If you’re in Champaign-Urbana for the Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon, here are 10 things you can do before the race.
- Go to Riggs Brewery: A Friday evening outside at Riggs Brewery has become somewhat of a local tradition. Weather permitting, people enjoy watching the sun set while kids play in the large lawn.
- Look for the Yellow Rabbit: Urbana-Champaign’s only secret underground speakeasy, The Yellow Rabbit is as much fun to find as it is to be in. It truly is underground.
- Visit Parcadia/CU Adventures in Time and Space: Part of the unofficial Urbana Arts and Entertainment District, Parcadia is an indoor minigolf course with high attention to detail. Right next door and under the same ownership is CU Adventures in Time and Space, a venue offering multiple escape rooms. And right across the Street is the Yard on Broadway and the Station Theater, too!
4. See a live theater show: Between Krannert Center, Station Theater, Parkland Theater, and the Virginia Theater, there is bound to be something available and amazing to see live. There’s also the Parkland Planetarium!
5. See some music: Great venues for checking out music include the Krannert Center, Rose Bowl Tavern, The Space, Neil St. Blues, and various other locations.
6. Go to a park: Meadowbrook Park in Urbana features 130 acres of park with about 80 acres dedicated to restored native prairie plants. Meadowbrook includes a sculpture walk and a great playground! Busey Woods and Crystal Lake Park to the north of Urbana are great places to relax and recharge.
7. Find a new favorite restaurant: With thousands of international college students from all over the world, Champaign-Urbana offers an exceptional number of quirky international restaurants and shops. Whether its Campustown or downtown Urbana or Champaign, there are authentic, locally owned places.
8. Refresh your Illini Gear: Graduated in the 90s? Vintage is in and everything, but check out Gameday Sports or another local shop to update your wardrobe.
9. Go thrifting: Speaking of vintage and secondhand…the vintage fashion wave has really taken off in Urbana-Champaign. There are at least 2 vintage shops in Lincoln Square Mall, and Resistance Threads in Champaign brings back memories you didn’t know you had.
10. Visit Campus: Maybe it’s been a while, but check out campus and look in awe at all of the beautiful buildings. Many buildings on the quad have undergone renovations, and Campustown has changed dramatically just in the last 10 years.
And if you haven’t found your hotel yet, click here for the best hotels in Champaign-Urbana.