The 10 Best Free Things to do in Champaign, Illinois (IL)

February 14, 2022 Leonardo Torrence

Champaign (English: /ˌʃæmˈpeɪn/) is a city in Champaign County, Illinois, United States. The city is 135 miles (217 km) south of Chicago, 124 miles (200 km) west of Indianapolis, Indiana, and 178 mi (286 km) northeast of St. Louis, Missouri. The United States Census Bureau estimates the city was home to 84,513 people as of July 1, 2014. Champaign is the tenth-most populous city in Illinois, and the state's fourth-most populous city outside the Chicago metropolitan area. It is included in the Champaign–Urbana metropolitan area.
Restaurants in Champaign

1. Jane Addams Book Shop

208 N Neil St, Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, IL 61820-4013 +1 217-356-2555 [email protected] http://www.janeaddamsbooks.com
Excellent
86%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 14 reviews

Jane Addams Book Shop

Locally owned independent used bookstore with over 70,000 books on 3 floors in a great downtown environment.

2. Champaign Public Library

200 W Green St, Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, IL 61820-5193 +1 217-403-2000 [email protected] http://www.champaign.org/
Excellent
82%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 130 reviews

Champaign Public Library

Step into our light-filled, open spaces and see our wonderful Peter Sis murals, colorful TeenSpace, quiet meeting rooms, Library Café and Friendshop Bookstore. The library at 200 W. Green St., is open Mondays - Thursdays 9-9; Fridays 9-6; Saturdays 9-6; and Sundays 12-6. Our Douglass Branch Library is located 504 E. Grove St., at the edge of Douglass Park. Stop in for a great selection of books, DVDs, and CDs, plus friendly service, free Internet access, and public meeting spaces. Open Mondays - Thursdays 10-8; Fridays 10-6 and Saturdays 10-4.

Reviewed By urbanguy - Richmond, United States

We went there, specifically, to check out the Friend's Bookstore. The Bookstore is in the basement, with shelves and shelves of well organized books for sale. Fiction is alphabetized by author. The non-fiction is broken down into tons of meaningful categories. Upstairs, there is an unbelievable number of DVDs to borrow. There is also a coffee shop, with both indoor and outdoor seating. A very impressive Library!

3. Larry Kanfer Photography

2103 N Dunlap Ave, Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, IL 61820-7767 +1 217-398-2000 [email protected] http://www.kanfer.com
Excellent
90%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 31 reviews

Larry Kanfer Photography

Larry Kanfer Photography is a midwest based, nationally collected photographic artist. Most known for his Prairiescapes® (Midwest landscape photography celebrating the rural lifestyles of the American heartland), he also has extensive collections of Cityscapes, International, University of Illinois, Woodlands, Tropical, Close-ups and Abstract fine art photographs. Larry Kanfer Photography, in Champaign, IL, is the premier photographer serving Champaign, Savoy, Urbana, Mahomet, Peoria, Bloomington, Normal, Carbondale and surrounding areas since 1979. We specialize in custom photography, original wall and framed artwork, home decor, office art, architectural, landscape, woodlands and scenic photography, conceptual artwork, artwork installation packages, licensed imagery and much more. Larry Kanfer Photography is perfect for corporate, health care, hospitality, custom installations, as well as residential artwork and gifts.

Reviewed By celester780 - Peoria, United States

AMAZING! Larry Kanfer’s skill and body of work has been compared to Ansel Adams’ with good reason. His photographs take the ordinary and show us the extraordinary beauty of nature. His ability to show the beauty in the everyday scenery with his prairiescapes is a gift in particular to Midwesterners. Beyond the prairiescapes, University of Illinois and Chicago photographs, a visit to the gallery is a chance to see Kanfer’s international work which is equally stunning. The artist himself, because his work is true artistry, is gracious with his time and very welcoming.

4. Curtis Orchard & Pumpkin Patch

3902 S Duncan Rd, Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, IL 61822-6702 +1 217-359-5565 [email protected] http://curtisorchard.com
Excellent
58%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 228 reviews

Curtis Orchard & Pumpkin Patch

Escape to the country at Curtis Orchard from July 20 - December 23. This farm in southwest Champaign features apples, pumpkins and a large country store. Shop for specialty food items and take home the farm's fresh apple cider. Try their famous donuts & pies, along with great meals in September & October. The orchard offers free admission & parking. Entertainment options for a fee include a giant slide, obstacle course, corn maze & pony rides. Free activities include a playground & petting zoo. Pick-your-own apples and pumpkins are purchased in the store.

Reviewed By ReallyNiceClark - Edmond, United States

Stopped here over the Thanksgiving break for fresh cider and had to get an apple pie too. It’s the best apple pie I have ever had. The peach pie was the best I ever had too. Perfect crust like grandma made.

5. Krannert Art Museum

500 E Peabody Dr, Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, IL 61820-6913 +1 217-244-0516 http://kam.illinois.edu
Excellent
59%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 51 reviews

Krannert Art Museum

6. Hessel Park

1401 Grandview Dr, Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, IL 61820-6826 +1 217-398-2550 http://www.champaignparkdistrict.com/parks/hessel.htm
Excellent
64%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 47 reviews

Hessel Park

7. West Side Park

400 E University Ave, Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, IL 61820-3827 +1 217-398-2550 http://www.champaignparkdistrict.com/parks/westside.htm
Excellent
48%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 33 reviews

West Side Park

8. Centennial Park Champaign

Kirby St Crescent Dr, Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, IL +1 217-398-2550 http://www.champaignparkdistrict.com/parks/centennial.htm
Excellent
67%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 9 reviews

Centennial Park Champaign

9. Barrelhouse 34

34 E Main St, Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, IL 61820-3603 +1 217-239-4677 http://www.barrelhouse34.com
Excellent
54%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
8%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 13 reviews

Barrelhouse 34

10. The Blind Pig Co.

120 N Walnut St, Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, IL 61820-4010 +1 217-398-1532
Excellent
58%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
8%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 12 reviews

The Blind Pig Co.

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