Champaign

Travel Guide

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

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
Hessel Park showing a garden

Clark

While Clark isn't home to many top sights, Hessel Park and West Side Park are some notable places to visit nearby.

Clark
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Campustown

When in Campustown, you can plan a visit to Illini Union Rec Room and University of Illinois Observatory, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Campustown
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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
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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, The Virginia Theatre and Illini Union Rec Room 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
The price is €118 per night from 2 Mar to 3 Mar
€118
includes taxes & fees
2 Mar - 3 Mar
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! (1,439 reviews)
"Always an amazing stay at the property. The hold to get the room is way higher than other local Hotel rooms, that is the only downside to this location."

Reviewed on 23 Feb 2025

I Hotel And Illinois Conference Center
Hyatt Place Champaign-Urbana
Hyatt Place Champaign-Urbana
3.5 out of 5
217 N Neil St, Champaign, IL
The price is €129 per night from 17 Mar to 18 Mar
€129
includes taxes & fees
17 Mar - 18 Mar
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Champaign. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a free area shuttle. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,004 reviews)
"Clean, easy check in even if busy"

Reviewed on 16 Feb 2025

Hyatt Place Champaign-Urbana
Best Western Plus Champaign/Urbana Inn
Best Western Plus Champaign/Urbana Inn
2.5 out of 5
516 W Marketview Dr, Champaign, IL
The price is €100 per night from 6 Mar to 7 Mar
€100
includes taxes & fees
6 Mar - 7 Mar
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Champaign. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
"Clean property and room. Staff was friendly."

Reviewed on 24 Feb 2025

Best Western Plus Champaign/Urbana Inn
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.
Great neighborhood!  3 bed 2 full bath close to shopping, restaurants, U of I
Great neighborhood! 3 bed 2 full bath close to shopping, restaurants, U of I
Champaign
Stay at this vacation home in Champaign. Enjoy a garden, in-room washers/dryers, and air conditioning. Popular attractions State Farm Center and Sholem Aquatic ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (56 reviews)
U of I Basketball Visit.
"The property is in a great location and great for a group with kids. Only complaint we had was per hair on the sofas."

Reviewed on 20 Feb 2025

Great neighborhood! 3 bed 2 full bath close to shopping, restaurants, U of I
Quaint 2 bed in Champaign
Quaint 2 bed in Champaign
2 out of 5
Champaign
Stay at this vacation home in Champaign. Enjoy a water park, an in-room coffeemaker, and air conditioning. Popular attractions Kaufman Lake and Sholem Aquatic ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (9 reviews)
Excellent
"Clean and well appointed"

Reviewed on 30 Nov 2024

Quaint 2 bed in Champaign
Beautiful 4 bedroom 2 full bathroom close to everything!
Beautiful 4 bedroom 2 full bathroom close to everything!
Champaign
Stay at this vacation home in Champaign. Enjoy a garden and air conditioning. Popular attractions Sholem Aquatic Center and Kaufman Lake are located nearby.
9.8/10 Exceptional! (49 reviews)
Nice stay for a family
"All on one level, this house has plenty of sleeping options with 4 bedrooms. Two full baths is also a must with a larger group. The kitchen was workable to make meals with pots and pans, a dishwasher and full-sized appliances. Washer and dryer available also. We appreciated the fenced-in backyard! ..."

Reviewed on 4 Jan 2025

Beautiful 4 bedroom 2 full bathroom close to everything!
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.

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Things to do