7 Unmissable Tourist Spots to Experience the Charm of the University City Champaign

Champaign is located in the state of Illinois, USA. Known as a college town where the University of Illinois campus spans both Champaign and the adjacent Urbana, it offers many spots unique to a university town. It is also easily accessible from Chicago, the largest city in the state, and offers a different atmosphere from an industrial city. If you’re traveling through the American Midwest, why not make a stop in Champaign? You’re sure to experience various facets of the Midwest on your journey.

Such are the tourist spots where you can experience the charm of the university town of Champaign!

1. Virginia Theatre

Built in 1921, it was originally used as a theater, but it is now used as a cinema and exudes a sense of history and dignity. As a hub for both entertainment and culture, it has long been beloved by local residents. Both its exterior and interior are finished in a Renaissance style, attracting not only the people of Champaign but also tourists.

Although it is now a cinema, one of the pleasures of visiting Virginia Theatre is to look for traces of its days as a live theater. The theater’s interior is impressive, and it’s quite rare to find a cinema with a pipe organ!

In addition, every April the Roger Ebert Film Festival is held, during which many films, including rare ones, are screened. A bronze statue of film critic Roger Ebert, who started this film festival, sits on a bench near the theater’s entrance and has become a popular spot for tourists to take photos.

2. University of Illinois

The Urbana-Champaign campus of the University of Illinois, one of the top universities in America, spans both Champaign and Urbana. Known for its strong athletic teams and for producing numerous Nobel Prize winners, the University of Illinois is famous not only as an academic institution but also as a tourist attraction. It is especially renowned for its powerhouse football team, and there is even a space dedicated to displaying the brilliant achievements of its famous former players. In addition, a monument honoring the Nobel laureates is also erected on campus.

Since all the campus buildings are constructed of brown brick, the unified landscape makes for some great photo opportunities, which is highly praised by tourists. If you’re visiting the University of Illinois, don’t forget to bring your camera.

3. Champaign Public Library

The modern exterior of the "Champaign Public Library" catches the eye. It is located not far from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus and is frequently used by students. Although libraries may not immediately evoke images of tourism, the Champaign Public Library boasts an artistic and open design that is enjoyable to visit. The bright interior, bathed in natural light, is very relaxing. In addition, it is popular with Champaign residents for its wide range of services, including conference rooms and movie rentals.

A café is also attached to the library, making it a convenient spot for a short break. After touring the university campus, you might enjoy a relaxing pause at the café.

At night, the building is softly illuminated, creating a different atmosphere from the daytime. The giant "PUBLIC LIBRARY" logo at the entrance, lit up, is said to be very stylish.

4. State Farm Center

Heading south from Champaign’s midtown, you will see a gigantic dome resembling a giant bivalve. No visit to Champaign would be complete without stopping here. The State Farm Center is the central hub for sports and entertainment in Champaign, hosting basketball games and concerts by musicians on a daily basis. It can accommodate up to 17,200 people (as of December 2016) during concerts.

The State Farm Center is owned by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and its basketball team often plays games there. If you are visiting as a tourist, it is a good idea to check in advance to see if a basketball game is scheduled. Even though it is a university team, the atmosphere is genuine and is something you should experience firsthand.

5. Memorial Stadium

Memorial Stadium, home to the sports teams "Fighting Illini" of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, is located to the southeast of the campus, next to the State Farm Center. It is one of the largest structures in Champaign, with a seating capacity of 60,000. On days when football games are held, a large number of spectators gather from outside Champaign, filling the stadium with an electric atmosphere. If you happen to visit when a game is on, why not arrange for tickets and experience the powerful plays and the vibrant atmosphere in person? It would make for an exciting tourist experience.

Outside the stadium, there is also a bronze statue commemorating the glory of Red Grange, a former University of Illinois football player. If you visit the stadium, be sure to check this out as well.

6. Alto Vineyards Winery

Illinois is also famous as a wine-producing region, and Champaign is home to a local winery. When visiting Champaign, why not choose some local wine as a souvenir? Alto Vineyards is a well-known local winery with multiple awards among wines produced in Illinois, and many tourists choose it as a local gift from Illinois.

Although it normally closes at 6:00 p.m., there are occasional events held afterward. If you’re lucky enough to catch an event, you can fully enjoy music and wine to your heart’s content.

Located northeast of the center of Champaign, the area surrounding the winery features expansive natural scenery that offers a break from the hustle and bustle of the city. Alto Vineyards Winery is ideal for experiencing the side of Champaign that goes beyond its urban character.

7. Coffman Lake

When touring the university town of Champaign, why not also experience the serene side of the city? Coffman Lake is a lake that has been developed into Coffman Park, where you can enjoy fishing, canoeing, or kayaking. Spots where you can connect with nature are somewhat rare in Champaign, so if you get tired of touring around the University campus, spending some time here in a relaxed atmosphere would be a great change of pace.

However, to enjoy fishing, you must obtain an Illinois fishing license. This applies to tourists as well, as all people fishing in the United States are required to purchase a license. Buy your license at a fishing tackle shop and enjoy fishing at Coffman Lake while following proper etiquette.

◎ Summary

The University of Illinois is at the heart of Champaign in terms of both industry and academia. Around this university-centered college town, there are leisure and tourist spots unique to a university town. When you visit Champaign, you will notice that the way American universities and Japanese universities are integrated into the city are entirely different. Also, there are many other spots in Champaign that couldn’t be covered this time, so even just strolling around the area near the university campus might lead to some interesting discoveries.

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7 Unmissable Tourist Spots to Experience the Charm of the University City Champaign