Founded in 1855 with the arrival of the Illinois Central Railroad, Champaign was first called West Urbana. Champaign adjoins the city of Urbana and is a commercial and industrial center in a fertile farm area. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and Parkland College are located in the community. The university/college environment brings culture and a roster of activities to the city. Champaign County offers diversity with desired attractions, while maintaining a small town hospitality The city's economic mainstays are agriculture and higher education.
In 1997, Meadowbrook Park, along with Busey Woods, was added to the Watchable Wildlife Program, and is included in the Illinois Wildlife and Nature Viewing Guide. The extensive, enriched prairie plantings lead the area to be a very desirable and beautiful nature location.
Accommodations
There are several options for accommodations in Champaign, some of those include: the Country Inn & Suites By Carlson; The Drury Inn; and Suites Champaign Hotel, all offering easy access to variety of restaurants and shopping malls. The Hawthorn Suites is a contemporary hotel that joins a professional office complex.
Restaurants Diversity in restaurants in Champaign is appealing to the diner. Some of those options include: the unique Za's Restaurant; Geovantis Restorante and the Jerusalem Restaurant, which offers a full selection of Middle Eastern, including falafil sandwiches, hummus, and tabouli.
Shopping Constructed in 1964, Lincoln Square became the first enclosed shopping mall in the State of Illinois, and the second mall in the United States. Lincoln Square Village sits in the heart of Urbana. As a growing downtown significant revitalization efforts encourages a hub of activity for shopping, working, and dining.
Market Place Shopping Center is a complete shopping and dining experience with eight restaurants and 100 contemporary stores.
Major Attractions
Krannert Art has more than 8,000 objects. The collections include: The Trees Collection of European and American Painting; Moore Collection of European and American Decorative Arts; The Olsen Collection of pre-Columbian Art; and examples of 20th Century Art collected during the Contemporary Arts Festivals from 1948 through 1974. Additional points of the collection include a delicate Asian art, a collection of African art, and a collection of works on paper.
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, has an extensive undergraduate program, and is 41st overall out of nationally accredited universities. The University is composed of 18 Colleges and Institutes that offer more than 150 programs of study. The campus was originally established as the Illinois Industrial University in Urbana in 1867, and now includes 272 major buildings on 1,458 acres.
The Anita Purves Nature Center is an environmental education facility open to the public. The Nature Center provides a natural resource and features four multipurpose rooms, an Exhibit Hall and an Observation Room.
Written by: Karen J. Lee
Champaign Jobs 