|
|
Phone |
Misc |
News/TV/Radio | Getting
Around |
Shopping | Entertainment
| Restaurants
| |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
EntertainmentWhen you're not studying or conducting experiments, you may want to enjoy some of the recreational activities available in the central Illinois area. Champaign-Urbana is located almost equal distance from Chicago, IL, Indianapolis, IN, and St. Louis, MO if you are looking for a more metropolitan scene, but there are still a lot of things this immediate area has to offer.
MuseumsOther museums in the area that may be of some interest from a historic point of view:
Theatre-LiveLive Theater is alive and well in Central Illinois. There are a couple theater groups in town, along with groups at Parkland Community College and the U of I. Also, the three local high schools put on performances at least once a year. See the local newspapers for performance announcements.
Theatre-MovieMovie theaters are located throughout the area. There are also reduced price movies shown on campus throughout the school year (watch for shows and times in the campus newspaper, the Daily Illini).
Movie Rentals
If you don't feel like leaving home to see a movie, here are a few places you can join to rent videotapes of your favorite movies. The local libraries also have videos you can borrow.
Dance/Live Music Venues
Live music/dancing venues are abundant in the area. Many campus bars and the Illini Union also host bands, just watch the Daily Illini for information. And most bars around have dance floors with music--though not live bands.
Dance Organizations
There are many dance organizations on campus. Here are just a few that I am aware of. I was actually president of the Urbana Country Dancers many years ago, and have danced with the CIECD group, too.
Many
of these groups are associated with the University of Illinois.
You should visit the Registered Student Organization
website (www.uiuc.edu/regorgs) for other activities. There
are hundreds of groups listed with the Registered Student Organization,
covering many various interest groups, from dancing to sports
to social events. Parks and Nature Preserves
The State of Illinois has a lot of tourist attractions (www.enjoyillinois.com) to offer, especially pertaining to one of our country’s most famous presidents, Abraham Lincoln. In Springfield, the new Lincoln museum and library are now open.
For those of you who enjoy nature, the State of Illinois has many beautiful state parks (dnr.state.il.us.lands/landmgt/parks/ilstate.hmt) you can visit. There are also several local parks and nature preserves where you can hike, fish, bike, boat, and camp. The local parks present free summer concerts. Call for schedules. The Champaign Park District (398-2550) has 58 parks with a total of 510 acres. The Urbana Park District (367-1544) has 22 parks. Champaign-Urbana Parks
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Curtis Orchard 3902 S Duncan Rd, Champaign 359-5565 Open August 1 – December 17. Pick your own apples, pumpkins. Petting zoo and pony rides for children through Halloween. Fresh apple donuts and apple cider! A general store where you can buy apples, Indian corn, gourds, and pumpkins plus arts and crafts and a café. |
Wildlife Prairie Park Peoria 309-676-0998 I-74 west, Exit 82, 2-1/2 miles south, follow signs. 2000 acre zoological park. Bison, wolves, cougars, lynx, foxes, black bears, elk, etc, in a restored prairie setting (animals the Pioneers would have come across when coming to Illinois). 1800's Pioneer farmstead. Stay overnight in a cabin or renovated train caboose. |
|
Monticello 217-762-2721 20 minute drive from Champaign. A few miles off I-72, exit 164. 6000 acre estate. Beautiful formal gardens, statues, & architecture. |
In Oakwood (east of Danville) About 25 miles east of Urbana. Take I-74 East. Nice trails. Beautiful river views. Canoe rentals. Camping areas available. |
|
Lake of the Woods Mahomet. 10 minutes west of Champaign on I-74, Exit 174 or 173. Lake to swim in, fishing, museum, and picnic areas. |
Salt Folk River Forest Preserve (aka Homer Lake) Near Homer I-74 east to Rte 49, 5 miles south, follow signs. Hiking, etc. |
|
Near LeRoy. 309-724-8032 About 40 minutes west of Champaign. I-74 West to LeRoy (exit 149), head north on Highway 21, follow signs. Nice lake-usually quiet. Can rent boats/swim. Camping areas available. |
Middle Fork River Forest Preserve 217-595-5432 5 miles N of Penfield. County Road 2700 E and Rte 136. Wetland bird conservation area, places to camp. |
|
18175 State Park Rd, Charleston 217-345-6416 Highway 130 out of Charleston for 7 miles and follow the signs. Hiking, scenic overlooks, picnic, wildlife observation, camping. |
3 miles N of Oakland 217-346-3336 I-57 south to Tuscola (exit 212), Highway 36 east for 15 miles, south on Highway 7 6 miles and follow signs. Fishing, hiking, hunting, camping, picnic areas. |
Located in Parke County, Western Indiana
About 1 hour's drive from Champaign and well worth the trip! Indiana has other state parks you may wish to visit. These are my favorites, but you can find others at www.gorp.com/gorp.location/in/in.htm.|
Turkey Run (www.indianaoutfitters.com/turkey.html) Marshall, IN 765-597-2635 I-74 east to Crawfordsville; 231 south to 47. Hiking trails; boats; camp or stay at the Inn. Reservations are needed for the Inn 765-597-2211. |
Shades Parks (www.indianaoutfitters.com/shades.html) Down the road from Turkey Run, Waveland IN 765-432-2810 Gorgeous trails; nice river; camping. Absolutely beautiful in the fall! |
Astronomy
Stargazing is one of the most inexpensive forms of entertainment around... go just out of town to the country and look up! There are several major meteor showers each year: in August, in October, and potentially spectacular ones in November and December. There are other minor showers throughout the year as well. The Milky Way is very visible...as long as the clouds cooperate!
|
Staerkel Planetarium (website link ) 2400 W Bradley, Champaign 351-2446 Laser light & music show while viewing stars. |
U of I Astronomy Dept 333-8789 for Skylights hotline Have occasional campus astronomy events. |