AN ACTIVE, HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

When we’re not conjuring up the next world-altering technological innovation, you’ll find the folks of Champaign-Urbana enjoying our beautiful natural resources and eco-friendly community. Champaign-Urbana boasts more than 1,077 acres of city parks and 26 miles of city trails and bike paths. We are literally a green city, and we’re the proud recipients of a Tree City USA award by the National Arbor Day Foundation, which we’ve been given every year since 1972.

Once you start exploring the miles of bikeways and trails, you’ll find some of the most unique recreation amenities in the region. Nearby Allerton Park, with its formal gardens and hiking trails, is noted as one of the seven wonders of Illinois. It was recently named one of the most underrated tourist attractions in all 50 states. Get into nature by hiking through wetlands frequented by herons, camping in the only International Dark Sky Park in Illinois at the Middle Fork River Forest Preserve, or simply enjoying evening concerts in the city parks. Whether it’s canoeing, hiking or taking a leisurely stroll among outdoor sculptures, Champaign-Urbana has active, outdoor activities for all paces.

We’ve got healthy food covered, too, with a bounty of farmers markets, CSAs, and community gardens. You’ll also find delicious farm-to-table restaurants throughout the region, and there are several food and drink festivals throughout the year. Our barbeque and cheese attract national headlines, and our fine dining has been seen on the pages of Bon Appetit (there’s a reason Midwest Living named us the Best Midwest Food Town).  And we have some of the best tap water in the U.S.