ijas Group Activities (must register in advance through ijas)
***NOTE: These Saturday afternoon activities are coordinated through IJAS, and are available by registering using the links below.
Staerkel Planetarium at Parkland College
Address: 2400 W. Bradley Ave, Champaign - 50 tickets ($5/ticket) reserved for 2:00 show with a short Q&A following the show. Registration Link
Description: This show in the planetarium’s dome is called Unveiling the Invisible Universe. Humans have long observed light coming from the night sky, and the invention of the telescope revolutionized our knowledge of the universe. Rockets allow us to go above Earth’s atmosphere and observe x-ray and gamma radiation which are marks of the hot and violent universe. Aside from light, neutrinos and cosmic rays also provide vital information about the cosmos. Finally, the detection of gravitational waves from two merging black holes opened a new window in astrophysics. This video presents images of the cosmos as revealed by all these different messengers. A brief Q&A session will follow the show. Attendees must use personal transportation.
Prairie Fruits Farm and Creamery
Address: 4410 N. Lincoln Ave, Urbana
Description: Behind the scenes farm tour with an expanded educational topic - Breed Genetics, AND cheese tasting. Farm tour touches on the farm system from grass to goats to cheese. Light cheese tasting included. Breed Genetics: We will dive into identifying our two goat breeds (La Mancha and Nubian), identifying each breed and their hybrid by visible traits (ears), curating a conversation about which traits are important to breed for in dairy goats, with students/guests having the opportunity to discuss and decide their own goals, and hearing from our Heard Manager, Rose, on the breeding goals that our farm pursues and how Rose tracks those.
Attendees must use personal transportation
Registration Link
Spurlock Museum
Address: 600 S. Gregory St, Urbana - Two tours with 30 people in each ($5/ticket): 1:00 & 2:00 P.M.
Description: Through this tour, visitors will view the Museum’s 5 permanent galleries and critically engage at minimum one specific artifact within each gallery, selected and highlighted by a gallery guide. Time can also be allotted for guests to explore any current temporary exhibits. CU Mass Transit Bus Guide - Click Here
Registration Link for 1:00 tour
Registration Link for 2:00 tour
University Pollinatarium
Address: 606 W. Windsor Rd, Urbana
Description: Discovery science center devoted to flowering plants and their pollinators.
Attendees must use personal transportation
Registration Link
Urbana-Champaign Sanitary District
Address: 1100 E. University Ave, Urbana
Description: During this tour, guests will see how UCSD uses natural processes to clean up sewage from homes and businesses in the twin cities. The main result 15 million gallons per day of water that is clean enough to go into a creek. They also create a fertilizer-rich soil amendment for farmers' fields and generate about half a megawatt of electricity and two-thirds of the heat needed for their operations.
Attendees must use personal transportation
Registration Link
Individual Activities (no registration required)
Looking for some fun during your down-time? Whether you're bouncing into action at Elevate Trampoline Park, vibing under a canopy of art at the Krannert Art Museum, hitting the rink at Skateland, or challenging your friends to an epic laser tag battle, there's no shortage of excitement in Champaign-Urbana!
CU Adventures in Time & Space
Address: 302 N. Broadway Ave, Urbana - Reserve in advance using this form
Description: An award-winning escape room center with theatrical immersive experiences.
CU Mass Transit Bus Guide: Click Here
Elevate Trampoline Park
Address: 707 N. Country Fair Dr, Champaign - Reserve online or pay at the door
Description: Wall-to-wall trampolines with a zip line, dodgeball, volleyball, basketball, and an open jumping area.
CU Mass Transit Bus Guide: Click Here
Illini Union Rec Room
Address: 1401 W. Green St, Urbana - Reserve in advance using this form
Description: Bowling, billiards, air hockey, and arcade games.
Bus Route from Union area: None needed - this activity is located in the basement of the Illini Union.
Jupiter’s at the Crossing
Address: 2511 Village Green Pl, Champaign - Pay at the door
Description: Pizza restaurant with an arcade downstairs.
CU Mass Transit Bus Guide: Click Here
Krannert Art Museum
Address: 500 E. Peabody Dr, Champaign - Free self-tours offered, no reservations required
Description: Museum featuring art exhibits that use a variety of media.
CU Mass Transit Bus Guide: Click Here
Old Orchard Lanes & Links
Address: 901 N. Dunlap Ave, Savoy - Pay at the door
Description: Bowling alley and outdoor mini-golf course.
