Guidebook for Champaign
Food Scene
Close to the house, and known for good eats, this restaurant is a Champaign hot spot for people-watching and BACON BACON BACON!
6 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
The Original Pancake House
1909 W Springfield AveClose to the house, and known for good eats, this restaurant is a Champaign hot spot for people-watching and BACON BACON BACON!
This is a local secret. It has tasty pastries and good coffee, and is off the beaten path. Across the street, you'll find kids training for sports, but it's very popular with young locals.
13 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Hopscotch Bakery + Market
802 W John StThis is a local secret. It has tasty pastries and good coffee, and is off the beaten path. Across the street, you'll find kids training for sports, but it's very popular with young locals.
This 24 hour diner is a local gem. There are three locations (though I'd avoid the campus location once school starts) and has a variety of food options, including breakfast all day. The downtown Champaign location is a great option for filling up after a night out drinking or dancing!
6 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Merry Ann's Diner (Downtown)
1 E Main StThis 24 hour diner is a local gem. There are three locations (though I'd avoid the campus location once school starts) and has a variety of food options, including breakfast all day. The downtown Champaign location is a great option for filling up after a night out drinking or dancing!
Close to the house (about 8 blocks away). great portion sizes. Delicious classic Thai options, whether you're omnivore or vegetarian (might be vegan-friendly, too, I just haven't verified). Great for lunch or dinner. Some days they have sushi, as well. Delivery available.
My Thai Restaurant
2312 West Springfield AvenueClose to the house (about 8 blocks away). great portion sizes. Delicious classic Thai options, whether you're omnivore or vegetarian (might be vegan-friendly, too, I just haven't verified). Great for lunch or dinner. Some days they have sushi, as well. Delivery available.
This place has authentic, delicious Chinese food. It is always made fresh, so sometimes there's a bit of a wait, but it's worth it. You will want to peruse the menu ahead of time if you're ordering for take out, and it's just about 5 minutes from the house.
17 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Golden Harbor Authentic Chinese Cuisine
505 S Neil StThis place has authentic, delicious Chinese food. It is always made fresh, so sometimes there's a bit of a wait, but it's worth it. You will want to peruse the menu ahead of time if you're ordering for take out, and it's just about 5 minutes from the house.
Drinks & Nightlife
A little out of the way, but family-friendly and cozy for a brewery. This place lets you bring in food from anywhere, and hosts local food trucks on many weekends and special occasions. There's a playground for the kids and leashed dogs are allowed. For beer release events, they often have live bands, for your free enjoyment while you drink. And the views of the country at sunset are a great pairing with their homebrews.
19 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Riggs Beer Company
1901 S High Cross RdA little out of the way, but family-friendly and cozy for a brewery. This place lets you bring in food from anywhere, and hosts local food trucks on many weekends and special occasions. There's a playground for the kids and leashed dogs are allowed. For beer release events, they often have live bands, for your free enjoyment while you drink. And the views of the country at sunset are a great pairing with their homebrews.
If you're looking for a place to dress up and shine, this is it. Friday nights at 9, they host CU Comedy Club (you'll need to find them online for tickets) and on Saturdays, they host the only Salsa/Latin Dance night in town. They do charge cover, so bring some cash.
6 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Soma Ultralounge
320 North Neil StreetIf you're looking for a place to dress up and shine, this is it. Friday nights at 9, they host CU Comedy Club (you'll need to find them online for tickets) and on Saturdays, they host the only Salsa/Latin Dance night in town. They do charge cover, so bring some cash.
This is an offshoot of the original Blind Pig, but has a completely different atmosphere. With a full beer garden and a large rotating selection of homebrews and other craft beers, this is a place to relax with friends, people-watch, hide away with a loved one, or just enjoy a good drink.
33 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
The Blind Pig Brewery
120 N Neil StThis is an offshoot of the original Blind Pig, but has a completely different atmosphere. With a full beer garden and a large rotating selection of homebrews and other craft beers, this is a place to relax with friends, people-watch, hide away with a loved one, or just enjoy a good drink.
A classic dive, with dark corners and plenty of dart boards, this is a place to chat and relax. On Monday nights at 11, you'll find it the home to some of CU-s greatest open mic comedy (free!) and all week, you'll have drink specials and a generally relaxed "English/Philosophy major" atmosphere.
22 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
The Blind Pig Co.
120 N Walnut StA classic dive, with dark corners and plenty of dart boards, this is a place to chat and relax. On Monday nights at 11, you'll find it the home to some of CU-s greatest open mic comedy (free!) and all week, you'll have drink specials and a generally relaxed "English/Philosophy major" atmosphere.
Parks & Nature
You must go here to experience it. It's got a beautiful mansion (only open for special events) spectacular gardens, majestic sculptures, a reflection pond, and hiking trails galore. Great for families, couples, and anyone wanting to explore without having to drive out to the middle of nowhere. They have a great website with trail maps and hotspots to help plan your trip, and there are live music events all summer and other fun indoor activities in the fall and winter.
32 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Allerton Park & Retreat Center
515 Old Timber RdYou must go here to experience it. It's got a beautiful mansion (only open for special events) spectacular gardens, majestic sculptures, a reflection pond, and hiking trails galore. Great for families, couples, and anyone wanting to explore without having to drive out to the middle of nowhere. They have a great website with trail maps and hotspots to help plan your trip, and there are live music events all summer and other fun indoor activities in the fall and winter.
Essentials
Walking distance from the house (6 blocks or so), and with every basic food covered, you will want to make this your one-stop shop for groceries. Buses stop right in front and loop back towards the house from here. (This is a "Kroger" brand grocery store, for those coming from the South or West.)
Ruler Foods
2002 W Springfield AveWalking distance from the house (6 blocks or so), and with every basic food covered, you will want to make this your one-stop shop for groceries. Buses stop right in front and loop back towards the house from here. (This is a "Kroger" brand grocery store, for those coming from the South or West.)