger Outlet Center
Integrating health, beauty and well-being. Combining the introduction of spa products that are easily used at home with the incorporation of simple rituals into daily life, Bath & Body Works is committed to helping consumers improve their emotional and physical being. Purchase lotions, creams, hand soap and more in a variety of scents.
CITY: Tuscola
Mabery Gelvin Botanical Garden
The gardens boast some of the most beautiful and diverse flora in east-central IL. It also features the award-winning Miriam Davies Memorial Enabling Garden.
CITY: Mahomet
Boomerang Bar & Grill
This laid back local bar has pool tables, great food and no cover charge except when bands play.
CITY: Urbana
Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve
Lake of the Woods County Park is a 900-acre preserve that features an 18-hole regulation golf course, a 9-hole par 3 course and practice range, fishing, boating, hiking, picnicking, cross-country skiing, sledding, the HI-Tower bell carillon and observation area, a 3.3 mile bicycle/pedestrian path, the Museum of the Grand Prairie, Mabery Gelvin Botanical Gardens, a covered bridge, building rentals and various programs.
CITY: Mahomet
Olympic Tribute & Laborer's Memorial
Honoring the extraordinary achievements of Champaign County residents who have participated in the Olympic and Paralympic Games, this granite platform inscribed with the names of the athletes and the Olympic symbol is surrounded by playing fields, gardens and a community college campus. Tribute to Olympic Athletes rises from an ordinary prairie landscape transformed by playing fields, gardens and a community college campus.
CITY: Champaign
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
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
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
Sangamon River Forest Preserve
Sangamon River Forest Preserve, a 160-acre gem, offers a variety of natural features and is ideal for low-impact activities such as picnicking, bird-watching, hiking and river fishing. The preserve hosts the Lincoln Ash Tree, one of the largest ash trees in the state.
CITY: Fisher
River Bend Forest Preserve
The 275-acre River Bend Forest Preserve south of Mahomet contains approximately 130 acres of clear water in two lakes, one of which is the largest public lake in Champaign County, and includes 2.5 miles of forest along the Sangamon River.
CITY: Mahomet
Wacky Nackies
Gifts, decorative accessories, jewelry, candy - life's simple pleasures
CITY: Monticello
19 - 20
Ghost Train and Haunted Boxcar
Ride the Ghost Train through Camp Creek Hollow, with a stop at Cemetery Road. Only the brave should walk through the Haunted Boxcar.
CITY: Monticello
Lincoln Square Mall
In the heart of downtown Urbana, Lincoln Square offers places to eat, shop, work, relax, and do business with plenty of parking. One of the nation's first fully enclosed malls and home to the historic Lincoln Hotel, Lincoln Square of Urbana is building on it's great past and moving toward and even greater future.
CITY: Urbana
University of Illinois
An atmosphere of innovation at Illinois is based on a history of interdisciplinary exploration. Faculty and students pursue projects with other top scholars from around the world and across disciplines. Campus resources include the world’s largest public university library, outstanding centers for the arts, and many world-class research facilities, including the National Center for Supercomputing Applications. In 2003, Illinois’ faculty members won national and international awards including two Nobel Prizes, the Crafoord Prize in Biosciences, and two Guggenheim Fellowships. Students choose from more than 150 majors and 1100 clubs and organizations.
CITY: Urbana
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
Downtown Champaign Shopping
Discover cute boutiques housed in historic storefronts in downtown Champaign, including antique and consignment shops. Be sure to stop at PACA’s Architectural Salvage Warehouse, where you’ll find everything from vintage stained glass to ceramic tiles.
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
University of Illinois FIGHTING ILLINI
Wear your Orange & Blue to all 19 Varsity Athletic events in support of the hometown Fighting Illini as they compete in the newly looked Big Ten Conference as apart of the NCAA Division I. Alumni come back and visit your old stopping grounds and see what has or hasn't changed on the Urbana-Champaign campus as well as showing your support for the current FIGHTING ILLINI athletic teams! There are tons of events that go on at each of the Illini home games such as Homecoming. Visit fightingillini.com for further information on what exciting promotions the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics has to promote Fighting Illini Sports.
