Champaign-Urbana-Savoy is a “micro-urban” metropolitan area located 125 mi (200 km) south of Chicago, 115 mi (185 km) west of Indianapolis, and 145 mi (235 km) northeast of St. Louis. While any of these larger cities are great for day trips or weekends, C-U has more than its fair share of food, shops, parks, events, and community resources. Here are a few links to explore these options further.
General Information
Local newspaper: http://www.news-gazette.com/
C-U’s online magazine: http://smilepolitely.com/
LocalWiki: https://localwiki.org/cu/
Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/champaign-il-us
Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/UIUC/
Getting Around
Public bus service: https://www.cumtd.com/
Train: https://www.amtrak.com/…
Bike: http://www.champaigncountybikes.org/
Recreation
Urbana Park District: http://www.urbanaparks.org/
Champaign Park District: https://champaignparks.com/
Illinois Marathon: http://illinoismarathon.com/
Allerton Park: http://allerton.illinois.edu/
Kickapoo State Recreation Area: https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/…
Clinton Lake State Recreation Area: https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/…
Moraine View State Recreation Area: https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/…
Turkey Run State Park: http://www.in.gov/…
A Few Unique Places
CU Community FabLab: http://cucfablab.org/
Urbana’s Market at the Square: http://www.urbanaillinois.us/market
Independent Media Center: http://www.ucimc.org/
The I.D.E.A. Store: http://the-idea-store.org/
Japan House: http://japanhouse.art.illinois.edu/en/
Illinois Arboretum: http://arboretum.illinois.edu/
Meat Science Laboratory Sales Room: http://meatandeggsales.illinois.edu/
The Art Theater Co-op: http://www.arttheater.coop/
Monticello Railway Museum: http://www.mrym.org/