Champaign-Urbana Itinerary: Illinois Parks and Dining Experiences

This Champaign-Urbana Itinerary at a Glance

Embark on a trip through east-central Illinois and experience the rich culture and outdoor excursions. From nature-filled parks to artistic estates, from Japanese culture to Amish country, this itinerary offers experiences of learning and exploration into a variety of rich topics.

Enjoy these east-central Illinois gems and more!

Hand-made Bagels
Magnificent Estates
Dark Sky Parks
Wildlife Preserves

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Champaign-Urbana Day-to-Day Itinerary

Day 1: A Day of Culture, Arts and Leisure

You’ll begin your trip about10minutes south off of I-74 in Urbana at Good Judy’s Coffee and Bagel Bar. This locally owned cafe is the perfect place to indulge in fresh, hand-made bagels and delicious coffees, offering the perfect pick-me-up for a lively first day.

With your coffee and bagel in hand, be sure to make enough time in your morning for a leisurely stroll in Meadowbrook Park. Four minutes from Good Judy’s, this park includes walking trails, gardens and metal sculptures dotting the beautifully restored prairie. The Wandell Sculpture Gardens is where you’ll be able to stroll among the artwork, experiencing a peaceful morning in a new town.

About 40 minutes east of the park the peaceful, leisurely vibes continue into the late morning at Allerton Park and Retreat Center in Monticello, Illinois. Allerton provides a rich experience indulging into history and the arts through the 1,500-acre woodlands, a 10-acre meadow, hiking trail and a tourable mansion and reflection pool. The estate, once owned by artist and philanthropist Robert Allerton, was donated to the University of Illinois to be used for education, research and wildlife reserve. The whimsey that dances through the halls and grounds of Allerton is something you should gift yourself the experience of.

In the afternoon, find yourself at the Bread Company, a family-owned, on-campus lunch spot that specializes in Swiss and European Cuisine. Grab your lunch to-go and picnic at the University of Illinois’s Main Quad.

While you’re in the area of the university, Japan House offers an amazing experience where guests immerse themselves into Japanese culture through peaceful gardens, tranquil koi ponds and educational practices. Since Japan House is located on-campus, guests should be aware and respectful of classes for students that might be occurring at the time of their visit.

For an early dinner, venture to The Yard on Broadway: a family-friendly food hall featuring six locally owned eateries. From burgers and tacos for dinner and ice cream for dessert, there’s something for every member of the group. The Yard also features yard games to play while waiting for dinner to be served.

Get your mind moving with a fun thrill after dinner at CU Adventures, an immersive escape room. Here, you’ll be thrown into the theatrics with room themes featuring fairy tales, aliens, wizards and more.

After getting your heart rate jumping, wind down with a night under the stars. If you’re up for a late-night excursion, visit Middle Fork River Forest Preserve to gaze at the stars. The preserve is Illinois’s only International Dark Sky Park due to its exceptionally clear starry nights. Here, the park stays open past sunset for your viewing pleasure of the vast night sky.

After a fun-filled day, there are ample hotels to rest at for the night. If you’re looking for a hotel downtown in the heart of it all, Hotel Royer in Downtown Urbana or the Hyatt Place in downtown Champaign are great options. I Hotel near the University of Illinois campus is also a great option if you’re looking for something more university-centric.

Day 2: Exploring Amish Country and a Walk on the Wild Side

After breakfast, travel to Arthur, Illinois to Amish country. At Green Meadow Farms, embark on a horse-and-buggy ride around the grounds. In Arthur’s downtown area, shops sell great foods and fun sweet treats. Shops also feature sturdy, handmade furniture and cozy quilts that make the perfect souvenir.

When you’ve worked up an appetite while shopping, head over to Yoder’s Kitchen, a family-owned restaurant serving comforting dishes and fresh slices of pie. Yoder’s Kitchen serves up Amish-style foods with love in every bite.

For an afternoon on the wild side, explore Aikman Wildlife Adventure, a family-run wildlife park where you can come face-to-face with zebras, kangaroos, caracals and more. The park offers wagon rides where the animals will come up to the vehicle for you to pet and feed, a drive-through adventure in your car where the animals come up to your window, encounters where you’re able to see the smaller animals up close and so much more.

After meeting new furry friends at the wildlife park, wrap up your afternoon at The Great Pumpkin Patch–a fall wonderland of gourds, corn mazes and treats at The Homestead Bakery. Just south of Arthur, the farm has opportunities for guests to pick your own pumpkin and a market with squash for all of your culinary needs. The Homestead Bakery is nationally known for their Amish, home-made treats. For a delicious delicacy after a day of exploration, be sure to indulge in pumpkin baked goods and a pan of cinnamon rolls.

In the evening, return to Champaign-Urbana for a Southern-style dinner at Neil St. Blues. Neil St. Blues prides themselves on cooking everything from scratch, right there in their kitchen, with recipes rooted in tradition and crafted with love.

Day 3: Champaign Culture and Cuisine

Start your morning on the last day with goat brunch. That’s right, we’re not kidding around. Caprae at Prairie Fruits Farm and Creamery offers delicious menu items created by the goats themselves, like their award-winning goat cheese that works as a delicious spread, or can be eaten on its own. With dishes curated from locally sourced ingredients, it’s a refreshing start to the day.

In nearby Rantoul, Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch presents an engaging and unique experience with up close encounters with reindeer. Earlier this spring, baby reindeer were welcomed to the farm and are ready to meet you on a Reindeer Experience Tour now that the weather is cooler. In the fall, the ranch also has a sprawling corn maze to solve.

In the afternoon, head to downtown Champaign and cozy up with a warm drink and a good book at The Library. With great books, a delicious menu and a divulging drink selection from alcoholic to espresso-based beverages, this place is a wonderland. If you’re looking for more after The Library, pop over to Fire Doll Studios and make a custom candle: the perfect souvenir.

Afterwards, take a self-guided tour of the Champaign County African American Heritage Trail featuring educational murals. Through this, you’ll embark on an educational journey through 170 years of rich history. The Heritage Trail aims to educate visitors of the area’s rich cultural history.

For dinner, expand your palate by dining at one of 40 locally-owned restaurants in downtown Champaign that offer a wide variety of cuisines, including Zambian, Caribbean, Indian, Mexican, Japanese, BBQ and more.

Wrap up your last day with a sweet, cold treat at Jarling’s Custard Cup. This frozen custard shop sources local dairy farms to produce their handmade ice cream each day. This sweet treat is the perfect end to a lively trip.