CITY: Champaign
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
Holiday Inn Express - Tuscola
82 rooms, 6 executive suites. Extended continental breakfast. Meeting facilities for up to 35 people. Two full service restaurants within walking distance.
CITY: Tuscola
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
Hap Parker Family Aquatic Center
Fun for the whole family! Highlights include two amazing water slides that splash down into 350,000 gallons of crystal clear water. The zero-depth entry pool also features water toys for children, lanes for swimmers, and diving boards. The 14,000 square foot facility also has a full bath house with accessible restrooms and changing rooms, along with a full-service concession stand, shaded and open lounge areas, picnic tables and much more.
CITY: Rantoul
Market Place Shopping Center
Exciting shopping in Champaign, Illinois with unique and varied stores. Check out the website for listing of stores, restaurants, and other accessories that are featured inside.
CITY: Champaign
Crane Alley
COME SEE WHAT CRANE ALLEY HAS TO OFFER.... THE BEST SANDWICHES, ENTREES AND FRESH SEAFOOD SPECIALS IN TOWN, 16 BEERS ON TAP AND OVER 100 IMPORT AND DOMESTIC BOTTLES, EXTENSIVE WINE LIST, 4 DIAMOND PROFESSIONAL POOL TABLES AND 80 SEAT BEER GARDEN.
CITY: Urbana
Middle Fork State Fish & Wildlife Area
The Middle Fork natural area offers equestrian trails, hunting and fishing. The Middle Fork Natural Scenic River runs through the area.
CITY: Oakwood
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
Monticello Railway Museum
Offers vintage train rides on Sat. and Sun. May through Oct. View various pieces of steam and electric railroad equipment.
CITY: Monticello
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
Best Western - Gateway Inn
44 guest rooms. Inside entrances, elevator. There are some extended stay rooms with kitchenettes. Conference facilities including banquet room (350), meeting space/conference room, olympic indoor size pool and extensive outdoor deck area that is available for private events.
CITY: Monticello
Middle Fork State Fish and Wildlife Area
Canoeing is popular along the river's length, which winds through a mixture of forests and prairies. Forest and upland game hunting are also popular at the 2,700-acre site. Horseback riding on 35 miles of trails is available.
CITY: Oakwood
Amish Country Heirlooms, LLC
Area's largest of hand-crafted Amish and oak furniture, collectible prints, and accessories, along with Country Dreams furniture exhibit.
CITY: Tuscola
Chester Street Dance Club
Located in downtown Champaign, this huge dance club features DJs spinning everything from Top 40 remixes to electro-industrial dance. Cool down on the outdoor patio.
CITY: Champaign
Mena's Mercantile
Beautifully organized, clean antique shop in downtown Paxton. Specializing in antiques, collectibles and good old-fashioned hospitality. New items daily. Located in the basement, it is a not for profit thrift store where all items are 50 cents.
CITY: Paxton
Boltini Lounge
BOLTINI LOUNGE is the quintessential cocktail lounge of the Champaign-Urbana community. Located in the heart of downtown Champaign, Boltini offers a great selection of liquor, food, entertainment and fun. It truly is the adult playground of downtown welcoming any and everybody from the downtown hipster to the professional enjoying a happy hour cocktail to our own service industry friends and everybody in between.
CITY: Champaign
Bridget's Blarney Stone
Bar & Grill - Small Town Hang Out Spot; with Karoke every 1st and 3rd Friday of each month
CITY: Ivesdale
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
Sleepy Creek Vineyards
Wine, Unique gifts, local artist works etc. There is no better way to experience wine than right here from the source. You will often find our friendly staff behind the bar, pouring wine and conducting tastings.
