Champaign City is home to the storied University of Illinois, along with a surrounding countryside filled with lakes and cycling trails. Spend your time museum hopping around the city, admiring Art Deco architecture and exploring Crystal Lake Park.

Things to do

Set within the University of Illinois campus, the Krannert Art Museum houses over 10,000 items, including ancient artefacts that date back to 4000 BC and a collection of contemporary paintings. Also set within the University of Illinois, the Spurlock Museum boasts some of America's best ethnographic exhibitions, from Thai Buddhism to Egyptian mummification.

Housed in a repurposed theatre, the Orpheum Children’s Science Museum is loaded with interactive exhibits designed to capture the imagination and spark curiosity. Little ones will love exploring the Vet Clinic, which features an X-ray machine donated by the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois.

Champaign City is home to some of America's most beautiful Art Deco architecture. Visit the iconic City Building, which is topped by a green copper roof and was inspired by the renowned Los Angeles City Building.

Illinois is famous for its rolling countryside, so why not rent a bike and explore the state on two wheels? Laced with trails, Crystal Lake Park is a favourite with local cyclists. Alternatively, head down to the Lake House and rent paddle boats and canoes.

Getting around

Champaign City is well serviced by a network of local buses. Rental cars are also a popular way to explore central Illinois. From Champaign City, the drive to both Chicago and Indianapolis takes around two hours.