Things to do in Champaign

Activities, attractions and tours

Champaign showing heritage elements and signage
Champaign featuring signage
Spurlock Museum which includes signage
Champaign featuring outdoor art and wildflowers
Champaign

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What to do in Champaign

Popular places to visit

Hessel Park showing signage, a garden and wildflowers

Hessel Park

Choose the pattern of the fountain jet with the push of a button, get the grill going and see 50 different species along the tree walk.

Hessel Park
Champaign which includes a monument

Tribute to Olympic and Paralympic Athletes

Find out about the history of Champaign when you spend time at Tribute to Olympic and Paralympic Athletes. You can attend a sporting event while in the area.

Tribute to Olympic and Paralympic Athletes
Champaign which includes outdoor eating as well as a small group of people

Prairie Fruits Farm and Creamery

Enjoy a stop at Prairie Fruits Farm and Creamery, an entertaining place to visit in Champaign. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the top-notch restaurants while you're in the area.

Prairie Fruits Farm and Creamery
Krannert Art Museum featuring interior views and art as well as a couple

Krannert Art Museum

Piece together the history of art around the world through the varied galleries of this large museum with a focus on pre-Columbian and Asian art.

Krannert Art Museum

State Farm Center

Catch an event at State Farm Center during your trip to Champaign. You can attend a sporting event while in the area.

State Farm Center

Memorial Stadium

Catch an event at Memorial Stadium during your trip to Champaign. You can attend a sporting event while in the area.

Memorial Stadium

Research Park University of Illinois Urbana Champaign

Take a campus tour or just explore the area of Research Park University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, during your travels in Champaign. You can attend a sporting event while in the area.

Research Park University of Illinois Urbana Champaign

Marketplace

During your trip to Champaign, you can browse for the perfect souvenirs at Marketplace. Attend a sporting event while in this family-friendly area or simply enjoy the top-notch restaurants.

Marketplace

Parkland College

Enjoy the collegiate vibe when you visit Parkland College, during your travels in Champaign. You can attend a sporting event while in the area.

Parkland College

Areas of Champaign

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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
Hessel Park featuring a park

Clark

If you're spending some time in Clark, Hessel Park and Champaign Public Library are top sights worth seeing.

Clark
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Bolten Field

Bolten Field might not have many top sights, but Hessel Park and University of Illinois Assembly Hall are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Bolten Field
Champaign featuring street scenes as well as an individual femail

Downtown

If you're spending some time in Downtown, The Virginia Theatre and Orpheum Children's Science Museum are top sights worth seeing.

Downtown
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Campustown

Campustown might not have many top sights, but Alma Mater and Illini Union Rec Room are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Campustown
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Midtown

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Midtown and surrounding area, you can visit The Virginia Theatre and Alma Mater.

Midtown
Spurlock Museum featuring interior views and a statue or sculpture

Urbana

Champaign featuring a lake or waterhole as well as a small group of people

Mahomet

Frequently asked questions

Is Champaign worth visiting?
From shopping to history and outdoor activities, there are many great things to do in Champaign. Make sure to enjoy the area's blend of cool sights, local charm and culture.
How do I spend a day in Champaign?
Once you've visited popular attractions like University of Illinois Observatory and Champaign County Historical Museum, spend the rest of your day exploring Champaign's shopping and food scene.
What is the top tourist attraction in Champaign?
Don't go home without visiting Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, rated the top tourist attraction in Champaign.
Is three days enough to stay in Champaign?
You can easily visit top sights like Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, University of Illinois Observatory and Krannert Art Museum with a three-day escape to Champaign. On average, most travelers plan two days here. There's plenty to experience nearby too, so stay a little longer and venture to Urbana.
Is Champaign a walkable city?
That comes down to what you plan to do and see in Champaign. Several sights, including Krannert Center for the Performing Arts and University of Illinois Observatory, are reachable on foot. If you're up for a stroll around some of Champaign's neighborhoods, Downtown is 0.16 kilometers away from downtown, while Midtown is 0.48 kilometers away from the city center and also within walking distance.
What are some activities to do in Champaign with kids?
Planning what to do in Champaign with kids has never been simpler. Whether you're taking a trip with teenagers or toddlers, there are plenty of family-friendly attractions to keep everyone busy here.
What to do in Champaign for adults?
There are lots of things to do in Champaign, with activities for adults of all ages. Round off your day with a visit to Mount Hope Cemetery.
Are there free things to do in Champaign?
One of the easiest ways to learn about free things to do in Champaign is to speak with a local tour guide. You'll get insider recommendations on hip neighborhoods, parks and other top attractions you can visit without opening your wallet. University of Illinois Observatory is one spot that doesn't have an admission fee.