Champaign

Travel Guide

Champaign featuring heritage elements and signage
Champaign which includes signage
Spurlock Museum featuring signage
Champaign which includes outdoor art and wild flowers
Champaign

From barhopping to visiting museums, this college town and Silicon Prairie hub offers plenty to see and do.

Originally settled as farmland, the Champaign-Urbana area is now considered the hub of the “Silicon Prairie.” Champaign County features a main campus of the University of Illinois, established in 1857. The area has a large business presence, ranging from technology startups to Fortune 500 companies. Request a tour of the Blue Waters National Center for Supercomputing Applications to see powerful equipment operating at 13 quadrillion calculations per second while conducting important research.

Visit Center City Champaign’s three sections: downtown, midtown and campustown. The three-block downtown area has more than 40 bars, art galleries and boutique shopping along Neil Street. Orpheum Children’s Science Museum in the old Orpheum Theater hosts interactive exhibits and events such as “building fair” and “weekend wizards” programs. Watch independent or foreign films at the Art Theater. The restored Virginia Theater hosts special screenings, live performances and events.

In midtown, visit Champaign County Historical Museum in the restored Cattle Bank. Learn about more than 150 years of the area’s history through interactive exhibits, such as a model 19th-century dry goods store.

Enjoy the energetic atmosphere of Campustown. Visit Green Street and the surrounding area for fast food to fine dining. After dusk, Campustown buzzes with activity as students come out to enjoy the nightlife.

The Krannert Art Museum is part of the University of Illinois and houses impressive artworks from many different periods. Explore pre-Columbian art to contemporary photography. See a symphony, ballet or one of more than 300 performances annually at the Krannert Center of Performing Arts. Once every 2 years, ELLNORA: The Guitar Festival hosts amazing guitarists at the center.

Enjoy the outdoors at Allerton Park. Stroll through 14 formal gardens surrounding a Georgian mansion. Hike nearby along the Sangamon River and look for interesting sculptures. Head north to Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch to enjoy a corn maze in autumn or meet Santa’s reindeer.

Champaign is within easy driving distance of some of the Midwest’s biggest cities. In less than 3 hours, reach ChicagoOpens in a new window, IndianapolisOpens in a new window or St. LouisOpens in a new window.

Where to stay in Champaign

Hessel Park showing a garden

Clark

While visiting Clark, you might make a stop by sights like Hessel Park and Champaign Public Library.

Clark
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North Champaign

While visiting North Champaign, you might make a stop by sights like Marketplace and Bonyark Creek Trail.

North Champaign
Champaign featuring street scenes as well as an individual female

Downtown

If you're spending some time in Downtown, The Virginia Theatre and Orpheum Children's Science Museum are top sights worth seeing.

Downtown
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Campustown

When in Campustown, you can plan a visit to Alma Mater and Illini Union Rec Room, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Campustown
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Bolten Field

While Bolten Field isn't home to many top sights, Hessel Park and University of Illinois Assembly Hall are some notable places to visit nearby.

Bolten Field
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Midtown

While Midtown isn't home to many top sights, Champaign County Historical Museum and The Virginia Theatre are some notable places to visit nearby.

Midtown
I Hotel And Illinois Conference Center
I Hotel And Illinois Conference Center
4 out of 5
1900 South First Street, Champaign, IL
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly hotel in Champaign. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,623 reviews)
"Spacious room, in excellent condition. Parking was easy, location was perfect for those visiting the University. Breakfast was very good for a continental breakfast."

Reviewed on 8 Jul, 2025

I Hotel And Illinois Conference Center
Drury Inn & Suites Champaign
Drury Inn & Suites Champaign
3 out of 5
905 W Anthony Dr, Champaign, IL
The price is S$153 per night from 24 Jul to 25 Jul
S$153
24 Jul - 25 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Champaign. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,010 reviews)
"Staff was nice"

Reviewed on 6 Jul, 2025

Drury Inn & Suites Champaign
Home2 Suites by Hilton Champaign/Urbana
Home2 Suites by Hilton Champaign/Urbana
3 out of 5
2013 South Neil Street, Champaign, IL
The price is S$139 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
S$139
20 Jul - 21 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Champaign. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (815 reviews)
"Close to the testing center, food, and no issues overnight."

Reviewed on 9 Jul, 2025

Home2 Suites by Hilton Champaign/Urbana
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Charming Champaign Victorian w/ Deck!
Charming Champaign Victorian w/ Deck!
3 out of 5
Champaign
Stay at this 3-star cottage in Champaign. Enjoy free parking and air conditioning. Popular attractions West Side Park and Champaign Public Library are located ...
Charming Champaign Victorian w/ Deck!
Vacation Rental Near University of Illinois
Vacation Rental Near University of Illinois
3 out of 5
Champaign
Stay at this 3-star cottage in Champaign. Enjoy free parking, a garden, and air conditioning. Popular attractions Hessel Park and Champaign Public Library are ...
Vacation Rental Near University of Illinois
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

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