Travel Destinations Illinois Top Things to Do in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois The University of Illinois anchors the two-in-one metro area, 135 miles southwest of Chicago. By Midwest Living editors Midwest Living editors Midwest Living's experienced editors create best-in-class travel, lifestyle, food, home and garden content you won't find anywhere else. We're loudly, proudly Midwestern, and we're passionate about helping our audience explore and create through award-winning storytelling. Midwest Living's Editorial Guidelines Updated on May 23, 2022 University of Illinois Arboretum. Do Allerton Park and Retreat Center Robert Henry Allerton, an avid art collector, filled the gardens of his estate with more than 100 lovingly placed sculptures. allerton.illinois.edu Cinema Gallery The theater, built in 1870 as Busey's Opera Hall, now houses pieces from more than 50 local artists working in ceramics, paint and sculpture. cinemagallery.cc Krannert Art Museum. Jason Lindsey Krannert Art Museum More than 10,000 works of art are housed here, including ancient Egyptian sculptures and pieces by Andy Warhol. kam.illinois.edu Market at the Square Music hums and shoppers browse local goods on Saturday mornings. urbanamarket.org Spurlock Museum The mix of art and anthropological artifacts from around the world feels like a miniature of Chicago's Field Museum. spurlock.illinois.edu University of Illinois Arboretum At the campus arboretum, flowerbeds bloom in geometric patterns and paths wind throug cherry trees. illinois.edu Wandell Sculpture Garden Contemporary sculptures (mostly abstract, geometric and metal) jut out of the prairie grass. urbanaparks.org Eat and Drink Black Dog Smoke and Ale House If you're lucky, you can snag their burnt ends before their daily sell-out. blackdogsmoke.com The Blind Pig Co. Try a microbrew under the twinkle lights on the patio. blindpigco.com Courier Cafe An on-site garden feeds their salad bar. thecouriercafe.com Golden Harbor The menu has over 3,000 dishes and an entire section dedicated to sea cucumber. goldenharboronline.com Papa Del's Pizza Pies are slung with puffy crusts and bold sauce here. papadels.com Seven Saints Sliders and whiskey are the house specialties, but diners also rave about the salads, soups and desserts (from local bakery Cafe Artist Studio). sevensaintsbar.com Stay Illini Union Hotel Located near the University of Illinois campus, the 72 simple guest rooms have free Wi-Fi and reserved parking. illiniunionhotel.illinois.edu For more information visitchampaigncounty.org Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit