Champaign-Urbana Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
metropolitan area in Illinois, United States
About Champaign-Urbana
Champaign-Urbana is a community of about 220,000 amongst the corn and soybean fields about 150 miles (250 km) south ofChicago. The area was first settled by Europeans in the early 19th century. Urbana was founded in 1833, Champaign in 1855 and the university in 1867. Starting out as a farming community, the area's development was largely influenced at various times through the years including the Illinois Central railroad, the university, now-defunctChanute Air Force Basein nearbyRantouland others. Today, the cities are growing, cosmopolitan and ethnically diverse, with a modern urban feel in the area's core. Most residents of Urbana know that their town was there first, and that Champaign (originally named "West Urbana") started because a major north-south railroad was built three miles w
Top Attractions in Champaign-Urbana
Explore the best things to see and do in Champaign-Urbana:
- ★Anita Purves Nature Center
- ★Annual Sweetcorn Festival
- ★Bike the Kickapoo Rail Trail
- ★Boneyard Arts Festival
- ★Carmike Beverly Cinema 18
- ★Champaign County Fair
- ★Champaign County Historical Museum
- ★Champaign Public Library
Where to Eat in Champaign-Urbana
Must-try local food and restaurants:
- 🍴Black Dog Smoke & Ale House
- 🍴Golden Harbour
- 🍴Hamilton Walker's
- 🍴Jarlings Custard Cup
- 🍴Jerusalem Restaurant
- 🍴La Bamba
Where to Stay in Champaign-Urbana
- 🏨Comfort Inn
- 🏨Econo Lodge
- 🏨Illini Union Hotel
Champaign-Urbana Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 11 sections including: