About Champaign-Urbana
Champaign-Urbana (C-U) has the friendly atmosphere of a small town, yet has the facilities of a larger city. It has a large international community and is within easy travel distance of Chicago, St. Louis and Indianapolis. For more information visit the Champaign County Visitor's Guide.
What does C-U offer you?
Shopping
Like to shop? You can do it here. C-U has a wide variety of shops from huge, general department stores and large electronic stores to international food shops and clothing boutiques. Some are located on campus and the others are easily accessible by car or public transportation. From May to November, you can also enjoy the outdoor Farmer's Market where fresh fruit and vegetables and arts and crafts are sold.
Public transportation system
Don't have a car? Don't worry! Our award-winning public bus system will easily take you almost anywhere you want to go! And it's free for you to ride with your student ID card.
Nightlife
Want a break from studying? Champaign-Urbana has lots of things to do. You can go to one of the many movies that are offered each week in local movie theaters. You can go to concerts, plays and Big 10 sporting events such as basketball games. C-U also has many bars, music clubs and dance-bars where you can go dancing, listen to live music or just relax with your friends.
Restaurants and International Grocery Stores
Like to go out to eat? No problem! With such a large international community, C-U offers a wide range of American and authentic international restaruants at prices ranging from cheap to expensive. Right on campus, you can find Korean, Thai, Japanese, Mexican, Chinese and Italian restaurants and many others. Want to stay home and cook? Also no problem! C-U has several grocery stores that specialize in different foods from all over the world.
Other ways to have fun
Like to golf? You are in the right place. C-U has six public golf courses nearby. You can also go bowling, go ice skating, or play pool right on campus. C-U also has the second largest planetarium in Illinois.
Parks
Like green open spaces? Then you will enjoy C-U's more than 50 public parks. The parks offer many different types of recreational opportunities. You can play tennis, soccer or basketball. You can go fishing, swimming or boating. There are also picnic areas, playgrounds, a sculpture garden, a nature center, walking and biking trails, and... of course, green open spaces.
Community Festivals
Want to experience American community festivals? C-U hosts several festivals during the year such as the Roger Ebert Overlooked Film Festival in April, The Taste of C-U in June, the Independence Day Celebration in July, a Music Festival and Sweet Corn Festival in August, and A Parade of Lights in December, as well as many other smaller events during the year.