What to do near Champaign?

EDA0805

My friend and I think a girls' weekend is in order.  She's in Rockford and I'm in StL.  Champaign seems to be a good mid-point. 

I know U of I is there.  We have no connection to the school.  Are there any wineries in the area?  Spas?  Anything fun and girly to do?  Restaurants?

Thanks!

yellowroses510

I'm not sure about wineries, but there are bars bars bars bars bars in that area. It's a college town, so there are bars on practically every street.

It's been a while since I've been in "Cham-bana" but there are some decent clubs--High Dive has a reputation for booking great acts and bands, but the bar tab can be pricey. Kamakura (sp?) is a really great restaurant--not exactly "fancy", but it's a Benihana type joint where your food is prepared at your table.

 Sorry I can't suggest more! It's been a while since I was last down there (for a bachelorette party) and I can't remember much (remember--bars!). Hopefully someone else from this board will have something better to add!

daniellenpete06

A really good restaurant to check out is Dos Reales. It is located on Prospect about 1 mile from Rte 74. Like the pp said, there are numerous bars and smaller restaurants downtown Champaign. There is a decent mall out by the interestate you could check out as well. I didn't attend U of I, but my brother does and we definitely hit up Dos Reales every time we go visit him!

Amanda&Chris

I haven't been there since I moved away 3 years ago, but...

There is a wine shop called Sunsinger on Windsor Rd. that has food and you can open a bottle there and drink it.

For "nicer" places there is Silver Creek or Kennedy's at Stone Creek golf course.  There is also Biaggis and Cafe Luna (tapas).

For summer I really liked Cowboy Monkey for a bar. They have quite a bit of outdoor seating.

aliloulou

I would say that Bloomington/Normal is going to be a little easier for you both to get to.  She'd come up 55 and you'll drive down 39/51.  You could still go over to Champaign for a day.  The only thing I can say is the outlet malls in some town that's about 30-40 minutes south of Champaign on I-57.  It begins with a T and I can't think of it right now. 

Have fun - it's always nice to be able to see old friends.

ChiBride2007

Tuscola is where the outlets are. Custard Cup is great for frozen custard. There are some cute restaurants and bars in downtown Champaign. I love Campus Town (Green St, the Quad, etc) but I went to U of I, so I'm partial to reliving the glory days.

DianeMcD

There is a good restaurant in the downtwon Champaign area called jim gould- very nice place to eat...................

moniquitta

It's been forever sincy I went to school there, however, the last time I was there, I noticed that that Champaign downtown area was really cool.  Also, Ther is Allerton Park in Monticello (about 20/30 min west of Champaign).  If you have time and like parks, it is definately worth the trip.  They have a website I believe.  Just visiting the campus is cool too.

goteamgo

There's Curtis Orchard in the area- good apple donuts, apple picking, etc. in season.  There's a Ten Thousand Villages shop in Champaign that I like to visit, and a good place for burgers and skinny dippers (potato skins) there, too, called Courier Cafe.  If you like resale shops, there are a handful right in the same area, as well.

Campustown isn't all that fun, if you didn't go to U of I.  But since I did, I love stopping by Murphy's for a beer. It is a gorgeous campus to walk around, though- the Quad is beautiful.

Allerton is a nice park. 

No ideas on the really girly stuff, though, sorry.  I think the Illinois wineries are closer to Carbondale, Galena and then up in Lake County.