About the Champaign-Urbana Community

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is located in the heart of the Midwest in the twin cities of Champaign and Urbana (also referred to as Champaign-Urbana or “C-U”) with a total population of 207,000, situated about 225 kilometers south of Chicago, 200 kilometers west of Indianapolis, and 290 kilometers northeast of St. Louis.

What does Champaign-Urbana have to offer?

Shopping

Like to shop? You can do it here. Champaign-Urbana has a wide variety of shops from huge, general department stores and large electronic stores to international food shops and clothing boutiques. Some are located on campus and the others are easily accessible by car or public transportation. From May to November, you can also enjoy the outdoor Farmer’s Markets where fresh fruit and vegetables and arts and crafts are sold.

Public Transportation

The Champaign-Urbana area is served by the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District (MTD), which has its main interchange at the Illinois Terminal and is free for you to ride with your student ID card. Illinois Terminal also provides service by Greyhound Lines, Burlington Trailways, Peoria Charter Coach, and multiple Amtrak train lines that can take participants to many areas of the United States. Willard Airport (CMI), Champaign-Urbana’s regional airport, offers direct flights to Chicago.

Nightlife

Enjoy a movie at one of three local movie theaters or concerts and dancing at the many different music venues.

Restaurants and International Grocery Stores

With such a large international community, Urbana-Champaign offers a wide range of American and authentic international restaurants at prices ranging from cheap to expensive. Right on campus, you can find Korean, Thai, Japanese, Mexican, Congolese, Chinese, and Italian restaurants and many others. Want to stay home and cook? Urbana-Champaign has several grocery stores that specialize in different foods from all over the world.

Parks

Like green open spaces? Then you will enjoy Urbana-Champaign’s more than 40 public parks. The parks offer many different types of recreational opportunities. You can play tennis, soccer or basketball. You can go fishing, swimming or boating. There are also picnic areas, playgrounds, a sculpture garden, walking and biking trails, and a nature center. For a full list of events and information, visit urbanaparks.org or champaignparkdistrict.com.

Community Festivals

Urbana-Champaign hosts several festivals during the year such as the Roger Ebert Film Festival in April, the Illinois Marathon, the Taste of C-U, the Independence Day Celebration in July, a music festival and Sweet Corn Festival in August, and the Parade of Lights in December, as well as many other smaller events during the year.

Find More Community Information

Experience CU provides directory information about all tourism-related business as well as other local attractions. The New Resident Resources page is a helpful resource for individuals who are here for a longer program.