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Downtown Champaign is full of interesting places. BBOnline has compiled a list of these for you.
The Art Theater
126 W. Church Street
Champaign, Illinois 61820
(217) 355-0068
www.thecuart.com
The only working single screen theater in Champaign-Urbana, and the oldest (built in 1913), the Art Theater shows foreign and independent films that are critically acclaimed and have a limited distribution. It's a beautiful building in maroon brick decorated with glazed ivory colored tile. The auditorium has an art deco look and the snack bar has affordable eats.
Historic Virginia Theater
203 West Park Street
Champaign, Illinois 61820
www.thevirginia.org
This theater with a charming Italian Renaissance style exterior dates back to the 1920s. It hosts classic films as well as live performances. Some famous names have performed here like Charlie Chaplin, The Marx Brothers and Buster Keaton. The interior has an ornate Spanish Renaissance style. There's a full stage, a single screen, dressing rooms and an elegant Wurlitzer pipe organ. The Roger Ebert Overlooked Film Festival is held here every April.
The theater is home to the Champaign-Urbana Theater Company which performs concerts throughout the year. No daily shows. Check their website for details. Tickets are affordably priced. A perfect way to spend an evening in downtown Champaign during your stay at your Charleston Bed and Breakfast.
Orpheum Children's Science Museum
346 North Neil Street
Champaign, Illinois 61820
(217) 352-5895
www.m-crossroads.org/orpheum
Housed in an old theater building, this hands-on science museum for kids age 2 and up holds events such as the Weekend Wizards - a Saturday packed with fun activities and games and the annual "Trick or Treat with Chemistry" day. Children take part in fun experiments and learn about insects, lizards and snakes. Halloween costumes are encouraged.
The museum also holds summer camps and birthday parties. Some of the animals kids can thrill to are bearded dragoons, an ornate box turtle, a corn snake, Madagascar hissing cockroaches, red-eared sliders and a Chilean rose-haired tarantula.
Champaign County Historical Museum
102 E. University Avenue
Champaign, Illinois 61820
www.champaignmuseum.org
The museum in downtown Champaign uses artifacts in educational activities to interpret the county's history in an interesting way. Notable exhibits include the museum building itself and the bright red 1919 Cretor popcorn wagon.
Springer Cultural Center
301 North Randolph Street
Champaign, Illinois 61820
(217) 398-2376
www.champaignparkdistrict.com
No matter what your age, you'll enjoy the recreational, cultural and educational programs held in this stately center. There are exhibits and performances to see. You can also attend lectures and participate in workshops. Choose from a list of 120 classes in music, dance, theater and visual arts.
Highdive Nightclub
51 East Main Street
Champaign, Illinois 61820
www.thehighdive.com
Downtown Champaign's largest live concert venue, this nightclub is housed in a historic theater. Every Friday and Saturday night, dance to a mix of Top-40 indie and mainstream numbers. They also have live music from some of the finest bands such as Black Eyed Peas, Reverend Horton Heat and Buckwheat Zydeco. Check out their virtual tour and you'll agree that a night at Highdive is a great way to wind down after a bout of sightseeing from your Charleston Inn.
Wind, Water and Light
10 East Main Street
Champaign, Illinois 61820
(217) 378-8565
This art gallery is the place to visit for works of art from local, regional and national artisans. Some of the works featured are live music performances and storytelling.