CU Mass Transit Bus Guide: Click Here
Prairie Research Institute Expo
Address: U of I Research Park - 1816 S. Oak St, Champaign
Description: During the Expo, PRI scientists and staff will offer visitors a glimpse of the fascinating subjects they study every day — natural history, archaeology, hydrology and water, weather and climate, pollution prevention, and sustainable energy. The expo is open Friday from 9am-3pm and Saturday from 10am-3pm.
CU Mass Transit Bus Guide: Click Here
SAVOY 16 IMAX WITH LASER
Address: 232 Burwash Ave., Savoy - Pay at the door or online
Description: Immersive moviegoing experience with an IMAX auditorium and premium reclining seats.
CU Mass Transit Bus Guide: Click Here
Skateland
Address: 208 Curtis Rd, Savoy - Friday public open night 7:00–10:00 P.M. (pay at the door)
Description: Open skating area, laser tag and arcade games; skates available to rent if desired.
CU Mass Transit Bus Guide: Click Here
The Pottery Place
Address: 1808 Round Barn Rd, Champaign - Pay at the door
Description: Art studio featuring a ‘paint your own pottery’ theme.
CU Mass Transit Bus Guide: Click Here
The Studio at Champaign Public Library
Address: 200 W. Green St, Champaign free - No reservations required
Description: Makerspace (3D printers, sewing machines, cricut machines, laser cutters), recording booths, computer lab, and video gaming.
CU Mass Transit Bus Guide: Click Here
University Arboretum & Japan House
Address: 2001 S. Lincoln Ave, Urbana - Free, no reservations required
Description: Walking path through a botanical garden and Japanese cultural center.
CU Mass Transit Bus Guide: Click Here
University of Illinois Ice Arena
Address: 406 E. Armory Dr, Champaign - Pay at the door or register in advance
Description: Enjoy public ice skating hours Friday from 7:30-9:30pm and Saturday from 1:30-4:00pm.
CU Mass Transit Bus Guide: Click Here
University of Illinois Self-Guided Tour
Address: U of I Campus - Link to Tour
Description: Self-guided walking tour of the Engineering Campus
Urbana Boulders
Address: 1502 N Cunningham Ave, Urbana - Pay at the door
Description: Variety of rock climbing walls and climbing courses suitable for any skill level.
CU Mass Transit Bus Guide: Click Here
DINE OUT!
From comfort food to international flavors, Champaign-Urbana has something for every craving (plus vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options!).
Experience our award-winning culinary scene
Watson’s Shack & Rail serves up legendary Nashville hot chicken and indulgent comfort food (pro tip: go for the chicken and waffles!). Craving a great burger? Farren’s, Smith Burger Co., and The Space all offer can’t-miss selections. If sliders and shareable bites are more your thing, Seven Saints and Aspen Tap House is the place to go.
Pizza lovers have options, too! Try your hand at bowling and some of the best wood-fire pizza at Old Orchard Lanes & Links. Pizzeria Antica specializes in authentic Neapolitan-style pizza made according to legit Italian rules and regulations, while Jupiter’s serves up thin-crust pies with creative toppings—perfect for large crowds as you challenge your friends at the arcade!
Take your taste buds on a world tour with Laotian and Thai cuisine at Sticky Rice, Zambian fare at Stango Cuisine, Indian comfort food at Kohinoor, fresh soul food at Neil Street Blues, authentic Mexican at Maize Mexican Grill, Carolina-style barbecue at Black Dog Smoke & Ale House and Po'Boys Restaurant, and Japanese fusion at Tenkyu.
Need a pick-me-up? Mad Goat Coffee serves up serious brews, while Suzu’s Bakery offers delectable Japanese pastries. For breakfast, Industrial Donut will whisk you away with hundreds of doughnut, icing, and topping combinations. Other great options: Big Grove Tavern, Martinelli’s Market, La Bahia Grill, Himalayan Chimney.
Events in the Champaign-Urbana Area
More events to be added soon!
Free Comic Book Day at the Champaign Public Library
Address: 200 W. Green St., Champaign
When: Saturday, May 3, 9:00–6:00 P.M.
helpful links & RESOURCES
Hotel Blocks - Click Here
IJAS Main Page - Click Here
CU Mass Transit Bus Guide - Click Here