Between Chicago, Indianapolis, And St. Louis Is A Trendy College Town With Thriving Arts And Vibrant Culture

The Midwest has its fair share of college towns, such as Moorhead, the Minnesota city that has both campus vibes and artistic charm. In Illinois, just over over two hours south of Chicago, is the city of Urbana-Champaign, home of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. While on the surface it may seem like an unassuming college town, there is a vibrant culture to be discovered. Champaign-Urbana actually consists of two neighboring cities — Urbana and Champaign. The city prides itself on its diversity, its thriving arts and music scene, and its warm community feel. The drive from St. Louis is just under three hours, and a little over two hours from Indianapolis, making it a great choice for a weekend getaway. It's also a 90-minute drive from Casey, a hidden city known as one of Illinois' best-kept secrets. 

Urbana-Champaign's biggest draw is its restaurants. Once ranked the top foodie town in the Midwest, this city put itself on the nation's culinary map with its diverse cuisine. The Wheelhouse is a local favorite, featuring seasonal menus that promise new flavors every time you visit.  For a more upscale dining experience, try Timpone's, the restaurant credited with bringing pizza to Central Illinois. The city proudly highlights an array of Asian culinary options and a myriad of restaurants from across the continent. The family-run Riggs Beer Company is another popular spot, complete with a beer garden and playground for the kids. Urbana-Champaign is also home to seven farmers markets, offering fresh produce and locally-made goods five days a week from early May to late October. 

Art and culture sit at the forefront of Urbana-Champaign's community spirit, exemplified by its packed schedule of live concerts and festivals. Downtown Champaign hosts free outdoor concerts each Friday from May to August, featuring talented performers from every genre, as well as face painting and bubble activities for kids, making it a perfect evening activity for families. The city offers incredible live performances throughout the year too. The Rose Bowl Tavern, for example, is the self-proclaimed "Home of Country Music (and more!)" and features a concert every evening. The Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, located on the University of Illinois campus, is known for its theater productions, classical concerts, experimental dance shows, and student offerings, giving locals and visitors affordable access to live entertainment.

Public art is another huge draw of the area. There are more than 200 sculptures and murals to be discovered around the city, which visitors can explore by taking the Arts in Champaign-Urbana (CU) Trail, discovering independent shops and local hidden gems along the way. There are also several art galleries around the city, such as downtown Urbana's Cinema Gallery, with exhibitions ranging from paintings to sculptures. Just over 5.5 miles from Cinema Gallery is the Giertz Gallery at Parkland College, which offers art shows and exhibits from both local and national artists.

Illinois is home to many lush and woodsy cities, such as Rockford, the "City of Gardens" with stunning green spaces. Urbana-Champaign is undoubtedly one of them, with its immaculate greenery and access to the outdoors. In fact, all of the homes in Urbana-Champaign are within half a mile's distance from nature. One beloved spot is the Mabery Gelvin Botanical Garden, located in the Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve. This garden is incredibly diverse, featuring beautifully maintained flower beds that bloom in vibrant colors when spring arrives, as well as a stunning waterfall. 

Urbana-Champaign prides itself on its rich history, and visitors can immerse themselves in the region's past at various historical sites around the area. One popular historic attraction is the Spurlock Museum of World Cultures, located on the University of Illinois' campus. This center of cultural knowledge holds over 50,000 artifacts from across the globe and is constantly hosting events for knowledge seekers and history buffs. Families with young children must visit the university's library, which has the second-largest children's book collection in the United States. Less than 10 minutes away is the Champaign County History Museum, located in the county's oldest commercial building, Cattle Bank, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Here, visitors can explore fascinating exhibits dedicated to local life, artwork, and historical artifacts.