CITY: Fairmount
Outdoor Center Fields
The Outdoor Center Fields are located at First Street, spanning either side of Stadium Drive. Not just for students, but very welcoming to the general public.! Reservations for special group outings must be made! Outdoor Center Fields Amenities four lighted football fields two lighted soccer fields three lighted sand volleyball courts three lighted basketball courts six lighted Tennis courts Outdoor Center facility with exterior drinking fountains, restrooms, and a meeting room
CITY: Champaign
1
Homer Soda Festival
Homer Soda Festival, the largest glass-bottled soda tasting party in history! How would you like to try a Dang Butterscotch Root Beer, Cheerwine, Prickly Pear, or an Americana Huckleberry soda? Now is the chance to try the sodas that have intrigued you on the shelf of the Homer Soda Company! Celebrate glass bottled soda with over 200 different sodas will be available for tasting at the inaugural Homer Soda Festival. An antique car cruise-in, the Brick Street BBQ Cook-off and Bluegrass music will also add to the unique atmosphere of this festival.
CITY: Homer
Dielman's Asparagus Patch
Pick up fresh asparagus at this roadside spot from mid-April through the end of May.
CITY: Monticello
16 - 27
NCAA Men’s & Women’s 2013 National Tennis Championships
Get ready for the thrill of the match as the best collegiate tennis teams and student-athletes from across the country will be in Urbana to showcase their talents and compete for national titles. Sixteen men's and women's teams will compete for the first six days of the tournament to claim the team titles, while a 64-singles player bracket and a 32-doubles team bracket will be played out in the final six days of competition for both men and women.
CITY: Urbana
Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum
Largest aerospace museum in Illinois. Occupying more than 126,000 square feet plus outdoor air park.
CITY: Rantoul
Ameri Host Inn - Tuscola
59 rooms with 2 jacuzzi suites, indoor pool, free deluxe continental breakfast.
CITY: Tuscola
Amishland's General Store
Nostalgic general store filled with Amish wood crafts, quilts, food products and souvenirs.
CITY: Tuscola
Champaign County Farm Bureau
The Farm Bureau acts as an intermediary to set up specific tours of area farms for visitors to Champaign County.
CITY: Champaign
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
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
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
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
Illinois Central Railroad Historical Society Headquarters
The Illinois Central Railroad Historical Society is dedicated to preserving historical and educational information about the Illinois Central Railroad and the many predecessor railroads that have been part of the IC system. This headquarters feature a depot, museum and library.
CITY: Paxton
Martha's House of Florals
Beautiful flowers, gifts, candy and cards. While away a few minutes in this treasure trove.
CITY: Atwood
Spalding Skate Park
18,000 square feet of concrete with 3 bowls, a snake run and an exciting street course.
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
University of Illinois Library
The largest public university library in the world and the third largest academic library in North America. Self guided audio tours may be checked out at the Information Desk in the Main Library.
CITY: Urbana
Chanute Air Museum
The Chanute Air Museum encompasses over 126,000 sq. ft. of display space, boasting the largest aerospace museum in Illinois. The museum's special memorial items are dedicated in honor of pioneer aviators of Illinois and Chanute AFB commanders and heroes. A gift shop, visitors reception suite, library, Children's Discovery Room, snack bar and helpful volunteers await visitors' arrival.
CITY: Rantoul
Vintage Karma
Handmade goods from local artists. Oh, and it’s got one of the most unique floors you’ll ever see – check it out for yourself and bring your camera!
CITY: Tuscola
Prairie Fruits Farm
Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery, LLC is Illinois’ first farmstead cheese making facility. Visit this off the beaten path farm and learn about their cheese-making process as you see it firsthand. Taste the delicious varieties of cheese and sample their organic fruits and vegetables as well – freshly picked, of course. Roam the property and visit with the baby goats as you pick your own berries and browse the assorted goodies they have to offer!
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
Harris Agricultural Museum
The museum houses an agricultural display that includes antique tractors (1922-1937), engines, a 1919 grain/dump truck, a replica of a 1920s farmstead kitchen, and more.
CITY: Atwood
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
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
Gantz Market
Pull up to this roadside stand to buy sweet corn or pick your own in season.
CITY: De Land
